Dave’s Picks Volume 35: Philadelphia Civic Center, Philadelphia, PA 4/20/84

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July 16, 2020 - 9:34am

1,829 replies

clayv

Joined:
March 14, 2018

Sweet liberty! We're venturing into the depths of 80s Dead with the complete show from 4/20/84 at the Philadelphia Civic Center and we're placing bets you'll think this one is more than fine. A strong contender for our mega 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN boxed set, 4/20/84 missed the cut by virtue of its setlist being a wee bit too similar to the years before and after. As DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 35, it's found its time to shine. The first set delivers yin yang harmony between Jerry and Bobby songs, yielding driven and powerful takes on tracks like "Feel Like A Stranger," "Cold Rain And Snow," and "Brown-Eyed Women." The second set begs the question - will we ever stop peaking? - with a monumental "Scarlet>Fire," a ripping "Samson and Delilah," a "Space" that pulls shapes that know no names, and that "Morning Dew" - get.in.to.it! And because this one might have ended just a little too soon, we've packed disc 2 and 3 with knock-your-socks-off bonus material from most of the second set from the previous night, 4/19/84. Grab ahold while you can!

Limited to 22,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOL.35: PHILADELPHIA CIVIC CENTER, PHILADELPHIA 4/20/84 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and is guaranteed to sell out.

*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

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October 2, 2020 - 10:30am

#331

Slow Dog Noodle

Joined:
June 12, 2007

Manipulative?

would be if this fourth pick was a Dead and Co show.
October 2, 2020 - 10:04am

#332

itsburnsy

Joined:
June 12, 2007

Kraken 36

I like the name Kraken, my first choice was Sockeyes though. Drove by the official store (South Lake Union) last Saturday but didn't stop in. Can't wait to get like a 4 game ticket package.

#36 is a surprise. The occasional 80's release is all good, but 2 in a row, c'mon Dave. The fourth pick of the year has historically been a solid (but not long pole) show to get us pumped for the sub. I'll postpone judgement until I hear it in it's re-mastered glory, but seems like a weak follow up to a mediocre '84 show. Anyway, can't wait to get the sub info for 37 and 38.
October 2, 2020 - 9:31am

#333

Mr. Ones

Joined:
July 25, 2017

Dave’s 36

Love all the comments so far, and the diversity of opinion. Going back to when Dick’s Picks started, I only bought the shows that really pricked up my ears(68-72) mostly, and continued with Road Trips series. After boxzilla, I had a change of heart, and then had to go back(it’s that collector gene/defect) and fill in all the blanks. It wasn’t too embarrassingly expensive thank God. Luckily, the 2011 Bonus Disc(which I only have a burned copy of) taught me the lesson to always subscribe, so, I have a complete Dave’s series, along with RTs & Dick’s. I guess my first instinct was best, but because I have been buying music from 1965 to the present, that collectors gene/defect has taken over. So, since I MUST have it all, I will.
I tell myself it’s good to have all eras, but It’s the very rare post ‘77 show that I give a second or third listen to. The bonus disc for me is a MUST have, so the price is worth it(right??).
I won’t complain about ANY of the releases, and maybe one day, I’ll sell these complete sets. But probably not.
I can’t disagree with anyone’s decision as to which way they will go. But for me, the first bonus disc that’s from after ‘77, I will be done with the subscriptions. Looking forward to new music, especially AB 50.
Peace to all, stay safe & healthy.
Music is the best!!

P.S. There are only 4 songs from #36 that I am excited to hear(is that a complaint??).
October 2, 2020 - 9:26am

#334

mcgrupp216

Joined:
November 1, 2017

'87 GD (comeback tour)

Quote from a nice little blog aptly titled "the modern deadhead":

"The five-month break and their healthier approach made a big difference to the sound. "I can't tell you what it means to have been to the point where it looked like there wasn't going to be any more Grateful Dead, and then to come back like this and to have it be as good as it is now," Kreutzmann said in '88, "We're playing better, we're healthier - all of us, not just Jerry - and we have more energy; I know I do. I feel great! I feel young!""

http://moderndeadhead.blogspot.com/2009/12/grateful-dead-1987.html
October 2, 2020 - 9:13am

#335

MrHeartbreak

Joined:
August 2, 2013

A La Carte

I was not aware that one of these was Dave’s first show. That makes some sense. I would probably have only bought one from this year, too, if I’d been buying a la carte. Only problem with a la carte is you end up paying about $50 per show, once you factor in tax and shipping. Makes the sub model more appealing.

