Set Lists

Road Trips Vol. 2 No.3 
June 1974: Wall of Sound

The Grateful Dead's release Road Trips Vol. 2 No.3: Wall of Sound  is comprised of material from two live 1974 concerts, June 16 in Des Moines, IA, and June 18 in Louisville, KY. These shows have long circulated among traders and both shows are highly ranked. The official release includes two discs, highlights from each evening. For early orders a bonus disc was included. In the notes section at the bottom of the page, we have the full sets listed. 

The theme and title of Road Trips Vol. 2 No.3 is Wall of Sound and the liner notes written by Dennis McNally discuss that massive sonic marvel. In it Dennis shares "In its largest state it had 641 speakers." There's a lot of cool Wall of Sound details and some superb photos of both the band and the sound system. You must see these photos. 

The first disc gathers songs from June 16 from both set one and set two. According to Deadbase, there were three sets played. Disc one starts with "China Cat Sunflower" > I Know You Rider" from set one, and what appears to be all of the second set, but "U.S. Blues" may have been re-sequenced from its original position. 

All of selected material included is killer. The version of "China Cat Sunflower" > "I Know You Rider" is one of the best for sure. The second set includes a predictably awesome "Eyes of the World"; melodic, bouncy, free flowing, and the concluding transition to "Big River" is stunning. It results in an introductory tease where they play around with the "Big River" theme, perhaps a definitive version. The last piece of music is a nearly  half and hour version of "Playing in the Band," and is easily the most exploratory song of the show. A good amount of the third set from June 16 is included on the bonus disc. 

The second disc takes a similar approach as the first disc of taking parts of different sets. It starts with "Loose" Lucy," the set 2 opener, to gets things going. Then, grabbing the key jam from set one, "Eyes of the World" > "China Doll." Comparatively, I prefer the 6/16 "Eyes" segment. 

Then we travel to set two and we're treated to the key part of that set. It contains some must hear beautiful sounds. The song list is common with the exception of "It's a Sin," but this is one fine piece of music. "Whether Report Suite" unleashes some killer shredding within the song verses; fair warning of what is to come. There is a really cool free flowing jam following "Whether Report Suite" that leads effortlessly into an explosive "The Other One." It has a superb jam that features Phil unleashing a deadly attack, which is followed by a nice little jam, that eventually takes on the blues theme of "It's a Sin" instrumentally. A very  nice exploration vehicle and an eventual transition into the ballad "Stella Blue." This is nothing short of phenomenal plus, plus. 

The evenings festivities included three more songs in the second set and additionally a to die for encore of "Morning Dew." Gladly "Dew" and "Sugar Magnolia" are on the bonus disc. 

As good as the music from Road Trips Vol. 2 No.3: Wall of Sound is, these classic Grateful Dead shows would have been better served to be released as full shows or at a minimum more inclusive. Perhaps that thought is because of my preference for this era, and the June 16 and 18 shows have long been cherished in my collection. Even with the bonus disc, this release still has the feeling of being incomplete. Plus, the bonus material is too good to only be available for early orders. Another drawback for me of the release is the exclusion of so much of the set one material. Sure in this era of the Grateful Dead a lot of set one songs are repeated from night to night, but a nice solid compilation disc would be awesome. 

The remastering results in noticeably improved sound over the bootleg that circulated. Therefore, even if the compilation isn't perfect due to its brevity, it is still worth upgrading. Required? For sure. When definitive versions or at a minimum such high caliber playing is involved the better the sound the better. While the circulating soundboards are enjoyable, they're no sonic match to the official release. 

Road Trips Vol. 2 No.3 is filled to capacity with some of the best Grateful Dead music. The booklet with its facts, stat's, and photos adds to the experience too. The Wall of Sound lives again, turn it very loud.

by Barry Small©
Grade A

Order: GDM

Bonus disc
All of the music on this bonus disc is great. Arguably, every bit as essential as what was included in the release. Better? Minute by minute it is pretty awesome, but there are some definitive moments on each of the featured discs so I'd opine it's not better. 

The version of "Morning Dew" is thrilling, beautiful, melodic, and glorious. Jerry's voice is in fine 1974 form and he leads the band through all of "Dew's" peaks and valleys. The rendition rivals the other greats versions from this period of 1973 and 1974; DP19, DP14, and the GD Movie. The song "Truckin'" has some of its best versions in 1974 (and 1972). This rendition doesn't disappoint. It certainly takes a blues approach. Jerry briefly hits on the Freddie King "Hideaway" riff early in the song at the 3:30 mark. Later, they fully explore "Spoonful," some "Space," and then more blues with the slide laced "Nobody's Fault" theme before rolling into "Wharf Rat." That leads into "GDTRFB," a really nice send off. Four other songs too including a trio of some of the shorter set one tunes; Jerry and Keith lock into some nice interplay on "GSET. This is a really good bonus disc. 

Order: GDM

From Deadlists 

Date 6/16/74 - Sunday 
Venue Iowa State Fairgrounds
Location Des Moines, IA

One - Bertha ; Mexicali Blues ; Row Jimmy ; Beat It On Down The Line ; Scarlet ; Black Throated Wind ; Sugaree ; El Paso ; It Must Have Been The Roses ; Jack Straw ; China Cat > I Know You Rider ; Around And Around

Two - U.S. Blues [5:18] ; The Race Is On [2:52] ; Eyes Of The World [16:37] > Big River [6:55] ; Playing In The Band [28:03]
Three - Tennessee Jed [7:50] ; Me And My Uncle [2:47] ; Deal [5:32] ; Greatest Story Ever Told [5:07] ; Ship Of Fools [5:49] ; Truckin' > Nobody's Fault But Mine Jam > Wharf Rat > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad

Encore: Casey Jones

Date 6/18/74 - Tuesday
Venue Freedom Hall
Location Louisville, KY

One - The Promised Land [3:16] ; It Must Have Been The Roses [5:03] ; Black Throated Wind [6:41] ; Ramble On Rose [6:13] ; Beat It On Down The Line [3:17] ; Loser [6:29] ; Mexicali Blues [3:09] ; Eyes Of The World [15:16] > China Doll [5:54] ; Around And Around [5:12]

Two - Loose Lucy [5:01] ; El Paso [4:04] ; Row Jimmy ; Weather Report Suite Prelude [1:21] > Weather Report Suite Part 1 [4:37] > Let It Grow [8:54] > Jam [10:46] > The Other One [19:17] > It's A Sin Jam > Stella Blue [8:10] ; Big River ; Tennessee Jed ; Sugar Magnolia

Encore: Morning Dew [12:13]

Bold - On release
Italics - On bonus disc