Dave's Picks Vol. 49: Frost Amphitheatre, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA (4/27/85 & 4/28/85)

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January 19, 2024 - 8:00am

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Dead Admin

Joined:
April 28, 2021

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.

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February 14, 2024 - 8:22am

#681

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

2

It would be one thing if they did the right thing and something went wrong etc, but to basically kill another human being because of what? Greed?
I’m all about moving on and not getting hung up on past shit that you can’t change, but this motherf@##$& needs to feel real pain!
February 14, 2024 - 8:21am

#682

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

1

My goodness, that’s a horrible story and can’t imagine what your going through!
I’ll I can recommend is keep busy, long walks, and lots of Dead…if you get confused just listen to the music play.
Eventually, time may not fully heal, but like all the heavy shit you’ve been through in life, this will pass.
February 14, 2024 - 8:20am

#683

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Needful

Tried to respond but this ridiculous nonsense won’t let me post!
February 14, 2024 - 5:24am

#684

Doingtheneedful

Joined:
June 11, 2007

Thank you!

Thanks vguy and Dave! Your words mean a lot. Kevin was indeed special. Incredible social conscience and extremely intelligent. Never once raised his voice and was always measured and deliberate when he needed to be, and fun and surprising when he felt like it. The fact that we were solid and firm friends since the early 90’s speaks volumes. I tend to piss off most folk within weeks! lol. I’m not nasty at all, but I somehow seem to be a bit obvious when suffering fools… Precious little poppet that I am.

My wife grew up with Kevin in Carshalton when they were kids. They even dated for a while a long time before I appeared on the scene. In one of life’s funny little co-inky dinks, we probably passed each other all the time when I was living in Putney as a young teen. Turns out we even used the same video store!

It just destroys me that the coroner concluded he would almost certainly be with us today had he been admitted and given intravenous antibiotics. It’s one thing to be a hoity insecure pillock, but when a life is lost, and it’s not a “mistake”, then surely there’s something that needs to happen there. It won’t bring him back and I won’t claim sheer altruism in the “just so it doesn’t ever happen to anyone else” vein. No. I want the SOB to pay the price out of sheer anger and venom. I wish I could be a bigger person about it. I’m just not there yet. Nor do I expect to be any time soon. Sorry, but a line was crossed when it comes to my ability to forgive.

For what it’s worth, I genuinely feel good about how my wife and I have picked up his widow and given her the safe space and sanctuary she needs. And she’ll have it forever. We’re even giving the spare bedroom in the place we’re moving to a name… “Julie’s Room”. She’s such a good and kind person. Just like Kevin. It makes us feel a little better that we can at the very least give her our unqualified support and affection and always have a place for her to feel safe in. And, she’s using it, so that in itself shows that it’s needed and that it’s a good thing for her.

Anyway. Thanks again. Sincerely. It needs to be shared so I can lessen the empty anger that the finality of it all brings.

I’ve been dwelling on the nature of “void” and the fact that I’m terrified of it - and no, the argument that I won’t be around to miss it just makes it worse. Even typing this is making my chest tighten, breathing laboured, and skin feel like it’s slow burning - anxiety to the max. How do you rationalise the unacceptable? All I can take from it is that if I feel this bad about losing life, I must really love it, and I’m trying oh so hard to use that as my “FU” to the reaper…

Still. One of the terrible compromises that we’re all born with. “I’m going to give you something so magical, that when I take it away, and I WILL take it away, you’ll have never existe”. Jesus. Sorry, but now I’m having a full blown panic attack. Any ideas anyone? I don’t even drink anymore nearly two and half years sober, and thank god because if this wasn’t an excuse to bury myself in a bottle, then I don’t know what would be. So, if I qualify that question to “Any holistic ideas anyone?” Then maybe that’s better.

One thing I can say with utmost confidence. The music of the good old Grateful Dead certainly helps. One thing I was really apprehensive about with sobriety and “being straight” was how it might alter my relationship with and enjoyment of the music. Turns out, not a jot! If anything it’s better than ever. My playing is improved and I can add thought to my guitar playing that allows for more “play” and less “see what sticks”. I guess the analogy would be the painter who knows how to use texture and layers as opposed to your Jackson Pollocks who luzz stuff everywhere and see what happens. They both produce interesting results and there is nothing to stop the chucking it about but, but having that extra layer in the arsenal gives you more toys to play with.

