That sugaree is one for the ages love 85 very underrated year.

Interesting looking at reviews posted by others and wonder if it is a "had to be there thing". I stood right in front of the stage, Garcia's side, all night. General admission. It was a great show, Jerry was energetic, very engaged with the audience. '85 shows were really hit or miss affairs, this one was ON! Same with the previous night. Jack Straw opener set the tone. Unfortunate encore, though. Headed for the door right away.

Pardon me Omnivour, but did you even listen to this show?

What kills it for me is Garcia's peddle dead battery beeping tone that ruins the soundboard recording of Help-> Slip and Estimated. It sucks cuz they're both outstanding renditions, especially Slipknot!

This show is totally release worthy performance quality. Sure there's a number of those circa-85' Jerry forgetting the words but the PLAYING is exploratory, fast, synched and notably creative. Weir & Garcia get super deep in "Sugaree" and many Heads seem to regard this "Bird Song" to be the best of the middle 80s, which is saying alot.

The "Let It Grow" vies for the best of the second half of the 80s, which again, is saying alot. It's so fast paced while still keeping those seamless improvised phrases intact without predictable crescendos.

There's a ton of great shows in 1985 and this one seems to suffer from a few recording blemishes. Perhaps some of those audience recordings out there cover up that beep and reveal what must have been an exciting night from the band and crowds prospective.

Disappointed upon listening based on previous reviews. I expected more from 4.5*s. China Doll was the highlight for me and the only tune to earn 4 stars in my book, though I was left unimpressed with the segues into and out of. The All Over Now is also worth a listen, an unsuccessful but valiant attempt at playing with a very different approach into the song - reminiscent of Samson. The beeping noise from Slip through Estimated is very distracting.

This is a great sounding show with great performances throughout. There is a slight problem with the second set however. There is a really annoying buzzing/beeping through the pre drums jam and Jerry's vocals are a bit buried in the mix. Other than that this is a great recording of a really solid show.

The first set in particular is very energetic, featuring amazing performances and excellent setlist. The Jack Straw that opens the show is blistering with smoking hot leads from Garcia. They keep things going with one of the best Sugarees of all time(at least musically). The jam are furious with insane playing from Garcia. This version has to be heard. Little Red rooster fills the blues slot nicely and features some slick bluesy licks and intense jamming. Bird Song is another highlight with great group interplay and fantastic noodling by Garcia. It's All Over Now is awkward and Jerry's vocals on Must Have Been the Roses are pretty brutal but the Let It Grow that ends the set is absolutely amazing. It contains several intense jam and Garcia is playing some lightning fast solos. Everyone is in on this and the jamming as a group reaches an amazing peak. One of the better versions from their later years.

The second set is also well played but doesn't stand up to the intensely energetic 1st. Also, that buzzing sound is distracting and seems to throw them off during the Help>Slip>Franklin's that opens the set. It is pretty sloppy with some rough vocals but does have it's moments. they pick up steam with an excellent Estimated that segues into a very fast paced version of Eyes. This duo is another highlight of the show featuring lengthy exciting jams. Post Space is mediocre, a sweet China Doll and rollicking Goin' Down the Road being the highlights.

Jerry and weirs voices were hagged in feb for the kaisers, they both seemed more healthy for this one. Then Jerrys voice fell apart terribly/painfully in phili, but the band seemed to make up for it.

Jackstraw is pretty good
Sugaree let's fly!
birdsong is extra nice
all over now switches up tempo and phil had an entirely new lead to start the show.
Roses- if I never heard that song again I wouldn't mind
LIG some improvisation

set 2
in the tuning banter you hear Billy call for china cat, someone else says ....into promised land.
Beeping sound in help/slip and even estimated is quite anoying
eyes is sweet
post drumz is kinda standard stuff

85 was pushing the songs out further, there was a lot of improvisation, reworking of standards, and some dreadly covers. The mowtown and beatles stuff never tranlated for me. But there were stretching and rediscovering.

This was my 1st show of 111!I wae 19 years old and a freshman at BERKLEE COLLEGE 0F MUSIC. I lost my mind,(really),and I was hooked! Great sound! Nice playing! I was upfront and there were lots of smiles between the boys! Thanks to all involved with this fantastic work!!!

The boys continued the massive Jack Straws that were on the east coast the fall of 84. The show had the final east coast Help/Slip/Frank till 1989.

Love the incessant beeping apparently coming from Jerry's distortion pedal for about 3 min of that Slipknot. Gives that jam a MacGyver-timebomb-countdown kind of vibe.

C'mon dudes, shove a new 9 volt in that thing from time to time.

What else can I saw? I wasn't there. But let the stories fly, if you've got 'em.

This is one of the best shows of 85 which is really saying something. Spring 85 is to Summer 85 what Spring '73 is to Summer '73 (think Dane County versus PNE) ...

The Sugaree really is sweet. Bobby is really giving Jerry a run for his money -- that is part of what makes 1985 so great. And Jerry is rock solid here without all those annoying anti-crescendos, energy brownouts, and beat bringdowns that would plague him after the coma.

The Bird Song starts lovely and tight, then lightens up and drifts for a bit (with the percussion tossing in a few bones), and then Bobby steps up AGAIN!!!!!! WEIR WITH THE LEFT HOOK!!!!! DOWN GOES MY MIND!!! DOWN GOES MY MIND!!!!!

This show is Hot. Not a big S'ree fan, this one's blistering. Second set is the nuts. There is some periodic static in the recording. And there is a major sqealing noise during the second set - especially during Slipknot.

This show gets so sick at times its ridiculus. The first set just blew me away. Jack/sugaree/Rooster combo was outstanding. Roses was beautiful. Second set is just as hot. This show is loaded with energy and I absulutley loved it! 85' just so happens to be one my favorite years!!! Man, just SMOKIN'!!!