Anyone who has ever seen the Dead can testify that one of its shows will add quite a bit of color to the environment here at Stanford. Anyone who has not seen one of these spectacles should have the opportunity to do so. The Grateful Dead are an important part of the Bay Area's cultural history. Those of us who saw them last week can testify that the Dead are alive and well. The Concert Network would be hard-pressed to find an act which would bring Frost Amphitheatre to life as the Dead would. - The Stanford Daily
As you know by now, we'd certainly have voted aye on this motion, so much so, that we've loaded up DAVE'S PICKS 49 with not one, but two complete Grateful Dead shows from the Frost Amphitheatre, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 4/27/85 and 4/28/85. The first shows from '85 in the series, these back-to-back hometown performances couldn't be more different while delivering the same level of passion and precision, five hours of it, in fact.
In 1985, the band were celebrating "20 Years So Far," a feat that found them on these particular nights confident with invention in terms of both setlists and playing. There are old songs renewed, rare covers revived, undeniably nuanced Jerry moments, and a few surprises from Brent Mydland too. While it's impossible to select highlights, we can say with certainty that the overall clarity of these shows is unparalleled, courtesy of Dan Healy's recordings.
Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 49: FROST AMPHITHEATRE, STANFORD U, PALO ALTO, CA 4/27/85 & 4/28/85 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering.
Listening Party
Cleaner than the copy I have,,, which doesn't suck.
My copy is hotter(?). This is more controlled.
Office Chat With DL
I wasn't all that stoked for this until I listened to Dave's chat. His passion is infectious. Bring it on!
Cheers
I got them technology blues
Fresh ice!
Dennis - Thanks for the heads up on the new Owsley release. This one definitely looks like a keeper.
Deja vu All Over Again
Another year of shows from New York and California. What a surprise.
Alrighty
Looking forward to this one. This is what this series is all about. Tapping into some under-represented shows that fill in the collection and span the entire arc of the band's output. I love the mid-70s as much as the next guy, but as someone who's subscribed to Dave's picks since season 2, its way more exciting to get some '85 stuff than another May 77 show. As good as those shows are, I have a good handle on what they were up to in 77.
Another seam to mine is January 79. As far as I know nothing's been released from this tour. I'll be around for Dave's #100 if they keep on Truckin.
Ahh, crispy 85' sbd good…
Ahh, crispy 85' sbd good for the head.
NY and Cali
Byrd,
If NY and California are their most inspired shows because of roots then I say keep bringing them!!
Testing if it works to make a comment without hitting reply ...
Anyway, The Frost from April 27 and 28 was the shows I almost experienced when they happened. Almost being only eighteen days later here at my home in Växjö, Sweden through good sounding audience tapes!
I had a tape traders ad in issue #5 of fanzine The Golden Road and one of those who answered was a Dead Head in Watsonville, California. He made those tapes at Frost and rushed copies to Sweden for med to enjoy. Eighteen days almost 39 years ago was fast at the time with recording, maybe som editing and making copies.
And now as a subscriber I will soon revisit those shows through the soundboard into mastered CD's.
Micke Östlund,
Växjö, Sweden
1985
So awesome to see this year finally get represented. I've subscribed since the very beginning from the last year of the Road Trips series, where they were first offered.
There were great shows all throughout the year of 1985. Lots of breakouts and experimentation in the setlist and inspired performances that made 1985 unique.
My first show attended was in 1984 at Pine Knob, which was actually a really good show during a stretch of good shows. Didn't see them in 85. 86 and 87 I attended Alpine Valley for the full runs and was hooked from there on out.
Frosting
Love these 85 shows especially N1. Although it's a shame they had to split that eyes and going down the road. I guess you had to make the cut somewhere. But that's a banger opener of a second set if I ever saw one. Had they ever otherwise done a scarlet begonias into eyes of the world???
Be Well People!
Sixtus
Yessssssssssssssssss!
Personally, that was the best seaside, er, office side chat, evverr! Personally speaking…
Now I’m not narcissistic enough to think he actually reads my spew lol, but damn if he didn’t check a ton of boxes off my Hmmmm???? list.
Never felt compelled to reach out, but might have to track em down and say thanks etc.
I wouldn’t call these shows, best of year, but they are fine shows, worts and all, and he discusses future consideration of some of my favs, which is reassuring!
Hell yeah, sign me up for DaP 100! (Hopefully I’ll still be kicking ; )
Only downside of this release for me will be the nasty shit we’ll have to endure, sigh…
Micke!
great to see
ya'll on that ZOOM call with Dave lol! apparently lots of "goose bumps" during his discussion of all those wonderful '85 shows, rock on my brothers and sisters!
Peace All!
Red Rocks and Greek 85
Dave's mention of these in the Office Chat has me hoping for an 85 box.
I recall having the 2nd set of 4/27/85 in my collection and listened to that tape often. The Scarlet > Eye's > GDTRFB > Women Smarter and six song post drumz run of songs are quite good. Haven't collected or listened to the 2nd show so that'll be an extra treat.
The Red Rocks and Greek shows are legendary in their own right.
85
Back then we had only heard of these California shows thru the deadvine, and lots of talk about the "old" tunes that they had been pulling out for the 20th anniversary. The boys had not been down south since 82 and we all knew we were due a show and sure enough, in the fall we were rewarded with a great show in Tampa. I have a good sdb of the 28th but have not heard the 27th so once again, Dave somehow pulls out a show I have not heard and do not collect/hoard so am looking forward to revisiting those days. Always like their take on Gimme Some Lovin' and their is plenty of Jerry, he's all over these
UGHHH - Eyes > GDTRFB disc break
Oh no this is the highlight of the show for me and they put the disc break there! I would much rather have Around>Sat Night, Day Job out of order and at the end of disc 1 to preserve the Scarlet>Eyes>GDTRFB. That move into GDTRFB is the highlight of the run for me! Goodness gracious me .....