How I got here from there I don’t know. But let’s end on a positive… Anyone considering changes around chemical self medication… I will assure you that YOU will still be YOU on the other side. You might do things a little differently, or require yourself to get “there” a different way, but don’t worry about losing yourself. I think it’s a bit of a common thing that folks can worry about when they’ve become dependant on certain addictive behaviours. That loss of one’s self. I’m here as living proof that you’ll still be there on the other side and what’s more, it’ll be earned and more valued, and dare I say, it’s not inappropriate to feel a little smug about it.

Right. I’m much happier for having let all that out so thanks again all! It’s really, really appreciated.

Now back to “how do I get my undelivered copy of DP48?” Again, any pointers would be brilliant. I’ve no doubt it was sent, but I’ve lost a few packages in the last six months or so… Never been a problem until recently, and ties up with when Evri started doing the “last to the door” legs. They recently (last week) put a watch in a “safe place”. Well. They threw it in the recycling wheelie bin actually. But hey, could have been a bush, right?

:-)
February 14, 2024 - 2:59am

#685

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Doingtheneedful

Great to see you back on here - I wondered what had happened, and am sorry I didn't reach out earlier. You have absolutely no need to apologise at all - it sounds as though you have been to hell and back since we last communicated. Terrible what happened to your mate Kevin. He sounds as though he was a great person to have known and hung out with. What a tragic thing to happen to him. My heart felt condolences to you and his wife.

Yup- I am still interested in the 1978 Daves Picks on vinyl - I'll send you my address by email - if not now - I am due out in a minute - but later today.
As you guessed, I have got Dicks Picks 2 on vinyl - but thanks for thinking of me.
My eyes lit up when I saw Ozric Tentacles in your post - but dimmed again when you talked of Phish. I have never heard them really - I'm not quite sure, but the very idea puts me off. Very unfair -I'm sure they'll survive ! Ozric Tentacles on the other hand - I've seen many great gigs by them over the years. Incidentally - they also sound great on vinyl.
All the best - cheers - Dave
February 14, 2024 - 2:32am

#686

gratefulgerd

Joined:
June 7, 2007

#49 Scarlet...

This Scarlet... is absolutely top tier. Jerry is taking off and gets 'lost in the ozone'. I think.
Wunderschön!
G.
February 13, 2024 - 8:52pm

#687

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Neil Young & Crazy Horse....

....announced their Spring Tour.
Guess I need to gas up and set my sights for Phoenix.
Edit. Khruangbin is playing here.
Nevermind.
February 13, 2024 - 7:52pm

#688

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Rant away doingtheneedful....

....doesn't sound like a very good way to go imo. So sorry your friend went through that. Having a life saving surgery delayed twice in a year is unacceptable. Sigh.
Just remember this. Surround yourselves with kind people.
Turn away from the people that spew hate and vitriol.
And drink plenty of water.
Comicons are awesome. So many cool nerds. And I mean that as a compliment.
Phish's Ocelot and Scents And Subtle Sounds are, imo, their most "Dead" like songs. I get the lyrical nonsense point though. Until Gamehendge comes around lol.
I'm still on my Mavis Staples thang.
February 13, 2024 - 7:22pm

#689

Doingtheneedful

Joined:
June 11, 2007

Daves 48 ALARM! Help from GD CS if possible please?

Hi. If anyone on the CS side sees this (or if anyone else can point me in the right direction). With 49 arriving on Friday, I literally just realised that 48 hasn't ever turned up. I was looking at the library to double check my naming conventions etc. for ripping, and nada. No 48, no bear on a skateboard. I revisited my physical stash where everything goes immediately after digitising, again nothing. No JPG cover art in my cover art folder. I checked the tracklist again and I guarantee I haven't listened to this release. It occurred to me that I'd just let it be in the knowledge that sometimes they can take a little longer to get here, but I've obviously put it "out of sight, out of mind" too far! It will be the first actual non receipt I've ever had from dead.Net since I first used them in the beginning. I had one cross over where a package was shipped gain and arrived the same day as the very delayed original. Something always turns up in the end. Not this time though.

