Dick's Picks 16 review
Dick’s
Picks Volume 16 is a release that you get to hear two styles of early Grateful Dead
music merge. It includes both the early psychedelic and blues style,
and a glimpse of what was to come next with the Workingman’s
Dead and American
Beauty material. Included
is the complete concert performed November 8, 1969, at the Fillmore
Auditorium in San Francisco, CA.
The
show gets off to a bluesy start with a Pig Pen led "Good
Morning Little Schoolgirl."
After, Jerry sings a few songs and is showed up by what
follows, "Easy Wind," again, featuring Pig Pen.
Jerry counters with "China Cat Sunflower” > “I
Know You Rider," a solid version.
The "High Time" that follows is strong vocally,
though CSN&Y fans may disagree. “Cumberland Blues" appears in its infancy and it
shows.
The
treasure of Dick’s Picks Volume 16 is disc two that begins
the second set. It demonstrates perfect transitions between songs
that is signature Grateful Dead.
It begins with a stunning "Dark Star” that includes a
“Feeing Groovy Jam,” which would later become the trademark riff
transitioning "China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know you
Rider." It flows
into "The Other One" that leads back into "Dark
Star" into an "Uncle John's Band Jam" and back to
"Dark Star," wow. Now that's a "Dark
Star."
The
band continues into familiar territory, effortlessly flowing into
"St. Stephen” >
“The Eleven” > ”Caution” > “Feedback" all is if
it is one song. Frankly,
I am baffled at how they could pull this set off without stopping.
Hearing the band incorporate the newer material into their
repertoire, particularly the “Uncle John’s Band” within
“Dark Star,” keeps the songs and music sounding fresh.
Last,
there is a twenty-five minute version of "Turn on your
Lovelight" to enjoy. It was recorded the previous night.
Dick’s
Picks Volume 16 is one of the best releases from the Pig Pen era. I'll say it again;
the second is great. by Barry
Small
©
Grade A
