Customer Reviews

Dick's Picks, Vol. 17: Boston Garden, Boston, MA, 9/25/91

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dicks Picks 17 is underrated. The 90s are now regarded as the weakest period of the bands output with 1991 largely considered "the last strong year." And when this set came out many fans complained that one of the other Boston Garden shows from the run-there were six nights to choose from-should have come out. (For one, they played "Dark Star" not one but two nights!) But regardless, this set is excellent. It features fun interplay between the band members and its the only pick to feature Bruce Hornsby who played with the band regularly for 18 months in the early 90s. He lights a spark under the proceedings and the musical texture of this short-lived septet version of the band is nicely unique.

The first disk (and first set) is consistent and well played so if you like the songlist you should enjoy it. I particularly like this version of "Tennessee Jed" because of Vince Welnicks fiddle line throughout. Ill be the first to complain about his tenure with the band but this works.

The second disk is my favorite. The transition from "Victim Or the Crime" into "Crazy Fingers" is the Dead at their best, carving through very raucous waters. Also, with "Playing In the Band" and "Boston Clam Jam" the listener gets to hear plenty of free jamming. "Terrapin Station" is solid too.

When disk three starts, Garcia only does "That Would Be Something" for a couple minutes, the first time the Dead covered that McCartney tune. After more jamming with "Playing", Garcia goes into the relatively rarely played "China Doll". The "Throwing Stones-Not Fade Away" set closer is energetic and the Bands "The Mighty Quinn" is fun to hear. At the end of the disk you get bonus material of "Samson and Delilah" and a 23-minute "Eyes Of the World" with plenty of Garcia leads.

This Pick gets many spins in my cd player. The playing is good and it happens to cover a lot of the Deads songbook that I like. My only complaint-the sound of the recording is excellent but Garcias guitar does get buried occasionally.

Just picked it up and I really enjoyed the energy of the show. For me, the Queen Jane Approximately track, the Terrapin Station track, Playing In The Band track, and Samson and Delilah tracks were all standouts. I am a relatively new Dead fan--having purchased Dead releases after the "Touch of Grey" single. Please don't damn me for being a late starter. By the way, Throwing Stones on this one is incredible. I really enjoy this band--now that I am older.

For me, this show is something I can respect--as I am not bogged down by the 1970s shows that I missed and did not once appreciate. Now I do, of course. I have gone back and bought all of the Dead commercial releases and a few of the Dick's Picks, and I rank this up there with the best. Is it as good as the Fillmore East show on Ladies and Gentlemen...The Grateful Dead? Nope. Is it better than most music on the radio today? Yep! Is it better than no Dead at all? Resoundingly yes!

I think this is one of the best-drving-forty-minutes-to-work CD's I own. The drive home actually soothes me as I look forward to it. Fellow Dead fans, you know you will buy it anyway.

Buy it, enjoy it, and respect it for what it was--an enjoyable night for all. Plus, what a great price!

Please let me start by saying that I have loved this band all my life. They are a part of my life everyday, and are rooted deep within my soul. I own countless GD cds and needless to say all of the Dick's Picks Series,a FANTASTIC COLLECTION of music! Thank-you Dick R.I.P. While my Dead preference is probably the 60's and the 70's, I want to say that I have been Very Pleasantly Pleased by this pick! It is crisp and clean, and crackling with life and joy. I find the band to be happy and enjoying the evening. Gettin'It On GOOD. The jams are tight and I find them interesting, fun, and inspirational. I tell you this because Dead Heads tend to give the 90's a bad rap. While I acknowledge and respect various opinions, I myself have a hard time giving any "ERA" of this band a bad rap. All that aside, I find Dick's Picks 17 to be a VERY ENJOYABLE LISTEN and I have a feeling that you will soon be singing, smiling, and dancing too... soon after you puchase and play this cd for yourself! HIGHLY RECOMENDED. Enjoy!!!