I've had some pretty heavy stuff going on back in the real word. No sympathy required, but lost my best friend out of nowhere and way too early and suddenly. Sadly avoidable too if not for the ego and pride of a duty consultant at a south London A&E who failed to recognise sepsis in an otherwise very healthy man my age who was due Gall Bladder removal very soon and who had a recent history of Gallstones and Pancreatitis issues.

He was being admitted for emergency surgery, but the surgical team were overridden literally on the way to prep by this fool consultant whilst my friend, Kevin, was in the lift being taken to a holding high dependency ward, and sent home with Morphine to wait for the surgery due date ten day later... After being delayed twice by almost a year.

The Consultant got shirty after being challenged by Kevin's wife who is about 4 foot nothing and very unassuming and quiet, as to why he has overriding what everyone else was calling serious. His response was to say, and I quote "It's not that complicated. I'm in charge and the Surgical Team would admit everyone if they had the chance."

Genius. Bloody fool. Kevin survived five or so more days in agony at home before suffering a fatal heart attack induced by critical sepsis and organ failure due to multiple internal abscesses and blockages caused by Gallstones.

What hurt so badly was that at his funeral, there was a huge turnout, and in every other slide projected during the celebration part, my wife and I were with kevin and his wife, doing something stupid and fun. My favourite being myself carrying him across a flooded road in the New Forest like Friar Tuck. He and his wife carrying the hand carved and decorated hiking sticks I made for them back in 1995 or so.

So, that happened... Sorry to unload, but I still find myself having anger splurges... That and other things like moving and job loss (mutual divorce), I can see why I was distracted on this one. So basically, DP 48 isn't here and I'd like to sort it out if possible please?

One of the last conversations I had with Kevin, it came up that he'd picked up Terrapin Station. He knew I was a dead head and he had "dabbled"... He was massively into his music. That's why he stayed in Wimbledon when he could have moved out of the city. Right there next to the tube station with easy and ready access to gigs. He averaged at least a show of some type or other a week for the entire time I knew him, and it was pretty normal for him to do 10 on the trot, brief pause, Glastonbury, a few world cinema festivals, more gigs. And a happy marriage. A CD collection the size of small house and a Vinyl stash to rival. I remember myself and a few other fellas meeting up to see Phish at Shepherds Bush then crashing on his living room floor, utterly spent, stoned, drunk and happy. He was like that. Phish? never heard of them! Let's go check it out! I recall the main man of Ozric Tentacles being there and checking it out to his approval. I'm not sure he was into the music so much as appreciative of the musicianship.

I'm a bit like that with Phish. I can dig the sounds and the cleverness and craft, but lyrically they're a mess in my limited opinion. Billy Breathes is pretty spot on, but outside of that album, there' a lot of nonsense waltzing as wit. Guilty of playing "clever" because they can, not because it sounds great, sometimes.

Anyway, Terrapin. It was coming back from ComiCon London and he mentioned that he liked the idea of a whole album side being one long suite, and really enjoyed it. I of course immediately jumped in and tried to sell him on "Everything Dead Ever" realised that was a disservice (baby steps) and steered him towards the Terrapin suite on the many disc'ed "tribute" from a few years ago that The National were heavily involved with. It's a great recording. played as live in studio I think (certainly the side of that session seems to point that way), the entire suite with percussion as originally intended (I imagine, based on the whole production overdub that Olsen (it was Olsen wasn't it? laid down causing Mickey to go mental...).

It's a very airy performance. Open space, cavernous, but warm and familial. One of the better and more realised Grateful Dead covers, made great by the "as live" recording and mic placing. I really do need to get that set. It's readily available streaming and it's a bit of a monster. Not everything hits, but there's enough good grist to warrant hard copy in the collection in my opinion.

Let's face it. if "Ready or Not" can get a place in your home, then this certainly can. Sorry, but firmly in the camp of "Ready or Not" is "Not". In fact I can't listen to it, and when I try, I just can't fathom how the Samba in the Rain on it wasn't thrown in a river in a burlap sack full of rocks.

I went to an Aston Martin owners' club meet when I was a kid, and we parked up next to a DB6 which looked like an unloved overworked tractor. My dad said it was a joke by a cheeky someone who wanted to demonstrate everything NOT to do with a classic car. That's how I feel about that Samba'. It's almost like it's on the record as a cautionary tale. "Are you sure you want this foks? Cos' this is what you've got coming if you start playing in those particular weeds!" "Grateful Dead. The Poison Ivy Years" or perhaps more obscure a reference, "The grateful Dead. Warts...."

