• 1,210 replies
    Dead Admin
    Default Avatar
    Joined:

    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.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    76 Box TOO in 2026

    Yes, the second half of June 76 needs to be Plangentized and Normanized, especially 6-29.
    The Candyman and Playing>Wheel>Playing are epic to my brain.

    DaP 51 should be 10-31-91 and 52 should be some Grease.

  • Cousins Of The…
    Joined:
    re: 1976

    I'm guessing a June '76 Vol. 2 box set will happen at some time. First one focused on the first half of June, and there are some great shows in the latter half of the month. And yes, 8/4 is also a classic.
    Private messages still don't work for me, if I type more than 2 lines.

  • JoeyMC
    Joined:
    This Bird Song is sooo nice.

    This Bird Song is sooo nice.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Kick Out The Jams...Brothers and Sisters?!

    HF - I inadvertently came home with the neutered version back in the 70's. I got the proper one on cd later on..only so-so sound though. In 2018, we had the MC50 shows and vinyl repress in glorious red white and blue with the original battle cry intact. The whole album sounds like a rocket taking off.
    I would say that's definitely one you needed to hear in your formative years, though. If you haven't heard it yet - I'm sorry, but your probably too late.

  • RyXs
    Joined:
    Re; 8/4~1976

    OOOOoooohhhhhHH Yeah! That's the one show for sure, I've got a few other lesser than pinnacle favs from that year as well. A shorter touring season that year like '74 but for different reasons. My bet (& hope) is that 1976 will be upcoming next year some time. I do recall Dave in a Sea or River chat saying this year in 2024 he wanted a wide variety of eras & line ups. My bets this year are maybe a Bear's banana box Pig show of some sort for #51 & I'm going out on a limb with a post Brent era pick, possibly 1991-4 for #52. For 2025 I feel a 1976 & an `82? Funner than Keno!

  • alvarhanso
    Joined:
    Re: 1976

    Since #51 is a really different lineup, apparently, hoping that's TC and Pigpen. So for #52, my hope is indeed a 1976: 8-4-76. I am incessantly banging that drum, but bang it I shall co tinue to do, loudly and proudly. It is one of the finest overall shows I know of, is in pretty near pristine quality already, has a great video up at youtubes, yet still I want it. I'd prefer if they went through the trouble of releasing it on DVD/BluRay and CD, and maybe cut some of the tuning. But as there is no such series currently, give me it as a Dave's, it's certainly worthy.

  • Angry Jack Straw
    Joined:
    The Money

    I’m not paying these prices. It would be easy to say it’s because there won’t be some dude named Garcia standing up on stage. Dead & Co. really doesn’t do it for me personally. The real reason, however, is that I am no longer that impressionable. Seeing the boys at a much younger age was life altering. I would pay any amount of money for that experience again, but I know it won’t happen. I got far more enjoyment shelling out the dough for my girls to see Talyor Swift last summer. “Something in there changed me, dad” was the feedback from the show. That is what music can do during your formative years and is worth any amount of money to me.

    Now I am far more content seeing good bands in small venues. Over the past couple of months I saw Big Head Todd and My Morning Jacket. I sat in the first 10 rows, got to talk with members of the band and saw two fantastic concerts. Each for less than $75. Except for the beers of course. Those prices are still outrageous.

    Another shout out to 49. This is an awesome release.

  • RyXs
    Joined:
    1982 in 2025?

    You may be on to something, because by my records and accounts 1982 the year has not been represented yet in the Dave's series. That other Frost show may possibly be in the future mix? Anyways my guesses is maybe next year for `82? Also 1976 is due as I figure some calculations.

  • RyXs
    Joined:
    ~fine -vintage 1980's

    Been having trouble with iTunes and uploading the discs but (Cr)apple issues nuthin' new they're! ANYWAYS! What I had heard along the way was fabulous! Now finally I got all the songs into the computer library and mixed and fixed, I realize how awesome their playing is in these shows. Jerry's hurt voice aside, (his scratch reminds me of early `70z Dylan) this is one damn fine mid 80's Dead! Phil's Dylan cover maybe the highlight? tough call so many good jams and song versions. Maybe the best China Doll in my cd and mp3 collection (killer `85 drum jam follows) Thanks again Dave! & Happy 25th Anniversary with the Trip!