Bad Cuts
Dag so disappointed to see them separate the Scarlet>Eyes from the >GDTRFB. Checking the soundboards on Relisten, sounds like maybe Healy tried to stick the beginning of the 2nd set on the first tape? In any event... This is a situation where it would be really nice to get access to a digital download. Would also appreciate a little bit more technical info and perhaps more transparency from Dave. Brings to mind the 80 Trips box which is littered with patches, some audience, that go unacknowledged anywhere. #geekswanttoknow
We have the technology, we can rebuild it
I will reassemble the songs in order.
It’s worth it to get 2 shows on 4 discs.
yes slow dog
I feel similarly. May '77 has its many virtues, but back in the day I really loved the '85 section of my collection, and I've been outspoken about hoping that Dave would shine a little light on this year. I'm really quite excited for this release.
And you mentioned early '79... I seem to recall Dick Latvala saying that the vault's holdings for '79-'82 were not in a good way... I wonder if this is why there is such a dearth for much of '79, and when Dave HAS dipped in, it's been two shows from one single week in December (w/ filler from a third night.)
Still, it's one of the treats of this series... having the archivist curating these releases... the surprise and near-constant delight of "what's next?" never gets old
A Very Fine Daytime Outing Indeed!
I was there at both shows too with my friend Kevin! But I agree with CeeDee, it's a shame that the Scarlet>Eyes>GDTRFB had to be split with a CD break. That sequence (for me) was the highlight of the WHOLE weekend!
Which by the way, were daytime (2pm) shows with full sun both days!
Also, seldom mentioned, but these were benefit shows that came about because of the 'deal' Garcia made with the court for 'punishment' for his Jan '85 drug bust in Golden Gate Park. If I recall correctly, Jerry's court appearance (sometime in Feb or March?) was packed with heads, several of them 'volunteering' to step in for Jerry and do 'his time' for him, instead of Jerry doing his own time. I think the judge was taken aback by that and let him off easy by requiring some benefit shows to help a San Francisco charity and a promise to seek rehab. Anyways, ... the 1st set Bertha, with Jerry's line of "Throw me in the jailhouse" got him smiling wide and the whole crowd whooping it up - 'cause we all knew what that meant LoL!
Found a tshirt on amazon
Said Officially licensed, from a company called Ripple Junction. Was 14.99, so I got it. Pic is the one in the avatar. Thought the image was from a Dave's Pick, and indeed it was, numero 6, to be precise. This is not noted anywhere. Always liked that year's art. Just thought I'd mention that.
The Listening Party sounds good. Only listened up to half of Esau, and didn't have good speakers to see if any bass on the PA mix. Also, that means I haven't heard Jerry's voice yet. Have heard some AUDs, and didn't like. His guitar work is great thus far. The PA mixes have strong vocals from Bob. Gonna have to re-check and pray no Red Rooster. Bob's caterwauling may be worse than Jerry's hoarseness.
Also
Praises to Dave and co for those two Picks featuring two Dark Stars, DaP 6 12-2-70 and 12-20-69 and 43 11-269 and 12-26-69. Wonderful stuff. Digging on 11-2-69, great Dancing in the Street Jam (the Dancing earlier featured a Dark Star jam, so nice symmetry) then a glorious Soul Strut. Great St Stephen and Eleven and delicious melt into one of the best Death Don't Have No Mercys I know.
Also, also, the sound on DaP 42 and DaP 46 is louder and better than a lot of them have been lately. Don't know if that's better source tapes, but I've noticed they're conspicuously louder.
special recordings in my collection ..
these shows were my 2nd & 3rd ultra crispy snbd shows I collected !… I had plenty of older (pre-‘81 …as that’s when the bus came by for me ;-) snbd tapes , but someone who claimed he had 1st gens hooked me up (btw, Hartford ‘82 was the 1st for me .. superior quality circulated) … what made these somewhat unique was how the drums and high end was pronounced .. and the lack of hiss …played the shit out of them .. soon after, many crisp boards started to come my way … I imagine it was similar for others …
so GDP always cleans the results even finer, and that’s enough motivation for me to snap ‘em up !
Bring on the shipping notices
Subscribers should receive theirs by ala carte ordering day as a perk for subscribing.
Ripple Junction
I'm pretty sure they are a legit licensed company.
subscribing privileges?
It was noted last year that I got one Pick - as a non subscriber - a few weeks before a subscriber did. That's here in England. Doesn't seem to make any difference whether you subscribe or not as to what service you get. Should it?
Where's the download? Not…
Where's the download? Not even my laptop has a cd drive any more.
There are no downloads
This is a CD series, with a few releases eventually being released on vinyl.
Yes Daverock, subscribers get extra benefits, that being the bonus disc and reduced pricing relative to ala carte.
Subscribers should also receive their copy by release day as another benefit of their willingness to support the series through subscribing.
This series has always been a CD series and subscribers have always received a bonus disc. It’s been that way from the beginning, and it’s been clear from the beginning that that is how the series works.
There was a download series for a while, right?
I didnt follow it but my friend Craig did.
Box sets have had a download option methinks.
But not Dave's, no.
I too have felt the pain
I subscribed up until 2020- the first 36, so I know all about the gimmicks. I never felt I should get my copy before someone who didn't subscribe during those years. I couldn't have given a hoot.