Be good y'all. Thanks for giving me the space to stream my addled thoughts.

And oh yeah. DP 48... Can you help me out here please? Thank you in advance!
February 13, 2024 - 7:02pm

#690

billy the kiddd

Joined:
November 8, 2021

2/13/70 & 2/14/70

Wow, what a couple of great shows. It would be nice if they released them in complete order and remastered them.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

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.

Hendrixfreak

Check thy PMs, good sir.

Shipping Information

Hello dh community,
I wonder, if anybody here in Europe/Germany has gotten a shipping information for DaP #49.
Any arrivals yet? I'm sitting on hot coals (an expression here).
Cheers
G.

Good Monday

49 showed up, and I got tix for 6/20.

Europe

Gerd, I’m told that #49 is on the way. It took several days from the initial message before UPS agreed that they knew about the package. No update since 3rd of Feb when it appeared to still be in California. I’m fairly confident that it will turn up eventually.

Hey 1st show

HF’s coming up the mountain…time to lock up the women and children!

Dave's Picks 49

I just want to thank wholeheartedly Dave for the excellence of this new pick and for all of the others as well! I read a lot of negativity on here, some of it legit, but I am really impressed with the quality and selection of all the Dave's Picks series and also the awesome box sets. Thanks Dave and crew for all your hard work!!!

#49

To my ears, the first night of this Frost set finds the band playing everything in a unique groove. It feels different than most shows from the era in the bands rhythmic approach. The second night feels more like a traditional groove.

Either case I'm thoroughly enjoying this release and hope to see a lot more released from 85.

If they decide to do an '82 Dave's like this release...

....I hope it's 8.1 Zoo Amphitheater and 8.3 Starlight Theater. Both worthy of release.

#49

Debuted on the Billboard charts at #25.
The Grateful Dead just surpassed Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra for most top 40 albums of all time.

Oro - Meet up at the liquor store

I whizzed by you twice Wed.-Thur. as I white knuckled I-70 to Golden and back. God I hate that Nascar track. I'll hunker down so HF doesn't talk me into a vision quest. (which we all could use right now)
Cheers

The Music Never Stopped....

....that! Was a really good one. Hell yeah.
Yup. I went back for seconds.

Sitting on hot coals?

Rory Gallagher used to walk on them!

Well...

...I hit the highway...they call Highway 1985...fun ride through Palo Alto, Kansas City, Atlanta, and Hampton, and a return back to Palo Alto; just couldn't stop this weekend at Frost, and so hit the gas pedal and drove a bit deeper down the backroads.
Last [5]
1985-04-27
1985-09-03
1985-10-29
1985-03-21 pitb drips and oozes
1985-04-28
If I can't find that woman, I will sit out and drink my vine; and I will hit the highway, they call Highway 1985!

peace all!
uncle_tripel

6/24/85

With all this talk of 1985 I decided to play the above, from 30 Trips. Not a show I have played very often, to be fair. And very enjoyable the first two cds are, I have to say. One thing I did wonder - there is a lot of reverb and echo on Bob's vocals. I'm not being negative - it's obviously fantastic - but I did wonder if this was a standard feature for shows from this era.

Walk on hot coals

Given a choice I think I’d rather walk on gilded splinters.
I see Molly Tuttle and The Golden Highway won the Grammy for best bluegrass album the other day. I enjoyed ‘City of Gold’ but thought their previous album was better.

6/14/85 Greek Theatre

This would make a great release, or part of an 1985 box, or part of a Greek box I had a blast at this show.

82 Zoo and 85 Greek

all great memories, for sure. Hitched down to OK City after three days at Rain Rocks for a rocking good time in the Amphitheater.... tried to catch some z's on the grounds afterwards, but patrols on monster horses cleared us out. All 3 of the 85 Berkeley shows were a blast ... some of the best times... this may have been during our collective "let Phil sing" campaign, can't exactly recall (BTK?) .... The 85 Frost brings back some cool memories and I concur that the 82 Frost would be another wonderful release.....tcc

Bill Bored

Kind of surprised to realize that I am kind of low-key stoked about the GOGD setting a record for most top 40 albums, besting the likes of Frankie and Elvis. Who'd a-thunk it back when the Dead were considered a cult band beloved soley by their bedosed brethrens?