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    Oro

    Weir and Loathing

    Great line

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

3 years 6 months

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.

H Ha Conekid, I w a s T h I n k I n g t h e s a m e t h I n g! . R e m e m b e r w h e n h e s a I d “I h a v e t o w a t c h I t I’m o n l y b u y I n g t w o a m o n t h ” lol. J u s t t e a s I n g of c o u r s e, w h a t e v e r ma k e s y o u h a p p y, c a n t b e
t h a t wrong as the song goes!
And hey, compared to Dennis, w e r e all a bunch d I l et t a n t e s

user picture

Member for

8 years

In reply to by nitecat

Permalink

Welcome back Thin! Good to hear from you.

This year's box, 10/16-10/20/74! Buckle up.

user picture

Member for

10 years
Permalink

I know “solo” Hornsby work doesn’t get a lot of comments here, but I’m just curious if anyone has heard his new release - Deep Sea Vents - and any feedback?

user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months

In reply to by That Mike

Permalink

But I know who’s coming to T town tonight lol
And they’ll prolly get spanked ; )

I know Molos still got it, but Phil’s starting that Old Folks Boogie…
Hey, at least he’s still out there trying!
Onward!

user picture

Member for

13 years 11 months
Permalink

Going to see her play Bob Dylan's infamous "Judas" show from 5/17/66.
She Belongs to Me, Visions of Johanna, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Desolation Row,
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues...all lovingly covered by the GOGD...plus all the other great stuff...4th row center, 600 seat theater. An edible is in order.

I had said 2023 would be my last year of physically attending shows. I am moving to more watching PPV shows from home.

Still haven't had time to listen/watch Phish Gamehendge from NYE. Hopefully, this weekend

However decided to go to a few more. An intimate evening with Joe Bonamassa, and an even more intimate evenings with Ricky Skaggs and then Los Lobos. Both playing a small local vaudeville turned movie theater.

user picture

Member for

10 years
Permalink

👍

user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months

In reply to by That Mike

Permalink

....Phish returned from their 4 1/2 year hiatus in Hampton.
If you want to see something awesome, check out the crowd reaction on youtoob when they started playing Fluffhead. On second thought. Watch it all the way through.
I don't know about you, but I get goosebumps.
Good on Trey for avoiding the Garcia spiral.

user picture

Member for

4 years 6 months
Permalink

Love this show! The Ramble on Rose, Tom Thumb's Blues, and Drums>Space>The Wheel are exceptional! I just had to share my humble opinion!

...I went to a show in this Phish tour - on May 31st 2009 they swung through Boston and I recall hearing about it on the radio THAT DAY and looking for tickets; low and behold I scored two right on the spot and they were great seats, in a box right on the edge of the Fenway Lawn. That show was the initial resurgence of Phish back into my listening and appreciation repertoire after having fallen off the radar during their hiatus. Haven't looked back since.

Sphere shows are going to be INSANE. I hope people have harnesses to keep them on their feet and in the stands!

THIN, good to see you lurking and popping up! It's been too long brother!

Be Well People!
Sixtus

user picture

Member for

11 years 7 months

In reply to by bigbrownie

Permalink

Have tried multiple to post recently, no dice, hey now. Gary Farseer, same thing, stopped going to larger hall concerts, still hit the smaller rooms and a few outdoor things. However, a great friend has invited me to join him at Phil's birthday concert a week from tomorrow at the Capitol Port Chester. Can't wait to see those special guests! Deep Sea Vents can be heard on utu be.

Getting excited for the big 5-0 Dave's Picks. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up against 4/30/77 (Download Series #1) from the same venue. Not often talked about but definitely a top tier 77.

And let's get that box announced.

Still owe reply from event spaces previously sent. Will get to it. Never done a deep dive on Capitol. Known about it for years, of course. What a beautiful space. Karl Denson crazy crazy excellent. Seen him a few times down New Orleans way. Just an incredible artist!

