photo: Bob Minkin
When Deadheads name their favorite versions of “Shakedown Street” the band’s performance from 6/30/85 often comes to mind. Other notable takes on the song include 12/31/84, 7/6/87, 4/6/82 and 12/26/79. The Grateful Dead’s June 30, 1985 show, which took place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD appears on the forthcoming box set Summer Magic 1985.
In anticipation of this release, Rhino has shared the Merriweather Post “Shakedown.” David Lemieux the Grateful Dead archivist and legacy Manager, notes, “Widely considered not only one of the greatest performances of ‘Shakedown Street’ the Grateful Dead ever played, this is also often called one of the best individual song performances the Dead ever played. Finding its groove early, soon hitting a peak and staying there, this Shakedown Street must be heard to be believed. This one is often described with well-deserved hyperbole; it's really that great."
Summer Magic 1985 collects all three shows at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley (6/14-6/16/85) along with the band’s performances at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (6/27/85), Hershey Park Stadium (6/28/85) and two nights at Merriweather Post Pavilion (6/30-7/1/85). Marcos Alvarado has created the art for the project, which is described as “an allegorical journey, introducing an array of new characters through striking original artwork that draws inspiration from classical illuminations.” The package includes a 96-page book with new essays by essays by Nicholas G. Meriwether, the Executive Director, Grateful Dead Studies Association, as well as Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux.
The 20 CD Summer Magic 1985 set, which is limited to 10,000 individually numbered copies, will be available exclusively from Dead.net. In addition, on September 18, Rhino will release 3 CD and 4 LP versions of the Merriweather 6/30/85 concert. An unboxing appears just beneath the “Shakedown” below.