Also stoked to receive my vinyl copy of DaP 2. Seems on first listen a pretty typical Wall of Sound era show: ie, excellent jamming and interaction between musicians, vocals not always sounding great, overall pretty pretty damn good.

The lack of Berkeley Greek shows among the DaPs, DiPs, and box sets continues to baffle.

Last five:
GD: DaP 2 vinyl
Ty Segall: Three Bells
Lee Morgan: Cornbread
Mahavishnu Orchestra: From Here to Eternity
ABB: Fox Box

I am not now nor have I ever been a robot!

On its way to the Netherlands, slowly...

Gerd, if it helps, I received the Dave's 49 shipping email on January 26.

UPS received the package on February 1 in Fontana, CA.

Asendia received it from UPS today, February 6, in Bell, CA.

They will send it to the Netherlands but it's currently still in California.

Shipping Europe/Shipping Information

Thanks Simon,
good to see yours is moving.
I used to get shipping emails. For some reason it was stopped about 3 years ago. Same with box set shipping!
And I wonder why?
Two DaP got lost somehow, never made it to my house.
A shipping notice and a tracking number would help a bit to ease the pain while 'sitting on hot coales'.
Cheers
G.

Bedosed

My new favorite word. Thank you.

Topchinacat - I commended you on your hitchhiking accomplishment from Red Rocks to OK City. I attempted to post a similar story a few weeks ago but was nullified by the censors. I’ll give it another try.

After hitchhiking from Hershey to Merriweather and back home for the summer 85 shows, I decided to test the limits of people’s kindness. While in college at UVM, a buddy of mine and I hitchhiked to the Rochester shows in November of 85. A few things to consider. It’s November and we’re in Vermont, prior to global warming. College equates to no money. Vermont has no major highways in the direction we were headed. Keep in mind that Vermont also has no people outside of Burlington other than farmers, so traffic is quite limited. Lastly, it’s about a 7 hour drive. We took the 6 AM bus to the farthest outskirts of town and stuck our thumbs out. We made it to Albany around noon and rode the last four hours to Rochester in the back of an open pickup truck. Saw two great shows.

This was also back in the day when People’s Express was in operation. Meaning we could fly direct from Rochester to Newark for $19 and catch the last two shows of the tour. Of course, the plane was full of Deadheads doing the exact same thing, except for about a half dozen or so poor unsuspecting souls. The instant we took off, the bowls came out and the entire cabin was full of pot smoke. The stewardesses were helpless as were our unwilling companions. Every time the captain made even the smallest announcement, the entire plane erupted with boisterous cheers of joy. To this day, I still chuckle about that hour.

After the first night, we slept on the covered walking bridge that spans I95. The next night we slept in Newark airport. Both of which are unadvisable these days. In the morning, it was a $19 flight back to Burlington. All told, the entire trip probably cost about $200, tickets included, and we caught four outstanding shows.

Did I hear that right?

Hey everybody - long time listener, first time caller as they say.

Been thoroughly enjoying #49 today and noticed something interesting. During Tom Thumb’s Blues, it sounds like Phil says “and my best friend my drummer, won’t even tell me what it is that I got”. I.e. drummer instead of doctor. Did anyone else notice that or am I just hearing things?

You heard that right

He’s also said “my best friend my drummer won’t even tell me what I dropped”

Jello

It sounded to me like he said, "My best friend, my drummer won't tell me what it is I just dropped."

Okay thanks. I’ll have to…

Okay thanks. I’ll have to give it another listen, but do recall him saying dropped too.

Lyric variations

Phil mixed the lyrics on that song routinely.

“started out on Heineken”
“What it is that I got”
“What it was that I dropped”
etc

The only solution is to listen to as many Tom Thumb’s as possible.

Phil's Lyric

I'm going back to San Anselmo, I do believe I've had enough!
Love that Phil. I've been playing his and Brent's tune repetitiously.
I'm only a recent subscriber in the last few years but I must say. This double Dave's album is a personal "Brent era" favorite disc now! Like with Dave's # 39, 40, & 47.
I was lucky enough to get #31 off of eBay for a nice price, no bid. Not much more than it would've been had I al'a carted it back in 2019.

