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

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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.

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February 24, 2024 - 7:02am

#531

That Mike

Joined:
November 1, 2014

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.
February 23, 2024 - 11:20pm

#532

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

40 minute Chalkdust Torture in Mexico....

....I miss Mr. Ones. Because music is indeed the best.
I'll carry the baton.
February 23, 2024 - 9:40pm

#533

Gary Farseer

Joined:
August 1, 2015

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.
February 23, 2024 - 7:23pm

#534

TN John

Joined:
July 29, 2013

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.
February 23, 2024 - 7:18pm

#535

JeffSmith

Joined:
June 9, 2014

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
February 23, 2024 - 6:50pm

#536

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

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.
February 23, 2024 - 12:49pm

#537

Gary Farseer

Joined:
August 1, 2015

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.
February 23, 2024 - 11:58am

#538

That Mike

Joined:
November 1, 2014

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.
February 23, 2024 - 10:57am

#539

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

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.
February 23, 2024 - 9:41am

#540

Danehead

Joined:
August 28, 2023

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

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