Set Lists

5/19/73, Atlanta, GA

Dick's Picks 29 review 

Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA • May 19, 1977
Lakeland Civic Center Arena, Lakeland, FL • May 21, 1977

Dick's Picks Volume 29 revisits the month of May that was featured in volume three. While the first May '77 release had only two discs this one contains six, two full shows plus bonus material. Both of the performances are very similar in structure; a superb first set with no surprises, a second set with a four song warm up of material primarily from their new album of the time, Terrapin Station, followed by some jaw dropping material to conclude the set.  Finally, there is some hidden filler from the second set October 11, 1977.

Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA • May 19, 1977
The first featured show takes us to the setting of the Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA. If anyone cares, this is where Lynyrd Skynyrd released recorded their classic live album One More From the Road.  The first disc contains most of the first set of the May 19 concert.  Overall the band is very tight throughout.  The major highlight is the version of "Sugaree." The way Garcia grabs the melody of the song while playing leads with the chords to finish the song is a masterpiece.  During "Row Jimmy" there are some outstanding moments and interplay. However, the song is a bit to long.  The set continues on the next disc and concludes with a lengthy version of "Dancing in the Streets." 

The second set warms up with three respectable versions of several songs from their 1977 album Terrapin Station and an old classic "Ramble on Rose."  However, the charm of this show is in the "Playing in the Band" sandwich.   Both the front and back end of the song are performed  exceptionally well. Just as good are the treats contained within, as all three songs are truly classic renditions of some crowd favorites.

The transition from "Playing in the Band"  > "Uncle Johns Band" flows so effortlessly that you'll certainly hit your rewind button several times in amazement.  I call this version the inverted "Uncle Johns Band," because they begin with the concluding singing "woa-oh what I want to know," and then start with the opening chords, brilliant.  That's the only time I've heard "Uncle John's Band" performed this way, though, I've been told the version from 7/15/84 has the inversion.  The transition from drums into "The Wheel" is quite smooth and the song begins with a pedal steel type of solo mimicking the studio album.  The ballad of the set, "China Doll," is perfect in all respects, the tempo, singing, length, guitar phrasing, melody lines, and the most amazing part, the transition back into "Playing in the Band" to conclude the show.  Disc three of Dick's Picks Volume 29 is a definite gem.  

Lakeland Civic Center Arena, Lakeland, FL • May 21, 1977

The second featured show begins with an outstanding first set.  When the second song is "Me and My Uncle" and it gets your attention, you know you are in for a treat.  Later in set Keith really comes to life, not so much in the form of taken the lead, but in throwing out superb background fills, especially in "Jack Straw" and "Tennessee Jed," but he is splendid throughout, even in "New Minglewood Blues."  The set concludes on disc two with a phenomenal rendition of "Scarlet Begonias" > "Fire on the Mountain." 

The second begins with "Samson and Delilah" which captures Garcia and the drummers getting tangled in a short rhythmic frenzy getting things off to a strong start. The charm of show though is the post drums portion.  The rendition of "The Other One" is outstanding, leading up to one the best versions of "Comes a Time" that features Garcia taking his time building the melodic solo from stillness to intensity. 

Going from ballad mode to power mode, they bust into a powerful "St. Stephen," with a very good eleven minutes plus "Not Fade Away" intertwined, which include superb transitions between the songs.  Again, the post drums portion of this shows is outstanding.

As an added bonus there is hidden filler from the second set of their  10/11/77, performance in Norman, Oklahoma on discs two and five. I am not a big fan the song selection included. Better material to complement the featured shows in my opinion could include songs like "Morning Dew", "Help ..." > "Slip" > "Franklins", "Half Step", "Eyes of the Word", "Let it Grow", Music Never Stopped."