Getting Closer

Gerd
Mine has now reached the UK. It is currently sitting in customs while they toss a coin to decide whether to add a charge to it. The European deliveries are getting closer.

Arrived in Gloucestershire, UK

Sounds as though I could be a bit of an outlier here, but mine arrived a few days ago, either Friday or Saturday after receiving the shipping email on 30/01. No customs charges

AngryJack

Love the People's Express story ... absolutely hilarious! THOSE were the days!!!! And yes, I know I sound old, but the fact of the matter is ...............tcc

DAVEROCK

yes, spot on to your "reverb and echo" comment, that's a phenomenon which I found can be heard regularly in varying degrees throughout the '85 shows. If I remember correctly it is also much evident throughout the June Greek shows, always wondered how that came to manifest itself...

peace all!
uncle_tripel

C'mon Louis!

Ten days of it will be here today. You're killing me Smalls!
Nothing innovative about lousy service Mr. Dejoy.
Cheers
Must be something with W. Colorado as my buddy in Crested Butte doesn't have his yet either.

Angry Jack Straw in Vermont?

Your story, great stuff. Minor point, even adjusting for 1985, everyone outside of Burlington being farmers?? Hmmm... guess you did not get around outside Burl much. If you had said mid 60s, maybe, that's about when the back to the land movement, hippies, communes etc started the meaningful shift that turned Vermont from republican farmers to crafty democrats. The interstate highway system that made this happen began construction the early 60s. I get it about the difficulty is driving east west, drove out to Watkins Glen in 1973 from Maine. When I moved here in 1980 after visiting friends for years, lived on a farm in the mountains near Killington, old timers told stories about rural electrification still, which came in after WWII. Just sayin.... (and wowee zowee, first post in more than a month with no hay now or crapcha)

off topic, of course

I’m sure we all have thoughts about songs the Dead could have played. I’m not talking about big hit covers, like knocking out a Stairway to Heaven. No, odd songs you really never saw coming.
I mentioned several times about how they should have done Ghost Riders in the Sky as a Bob song.
And Jerry really blew it when he didn’t do On Broadway, while he was on Broadway. Just to hear Jerry belt out –

But they're dead wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won't quit til I'm a star on Broadway
The house would have went nuts!

Well I’m laying in bed last night waiting for edibles to take me to sleep-world and this one crossed my mind. This may actually be an early version of Fire on the Mountain. I always thought Fire on the Mountain was about being in the band. Some of the phases remind me of Hunter.

The song – Six Man Band by the Association.

Well, I'm a day at a time
I'm a day at a time
Well, I'm a seeker and knower
In a six man mind
'Cause I'm a travelin' man
Yes, I'm a travelin' man
Well, I'm a comer and a goer
In a six man band
Well, I'm a California man, my instrument in hand
I'm electrified
On a fast flyin' trip, dirty laundry in my grip
Mostly drip-dry
We got the seventeen jewels that dictate the rules
And the time to fly, as we're passing by
We just got the time to say hello, and then a fast good-bye
I'm a travelin' man
Yes, I'm a travelin' man
Well, I'm a comer and a goer
In a six man band

Use of the word “grip” in the second verse, an old term, reminds me of the 20’s. Would a kid today know what a grip is? Does the youth have a sense of jewels in a watch?
But then throw in a huge jam after “fast goodbye”, coming out with Jerry growling out “I’m a Travlin’ Man”

Just a thought, ok maybe drug induced, but….

Anyone else have a song the Dead should have done?

Big Iron

Said this one before.
Kingfish did killer versions.
Can't go wrong with Marty Robbins.
Cheers

Kingfish - Big Iron

Nice call, I have a Kingfish show from 76 NYC. Very nice recording.

So Far

Reaffirming here how much I love this release now that I have fully digested it a couple of times. Listening to it on the home stereo over the weekend took me back to my dorm room in 1989 watching the video So Far. I have heard plenty of 1985 shows, but the way this one is mixed and remastered, the sound/feel of the band is exactly like they sounded when they recorded that video. Not surprising as they recorded So Far shortly after, but man... this is a time machine release. Brent's keys during Bird Song took me to that place, in particular. Thank you, Dave!

Strangely, I may be on topic here...

