Customer Reviews

Dick's Picks, Vol. 13: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY, 5/6/81

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This three Disc set from May 1981 (Nassau Coliseum)contains the usual healthy handful (over three hours of inspired, often improvised moments) of music by this great band (consisting at the time of Garcia, Hart, Kreutzmann, Lesh, Weir, and Mydland).

Disc One is a fairly laid back affair, but is smooth throughout. Disc Two picks up the pace a little (there is a very bluesy feel throughout this set) and concludes with an unlisted, rollicking 30+ minute performance of "Scarlet Begonias/Fire on the Mountain" which will prepare you for the fireworks on Disc Three. As is typical with the Dick's Picks discs, the energy continues to build and the band's last performance of "Caution" and "Spanish Jam" is truly something to hear. The disc closes with the oft-played "Good Lovin'" and a nice, restrained "Don't Ease Me In" closes a fine collection.

A terrific performance from the somewhat inconsistent 80s and well worth purchasing. It's good! HHD.

From the first track (Alabama Getaway) you know the band is on tonight! Jerry delivers a bluesy rendition of this Go to Heaven classic. Brent had a great sound in '81 and he fits in perfectly within the rythem section, and also delivers some nice solos. Check out the shifting tempo in Let it Rain, kinda disco, Kinda dark, beautiful none the less. Warning to all, Bob is enthusiastic tonight! Also worth noting on the first disc are the great versions on GSET, Red Rooster, and Cassidy.
The set on disk two is fantastic. Except for the average Minglewood, the High Time, Sailor and Saint are tremendously played! In addition, there is a hidden Scarlet/Fire on this disc which is mind-blowing... Disc three, what can I say? To sum it up, speed and virtuosity- After an inspired He's Gone, the Dead turn it out! He's Gone almost moves into an Irish jig. The rest you have to hear for yourself its just too much to describe!!!! One more thing, this version of Wharf Rat is one of the best!
Enjoy

The review of this show in the Grateful Dead Compendium states that it is one of the strongest shows of the Dead's career. I attended the previous night, 5/5/81, and that was a great show. But this one--5/6/81--is awesome. Fully deserving of 5 stars in my opinion. A must have.

Excellent early Brent era show surpassed only by #5 in the Dick's Picks series. Excellent singles as well as jams. Excellent sound quality.

This is a popular tape that's been circulated since... 1981. Ha! It's a good show with some unusual transitions and breakdowns that lend to its longevity as a favorite tape. Also, the entire performance has an ethereal quality to it... that is... for lack of a better word... enchanting. Maybe this is why it's such a popular tape? So now it's officially on CD. Brent's keyboards are a bit too forward in the mix, but overall, these CDs beat listening to old hissy cassettes. Disk 2 has a bonus Scarlet/Fire which lasts 30 minutes and, in my opinion, is OK but nothing special.

I quite enjoy this show. Brent Mydland's keyboards are prominent in the mix. He is a much more appropriate and productive player for this band than Keith Godcheaux had been for 7 or so years, and he helps to keep this set moving along nicely.

The song choices are nice, the peformances good, the fidelity is good if not definitive. The jamming on discs 2 and 3 is pretty good - again, Mydland helps to keep things moving. On the whole a very good night for the Grateful Dead and for the audience.

YES!!

But buy DP 5 first

The list price shown on this page says .... The price over at the Grateful Dead store is only $.... Save yourself a ... and go directly to the source.

However if you choose to use Amazon, I would give this album 5 stars, it rocks like most of the Dicks Picks Collection.