I'm amazed (and proud of you guys) for not jumping all over me for what I wrote. I almost never post here, mainly because of a small contingent of folks who cannot stomach anything that smacks of criticism, or even discernment. And they want to argue if you're being "negative."

There's NO rule that being a Deadhead means never criticizing a performance, or even loving every era equally. That’s pure BS. Many, many Deadheads who actually saw them perform WITH JERRY back in the day were critical then, and have just as much right to be critical now. The “Drums” segment of 80s shows was literally a piss break for half the people in the place at every concert I attended. People derided the 70s-era version “Dancing in the Streets” as “Disco Dead,” and yes, said the same thing about “Shakedown” when it first came out. “U.S. Blues” was often considered a least-preferred encore, earning the nickname “Useless Blues.” Don’t even get me started on “Day Job” (a song which I happen to think is a fun throwaway, actually). And yes, people who jumped on the bus when “Touch of Grey” came out were looked down on as “Touch-Heads.” I was there.

Having said all that, I'll give these a listen, and am looking forward to having more HQ versions of "West LA" and "Alabama." But seeing those dates keeps my expectations very, very low. Good era for Bobby fanatics, not so much for Jerry diehards, IMHO.
October 2, 2020 - 9:08am

#336

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Subscribe

Unless they really piss me off (and they might just do that one day), I will likely subscribe to the bitten end.

I enjoy it.. and looking back, I am happy with the shows I saw, even the ones that were not 'great,' the regret I have is the shows I could have seen but didn't.. What's $25 a release in the grand scheme of things.. I look at all the money I never spent smoking, that's my Dave's Picks loot.
October 2, 2020 - 8:23am

#337

billy the kid

Joined:
December 3, 2019

alacarte

If I was buying alacarte this year , I only would have bought the 1974 release ( Dave's #34).
October 2, 2020 - 8:05am

#338

hendrixfreak

Joined:
February 26, 2014

Classic reactions, including mine...

First off, there's a sheet-ton of great shows left in the vault. Without a doubt. But the number of release-able shows for, say, '67, '68, '69 and '70 is limited, I'd guess. Plus, shows in those years tended to be too short for a Dave's release. Though (2) '68s or '69s would fill three discs. So Dave is killing two birds with one stone: upend the pattern of a strong finish to the year, release his own first show. Any criticism of the vault keeper for doing that is mainly -- according to these pages -- seems rooted in wanting our own first shows released instead.

There are a ton of shows from '71, '72, and '73 and a handful from '74 yet to go. And good-sounding 80s tapes -- at least judging from 30 Trips -- are not all that abundant. But Dave will be scouring for 80s and maybe 90s tapes to leaven and slow the release of the prime stuff from '71 to '74. Understandable, in a sense, if they want to stretch this vault release stream til Dave retires. Instead, I'd rather see a decade-long model where we just get the cream.

I'd guess that the 2021 Dave's Picks start out strong, based on an '84 and an '87 to end this year. But if the 3rd and 4th picks are downright lame, I'd probably bail on the subscription after only-god-knows how many years.

That said, the boxes certainly provide Dave another outlet. And I'd guess he'll want a blockbuster for 2021. I'm still thinking fall '72.

Frankly, if I were Dave, I'd love to read the squirming comments that greet a surprise pick, knowing that he can make us all stop chattering with a phenomenal #37 announcement or a killer box next year.

To sum up this year, the June '76 box really hit the spot; I like June much better than the rest of that year. We got (2) Feb '71 shows. The October '77 Dekalb show is a classic from tape trading days and entirely welcome. And June '74 with bonus disc is in the sweet spot. So overall I'd have to grade the year's output as an A and remain open-minded about the forthcoming '87 show.

