Favorite of Dick s Picks

Dozin' at the Knick is one of my favorites. The Dead also did a 2 "contractual obligation" albums to get out from under Arista. One was called Reckoning and was all acoustic. Not a sonically great album but one I use to test gear. Anything that makes this album sound better gets in my rack. I think Reckoning started the whole Unplugged thing. Happy Listening.

I beleive Dick's Picks Volume III is the great one from 1977. There is a point on disc 2 that begins with "Estimated Profit" goes onto "Eyes of The World", to "Terrapin" and onto the most amazing version of "Wharf Rat" that you have ever heard. After hearing this side of GD music, I was disarmed, and found it hard to listen to Studio productions of thier music thereafter.
Jerry's guitar improvising has never been better to my ears. The material is the "strongest" I have heard after the great "Europe 72" live set. There is no "sloppiness" in this set of musicmaking. The sound is pretty good too. This one goes to the island with me.

The Dick's Picks volume III Disc 2 run mentioned above is the one I play for friends who have little to no exposure to the Dead. After listening they are usually hooked.

#2 (columbus 10/71), #4 (Fillmore East 2/70), #16 (Fillmore 11/69) - All are excellent!

2 particular faves of mine are DP 16, which many (myself included) consider to be the "Holy Grail" of Dead shows -- just a great show from the '69 era, with outstanding versions of Dark Star, St. Stephen, etc. -- and DP 14, a nice example of the '74 sound, featuring the famous "Wall of Sound." Both of these releases sound good, too. DP 16 is just striking, to me, for performance & sonics. Enjoy!

Jim