Grateful Dead

One of the best Shakedowns ever. Lead into a very fonky Hard to Handle-esque jam with a moment of entrained bliss reminiscent of the China-Rider transition peak. Not the best Crypical of the summer, but it was still a thrill to hear it, even muddled through, for the first ime ever, after 15 years or so. Nice He's Gone too. Also, one of the few Keep on Growin's that summer, a hint at Phil's avowed attachment to the Layla album.

It was a terrific Shakedown... It was the favorite song of a good friend who was with me at the show. She ended up being in the bathroom when it played. At least she got to dance to it while on the toilet! I also remember sitting on my husband's shoulders so I could see Jerry. He pointed to the big guy in the red shirt. I think I expected to see God. I was kinda disappointed when he looked so normal! I also still have the t-shirt from this show. A couple of years ago, at an 'Other One's' show at Nissan, a young couple behind me were completely amazed because my t-shirt was around 20 years old... kids... (shakes head). Liz

This was my first show and I recall thinking how this whole world was going on without me knowing about it until then! My recollections from the show was Samson & Delilah's chorus with everyone on the lawn joining in... and the funky Shakedown!

Wow, it was good to get on the bus to never ending bliss!! Peace!

I have to say: THE BEST SHAKEDOWN EVER! A kid of 15. I was in the middle of the lawn right at the bottom. I could see the band if I stood up on the railing. A guy gave me a 4 way during Shakedown. By He's Gone I was FLOATIN down the track! Not proud, but I did jump the fence to get in.

Merriweather post pavilion is an outdoor concert venue located among symphony woods, a 40-acre lot of preserved land that sits in the heart of the planned community of columbia, maryland.============================= Melvin mississippi drug rehab

Should be on cd for sure,you know what i bet it will be.What a great time we had running all over that place like mad men.And that shakedown i was right in front of the sound board going insane conducting the band like a wild man no shit dan healy was laughing his ass off.My friend was on the stage this night he said the first thing he saw was fred garvin doing a mind bending shakedown street conduction.Cant wait this will be on cd jeff norman perfect.

An interesting day to say the least. I woke up with my wife (now ex) in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was the last day of the 1st part of our honeymoon. We strolled the beach after breakfast, and took a cab to the airport. Flew into Baltimore (BWI) where our car had been sitting in the lot ready to take us on the 20 minute drive to Merriweather. Jamaica in the morning, GD in the evening. Doesn't get much better than that. As for the show. I honestly don't remember much of it, even the Shakedown. But when I got my board tapes of the show and rediscovered it, I still have not yet to find a Shakedown that compares. The Greek (7/15/88) is close, but doesn't have that amazing chemistry during the jam and the climax that occurs before the refrain. Wow... ~Tom ( "takes the dark out of the nighttime, paints the daytime black")

...comparable Shakedown Street, one that shakes ya to the core, I heartily recommend the one from 12-31-84 (SF Civic). Phil is a true thunder God here, and the Sugar Mag>Scarlet>Fire to open the second set ain't too shabby either. Don't forget to stick around for the third set too... You all know deep down that San Francisco shows were the best, admit it now and we can move on...P.S. Yer gonna love the Bird Song, this show really is one of the best NYE shows. Try it, you'll like it!

I agree with most of these posts on the Shakedown Street. It was also the first time I saw Keep on Growin'. With all that the next night blew it away....

I was peaking while they played Cryptical to a setting sun, Awesome, But me and my friend's stuff was stolen. Bummer.

The first of two great shows. The first set was smoking all the way through, I love Brent's Saxaphone keyboard solo during CC Rider and Bobby's feedback during Brow Eyed Women - perfectly placed, the boys were on. The 2nd set was amazing and Shakedown Street ranks as one the best. IMO, the Merriwether 85, Spectrum 85 and Long Beach 81 are my favorites, all different in different ways but all good. If you can get a copy of the show, its a must.

Great sound great show, showed up with six 17 year old girls. Real good time

my friend Bob came home from college and told me all about this band called The Grateful Dead - and how i needed to get to a show. Went out and purchased Skeletons from the Closet.....soon after got tickets for Hersey Park (previous show) and the 2-Merriweather shows. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the Hersey Park shows and passed the tickets on to others....Had to work the day of June 30th Merriweather show - got to Columbia Maryland late, I was excited anxious, worried about being late....while walking though the parking lot had my first deadhead encounter. I was greeted with a friendly "Brother glad you made the show, have a great time" with a hug, and a "stir fry" sticker put onto my shirt. I thought "what the heck was that all about". Couple minutes later, I am in the show.....and I was on the bus! Been on the bus ever since - Cant wait to see you all in Chicago!

Jerry was really in a cool groove here and the Stella was so nice.

Second set started with another 'barbed wire whipping cream party '85' - that was cool. Shakedown was fab. Great show with lots of friends gathered.

Had seats inside pavilion near soundboard. NICE. Refreshing sound straight from 15th anniversary shows. Solid first set enjoyed keep on growin'. Grooved to every bit of the second set. Still love listening to this show. 85 and the minuteman backdrop too

If I could make a deal with the Devil, and go back in time to live forever in a moment, I would choose this show. The greatest Shakedown I have ever heard, and I was in the pavilion for it. I remember coming out of the show in just a euphoric mode, knowing even then that this was one of the greatest performances I had ever seen. This is, quite possibly, the best show I EVER saw.