Summer Magic 1985

[BillK522]

The latest box set from the Dead.

Seven shows from Summer Tour 1985

3 Greek, SPAC, Hershey, Merriweather x2.

Was waiting for me when I got home

from Burlington.  Presently spinning 6/16.

Mix and performance a little uneven at

times, but feeds the wacky sounds and

setlists of 1985.  Wild Other One following

the Cryptical break out.  Neat packaging.

Anyone else purchase?  Thoughts?

 

Praise DSO.

 

https://store.dead.net/collections/summer-magic-1985

[John A]

I'm through the Greek run and into Saratoga. They really got the impact and bloom on Phil's bass dialed on the remastering. But with the cassette boards Healy was running in that era you can only do so much.

 

'85 is such a unique beast. Surprises around every turn. The return of Stagger Lee. Dupree's. Comes A Time. China Doll, coming off a heavy 1984, in relatively heavy rotation. The introduction of the monstrous She Belongs To Me. Double encores. Songs showing up all over the shows in surprise slots. Jerry's voice mostly back from the '84 period. The huge bust out of Cryptical, although that ranged from tepid to outright weak. I can see why they dropped it. 

 

That said, Bill's "uneven" descriptor couldn't be more spot on. It's quite evident even in the highly respected Greek run.  I will say that 6/15 set two is an absolute work of art. Looking forward to revisiting the Merriweather shows.