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 8, 2024 - 10:56am

#791

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Bluesman

HF - absolutely. None of us were there at the time, and it's curious why we believe what we do. Apart from the Buddy Guy documentary, I read a great biography of Howlin' Wolf last year by James Segrest and Mark Hoffman. "Moanin' at Midnight" it's called. The references to Willie Dixon suggest he was quite astute in his business dealings and approach. Drummer Francis Clay says that Willie was basically a lyricist and the music was constructed by the bands who made the records.
"Spoonful" is a case in point. Is he credited with that one? It was based on a Charley Patton song, and the incredible power of the original Howlin Wolf record is down to Wolf and his amazing band. Jimmy Rodgers also states that Willie took ownership of many songs that were actually band compositions.
But this is only what I have read - and those people mentioned above may be wrong. But the more you read, the more a picture builds that all wasn't quite what we have been led to believe.
February 8, 2024 - 8:58am

#792

Jambry

Joined:
February 8, 2024

First time disappointed…

First time disappointed. Weak sounding sonically. Can't really get into it.
February 8, 2024 - 8:37am

#793

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

Good Context HF

Mine was a generalization based on comments read elsewhere and was wrong. I think the key is that this was a common practice in the era and I sure can't judge the man. His writing stands up to the scrutiny and is a brilliant style all its own. Jump on in, the water's fine!
I do like Eternity, which is likely not everyone's favorite 90s GD cover but I never really cared for The Same Thing for some reason. Spoonful is a classic no doubt.
Cheers
February 8, 2024 - 8:02am

#794

hendrixfreak

Joined:
February 26, 2014

Honestly, maybe I stand corrected...

I base my (possibly half-assed) view of Willie Dixon on the turns of phrase in "his" songs. That and I guess I just flat-out revere the man. The turns of phrase in the tight glove of chord progressions and turnarounds sure seems to me like a unique signature belonging to the man.

But others here say otherwise. I therefore propose that all differences of opinion get a fair hearing, a little mutual head-nodding, and then progress to the bar after the pause that refreshes in the parking lot.

1stShow, I will henceforth listen first, do a cannonball into the pool second.
February 8, 2024 - 7:17am

#795

dmcvt

Joined:
April 4, 2013

Angry Jack, hitch hiking to music

It's all good, just wanted to comment about changing cultural demographics and highway system as relating to hitchhiking. Transition to Vermont from Maine in late 1980, soon after the Lewiston Dead show, had a car then, but did hitch hike late 60s and through the mid 1970s up and down the east coast from Virginia to Maine. Some great rides, some sketchy. Hitch hiked around Maine locally from Portland to Augusta and along the coast in the 70s, easy with significant population. Long a music lover, saw an incredible range of music in Maine in the 70s, after moving to Vermont, Burlington was big beacon, the only urban city in the state, though Rutland, Montpelier, Brattleboro came close. We went up to Burl for much music, mostly at Hunts but did see Miles at The Flynn in 1986. What continues to impress me is the amazing amount of hyperlocal high level performance thats out there, I had written more detail but got the hey now, so...
February 8, 2024 - 6:07am

#796

uncle_tripel

Joined:
October 2, 2023

classic blues...

songwriters, and well, those musicians, guitarists, vocalists and arrangers from the 1930's thru the 1960's, man, oh man they greased the skids for the future of rock n roll! thanks everyone for talkin' about the artists willie dixon and chester burnett, gonna have to cue -up some of those classics!

Rhythm and Blues had a child, and it's name was Rock n Roll!

peace all!
uncle_tripel
February 7, 2024 - 8:25pm

#797

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

I have a grand-daughter....

....who loves Alice In Chains.
She rocks.
February 7, 2024 - 8:07pm

#798

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

Decided to...

have virgin listen of 49 on road trip later this month

I feel like Newman with his jambalaya
February 7, 2024 - 8:05pm

#799

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

And now....

A song JGB should have covered

Rock and Roll with Me - David Bowie
February 7, 2024 - 6:37pm

#800

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

BOC....

....Imaginos.
I have it on CD. Worth a little bit apparently.
Then again, peeps are selling Dead tapes on Instagram.
Not. For. Sale.

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.

Mike

Oh yeah, I gush back on February second…
85 baby!

Blue

I know this is out of the blue, but Dicks Picks #31 is fantastic!

straight up, fantastic!

4 disc, everyone of them is fire!

Peggy-O

yep, that's about as good as it get's

Go To Heaven -> South of Heaven

On the turntable this afternoon. Thanks for the news, Vguy.

