After this NYE I remember people saying this was the better night of the two, but the reason was because they were remembering the 2nd set (the best of the four) and forgetting the First Set struggle. Not a trainwreck per se, but without spark or bright spots. Though this show isn't going to make Top 10 lists for '85 (the September peak had faded), the Second Set stands up.

First Set. The mix is not set yet for Gimme Some Lovin' - a matrix would be nice. The next few are average Good Old GD, though not the tightest. By Stagger Lee they have to struggle for what they get. Each song after that has its own warm-up and there are continual flubs, loose playing and equip/mix problems. Phil's playing well though..

Second Set. They fooled the punters with Mighty Quinn as the opener, coming back out and nailing a near-perfect version. They stay right on it for a smoker Samson & Delilah. There's a great segue in from an okay He's Gone to I Need a Miracle. Jer is hot for the rest of the set; Bobby and the rest are okay. The set beyond Drums>Space is above average.

1st Set:  D
2nd Set: B-
Overall = 2½ Stars

Highlights:
The Mighty Quinn - Surprise set opener and considered a classic version
Samson & Delilah - They stay right on it

SOURCES: The walker-scotton_miller_106019 has the best image. When Charlie ran through the Nakamichi instead of the Sony the results were slightly clearer. However the second set is pitched too slow by 1% - not much but it does make a difference. There's a great AUD from GEMS - would make a great matrix! The Mighty Quinn is on Postcards of the Hanging.

Really you could place the pre-drumz Second Set of this show in with any of the top shows from 85.
After a blow-out (freshly minted)Quinn> Samson (always welcome in a set) the intro to He's Gone is so mellow. It is almost like Crazy Fingers is on Garcia's mind as they play this super laid back He's Gone. They had a tendency to rush He's Gone in the later years not on this night. "The nothings gonna bring him back" is very soulful I am almost expecting a Spoonful but then Miracle comes ripping along.
When Bobby got going on this tune it really was something to behold. It seems like a song that has not gotten the credit it is due. A great dance tune of King Kong epic proportions. And again listen to the harmonizing when they all sing "I need a Miracle everyday" > Crazy Fingers just drops out of mid-air which seems to catch Garcia at a loss for the opening vocals. Still as the music plays the band forges ahead. Don't know why but Fingers turned into a difficult song for them to pull off over time. I wonder if they had just let Jerry play it without vocals if that would have worked . It has such a pretty melody. You have to really work thru this tune. and this is a soundboard. I can remember folks talking over this song and me getting really pissed. I would just park myself in front of a speaker and dance my butt off. The jam comes in like Arabia on this night.

Yeah this show is short, clocking in at 2 hours and 18 minutes, but its still a powerhouse performance.

Possibly better than New Years, the strange two-only NYE run in Oakland fares well, especially with this as the opening show.

No Real jammers in first set but great opening combo with Gimmie Some Lovin>Greatest Story. Esau smokes too.

Second set introduces Quinn The Eskimo to the Dead's repertoire with a polished performance. The Crazy Fingers into drums sees Jerry flubbing some vocals, but Jer and Brent make up for it with an awesome jam into drums. Intense Keys and guitar interplay.

Probably not as good as many of the incredible November 85' shows but still a worthy addition to my collection.

Solid four stars

Many of the '85 shows have been written up.

This one, I have not read much about. I do find it interesting that procedurally, the band chose to play only New Year's and this show to close out the year. Most years, there were 3 + shows linking up to the New Year's gig.

Anyway, the first set is decent, but it is really the second set that shines.

I remember getting this show from a taper and thinking "Mighty Quinn??" "COOL!!" And this one is arguably the best. Jerry sounds confident and the band is right there with him. Samson>He's Gone>Miracle>CrazyFingers..... I think all the samson's in '85 were very good to cookin'. This one was very good and led into a dirgeful "He's Gone". Wonder why Weir chose Miracle instead of Smokestack or Spoonful? (Only b/c of the more reflective styles of the later pieces over INAM).
At any rate - it seems to be Jerry's night and he gives us a lovely crazy fingers.

The post drumz does not disappoint.

The next night was also very good. But in a year of stellar performances, 12/30/85 is hard to ignore.

God Bless and Peace to you in the New Year.

When am I going to remember that the "Write A Review" link kills the show??

anyways...great show, sound is excellent, pitch is perfect, Charlie Miller is the man, yall!

i love the Space > Other One part of the show sooo good