And Sixtus: How is the fruitful bough? Hope things well with all of yours.

user picture

Member for

9 years 3 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

Wow! What an event calendar. So many I would go see there if I were close. Maybe I should move? Especially now that feeble pops passed away almost 2 weeks ago.. In the words of one super group: "Don't Look Back, the Dawn Is Breaking..."

user picture

Member for

11 years 7 months

In reply to by Gary Farseer

Permalink

It's a big deal for me too, not quite as old as Phil, but extra careful these days with various exposures, so pleased to consider being there. Saw Phil & Friends five years ago on the Burlington waterfront. Weather permitting, will drive down to Boston from Vermont then ride with a most kind friend down to Port Chester. My benefactor has been to many shows, for years on medical support staff. He says we have killer seats.

user picture

Member for

9 years 3 months

In reply to by dmcvt

Permalink

Just figured out John Mayer is playing through John Meyer's PA systems. Go figure. Go...Panther!

EDIT: John (and of course, Helen's) PA. If memory serves she is more technical than him.

Have fun at the Capitol. It’s an awesome venue. Never saw a bad show there. Make sure you spend some time on the floor before you head up to your seats. There’s also a ton of good restaurants in Port Chester.

user picture

Member for

4 years 6 months
Permalink

Y'all this show is amazing! Gotta love the Playin' sandwich!

user picture

Member for

11 years 7 months

In reply to by Angry Jack Straw

Permalink

My friend has been there a bunch, a first visit for me, a holy grail place with every indication of being a peak experience. Late life trifecta, hit MSG and Fillmore East back in the 70s. Fingers crossed for good travel weather, so weird there's no snow cover up here, lilacs budding, daffodils poking up.

user picture

Member for

2 years 11 months
Permalink

Wait till they release 1982.

user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months

In reply to by billy the kiddd

Permalink

Happy Heavenly B-day Townes Van Zandt!
RIP John Perry Barlow!
Peace

Pigpen passed over to the other side...I was working for the Cal Forestry driving a truck that day from our spike camp at Big Sur to our main camp at Los Osos, midway between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay...we had the radio on and heard the news... such a sad thing, had been hoping he could get his health together but it didn't happen...turned out the Hollywood Bowl show the previous year was his last...Sail On Bro', Sail on...

user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

Doing American Beauty.
Cut from orig. stereo master tapes.
5000 limited. 180 g.
And Cars Candy-O too.
Dennis you in?
Cheers

user picture

Member for

9 years 3 months

In reply to by TN John

Permalink

Wow first time I have seen Townes Van Zandt on this site.

Have you ever seen Heartworn Highways. Movie came out in 1976. Has Townes Van Zandt, Charlie Daniels Band, David Allen Coe, Guy Clark, et al. Playin, travelling, etc. on the true Redneck Highway. I love the movie, partly because it reminds me of me. Great footage of CDB setting up, speaker stacks onstage, and some playing in a small college or high school gym with probably with 500-700 in attendance. Think it also has some tennessee sippin shine about the various locations.

Mmmm love me some tennessee corn squeezins, blow ur head clean off. Yeehaw, Heehaw!

OK, back to civilized persona.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

TN, you have now conjured up a great visual of those two swapping tales on some porch in the great beyond.

Saw Mr. Crowes Garden (now know as the Black Crowes) at a a local dive bar in late 1990 early 1991. It was a power punch of blues based rocknroll. And, was a hell of a lot of fun. Saw then last in 2022 at our local amphitheater, and a bunch around the south east. So locally, they went from a venue with a capacity of 80 to one of 8,000.

user picture

Member for

9 years 3 months

In reply to by Gary Farseer

Permalink

Great line-up this year. The Rolling Stones being the main headliner. Also Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Widespread Panic. Seems I may have seen Panic doing 2 shows with day-off in between. 2003 Panic did 3 sold-out shows at New Orleans Arena. Was same weekend I saw Gov't Mule filming of the deepest end, Moe & Umphrey's Mcgee, killer the Funky Meters show. All I have written about here. Also having so many more, Bela Fleck, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Wish I was a younger man and I would be going. Although, after I started going to day shows, I moved over to Jazz Fest at night. These were promoted by company that then launched Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, and others

user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

Great article on Townes in April issue of UK magazine of Uncut.

