Customer Reviews

Dick's Picks, Vol. 18: Dane County Coliseum, Madison, WI, 2/3/78 & Uni Dome, Univeristy of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, 2/5/78

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're stuck on a deserted island, which ONE recording from your collection would you want?

This is a remarkably easy one to answer. Without a doubt, it would be the Grateful Dead, 2/5/78 from Cedar Falls Iowa. The second set Scarlet Begonias/Fire On The Mountain jam is probably the single best piece of music in my collection. I searched for 20 years to find a soundboard copy of this show, after first being exposed to this recording in the summer of 1978. In fact, this show was my FIRST "dead bootleg" in my tape collection, and to this day, I've never heard a "Scarlet/Fire" that's better. Finally, after 20 years, the soundboard saw the light of day, and even better, the Dead eventually released this show as part of the Dicks' Picks series of live concert releases. This show was released as DICKS PICKS #18. If you've never heard this show, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up, as it doesn't get any better than this.

This may be the biggest surprise of all the Dick's Picks and multi-track releases. Really, even stacked against the known al-time great shows (DP4, DP8, DP 16, Live/Dead, "Ladies and Gentlemen . . ." etc.) If you are a Dead Head, then the choice is simple: BUY THIS NOW! If you're not a Dead Head, DP 18 is actually a very good place to start.

I've been a devotee for 30 years, a fanatical taper, bought nearly every release, etc., but I play DP 18 as much as anything since it came out a couple years' back.

Just for the Record - As good a Scarlet>Fire as can be found - no kidding (that includes 5/8/77 et al). And my current favorite Eyes, right up there with 11/5/77, 3/29/90, etc. Actually, every track burns. Jerry's solos are at peak; they just stay with you. Even Keith, who was beginning his decline, plays very well here. And as for Phil . . .

You simply cannot go wrong with this purchase.

I attended this concert. It was my first Dead show and I didn't know any of the songs and yet I was spellbound. The concert was inside a covered ampitheater normally used for hockey. Since it was February, the rink was protected under plywood and the audience was left to wander about in a giant undulating mass - no seats, no rows, no mosh pits. Seemingly unknown forces moved us like waves across a tide pool. Sometimes we would be close to Jerry and then the next wave would move us past Bobby and Phil.

So what? After listening to this CD I recalled the force which moved us around - the roadies were opening and closing doors to let in cold air. On the CD Mickey and Bill can be heard asking for air and the audience immediately cheers to the rush of frigid Wisconsin winter. The response is a welcome to giant gusts of sub-zero across our faces. The roadies did not time the cool downs to match song resolution and jam transitions and thus the audience can be heard cheering for nothing audible.

This magical CD captures the nuances of wind, ice and audience and a memorable winter day with the Grateful Dead.

P.S. It snowed during the show and when we left all our cars were under a foot of white stuff.

This is solid choice of material spread out over a few nights in the Midwest in '78. Both shows are exceptional. I was well aware of the exceptional Samson->Scarlet->Fire from the Iowa show. Previous reviews have criticized the 2-show on one picks format. In general, I would agree, however #18 not only offers one of the best Scarlett->Fires of all time, but in my opinion, one of the finest Estimated->Eyes->Playin->Wheel->Playin of all time. Please note, I have listened to several, seemingly thousands of Estimated->Eyes, and even more versions of Playin, and was in a completly clean and sober state when I first listened to #18, but disc 2 is mind-blowing. As a furvent critic of Donna Jean, I am forced to admit she actually enhances the quality of the Madison show, and as ardent Brenthead,I'll admit that Keith's keys are as stong as any show of any era on this disc. By the way, the first disc is very strong, with a passionate Passenger, Deal, Music to cap off the set. Deadheads and lovers of jazz should not delay in purchasing #18.

