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 1, 2024 - 5:24pm

#931

hendrixfreak

Joined:
February 26, 2014

This is NOT a test, repeat...

Hey, off topic -- but then, you know it's really me, not an imposter -- but I was just listening to the Wake of the Flood outtakes and, frankly, I had a thought. (First one of the new year, hopefully not the last...)

Because these outtakes were never "produced" for release the sound seems really sharp and clear. I noticed this first on Jer's vocals, then on drums and guitars. So, I'm thinking maybe the relatively low impact of this killer (to me) album may be due to over compression in post-production for the actual release. Cuz listening to the outtakes is way clear and fun. Secondly, perhaps that's why TPTB didn't pair it with the re-released album last year. Granted, there's two discs of outtakes versus one bonus live disc in the 50th. Just a theory, of which I have many, all waiting to be proven, perhaps in another life.

In any case, I really am enjoying the outtakes. Surprising to me (I was actually going to skip over 'em) was the extended jam on Sing My Blues Away is actually a revelation. You can hear all the parts -- great guitar weaving -- and Martin Fierro kills it. They go on for like 10 minutes without vocals.

Good to be back. All praise due to the patience and kindness of marye. We do not take you for granted, hon. Cheers all!
February 1, 2024 - 5:21pm

#932

FiveBranch

Joined:
October 2, 2014

Let's Dance!!

Anyone else catch Phil belt that out during Music? Right in the middle of Jerry's run after 'were they ever here at all....'

Goes to show just how well this recording captures the nuances.
February 1, 2024 - 5:10pm

#933

ronmarley1

Joined:
October 24, 2008

Feeling Better

Hey ICECRMCNKD and VGUY72, thanks for the notes about getting stuck at a hub. Mine’s an hour and 38 minutes away, and it’s been there since Tuesday morning. Although, it says “Departure Scan,” so I thought it got stuck at the USPS.
Looks like I have another 12? hours for an update.
Threw my hat in the ring for 6/20 and 6/21. We’ll see…
February 1, 2024 - 4:55pm

#934

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

49 delayed until tomorrow....

....also a hub transfer issue. First world problems.
Huge John Mayer fan I work with is in for one Dead & Co show.
Avatar updated accordingly.
That has to be some sort of record for largest Steal Your Face.
The drone show during the last tour may beat it, but not by much.
February 1, 2024 - 4:41pm

#935

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

welcome back Hendrix!

nice to have you back among us...
February 1, 2024 - 4:35pm

#936

FiveBranch

Joined:
October 2, 2014

No Mention of Red Rocks, Dave?

Everyone's ears has their own preference for what makes quintessential Grateful Dead. And this would be *it* for me. Absolutely perfect. Those grooves!

Only down side of the release? We have to wait that much longer for another '85 release.
February 1, 2024 - 4:17pm

#937

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

73 hours to go 193 miles

That’s 2.6 mph.
That’s how long it took UPS to get my DaP49 from one of their hubs to the local USPS. Then took another day for delivery to me.
But now I have it and it arrived undamaged.
Disc 1 spinning now, sounds better than the 85’s I have.

HF is back.
February 1, 2024 - 3:31pm

#938

hendrixfreak

Joined:
February 26, 2014

Second test (I can explain, honestly!)

Well, honestly, I can explain. Whether I can explain honestly remains to be seen.

This is just a test. We will return to my previously scheduled obnoxious remarks if this works.

HF
February 1, 2024 - 2:52pm

#939

hendrixfreak

Joined:
February 26, 2014

Testing, testing...

If this post appears, then y'all are back in the Danger Zone and HF will be baaaack!
February 1, 2024 - 12:07pm

#940

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

4/27/85

Third Tom Thumb Blues and definitely slower than the versions in 89-91.

Give me more Frost!

I am with you Spacebrother. The costs for these shows are a bummer.

The Dead always kept their prices very affordable. Not the case now. But everything is up.
Bob will go till he drops.

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