Naturally, I'll be riveted to learn about #37 and #38 and the 2021 box. Meanwhile, this winter, I only have a couple hundred shows to enjoy while we hunker down once again in the vortex of unanticipated events.
October 2, 2020 - 8:01am

#339

mcgrupp216

Joined:
November 1, 2017

ICECRM '91, Dave & Dicks, Pudding & Heartbreak (& Gratitude)

I would love a crisp '91! Though honestly, there are (a lot of) times I actually prefer the later Vince era to the '91-'92 Hornsby/Welnick period. At any rate, perhaps it goes without saying, we still haven't seen a '90s Dave Pick.

Dick (or I guess should say Dick's Picks) gave us:

3 '90s
5 '80s (counting 12/26/79)
3 '60s (4 if you count 2/13-2/14/70)

Dave (Dave's Picks) has given us:

0 '90s
6 '80s (counting 12/3/79)
4 '60s (counting 1/2 and 1/23/70)

It's obvious that the sweet spot for both series' is the '70s. If this is a gift to Dave (this was his first show), it's well-deserved. Heck, it's perhaps even more deserved as a gift to Charlie Miller (his favorite show).

How's this look? As a very rough (not fully thought out schematic): Each year we get one respective pick from the following eras: '69-'72, '73-'78, '79-'86, '87-'95. I'd take it! But it wouldn't be as fun, I don't think. In Dave We Trust! I subscribe because I want them all and want to support the enterprise, but a la carte is definitely an option now for many at 22K.
October 2, 2020 - 8:00am

#340

Dennis

Joined:
November 1, 2012

Dave Rock

Hey, that quitting smoking shit was easy,,,, quit subscribing??? Don't know if I have enough man in me for that!

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

Sweet liberty! We're venturing into the depths of 80s Dead with the complete show from 4/20/84 at the Philadelphia Civic Center and we're placing bets you'll think this one is more than fine. A strong contender for our mega 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN boxed set, 4/20/84 missed the cut by virtue of its setlist being a wee bit too similar to the years before and after. As DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 35, it's found its time to shine. The first set delivers yin yang harmony between Jerry and Bobby songs, yielding driven and powerful takes on tracks like "Feel Like A Stranger," "Cold Rain And Snow," and "Brown-Eyed Women." The second set begs the question - will we ever stop peaking? - with a monumental "Scarlet>Fire," a ripping "Samson and Delilah," a "Space" that pulls shapes that know no names, and that "Morning Dew" - get.in.to.it! And because this one might have ended just a little too soon, we've packed disc 2 and 3 with knock-your-socks-off bonus material from most of the second set from the previous night, 4/19/84. Grab ahold while you can!

Limited to 22,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOL.35: PHILADELPHIA CIVIC CENTER, PHILADELPHIA 4/20/84 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and is guaranteed to sell out.

*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

Oroborous - right on

Absolutely. Being critical is positive, not negative.

Minor Point

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm getting Dave's Picks subscriptions to get complete shows regardless of the length of the show and I'm pretty sure this is the root of some of the disagreement here. If you are getting this to get as many minutes of music as possible, you're going to have a different view than if you are getting these just to get a complete show with each release. Personally, I haven't picked up several of the compilation Road Trips just because the compilation model doesn't really interest me at this point. I can't explain why this particular eccentricity afflicts me, but I guess you just dig what you dig, no need to overthink it and nothing against those who enjoy the compilation model. When I listen to the Dead it is almost always either a studio album or an entire show and any filler is typically just a distraction for me. Again, if you like the filler, don't take it personally that I do not. If this is an occasional thing with Dave's Picks it will be a minor inconvenience for me, and if it is a regular thing then it will diminish my enjoyment and interest in the series. That will mean more copies for those of you that do dig that format, so no harm done either way. You can chalk up my lack of interest in burning copies or programming the CD player every time that I listen to something to my Luddite tendencies.

As far as the fact this is an '84 show, that doesn't bother me a bit, I'm looking forward to having another show from '84 and as always, when I listen I'll know how much I like it. I'll take a full show from whatever year Dave Picks, that is not at all an issue for me. I don't know what makes someone a seasoned deadhead or not, and my guess is that 20 different deadheads will give you 20 different answers (isn't that cool?), so I'm not sure how enthusiasm for this release or the manner in which the filler was added correlates to someones internalized deadhead hierarchy, but if it helps anyone, feel free to think of me as a bad, bad deadhead for my criticism of the filler choices on this release.

