Dick's Picks 19
review
Dick's
Picks Volume 19 is the first complete concert release from 1973.
This performance was recorded October 19, 1973, at Fairgrounds Arena
in Oklahoma City, OK.
Disc
one of Dick’s Picks Volume 19 has nothing to complain
about, but the meat of the release is in set two.
Including the encore it contains solid versions my five
favorite Jerry Garcia songs, "China Cat Sunflower,”
"Mississippi Half Step," "Dark Star,"
"Morning Dew," and "Eyes of the World."
The
"China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider" is
great, but not the beast that is on Dick's Picks Volume 12. The "Mississippi Half Step" is real good, but the
instrumental could be a bit longer.
The "Dark Star" is solid and flows effortlessly to
"Mind Left Body" and eventually into "Morning
Dew."
The
highlight of the set is the "Morning Dew." It contains everything you want in a "Dew";
perfectly sweet vocals, melodic riffs, Phil bombs, Keith and Bobby
riffs, and Jerry's phrasing. The peaks and valleys shine, and Garcia
lays it all out. During the start of the second instrumental the
song is so quiet and still. Then, slowly and melodically it picks up
energy; it then builds, and builds, and builds into an explosive
peak. It’s not just the energy though; the melodies that bring the
song to its crest are just as beautiful and important. Pure bliss.
That's
not all Dick's Picks Volume 19 has to offer. The "Sugar Magnolia" that follows is great with
some fine soloing. How
about an encore with "Eyes of the World”
> “Stella Blue” Wow! If that isn’t enough we are treated to a second encore of
"Johnny B. Goode."
I
can’t think many discs better than the third one from this
release. Dick's
Picks Volume 19 is superb.
by Barry
Small
©
Grade A