Oro

Excellent. This is a great release, and hopefully everyone received it without much delay.
Oro, the Big Blue is in Vegas tonight, and out your way Saturday, and they are on a roll. McKinnon vs Matthews.

2/22/69 Dream Bowl

What a killer of a show! Time for that BIG 1969 BOX SET.

1st Show

Glad you finally got it!
Peace

Leafs are on a roll, yes....

....I'm more concerned about the Canucks currently.
Edit. Not a good start for the VGK.

Suck it Avs

Let’s go Red W I n g s

Pretty ridiculous that the name of that team is a Hey Now trigger.

Hey now test

W I n g s

As in chicken, Paul McCartney, Red, etc

Sure enough, that word is not allowed. Needs spaces between the letters.
Talk about an incompetent AI bot security guard.

some of...

... my FUNNY WORDS include:
e s t i m a t e d
w i n t e r l a n d
s e x t e t
these are just some off of the top of my head that I've noticed

As Homer Simpson once said

“Paul McCartney was only in the greatest band ever…..

W i n g s”

now I understand

why i got HN'd sending good wishes to Jim on getting his "w i n g" fixed

Thanks Cone Kid for solving that mystery

No W I N G S

is just weak sauce.

Tried to post and got IT again.

Edit: I Saw IT Again

February, the greatest Grateful Dead Month

2/14/68, 2/27/69, 2/28/69, 2/13/70, 2/14/70, and there ate so many shows that I didn't mention. February, the #1 Grateful Dead month.

2-23,24,68

Tahoe Bowl

February 1974

W i nter land

Yep, got hey now’d on W i n t e r l a n d

Tahoe Bowl 1968, 2/9/73 Maples

Those Tahoe shows are absolute knockouts! I forgot 2/9/73 , and so many more.

Speaking of February

First six shows of 73 would make a better box than HCS, with 2/9 being the weakest just as reference…

Problem with 69

FFS!!! Just wasted ANOTHER half hour of my rapidly diminishing life on the subject, but ya know….since this lane ass corporation can’t get their shit together.
Have no problem taking our money though!
Worst part is: your all happy etc, then this BS puts ya in a mood
Hey DN, yer becoming a major buzzkill!

Vol. 49

Got it today.. the first show is strong, but this should have been a 3-cd set and saved the extra disc for a summer 72/73 show.. Also - very dry recordings - a little crowd would have helped.. "She belongs" is wounderful, but we already have that on "Garcia plays Dylan".. BW to all

49 Art

The symbolism of the slice in hand for Magoo's pizza has been discussed but what of the rest? The kite, cat, bluebird?
Cheers

Edit: 2nd show as solid as the 1st. Again, no extended big jams but great transitions, setlists, and performances.

A Hey Now Hack?

Rather than use the “Post Reply” button, I launch the black “Reply” button on the previous post, and so far, it works.

DaneHead

49 sound is strong, but I wonder what a matrix of this could have been. Except, it is an outdoor show so not going to get the crowd noise like an east coast arena show. Hoping maybe more matrix recording are in the future like Dave's 8. Hope they find some MoTB shows to matrix with the board. Have a feeling they would be incredible.

Scored Pearl Jam tix with my friends today....

....rescheduled tour from 2022 when they canceled two days prior to the show due to Matt Cameron getting covid.
Let's try this again shall we?
They have a new record dropping in April. Dark Matter.
Speaking of new records, Mick Mars solo record, The Other Side Of Mars, was released today. By far the most talented member of the Crue. Will be checking it out later on tonight.

Dave's 49 cover

Hope this works. I tried a while back and got majorly Hey Nowwed. Here’s the cover art for Dave’s 49 that Copperdomebodhi found. Scroll down to 49:
dropbox dot com /sh/qx5j9ydoc7bzm8z/AAD8yK_vCv_kQ-oLkLJQVCEla?dl=0

If y’all PM me with your email, I’ll send future covers to you directly.

Onward

Re: 49 Artwork

Here's my thoughts about the artwork 1st Show, which are pure conjecture on my part.
If I'm not mistaken, kitesurfing is (or was) popular at Stanford?
I'm thinking the cat represents that pretty cool China>Rider on 4/28?
The bluebird possibly represents the Bird Song on 4/28?
Personally, I can't figure out which of the shows I like the best. They are both extremely good for that time period.
Much like the 11/1 and 11/2 '85 Richmond shows.

