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

1,210 replies

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 27, 2024 - 11:55am

#481

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

My Favorite

David Lindley.
Just exactly perfect.
Sonny can make sounds on a guitar like no one else.
Cheers
February 27, 2024 - 11:49am

#482

dmcvt

Joined:
April 4, 2013

Slide Rule

With slide guitar discussion, wondering where folks would put a few others. Fair to say acoustic slide and electric slide are considerably a light year apart. Bonnie is sneaky good, Billy G too, Sonny Landreth incredible ...first guy that really blew me away was Ry Cooder... his work on Memo From Turner. Crank that one up and tell me not. He's almost the only reason to listen to Jamming with Edward.
February 27, 2024 - 9:58am

#483

Gary Farseer

Joined:
August 1, 2015

TTB/DTB

I first saw Derek in 1994 in the local concert hall. He came out as a special guest with the ABB. He was 15 I think. Interesting thing about this ABB concert was when we were walking out I said to friends, that was more like a Dickey Betts Band concert. Just a few years later he was out. Remember seeing the ABB on their tour in 2000. If I have this right, Dickey was out mid-tour. By the time I saw that tour Jimmy Herring was in Betts position. I am a huge fan of Mr. Betts but also know there were struggling dynamics within the band.
February 27, 2024 - 8:19am

#484

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

taste

It's a curious thing what music we like and what we don't. Derek Trucks is technically superb, but for some unquantifiable reason I don't really get it. I like a simpler more groove based approach when it comes to slide guitar, I would say. If anyone has improved on Elmore James, I haven't yet heard them. And although THAT riff sounds simple, and looks it on paper, I've never heard anyone nail it like he did.
February 27, 2024 - 6:39am

#485

uncle_tripel

Joined:
October 2, 2023

ICECRMCNKD...

...thnx for sharing; me with a big SMILE after reading point #7, having had a sales career of over 30 yrs & a miniscule understanding of MARKETING to be dangerous; but as we ALL know, it's the customer RELATIONSHIP which is of the most IMPORTANCE and VALUE

uncle_tripel
February 27, 2024 - 6:29am

#486

wissinomingdeadhead

Joined:
December 17, 2011

@ Billy The Kiddd

You are 100% on point in regards to 2/27/69, it's my favorite show from 1969. Primal Dead INDEED!!!
February 27, 2024 - 6:06am

#487

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

TTB

I like their effort to revive that Delaney & Bonnie + Friends thing and the sound of the band with all those back-up singers and horns. And I'm amazed at Derek's touch and skill watching his hands on video close ups. But (here it comes) when he does that zipping up or down the fretboard thing it has an annoying sound like amplified acoustic guitar when your fingers squeak while moving your hand. Not quite as bad as nails on a chalkboard but then he gets to repeating it and I get turned off to him. Other than that I wouldn't mind seeing them. I don't mind her voice at all. She and Mike Mattison sound great together.
Cheers
February 27, 2024 - 4:14am

#488

billy the kiddd

Joined:
November 8, 2021

2/27/69. Fillmore West

What a show! The Dark Star that all other Dark Stars are judged against. The whole show is a complete knockout!
February 27, 2024 - 3:05am

#489

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

TTB

I have never enjoyed Derek Trucks playing as much as I think I ought to. I love slide guitar playing, but I also find his approach a bit lacking in power. I saw them in London about 6 years ago, and was a bit disappointed. Around the same time I saw the North Mississippi Allstars, and they did have more of a groove on the night I saw them.

The big exceptions are the "I Am The Moon" cds. A friend burned them for me, and those I do like. I'm not a big fan of Susan Tedeshci's voice, to be honest.
February 26, 2024 - 9:33pm

#490

JrPasquale

Joined:
April 3, 2022

TTB and Derek Trucks

Great band. Amazing live, tons of soul. It made me think of a great buddy of mine wishing they would turn him loose more.

Posting because of the 1st time I saw Derek Trucks was with Zero at the Maritime Hall. 01/31/98. I loved that period of Zero. He sat in for the entire show and its a wonderful listen. A guest sit in that does no detract from the band and gets plenty of time to shine. Awesome show.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

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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.

081227817442

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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