Charlie3 and others

First I must state I was making a general statement after opening up this board for the first time and reading all 10 pages from stem to stern, for good or for ill. I’m sure I was reacting to a general vibe I felt (so that basically meaningless “I” ) I in no way meant any individual and especially not you! Your a long time favorite and often a voice of reason here.
In fact, I agreed with everything you said except the part about your not dead enough? I especially enjoyed the 20 DH’s will give you 20 different answers. That’s the shit I love and miss!

So to all I should clarify:
the “issues” seems to be
1- complete shows verses chop jobs
2- too much “dead” space
3- sequencing of said complete shows

Like most things there is not going to be a perfect fit, so the topic becomes how to achieve all of the above, or if not possible?...what then?
My clarification is complete shows (wouldn’t mind having to miss say one song if it’s a extra great show), but if there’s extra disc space, perhaps reasonably add extra material, especially in example, 9/2/80, which Dick said was all there was, and why he used it as filler...as far as sequencing, we’ll that’s probably more the issue, and it’s probably really contingent on how your listening. And that I’m not touching with a ten foot pole as how you dig something should be whatever is best for you, imho...

Happy Birthday Keith!!....

Oro

No worries Oro, I didn't see anything objectionable at all about your earlier post, just made me think there was probably a fundamental split in what people hope to get out of these releases, and I like posts that make me think, so thanks. The back and forth on these threads sometimes leads to exposure to different insights and sometimes some pretty funny shit. Which begs the question, where are the jokes lately? I'm talking to you Vguy72 (but in a totally nice, hey dig your jokes kind of way, not in any way to make anyone go all Travis Bickle on the situation). And don't be afraid to provide an explainer along with the jokes, took me a day to get the Thermos Tat joke. But I really enjoyed it all the more when I got it. Been on a serious time crunch lately, so my listening time has been pretty limited, but I am looking forward to the 2/21/71 show. But yeah, the mood around here lately makes it seem like we're in the middle of some sort of global pandemic or something...which would seem like the perfect time for some humor to me.

Edit: And thanks for the kind words Oro.

VGUY

Yeah, what’s up with the jokes dude?

I recently bought my pet duck a mask...

....to protect it from coronavirus.
Its nothing flashy, but it fits the bill.
Sorry. Thats all I've got for now.

Great 84 show

These 3 nights are great but the magic shows from that spring Tour in 84 were the second in Hampton and the Niagara Falls show. Those shows are amazing! The whole Spring tour was an amazing! People say that Jerry was off . I have to say that the Heads danced their butts off kicking down the floor seats and singing their lungs out! This was my favorite tour. Lots of love for the band and each other.

Well said Charlie3

I couldn’t have said it better, but I feel the exact same way.

Computer issues

Does anyone else have any issues seeing the description, track listing, & comments on a pc computer? I can obviously see this info on my iPhone, as I’m posting this now, but I can’t see any info for any of the products on Dead.net on my laptop.

Mustin321 Weirdness on Macs Too

I can't get to 'Comments' via the main 'Product' pages either (I tried unsuccessfully on Dave's 34 & 35 and WMD). It didn't matter if I was using Chrome, Firefox or Safari on my MacBook Pro – the links on the main 'Product' pages don't work – all that loads is the product image, Listening Party, Dave's Backyard Chat and dead* links to 'Description', 'Product Details', 'Track Listing', and 'Comments'. Weird. . . guess they'll get the links fired back up at some point. Onward.

* That's 'dead', not 'Dead' ;-)

the product listing

rolls over into a discussion thread. This is normal. And you can get back to the product listing with the link at the top left.

1984

So glad to see a show from a new year in this series! I had to play Augusta ME 10/12/84 to get the vibe going. Thanks again Dave!

is the Comments button on the product page

not working for some folks?

Has the site been hacked?

