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.
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.
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.
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.
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”
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
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?
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!
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!