user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months

In reply to by frankparry

Permalink

I was in the lucky position to see him on Dec. 1st 1996, in Offenbach. Just a month before he died.
It was a very intense show in a small venue. You could notice that he was kind of weak.
But still a great performance of many of his wonderful songs.
I'm glad, I had the chance to see him, right in front of the stage.
A good soul, an impressive songwriter, love his music!
Cheers,
G.

user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months

In reply to by gratefulgerd

Permalink

....joined the TTB in Washington D.C.
Very cool.
VGK dropping like Phil's bass lines.
Not so cool.

user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

had a comment about Trower and the New Day Festival in Faversham, Kent this August but was denied.

user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months

In reply to by PT Barnum

Permalink

That movie was shot in late 75/early 76, but it wasn't released to theaters until 1981. I was just finishing my freshman year of high school. Had a few Dead shows under my belt, but was just starting to learn more about the songs. Had just gotten turned onto The Band, and was flipping out over that. Then I saw Heartworn Highways, and fell down the Americana wormhole.
Peace

user picture

Member for

10 years 9 months
Permalink

Had a hometown show of a great new grass band from NJ that I've loved since they started playing in 2001. Hadn't seen them in maybe 15 years somehow, and they had to cancel the show back in November due to singer Todd Sheaffer having vocal issues. He was in From Good Homes that opened for the Dead in '95. So, reschedule was last night, and almost forgot and almost didn't go due to long week and day at work. My wife encouraged me, and glad I went. Fantastic show, some of my favorite tunes, and new ones. The encore is what makes this more on topic: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo! Tim Carbone's fiddle was like seeing Vassar playing it. Big sing along. My first time seeing them play that, but 20 years ago, I was there when they debuted their beautiful rendition of Terrapin Station at the Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash in Tera Alta, WV, still the best festival I've ever experienced. I shot video of most of Half Step and uploaded it to the youtubes.

user picture

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

They have done much in 5 or 6 albums than many other bands. For Cash the american recordings can match Townes's.
Alvaranso, don't worry everybody is out of the topic, wich is not the encore of an unknown show.
listening to my dozen of hot tuna shows, conclusion is Jorma, master on aocustic, if Jerry is on electric.
shady grove is the best.

user picture

Member for

16 years 8 months

In reply to by nappyrags

Permalink

51 years ago!!! Nappyrag hope you are retired, it 's time to let trees grow. Did you read Austin Powers?

The funniest thing to me, Sheik, is that all my pertinent potential posts over the past couple weeks got halted by the Hey Now gestapo. Such is life on deadnet

Let's see if a quick brief of the pertinent post gets through, since I seemed to have luck with the RRE post. 49 sound is really good, guessing BetaMax or VHS, not cassette source, fuller bass than other PA mixes. On the topic of slide, Little Red Rooster was truly horrific, perhaps the very worst I've heard. The Playing sequence was quite good, especially the jam out of China Doll (which goes back to 10/4 before they do the intro/outtro tease of Playing then jam into Drums). Jerry's voice sounded better than the Archive versions, but mercifully China Doll went to a jam after one La La La La La La round, that one round of it was rough. Overall a B release, but better than #s 35, 36, & 39, which didn't sound as good to my ears.

user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months

In reply to by alvarhanso

Permalink

....the A's artists renderings of the ball park on the corner of Tropicana and LV BLVD.
Hey now.

user picture

Member for

10 years 2 months

In reply to by PT Barnum

Permalink

Nice to be reminded of a birthday instead of a deathday. The last time I saw Robin Trower - it feels really recent, but it was probably about 10 years ago, he and his band were still tremendous. "Bridge of Sighs", from 1974, is a stone cold classic.

user picture

Member for

11 years 9 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

Thanks for the reminder on Robin's birthday...he has always been one of my fave guitarists....I first saw him play with Procol in early '69 on the "Salty Dog" tour...when he did that killer solo on "The Devil Came from Kansas" I thought he was going to fall off of the front of the stage...that solo, the opening to "Shine On Brightly" & "Juicy John Pink" are always in my top faves...I saw him about 6 times with Procol but I missed his initial solo tours dammit! I'm going to have to do a road trip the next time he plays anywhere semi-close...The '69 gig was at a horrid venue, The Rose Palace in Pasadena...it was a large quonset hut type of a building with horrid acoustics...it was used to store and decorate the floats for The Rose Parade...an extra plus for the gig was the opener...The Carlos Santana Blues Band! And Sheik, I am "Semi-retired"...

