I’ve seen thousands of reviews over the years, but this actually explains “A Deadhead”…
“REVIEW: stella
As a new fan of the Dead it was years before I realized the importance of the
tears streaming down the face of the girl beside me. She seemed have a
religious experience. Now I know why”
Grateful Dead
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, N.Y.
March 28, 1985
SBD > MC > DAT > CDR
Disk 1 – Set 1
1: Truckin >
2. Smokestack Lightning * >
3. High Time
4. El Paso
5. Peggy-O
6. Cassidy
7. China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider
Set 2
8. Scarlet Begonias >
9. Fire On The Mountain >
Disk 2 – Set 2 cont’d.
1. Looks Like Rain > Jam >
2. Drums >
3. Space >
4. Gimme Some Lovin’ >
5. The Other One >
6. Black Peter >
7. Sugar Magnolia
Encore:
8. Keep Your Day Job
*with Matt Kelly
REVIEW: Great Sound
This is crunch, really crystal clear. ’85 the way it should sound.
REVIEW: Nice ’85
Smokin’ china->rider; good sound; opening Truckin’ always puts me in a good frame of
mind; nice scarlet->fire
REVIEW: Great Venue, Great Show
What a great show. Keep Your Day Job. Wow! I am always impressed by the dead. They
really pulled it off. Though it may take them a minute to get going on a few tracks they
are well worth the wait. Good Sound.
Thank you Jerry!
REVIEW: Great Show
One of the best chinacat’s and one of the best ’85 shows
REVIEW: Great Show! Great Recording!
I was checking out this show because a friend of mine told me it was his first show. I now
understand why he has been life long head. First if all, the sound quality of this recording
is amazing. The show itself is a burner. Others complain that Jerry is not in fine voice
during this era and they are correct, but compared to what he was sounding like 10 years
later, it’s not really that bad. His playing is energetic and powerful with some a large
swath of brilliance throughout the show. I love how present Brent and Bobby are in the
mix as well. I am glad that I have discovered this show along with a bunch of others from
this same run. Makes me wish I was on the bus in 1985 (but I was only 12 then, so maybe
not).
REVIEW: sleepless in uniondale
this was one hell of a show. I was on the floor, fifth row thirty feet from ole Jer. the first
set alone was worth the price of admission. truckin was smokin hot to open. matthew
kelly came out to spice up smokestack. garcia echoed loudly during high time which
helped everyone gauge their buzz. peggy o was super. china > rider ending the first set
was a well delivered.
REVIEW: Good set list, good playing, good recording
I once heard Jerry’s voice from this era described as a “tuneless rasp” and that pretty well
sums it up. The decay in his voice since the late 70s is on painful display here.
HOWEVER…This show is pretty damn tight, with some real moments of inspiration and
a great setlist. For all the knocks on east coast audiences, it’s pretty undeniable that there
was an energy to the shows there that was sometimes lacking on the west coast and it
seemed to inspire the band a bit (New York, Philly, Hampton, etc.). This seemed to hold
true as much in 1970 as in 1980 or 1990. While it’s quite true the east coast crowds could
be a bit obnoxious and unruly, they were also less easily impressed and I suspect the Dead
enjoyed the challenge of having the bar held higher. This tape is one of the best examples
of that vibe.
REVIEW: toast
smoking two packs of unfiltered camels per day, freebase, and heroin does not leave your
voice unscathed. despite jerry’s voice this is a great show. well played, high energy.
REVIEW: One of the Best First sets
This is by far one of my favorite later era first sets. Its also possibly one of the best china
riders ever.
REVIEW: 7UP
Crisp and clean — w/ something other than caffeine. CC>Rider is very patient – Jerry’s
pickings are yumyum, voice is ahh-eye-t, then Phil comes in strong…BOom BoOm! They
miss some notes here and there — but hey, so did I. Brent is great – even Bobby’s got it
going on.
REVIEW: Magic from ’85
I wasn’t a huge fan of mid 80’s Dead till I listened to this show! It got me into the great
year of 1985! This has to be one of the best shows of that year. The Truckin>Smokstack
Lightning is phenominal and the China>Rider is killer!
REVIEW: As Good As Advertised
Great show, great quality.
REVIEW: TomO
Matt Kelly really sets the tone on smokestack
REVIEW: solid show!!
ok, Jerry’s voice is a little scrathy, but so what!! The China>Rider to close the first set is
smoking!!! A great Scarlet>Fire as well. 1985 is a great year for Jerry and the boys.
REVIEW: Great Sound – Great Scarlet Fire
What a trip down memory lane. Not a unique set or anything just vintage ‘85 Grateful
Dead. The transition into Fire on the Mountain is one of the best. Garcia’s guitar tone is
excellent. This recording brings Bobby’s guitar to the front with an equal dose of Phil.