That's right Mayre, the pages on the instore items, description, product details, tracklisting, and comments have all been removed. It has been like it for a couple of days now.

VGUY72 This COVID-19

is driving people quackers........

Marye

I’ve had a few days where posts don’t show up right away, and one night I could post on one board, but not another, but couldn’t edit....and when I can go to the store and go to say Dave’s Picks for example, I can see comments, track listing, product details etc, but when you click on any of these nothing happens...

I have (obviously) been able to access this board by going to dead.net, not into the store, and community>>products>>Dave’s 35 etc...oh, I’m using an iPad if that helps/matters?

Thanks for your help as always!

Sydney

NICE!, look out senator, there’s a new hired gun in town....he’s a real clucker!
I know, weak sauce! Lol

Truckin79

Tell us more...
We were at 4/16 & 17 in the front row, but due to extreme Vegetable protein don’t recall much....think Niagara’s Falls was hot but don’t remember much of Rochester and haven’t really checked these out yet....
Where you there and if so what do you recall?

@ Mustin, MaryE and others RE: Computer Issues with Deadnet

I just came here to post the same thing. None of the products tabs (description, track list, comments, etc.) seem to be working on my laptop, but they do seem to on my phone.

Peace

Store Items problem

I tried to access the track listings for WD Deluxe the other day from the Store pages and it was not loading. Tried again just now and still not working. Here's a link to the faulty page where the Comments and other tabs don't work (PC laptop Windows 10 here): https://store.dead.net/special-edition-shops/workingman-s-dead-collecti…

Ditto

I had the same experience, the tabs for track listing, product details are there but nothing shows up under the tabs when I clicked on them, checked on my phone and everything worked. Hadn't checked back since it happened a day or two ago, but I just checked again now and had the same issue. I thought it was just me.

Mary

That's right. If i click on the Dave's Picks icon and get to the product page I see the 'Description', 'Product Details', 'Track Listing' and 'Comments' tabs, but if I click on any of them nothing happens.

The way I can get to the chat is to click on the thread directly from the homepage, under the 'Grateful Dead Community' section.

Nineteen-Eighty-Fourrrrrrrrrrr

"Someday they won't let you, now you must agree
The times they are a-telling, and the changing isn't free
You've read it in the tea leaves, and the tracks are on TV
Beware the Savage Jaw...of 1984"

But I digress....

Cued up 7/3/84--Starlight Theater to catch this 84 wave, and when Scarlet Begonias appeared I was like "alright, alright, alright...little Scar-Fire to add some boogie to my dull day"...but wait....,was it??..... it was....The Boys squeezed "Touch of Grey" in between for an unusual Scar>Touch>Fire. Sneaky good shit, I must admit.....

https://archive.org/details/gd84-07-03.aud.willy.14909.sbeok.shnf

Preceded by..

..We are The Dead

DAVEROCK

Diamond Dogs...first 8-Track I ever bought...weather in a packed car full of friends and smoke, or at keg parties hidden deep in the woods, we wore that mother out! Good times.....

84 Spring Tour

Yes Rochester was amazing right out of gate with Shakedown and like you the whole tour was dosed! I have listened to Niagara and still to this day one of my favorites. The Morning Dew from the second night at Hampton is killer. All the shows from Philly where excellent. Jerry looked bad but he played incredibly. I loved this spring tour.

1984 philly

I was there at that show!!! about 15 people back from the stage!!! still truckin!! lol

I for one...

...am ecstatic for this release. This is why I subscribe. Been waiting for This era to get tapped since Dick's Picks and From The Vault. Jerry's health issues aside his guitar playing was often transcending during this period.

On a side note was listening to the bonus disc from this years Jai Alai release. That PITB has everything in the jam. Goes from melodic, to minor key jamming then a brief subtle moment that suddenly becomes a crazy jam based on the chord progression similar to a heavy Slipknot type vibe into some melancholy wah wah back into the Playin theme. I think I fell in love with this version.

Robbz

Good times indeed ! Coincidentally, a few weeks ago I bought the red vinyl copy that came out on RSD last year, and it sounds amazing in that format - better than the recently remastered cd.

Sweet Liberty In Philly.

