09-03-1985
Starlight Theater
Kansas City, Missouri
A sharp Stranger opens the show with the boys firing on all cylinders. Things mellow a bit through TLEO, though Jerry throws in a magnificent solo in the middle. The rest of the set is solid, including an estimable Dire Wolf, a bright Cassidy, and a thick and funky Music Never Stopped. But the real fireworks start as Jerry strums the first notes of Cryptical and the crowd roars in response. The tune had returned to the rotation at the Greek back in June, but the band had only played it three more times and not at all since July 13. So there was certainly grounds for celebration. That first Cryptical plods along, like the mothballed vehicle it had been. But it transitions into a fervid Other One with everyone throwing in, creating a pulsing cacophonous trip punctuated by Bobby’s intense vocals. A second Cryptical serves as the denouement in the movement, the ferocity of TOO bleeding over into what would be the last Cryptical the Dead ever did. A fast-paced Eyes then bursts forth filled with some flighty jams. At the end, it seems like the boys are heading for Drums, and Jerry actually leaves the stage. But the rest of the band finds their way to Don’t Need Love before really turning it over to the drummers. On the backside, a rare – the only one between ’81 and ’91 – Nobody’s Fault But Mine emerges from Space; Jerry, Bobby, and Brent combine on a righteous rendition that would do Blind Willie Johnson proud. That song segues into a brilliant Truckin’, itself leading to Smokestack Lightning with Bobby in full rock star mode. Jerry then sends a raggedly beautiful Comes a Time. To cap the set, Bobby gives us a crazy little take on Lovelight before a Baby Blue encore.
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