Well I'm on my way to collecting many in this series, the most played so far being 13 and the one from Providence- Recently, I had a decision to make whether I should get this one or The Dane county one, 18 I believe. You may think I'm crazy but I chose this one- not because I dont think that 18 is mind blowing, I'm sure it is, but I just couldnt escape the fact that 17 has some great variety and interesting new looks at some classics by having a two-keyboard combo. I'll admit sometimes the keys do overwelm, but its a different feel, and I think thats more important than hearing jerry go off on a 30min scarlet/fire for like the fifth time and then doing the estimated-eyes stuff.
This one instead launches right into Blues for Allah and dont listen to what others say Jerry's voice maybe a little ragged but its full of emotion (ragged but right). When he says help on the way, he's really hoping there is! Must have been the roses is also beautiful balled thats really played well here. I'm not going to bore you with a song-by-song but the first set is all good stuff played with emotion- The second disc starts with an eirie Victim that launches into a cool Crazy Fingers (another pick for variety!)- I'm still digesting the rest, I like to take my time with these sets, but so far I'm glad I grabbed this one to refresh my Dead listening with some new stuff from the 90's thats heartfelt and well played- Oh one more thing check out the backround vocals- they are great and rock star bobby is nowhere to be found..... I'll get 18 next, but I'm glad I chose this one first!

This is a solid 90's show, although it does not represent the best of this era. Bruce Hornsby inspires the band to play well, set list is great, rest of the band is in good form.

I'm one who loves the Grateful Dead best from approximately 1969 through 1974, so the possibility of me even considering purchasing a performance from 1991(!) had been unthinkable...in the past. Needless to say, I bought Dick's Picks 17...and loved it! If, at times, you MAY find yourself a little played-out listening to 70's Dead all the time, this 1991 performance is a great mental palate cleanser.
The Help On the Way, Slipknot, Franklin's Tower is better than very good; as is the superb Crazy Fingers, as is the nice Boston Clam Jam...and the 26 minute Eyes of the World at the end is truly wonderful. Overall this 1991 performance has a nice breezy feel to it, and is quite refreshing to listen to when you've been hearing nothing but 1969-1974 Dead all the time. Therefore, I DO recommend Dick's Picks 17.

While there are many other releases and eras of Dead I prefer, this is an entertaining show from a period I usually dont go for. Bruce brings back the authenticity of a talented pianist absent for so long b/c Brent didn't travel with a true piano for some reason. I forgot how much I missed it! I prefer this to the 90's releases I've heard...like From the Vault series. The sound quality is good not great considering digital, but Phil's Bass is true, DEEP, and stands out well which is GREAT! Best Queen Jane Ive heard (though its usually not a favorite I love it here!)

the Boston runs were always fun, and with Bruce Hornsby added to the mix it made the '91 run that much more memorable. he added such a great mix to the band especially in '91. the grateful dead had a sound in '91, and it was defined by the lead changing duo of Garcia and Hornsby. it is very fun to pay attention to.

best DP's out there - in terms of their magical abilities - are 3, 12, 18, and 20.

rock on. we are everywhere.

Was this one of the best shows of the 90s- no- this was not even one of the best Boston Garden shows of the 90s, but do not hesitate to purchase this- the recording quality is excellent and while the keyboards may be off at times, the interplay between Vinnie and Bruce has its shining moments. I own several tapes and Picks, but this baby gets its share of playin time. Then again, I can't understand why so many don't like the 90s. The boys could still cook, as this CD attests. Oddly enough, one of my favorite parts is the filler-Samson->Eyes from 3-31-91-an Eyes that matches any from the 70s and 80s.

Unless you just don't "get" the Dead at all, a live album is always worth a listen. This one falls short of a few others I've been listening to lately (Steppin' Out, Ladies and Gentlemen), but is still great. It runs at a high standard broken by a few inexplicable bloopers and uninspired performances.

However, the band is right there on so many tracks I'm prepared to forgive the two Dylan tunes and Tenessee Jed. Contrast those with the outstanding performances of Crazy Fingers, Drums, Throwing Stones, China Doll, and the blistering 23-minute version of Eyes of the World that closes the set, and the balance falls well on the positive side.

I agree with most of the other comments here. This isn't the best choice for the Dead album you start with. Every now and then you're reminded that the concert was recorded on digital two-track as Jerry's voice or guitar is hard to hear.

But there's such a wealth of Live Grateful Dead albums we forget that they all display fantastic musicianship and ensemble playing. If this was the the only live album the group ever released it would be on everyone's top ten live albums.

I'm looking to get all the Dick's Picks, and although this isn't quite as good as Volume 13, I'll be happy to buy any of them unheard.