Thanks Mary! Website's workin' real good once more – existential free fall averted. . . Onward.

84

Been enjoying this show on the archive since this release was announced. All this talk about spring 84 has sent me on a mission to dive into more shows from this era, which reminds of the old days when listening to one show would send me down a rabbit hole of discovery. Would be really cool if one release per year was dedicated to the early-mid 80s.

Test, check

Put on your rocket shoes

People are strange; I just don't get this sort of thing.

Admittedly I am just a little disgruntled that they broke our website today! Get off my lawn you ....uh..... shoe... people types!

For this kind of money, the rockets better actually work:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nike-SB-Dunk-Low-Grateful-Dead-Green-PREORDER-…

Put on your rocket shoes

Ok I take it all back; I see now that these were designed with a zippered stash pocket in the tongue. Ingenious - that would have come in handy in the frisk line back in the daze.

Garcia #14

Is on the way! Yeah!!

Wadeocu

Dont forget the kangaroos high-top of the 80's with the hidden zippered stash pocket on the side kangaroo logo.

7 21 84

https://archive.org/details/gd1984-07-21.112806.beyer-senn.daweez.d5sco…

Shakedown Street
Little Red Rooster
Althea
Me and My Uncle
Mexicali Blues
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Looks Like Rain
Might As Well

Cold Rain and Snow
Far From Me
Truckin'
Eyes of the World
drums
The Other One
Stella Blue
Around and Around
One More Saturday Night

Touch of Grey

4/20

Unless you're listening to this show on these bad boys, you're doing it wrong

https://gradolabs.com/headphones/limited-editions/item/124-hemp

(PS I have a pair of these now and they're awesome)

Shoes

Agreed, whats the deal with the hairy shoes? What if we had to enter a sweepstakes to be eligible to buy Dave's picks, or the next box set? I know that the shoe culture is huge in this country and people pay insane prices for limited edition shoes all the time, but surprised that dead culture has abutted that. C'est la vie.

Imelda Marcos

Now there is someone who knows a bit about shoes.

Lovely to look upon, Heaven to touch;

It's a real shame that they cost so much:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nike-SB-Dunk-Low-Grateful-Dead-With-Box-Orange…

Just wow ........

Imelda

I heard she got presale versions of all three through her connections....

Lovely To Look Upon, Heaven To Touch;

It's a real joke that they cost so much.

Just a pair of shoes. How does anyone have the nerve to ask prices like that. The evil face of greed and capitalism.

Think how bad you would feel if you stepped in dog shit whilst wearing them.

$3000

for the hairy shoes?! I feel like such an idiot. Here I've been collecting limited edition shows and box sets, but the money was in the shoes the whole time. It's like when Indy has to find the holy grail in the last crusade and you think its going to be the gilded one with all the jewels, but no, its the crappy plain cup over on the side behind all the cobwebs.

Nike 3rd party pricing....

.....I've seen some of their shoes go for a lot more that that on ebay. In the end, they're just shoes. The only shoes i would ever purchase that are over a hundred bucks are Birkenstocks.

If the shoe doesn't fit?

Last 5 favorite shoe songs:

Walk a Mile in My shoes Joe South
Travellin' Shoes Little Richard
Blue Suede Shoes Sid King & 5 Strings
These Boots are Made for Walking Nancy Sinatra/Megadeth
High Heel Sneakers GD

shoes

I don't know about you guys, but thanks to Covid and my work from home situation, I haven't actually worn shoes since march. Strictly flip-flops.

Re:

Right. Remind me what shoes are again.. it's been a while.

As for pricing, ski boots can get a little pricy.. but I am guessing in Vegas you might not know what I am talking about. You can sub birks for flip flops in 80's post for me too. And river booties I guess..

Walking to New Orleans/ Fats Domino

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H1z45jVlM34. One of my favorite songs, I have never seen Fats Domino, Jim I believe you saw him. I was told he couldn't come to Calif. for some legal reason, don't know if that's true. My brother played this song on his radio show for a friend who passed to early back in 1981, that's what I relate this song to.

product sku

081227909321

Product Magento URL

https://store.dead.net/music/dave-s-picks/dave-s-picks-vol-35.html