Enjoying the first #49 show. Yes, early first set sounds driven by the pre-show blast of marching powder but they settle down and my comment is:

Jerry may be in rugged shape, off-stage, but he sure seems to be the one driving the segues from song to song, where segues occur. He leads into GDTRFB, Truckin', Other One into Peter. I find Jer in exemplary form for most of the first show and on all "his" songs, in fact, like days of yore, the band is running after him at full tilt.

Ya know, I don't mind an "energetic" '85 show with the serendipity of setlist and the robust even raw treatment of the music. This is Rock and Roll, after all. I keep comin' back to Jer and his performance here.

So, a wide variety of shows sometimes leans on so-so performances, but in this case, the selection provides a reconsideration of long-held biases.

In other words, this sucker rocks with the fat man in the lead. God bless and RIP Jer.

Angry Jack Kerouac

A great road story, Jack, well told! They sure were different times.
“Roads were made for journeys, not destinations”
Confucius

I suffer from premature congratulations

Just finished the first show on #49 and have to add that Bobby finished off the show with Around & Around into One More Sat Nite and man, the band is ferocious! Those songs, except on E72, sometimes leave me cold, on this one my freakin' pants caught fire and... I ain't lyin!

Props to Billy, Phil and Brent and Mickey is playing with a remark-worthy precision that lays the sneakers-in-the-dryer effect to rest.

Dave L., you have chosen wisely. Hats off! And flaming pants off too!

I was skeptical ...

I was skeptical about a 1985 release to lead off Dave's Picks this year, BUT, these are two very hot and very fun shows! Nice picks Dave :-) [Now, onward to September 1970! ... hee hee hee]

covers

That's a gruesome thought..the Dead covering Stairway To Heaven. On the whole I preferred their country covers to their blues ones. They fitted so naturally into the sets in the 70's that they could almost have been Dead originals. Me and My Uncle in the middle of The Other One in1971 worked like a charm. The blues covers always stuck out like a sore thumb to me - especially after Pigpen slipped this mortal coil. I can't hear "Smokestack Lightning" without recalling Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. But I don't think of Merle Haggard when I hear "Sing Me Back Home".

Uncle Tripel - cheers. That echo/reverb was one of the most distinctive characteristics of the 1985 Dead show I last played.

Blues Cover

See this week's GD Hour for Pigpen doing The Same Thing in 1967. Isn't that one of Willie Dixon's "stolen" songs? He was known for not giving people he managed due credit.
Cheers

Haven't seen anyone complaining about....

....being hey nowed recently.
Did we reach the light at the end of the tunnel?

I met #22,658 in Saint Paul, Minnesota . . .

And it's tearing me up! I wasn't so sure at first blush, what with Jerry's vocal difficulties and the slightly-ridiculous tempos Jerry took off on, but a second listen has convinced me that the first show is really quite a treat. Now for the second show . . .

(p.s. I got "Hey Now-d") It doesn't like when I type the message that was on a sticker on every rented VHS tape . . .

1971 ESP shows

Guess there is a lot of truth to that.

For the last several days I have had running over and over in my head -

"And my best friend my drummer, won't even tell me what it is that I dropped."

So much so, that it kept me up one night.

Hmmm Synch-Chronos

Me and My Music

I have always been a fan of the mathematical nature of music. So it is the jam for me. Never cared about Jerry's vocal issues at all. As I have gotten older, the words or poetry of music means more but still pails in comparison to the music.

Oh and btw, A Happy 2024 to all here!

Oh yeah!

Thanks Dave and crew for this wonderful release. Will be cherished much by me, and thanks for such a low number!

The Postman Finally Rings

I received #6580 today, when my average time for the last few releases has been six weeks! (Oh Babe, it ain’t no lie). For once, I might have beat Oro’s delivery. What dark arts are these?
Plus, no Hey Now, no fifteen-twenty Crapcha images. What is this sorcery?
(Thanks Marye for fixing things so well)

Not to be conentious, 1st show, but

Willie Dixon was one of the, if not the, most prolific composers and you can tell his craftmanship. I'd be surprised, very surprised, if he put his name on anything he didn't write. Contrast that with the infamous Don Robey, who often took credit with a gun in his hand.

Vguy -- don't jinx it!!!! I've posted (too much) since I returned and no hint of you-know-what.

Farseer, welcome back!

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