Art

TNJohn think you have it right. I think Dave writes in the booklet, one of the last china riders first set. Looked at deadbase. There were only six china ryders after this one first set. Last being 1989 same venue. Interesting only one china ryder encore if my eyes dont deceive me, April 1988.

Kite me thinks has to do with the eyes outa scarlet as kinda rare. In a tree eatin pizza daydreamling.

Bluebird = Birdsong.

40 minute Chalkdust Torture in Mexico....

....I miss Mr. Ones. Because music is indeed the best.
I'll carry the baton.

Nicky Hopkins

Reading today that Nicky Hopkins would have been 80 years old today, and it itemized some of the amazing records he played on (Kinks, Stones, Who, etc). Quite a remarkable player, and like many sought after session players (Jim Keltner comes to mind), they pop up on so many albums. The GOGD were never a band to utilize session players, had all the goods needed in-house.
On the darker side of session players, there is a new book forthcoming on Jim Gordon (“ Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon”).
I agree with VGuy - come back Mr Ones.

Let the games begin!

Go AVS! Lol
I dunno, Leaf’s been tough, AVS gave away another game to D.

Though D played tough and deserved it.
Sabs pulled last couple out their asses, but hey a w I n is a w I n!
Hopefully it will be a good game to watch regardless of outcome.
Maybe a little friendly scoring competition between Mathew’s and MacKinnon!

#6534 in Northern Germany

Got my copy last week. Sound is great but audience very low in the mix.
Remember an audience recording from Knickerbocker 1993 where the
audience singing is lounder than the PA (Cassidy, Casey Jones).
Like that recording sound.
Last 5:
Neil Young - Dume (Vinyl)
GD - Herouville 06/21/71 (vinyl)
GD - Fillmore 02/13/70 (DARK STAR!!!)
Mule - Beacon 12/31/23 (4-CD)
Neil Young - Year Of The Horse (got in finally on vinyl)

Oro

The Leafs are like ‘72 Dead right now, can’t be beat. Sorry Oro, a juggernaut has come for the AVs.

I’m completely surrounded!

TOO is rootin for the Leafs Too! : (

Prolly Vguy and Conekid, and Kraken boy out younder in See Aaaat le too!
That’s awright, harder they come mofos lol ; )
GO AVS!

What a conundrum

Is that word allowed by the hey now gestapo?

I still hold a grudge against the Av’s from the 90’s.
But the W i n g s are chasing the Leafs.
Ok, go Av’s.

W i n g s currently up 4-0 against the Blues.

D’oh

4-1

Yes, yes, yes

The rebuild is coming along nicely.

Let’s Go Red W i n g s!

Keep the momentum going to April.

Beating Saint Louey

Go W I N G S lol
Yep, those were the good ole bad old days when they were in the same conference and the rivalry was fierce!

Keeping it relevant

Had Grateful Dead night at the AVs game this week.
It must of helped as they beat the mighty Canucks…

Dead Night

What happens at a Grateful Dead Night? Does the team wear special warmup jerseys, and the PA blasts some great Dead tunes, etc? A very cool marketing idea!

That Mike

I tried to answer your question but the entire response was blocked.

icecrmcnkd

Hey Now doth sucketh!
Curious - Did you try launching the black “Reply” button, as opposed to “Post Reply”?

That Mike

I’ve been using both ways the past few weeks and have been Hey Now’d both ways.

Dead night

In D-town there was a GD cover band in the concourse before the game, and possibly during intermission too.
There were GD team jerseys from dead dot net for f r e e

F r e e is a banned word

I would say that the IT department is incompetent, but nobody can be this incompetent.
It has to be intentional.

I didn’t attend GD night

Watched it on tv.
Jerseys were a Stealie wearing a red Detroit hockey helmet, and a dancing bear inside the w i n g e d wheel.
The jerseys say dead dot net on them.

W i n g e d

Is also a banned word.

Upgraded my record stylus....

....whoa. What a difference!
Johnathan Marchessault just scored his 30th goal. Ties his personal record.
Let's go for 40 mister!

2-14-70

Turns out that’s the day The Who recorded Live At Leeds.
Spinning the vinyl version now.

Enjoy the upgrade Vguy.

Dead Set

Pulled this one down from the shelf yesteday.. The album was not as good as it should have been back in the day (mostly 1 set songs), but the bonus disc has me hoping for a box with the "leftovers" (3 songs from 10/13/80 has got my hopes up..) Fine re-mastering by Joe Gastwirt.. BW to al

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