Bertha-> One More Saturday Night-> Sugaree, It's All Over Now, Row Jimmy, Let It Grow China Cat Sunflower-> Cumberland Blues-> I Need A Miracle-> Eyes Of The World-> Drums*-> The Other One*-> The Wheel-> Sugar Magnolia, E: It's All Over Now Baby Blue

Unknown aud via Jim Decker, pitch correction Jeff Cotsman, shn encoding Matt Vernon

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Reviewer: cosmiclarry - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 20, 2011

Subject: For what it's worth For you ed watts fans out there - this show plays an important role in his book, U.S. Blues... I won't spoil what it is... - September 20, 2011For what it's worth

Reviewer: corby112 - favorite favorite favorite - July 18, 2010

Subject: Another solid '85 show! This is another solid show from '85. Bobby's voice is greatly improved from the disastrous 2/20 show in Oakland and this shows features great versions of classic songs.



The first set starts out with an energetic Bertha. Garcia's voice is a bit craggy but his leads are blistering and he is singing with enthusiasm. This was a few moths after Jerry's arrest in January and the crowd goes ballistic when he belts out the jailhouse line. Saturday Night is brief and quick tempoed. Next is Sugaree which is one of the highlights of the evening. Jerry's vocals sound pretty decent and there is extended jams after each verse, including some furious strumming. Bobby keeps things going with a very nice It's All Over Now. There are some slick bluesy leads in this one and it keeps the momentum. Unfortunately, Jerry slows things down with a lackluster Row Jimmy, one of the only letdowns of the set. Bobby closes out the set with an exciting version of Let it Grow. This one is hot with lots of fiery leads by Garcia and intense group improvisation. Great set ended. Not many songs in the first set but many of them are stretched out inluding the last four songs, all surpassing the ten minute mark.



Set two is a bit disappointing and aside from some interesting song choice and Merle Saunders on Space>Other One, there aren't many highlights. The set opener China>Cumberland is a unique and excellent duo. Unfortunately the China doesn't really develop into anything and the jam is mediocre. The transition into Cumberland however is excellent. This version is fast paced with some nice lead picking by Jerry. Eyes has a nice jazzy jam but is otherwise uneventful. The post drums section with Saunders s a great highlight of this show. His playing adds another dimension to Space, experimenting with some of the Twilight Zone things he had been working on. He stays on for a brief yet intense Other One that segues into a nice version of The Wheel. Unfortunately, the boys lose steam after this and the rest of the set is sloppy at best. The baby Blue encore is sloppily played and sang. - July 18, 2010Another solid '85 show!

Reviewer: Norman Clegg - favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 7, 2009

Subject: Space and THE WHEEL....!! This is a fairly-average 1985-vintage show, with that "rushed" delivery that is the hallmark of most early-to-mid-80s performances; however, it should be noted that playing Berkeley almost always brought out the best in the band.



The surprise leap into "Cumberland Blues" out of "China Cat" is thrilling but the calibre of playing, although inspired, is nothing to get really excited about. The "Space" segment with Merl Saunders, however, IS something to get excited about: it's a mesmerizing creation, with tons of swirling psychedelica, leading into a superb "The Other One".....





.....and then there's "The Wheel".....





.....this is perhaps my very favorite reading of "The Wheel".....and I'm a "Wheel junkie"! I first acquired this tape in 1986 and have listened to this amazing version literally hundreds of times. The graceful melodies into & out of the song are just just incredible incredible, with an astounding level of gentle poignancy that has, on occasion over the years, brought tears to my eyes. Weir's vocal slip not withstanding, this is, again, perhaps my favorite reading. The band sounds free & relaxed, all ears open. Even if you don't download the entire performance, you should not overlook this exquisite gem.



Actually, all of post-Drums is very strong and is the highlight segment of the entire show; one wishes they would have graced us with another set, now that they were warmed up!



It's amazing how much alike the SDBD and the AUDs sound.....although the AUDs have much more warmth. In plain language, download the AUD version.



I'll give this a 4-star rating, based on the sound quality & the post-Drums segment. - May 7, 2009Space and THE WHEEL....!!

Reviewer: Darrylizer - favorite favorite - July 9, 2008

Subject: Short, average and muffled The show is only just ok at best: the setlist is routine, it's way short and the sound is distant and muffled. There are much better shows in '85 than this both in terms of sound quality and strength of the band's playing. This sounds like Jerry and the boys are on autopilot, content to phone it in. - July 9, 2008Short, average and muffled

Reviewer: Franklin's Towel - favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 18, 2007

Subject: 3 songs in the first set are longer than the longest song of the second set. Pretty sweet Franklin's Towel -- April 18, 20073 songs

Reviewer: jjjbaggins - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 14, 2006

Subject: The creativity of '85! What I love about 1985 were the unique setlists, the feeling that any tune could precede or follow anything else, even though there were some pat combinations. This show's "China>Cumberland" catches everyone offguard, just like "Music>Franklin's" on 3-13 or "1/2 Step>Rider" on 11-10. Just when you think you've heard every twist and turn, a show like this is a pleasant treasure. - December 14, 2006The creativity of '85!

Reviewer: WilkieNC - favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 17, 2006

Subject: I love this Bertha! Jerry rips it up...generally speaking, I love it as an opener.



The rest of the show is good as well. 85 has always been one of my favorite years. - June 17, 2006I love this Bertha!

Reviewer: budfox - favorite favorite favorite - March 19, 2006

Subject: The Bust? I think Jerry got Busted for freebase cocaine not Heroin. - March 19, 2006The Bust?

Reviewer: Stinson Sansouci - favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 26, 2005

Subject: First show after Bust This is NOT the first show after the GG Park bust, which happened on Jan 18, 1985. Whatever Phil remembers, the public record shows that is when it happened. (I still have the article about it from the paper, where they managed to find the worst picture of Jerry I've ever seen, before or since...)

Therefore, The first show after the bust was Kaiser Feb. 18, 1985. According to Blair Jackson, Jerry was grinning during the "Busted down on Bourbon Street" line during Truckin the next night...But this Berkeley show is great anyway... - November 26, 2005First show after Bust

Reviewer: chinacat111 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 23, 2005

Subject: This show IS the first show after Jerry's arrest In Phil's book pg. 271-272 proves it, not exact dates, but does mention it happened after the winter tour, and the Kaiser shows, and before the start of the spring tour - June 23, 2005This show IS the first show after Jerry's arrest

Reviewer: early 80's meltdown - favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 13, 2005

Subject: Wrong... The Kaiser shows were the first shows after after Jerry got Busted.

First Bertha, if thats what you meant.

pretty funny if you think about it, Big daddy Jerry in a herion haze at Golden Gate Park and then the cops show. early 80's meltdown -- May 13, 2005Wrong...