In all my years on this site, I don’t ever recall them being mentioned. What an outstanding band. Railroad Earth as well.

The slide guitar doesn’t do it for me. Never once have I thought to myself, “Boy, could I go for a CC Rider right now.”

user picture

Member for

10 years 2 months

In reply to by Angry Jack Straw

Permalink

Potentially one of the most beautiful forms of musical expression. In the right hands. In the wrong hands it sounds like someone stood on the cat's tail.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

are a 'must see' for me.

Jamtastic + wonderful song-writing!

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."

user picture

Member for

11 years 7 months

In reply to by Oroboros

Permalink

After Mr. Hanso saw RRE in Rutland at The Paramount, a friend in MA saw them next night and raved. Procol Harum was big for me back in the day, finally saw Robin play in a double header with Dave Mason at Catholic University in DC about 1972, not a typical venue for a rock show. Just wanted to add a shout out to one of the best guitar players ever, Jeff Beck, who could make that Strat sound like he was playing slide, without one. He did play slide on Truth of course, Ole Man River and Becks Bolero. Truth has Morning Dew too.

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months
Permalink

Loading up the R train in this post. First, a SO to Robin Trower and Procol. Whiter Shade was one of the first bits of piano I ever taught myself.

And the Rose Palace! I haven't heard anyone mention that barn in awhile. Instantly makes me think of the Dark Star from 3/22/69...

But I was compelled to post only after seeing people mention Railroad Earth. Until the start of this month I'd never heard of this band! A younger head whose parent(s) has a connection to the group mentioned and recommended them to me. I haven't even had a chance to listen yet, and now a couple of y'all are mentioning them right here. So I gotta ask: what's a good starting point for a total stranger trying to check out Railroad Earth? Thanks in advance

Two great concerts that I saw 20 years ago at the Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash on ArchiveDotOrg August 7 and 8 2004, the first has their debut of Terrapin Station amid a set of their classics you're likely to hear any night now, the next afternoon they debuted The Wheel, and Bill Nershi from String Cheese joined for two songs. They have expanded their catalog beyond when I last caught them, as well as their sound. Anything on the Archive after 2019 will have a similar sound to now. Or so I'm finding after diving back into them. They did a stint with Phil and Friends around Christmas 2004 and a few shows a few months later. Album wise can't go wrong with Black Bear Sessions and Bird in a House, their first two, and Elko, their first live album.

user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months

In reply to by alvarhanso

Permalink

....has released his bands first record. Instagon - Ghost Hunting.
The LOB and VGuy lore goes wayyyy back.
Like, 1988 way back.
It's available on loveearthmusic.com.
Warning. They're noisy.
Good job my dude.

user picture

Member for

10 years 8 months
Permalink

Caught Los Lobos the night of the anniversary of Pigpen's passing. First off, in March '73 I was six months past my first GD show, three months until 6-9-73 and 7-27 & 28-73 and March 8 is my brother's birthday, so easily remembered -- although I'd rather celebrate Pig's birth. But death always comes last (yes, open to debate!) so seems to stick in memory.

BTW, I have seen and partied to Los Lobos for nearly 30 years (only half their existence) and a few years back they came out of covid a little shaky, with Bugs the drummer leaving due to anti-Mexican rhetoric and Conrad Lorenz out after hip surgery (his son filled in). Oh they rocked, but that elevation thing ("transportation" in Mickey's words) had gone missing.

Last Friday the band came out blazing on The Midnighters' "Love Special Delivery" and never let up for two solid hours, mixing favorites with covers (they ended with Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl"). Their original (after Louie) drummer is back, Conrad is back, the spirit is back. They sang, they were squeaky tight, they jammed loosely but effectively and Hidalgo and Rosas were concise yet imaginative.

That is all....... HF

product sku
081227817442
Product Magento URL
https://store.dead.net/en/grateful-dead/special-collections/daves-picks/daves-picks-vol.-49-frost-amphitheatre-stanford-university-palo-alto-ca-42785-and-42885/081227817442.html