Dick's Picks 7 review
Dick's
Picks Volume Seven is a compilation from the September 1974
shows played at the Alexandria Theatre in London. This release
gets more than it's share on negative comments. I wonder if they are
listening to the same compact discs as me. The only logical
conclusion is the complaints and negative criticisms is that so
much good music of this run was left off. Personally, I prefer
to enjoy what is released rather than obsess with what is missing
from it.
The
first of the three discs covers standard first set material for
1974. None of the song versions are weak and the following are top
notch: "Black Throated Wind," "Beat It On Down The
Line," and "Tennessee Jed." Especially noteworthy is
the "Mississippi Half Step" which is one of my favorite
versions; it doesn't rock as hard as the one from Dick's Picks
Volume 15, Englishtown, instead it takes a more gentle tone.
I
like to think of the two remaining discs as little pockets of
greatness that are perfect for occasions when your seeking a great
20 minutes of music, not a whole show. To me those times are
frequent.
Disc
2 has three pockets of nuggets. The "Weather Report
Suite" > "Stella Blue" is solid. It is
followed by three standard first set songs, all terrifically played,
and make a perfect choice for a fifteen-minute drive. It concludes
with a "Truckin'" > "Wharf Rat" that has an
instrumental between them so interesting that it was given it's own
name, "Wood Green Jam." Fans of Keith Godchaux will enjoy
his piano contributions in "Wharf Rat."
Disc
3 has two pockets of gems. First off is a "Me and My
Uncle" and an extended "Not Fade Away." Next up is
the grand treasure, a spectacular "Dark Star" that goes in
many different directions before flowing into a unforgettable
"Morning Dew."
Dick's
Picks Volume Seven has no real weak moments and it gets plenty
of playing time on my cd player. However, it is the not best
from the pre retirement Keith era as there is heavy competition
from that time period for those honors. by Barry
Small
©
Grade A