The drums are a little low but it doesn’t affect the overall quality. This is a superb
sounding bootleg aside from the infrequent distortion
REVIEW: jerry’s voice
very decent show… not the best, but certainly not the worst… a good show for 85…. jerry’s
voice isn’t as bad as you guys make it out to be… not like those 86-87 shows where it
would crack mid-verse… he’s got the edge of 89 in this show… he really lets it rip…. and
as far as the guitar goes… wow…. he’s giving it his all… and i agree with the other review,
as far as the tone of his guitar being extremely clear… 3 and half for sound quality, and 4
for playing… 4 star overall…
REVIEW: As smokin as I remembered it to be!!!
Almost missed my ride to these three nights …Am I glad I didnt, this show is off the
hook. I cant say enough good things about it. The energy level this night was thru the
roof.. Truckin, Smokestack, Hightime!!! To open the first set?? Was a real treat..I could
say great things about individual songs but why bother, the whole night was a hoot..one
of my top 5 shows the Scarlet/Fire was exceptionaly tremendous..crackling with energy!
We were all very excited. The night before Phil sang solo for the first time in 5000 years!!
He used Bobbys mike the first night and the second night (this show)he had his own mike
set up. It was great to see all three step up to sing the opening line of Truckin…WOW!!
REVIEW: Take a whole pail of water just to COOL him down
I was at this show and if you like your dead funky this is the show for you.I have NEVER
heard Bob Weir play better or louder.It belongs in a time capsule for rhythym guitar.Weir
absolutely blows up on the Scarlet>Fire and The Other One.AMAZING.He fell in love
with his whammy bar and just freakin TEARS it up.I defy you to find a show where Weir
is this insane.WOW!Distortion,feedback,reverb,just KIller.Sound quality very good,real
powerful Dead.Excellent set lists.One of my all time favorite shows.Give it a listen I
guarantee you’ll agree.Rumor had it this night that Weir and Matthew Kelly had it out
backstage.Apparently A pissed off Bob Weir makes for good Dead.
REVIEW: 85 has plenty of moments
Yes the band is up and down through the year and the drug use hits JG plus Weir has
patches of vocal problems during different tours but 85 is well known for being the year
that they had the most number of songs in the rotation to choose from. odd ball covers,
chestunts ect. This show is avery nice example (as is the classic Richmond show in Nov).
Look at the start of the first set and tell me how you can not be geeked. I love the
creativity plus they are actually playing well tonight. 3 1/2 lesh bombs
REVIEW: noisy weir
hip show—i caught a bunch on this spring swing. the pre-drums jam i guess is really a
supplication which they toyed with maybe in hampton in a first set? in saratoga in the
summer jerry tried to drag weir into it kicking and screaming. funny how time slips away.
REVIEW: love the show
while i spent a lot of time on the island as a kid, i missed this show. talk about a rare first
set starter (Truckin). How many times has that happened?
“Today’s Dead Tomorrow”, Upcoming Gig Events
As always, verify with the venue…
Remember, folks, to call the venue to see if they are indeed open in the first place,
and the event is going on as scheduled, and what protocols are in place.
Kettle Of Fish:
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Wed., Mar. 30th, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
5238 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, 346-5443
Dana Lawrence:
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Thurs., Mar. 31st, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
5238 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, 346-5443
Passerine, with Grant Peeples:
Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center, Fri., Apr. 1st, 8:00 p.m.
525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota, 894-6469
Schmitz Brothers Band:
Brewburgers, Sat., Apr. 2nd, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
525 Tamiami Trail S., Venice, 786-3341
Ship Of Fools:
The Mable Bar & Grill, Fri., Apr. 1st, 9:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m.
2831 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 487-7373
Motorworks Brewing, Sun., Apr. 3rd, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
1014 9th St. W., Bradenton, 896-9892
The Blue Rooster:
Tues., Mar. 29th, Ariella Duet, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Wed., Mar. 30th, Al Fuller Blues Jam, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Thurs., Mar. 31st, Josh Hoyer, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Fri., Apr. 1st, Big Night Out, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 2nd, Memphis Lightning, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
1525 Fourth St., Sarasota, 388-7539
J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Cafe:
Mon., Mar. 28th, Alvis Brothers Band, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tues., Mar. 29th, Pedro & Zooeyi, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Wed., Mar. 30th, John Howard 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Thurs., Mar. 31st, Gator Ridge Ramblers, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Fri., Apr. 1st, Jimmy Keith Band, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Sat., Apr. 2nd, Bonfire Jam Band 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
987 South Packinghouse Road, Sarasota, 371-9358
Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center:
525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota, 894-6469
Grant Peeples with Passerine
Fri., Apr. 1st, 8:00p.m.
$18 members, $40 non-members
Tickets and Fogartyville COVID protocols are available online at:
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Live music Monday through Saturday.
987 South Packinghouse Road. 371-9358
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