The reason i like this release so much is because they go the extra mile on the tunes. This is taken from 2 nights plus some songs from the Milwaukee show. Like most Dicks Picks, the songs really stand out. The first disc which comprises a really nice 1st set stands out w/ Deal and Music Never Stopped as big hits. The 2nd disc is the 2nd set from The UNI dome show and is one of the best 2nd sets/ or 90 minutes of dead in one disc. And the 3rd disc is the 2nd set from the Feb 3 show in WI which is solid playing throughout.

I am more a fan of progressive rock (Genesis, Premiata forneria marconi), but the tunes on DP 18 are all high energy and are classic Grateful Dead = )

Additionally, the disc w/ the Scarlet - Fire from Cedar Falls deserves 5 stars. It is some of the best music they've done or has been done on earth = )

Okay, folks, I have been a Deadhead for about 15 years now and am an avid collector. I have heard all of the jargon about which period is "THE BEST" in the band's storied history, and although I love all of the greats of 1977, I consider this set a culmination of the leap forward that was 1977 and I don't think there will ever be a better Dick's Picks in this series. I have the first 30 and this one outright ROCKS!! The first disc is not given enough credit. This version of "They Love Each Other" is my absolute all time favorite. Jerry's solo weeps with perfection. "It's All Over Now" is also flawless, as is what has become my favorite Brown-Eyed Women. I have cried tears of joy several times listening to Jerry take an extra solo during the Jam. And how about "The Music Never Stopped," surely one of the most beautifully woven tours de force I have heard on that tune. The other two discs have already been mentioned, so I will yield to previous reviews. I think it's worth mentioning, however, that during Eyes of the World, I had one of those classic Dead moments where I forgot and then couldn't believe that Jerry hadn't even sang a word yet and it was well into the song...awesome! The Playin' in the Band, although interruptedby a song, The Wheel, that I am not a fan of, is simply perfect as well. This is my first Amazon review, because I love this set so much. And, oh , by the way, "The Other One" has one of th best climaxes BEFORE BOBBY EVEN SINGS THE FIRST WORDS OF THE SONG!! (...)

This is defintely one of the best Grateful Dead Live CDs EVER. BUY THIS ONE! The Dead was on the ball these nights especially Garcia with outstanding guitar solos. The first song "Bertha" has a ripping guitar solo and the "New Minglewood Blues" is my favorite live version. All around, the first set is incredible with many diverse songs. Set two has a great "Playing in the Band" and "Estimated Prophet. Set three has by far, the best "Scarlet/Fire on The Mountain" jam I have ever heard with Jerry taking it all the way on his envelope filter. Trust me, I have heard tons of live Dead CDs and this one is one of the very best!

As an 18 year old, i have only been a deadhead for about 5 months now after i attended my first concert. since then, u could say im obsessed. I now own about 50 dead CD's and these 3 are my favorite of them all. If you love to listen to the dead jam and play, these CD's are definately for you. the transitions and solos seem perfect. Estimated profit-eyes is worth the purchase all buy itself. jerry is incredible throughout the entire show, leaving me wishing i had been born 20 years earlier so that i couldve seen im myslef. GIVES ME THE CHILLS MAN! also, disc 3 features one of the most interesting scarlet- fire on the mountain's that i have heard. even if your not really into the dead, try this CD. its definately worth a shot

The Dick's Picks collection has brought us some superb live dead, and #18 continues the tradition. What a show(s)! Obviously disc three provides an amazing Scarlet/Fire jam but disc 2 also demonstrates some excellent high-energy dead. The Chuck Berry songs are very well done and the Bertha/Good Lovin' Jam is fun as usual. For listener's just getting into the Dick's Picks collection (or the Grateful Dead in general), this is a great one to start with. The only problem is you might have a hard time following this collection up!

Great collection. Personal faves (this week) are the solos on Bertha and, particularly, Brown Eyed Woman. Jerry's tone is stinging.

Superb 'Eyes' and Scarlet > Fire too.

This (along with Live Dead) is the one I play people who've never heard the band (i.e. 99% of the British public).