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.

[John A]

Summer Magic update: The Saratoga double encore is all that. JGB gets nice and soft toward its conclusion with Brent adding beautiful low level vocal parts. Then Jerry announces he's very much not done yet, launching forcefully into Baby Blue. He confuses himself a few times on the lyrics, but it's powerful throughout, and when he nails vocals he totally means it!

 

There are 3 double encores in this 7 show release. The Boys were having much fun. 

[BillK522]

You have inched ahead of me,

I wrapped the Greeks yesterday.

Looking forward to SPAC, had a 

cassette of set two back in the day.

 

Praise DSO.

[Ammagamalin Crew]

The golden child left out? Through the years 6/24 has been my go to along with Hershey. Guess 3 Comes A Times would be too many? Or maybe a part two with Alpine and Blossom? 

 

 

 

[BillK522]

1 hour ago, Ammagamalin Crew said:

The golden child left out? Through the years 6/24 has been my go to along with Hershey. Guess 3 Comes A Times would be too many? Or maybe a part two with Alpine and Blossom? 

 

 

 

 

Riverbend show officially released in the 

30 Trips Around the Sun box set.

The miss for me is Blossom, which I

hope is being held back for later release.

 

Praise DSO.

[Ammagamalin Crew]

Daytripper on the hill

[BillK522]

Waking up with D/S from Saratoga

and coffee.  Cheated yesterday and

did 85/07/01 Merriweather for the 

bike ride.  How about Dancin, Duprees

to open?  Is that any good?  Second 

set S>F, Playin'>Uncle's--chunky.

Improved sound quality, everyone in

nice balance and the performance itself

first rate.  Boy did we get spoiled in MD/DC.

 

Praise DSO.

[John A]

Yeah, what about Blossom? That's a curious omission. 

[Ammagamalin Crew]

Blossom might have tipped the scales. As it is now ~ 20 cds for under $200 is $10/cd which is reasonable.  Adding Cuyahoga would have put it over a threshold that might have reduced consumption. My hope would be a Video from the Vault. That was one where it didn't rain!