Search - Grateful Dead :: Dick's Picks Vol. 12: Providence Civic Center, 6/26/74 & Boston Garden, 6/28/74

Pinnacle Performance

Eric J Boyce | Boston | 09/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As grateful dead incorporated continues to exhume the treasured relics of yesteryear, for popular consumption and financial fulfillment, one must apply a critical lens to the endless harvest, in order to separate the wheat from the chaff. Collectively, these audio samples reveal the variety, in content, consistency and craft, of grateful dead composition throughout their evolving and devolving career. From a completist perspective, all of these instants of history are required listening. From a consumer (with limited means) perspective, its best to earmark the highlights and leave the lowlights for academic review. For my tastes, Dick's Picks vol. 12 stands as the pinnacle expression of grateful dead alchemy. The recorded events of 6/26&28/74 capture the vivid and vast expressive mastery of music that established grateful dead lore - the lore that continues to be relived by unrepentant, incurable devotees. 1974 stands as the high-water mark for both the technological and musical achievements of the grateful dead. The "Wall of Sound" PA system remains a historically significant triumph of art over business sense - as the band surrendered box office profits in order to deliver the most dynamic and accurate representation of the band's created sound. All collaborators benefited from this benevolence, the audience finally heard the awesome intricacy, as well as the earth shattering volume exhaled from the grateful dead beast. The band's improved musical reproduction allowed the members to reach for and towards the ideal of single musical consciousness. And the archivists captured a purer musical transmission to record for the annals of musical mythology.1974 also represents the ultimate exposition of grateful dead musicianship. (Okay, maybe they return to these heights in 1977) By 1974 the dead had matured from its exuberant, experimental, but aimless and musically unbalanced origins into a laid-back-yet-right-on-time-airy-jazz-rock-blues-jukebox. This evocative, meandering, jazz sense is evident from the first track. China Cat Sunflower showcases the band's evolved musical ability. The track is anchored by Phil's lush liquid bass line that instills an infectious groove that induces spontaneous rhythmic dexterity in the listener. The rest of the band dances about Phil's organic groove. Jerry's metallic melody relishes the adequate dance partner. Bobby's sparse rhythm accompaniments accentuate and underscore the musical landscape. Keith plays with the sensitivity and sophistication of a jazz great. And Billy's drumming is nimble and driven. These individual attributes are evident throughout the performance. The band reaches its creative and musical zenith on this collection. True highlights include "Eyes", "To Lay Me Down" and the contiguous Truckin'>Other One Jam>Spanish Jam>Wharf Rat suite. Additionally the post WRS Jam is one for the ages - simply divine. In a world full of wait and see - buy this one now."

Wall of Sound

mike lewandowski | Lakewood, CO United States | 08/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The wall of sound was the Dead's sound system that took 12 hours to set up,this CD features that massive system. The sound is clear and has plenty of punch. The China Cat-I know you Rider Jam is worth the whole price alone. The most amazimg musical passage is the Let it Grow jam. This is a huge mind blowing jam. Filled with abstract moments, subtle jazz riffs, and in you face smash mouth rock and roll. The differnet types of music being played on this 3 cd set is amazing. Check out Seastones, a sonic exploration that you will either hate or laugh at in admiration. The often over looked song Ship of fools,is sung brillantly by Garcia to end this excellent package. Some of the songs on the 2nd disk are played in an average way.And the Sunshine daydream has Donna and Bob screaming out of control to the point of going way over board. But disk 1 and most of 3 are the reason the Dead stood out amoung all other musician of that time, and stiil to this day, Great Jams ,Great Imagination, Great passion, and Great sound."

Exquisite stuff, God Bless Dick, Wherever He Is !!!

mike lewandowski | 04/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"DEAD FREAKS CAN TRULY UNITE ON THIS ONE. Just drop everything you were doin', and go grab a copy of Dick's Picks 12. Here's a prime slice of vintage Dead from the heady year of 1974; a year of innumerable epic concerts, night after night. Many a veteran Head would agree that 1974 saw the Dead emerge as truly master musicians. Something that was also reflected in the 1977 shows, though lacking the more laid-back and wistful quality of the 1973-74 era, something which older Heads like me will perhaps relate to. I believe the '73-74 Dead zone was also the late Dick Latvala's favorite period..God Bless and Peace Dick wherever you are...and Say hello to Capt Trips and Pig! That said, I love every morsel in D.P.12, the telepathic jams, the songs...the sheer intensity of the classic `Garcia-Weir-Lesh-Kreutzmann & Godchaux' quintet. A more relaxed China Cat-Rider is the perfect set opener. The singin' and playin' is right up there folks. Listen to Jerry's opening lines on Eyes of the World or the sheer authenticity of his guitar phrasing in the lovely Beer Barrel Polka. Even regular cowboy chestnuts like Me & My Uncle quiver with new life...Bobby is at his storytelling best backed by his subtle rhythm guitar...Weir's singing on his exquisite WR-Suite is almost delicate, and the mindblowing ensemble playing conjures images of Alan Ginsberg's `Starry Eyed Dynamo'..from his `Howl' phase!!. These concerts coincided with the release of the Mars Hotel LP, and we are treated to gorgeous renditions of the complex Scarlet Begonais and an epic Ship of Fools. Look out for Keith's brilliant piano fills during Garcia's solo on Ship. After you've heard this one out, you'll know why many like me believe Phil Lesh is the most gifted bass player the world has ever known, a complete artiste. And what is there to say about wonderboy `Billy the Drummer, who in Phil's words was 'a Young God in those days, propelling the band to newer heights. Kreutzmann plays with sensitivity and the sensibility of jazz drumming greats like the sensational Tony Williams (of Miles Davis Quintet fame) on the 15 minute-Spanish Jam or the 27.54-minute interstellar voyage post-WRS. Towards the end of the Eyes jam, there's the rare treat for every discerning Deadhead to actually experience the creative process first-hand. As Phil's liquid bass solo fades, we hear Billy impulsively laying down the embryonic rhythms of what would soon evolve into the jazzy "King Solomon's Marbles," from the seminal Blues for Allah LP recorded during the Dead's retirement phase. Dick's Picks 12 is an aural snapshot of the venerable Dead at their creative zenith. Just Go Get It!!!"