Customer Reviews

Dick's Picks, Vol. 20: Landover, Maryland and Syracuse, New York, 9/25/76, 9/28/76

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was late in buying this pick; the playlist seemed a little dull compared to other DPs out there. All in all DP 20 seemed a bit of a sour pick. When I finally did pick this up I was very surprised. The list may be on the 'standard' side, but the playing is incredible. Both first sets are strong, the perfect set ups for the second set. Highlights include the opener Bertha and Sugaree on Disc one. Both second sets are stellar. Disc 2's (9/25/76 show 2nd set) highlights include one of the best Scarlet Begonias you will ever hear without Fire on the Mountain attached, the last (I think) performance of Cosmic Charlie, and a perfect St. Steve > NFA > St. Steve. The band is having a blast and after the line "One man gathers what another man spills" you can hear Garcia say "Yes he goes..." one second before the rhythm section kicks into NFA. Awesome.

Disc four is everything you could ever want from a second set at a Dead show. It starts with PITB with the mystique of '74 but with Hart and Kreutzman togeher again behind the drums. Plus, Phil is bouncing all over the place in the into. It segues into Wheel with a great outro jam that segues perfectly into Sam and Delilah (never heard this transition before) then into the ballad Comes a Time, then Drums > a short/ fast 8 minute Eyes of the World > before jamming and closing PITB.

Though it does not have that unique sound of 1977, it is a great intro to the Dead and a nice prelude to '77. And with two shows on one DP, with only a song edited (I think) from each show to get it to fit on 4 discs, this set is a bargain. Don't hesitate picking this up like I did. Well worth it.

I'm not sure why more classic rock listeners and Dead-heads don't focus on the extraordinary music on this release. It features two complete shows, each minus one song, from Landover, MN in 1976 and Syracuse, NY 1976.

Some purists dislike the prominence of Keith's electronic and accoustic pianos and Donna Jean's occasionally off-pitch wailing. In truth, discs 3 and 4 are worth the full price of the set. They are phenomenally recorded from 2-track analog soundboard tapes. The pace of the 21 songs is flawless and the jams are earthy and creative.

By comparison, the MD set on discs 1 and 2 is slightly weaker, with disc 1 holding dominance and disc 2 stumbling because of some jams that are downright annoying.

At four discs for $6 each, this is one of the best historical and aural documents of this wonderful, joyous band. Disc 3, in particular, is a standout, with 10 Dead standards in rare form and fine sound.

I've read the many posts of those who find #23 (in this issue) to be far superior to these recordings, but for the life of me, I can't figure it out.

These are sad and grievous times. A good Dead album can help the most fearful and sad break through and feel happy. The performances of Cold Rain and Snow, Big River, Friend of the Devil, Playing in the Band, Comes a Time -- all rival other live recordings I've heard.

A real bargain, a comfort, and 1-1 /2 outstanding and classic rock concerts. Go for it.

Rhino's quality-control adds to the value. And the price has dropped considerably, too.

I probably would rate this at 3.5 stars if given the option, but I'll err on the low side. The main reason is the quality of the recording.

It is hard to nail down exactly what is wrong with the recording. It is clear enough but therer is a genuine lack of vibrance. The sound quality can best be described as "flat".

I have listened to this several times and I am confident that their is zero stereo separation between the two channels. The result is that you have a good quality recording of a really nice concert, but you listen to it in a monotonic replay. Another way to describe it as if they were playing outdoors and you were listening to the concert on the other side of a large wall with a hole cut into it. You can hear it all clearly, but there is no fidelity to it.

If this is your first venture into a live recording of a Dead show, kep looking; there are better selections out there. If you are a long time fan, then this is a nice addition to your collection but it won't be your favorite.

This is my first Dick's Picks and I have to say, I'm very glad I bought it! The whole album has the feel of a kick ass dead show. The whole band is in good form and the lack of slick production gives it the feel of an authentic Dead bootleg.
I was a little disapointed with the lack of extended jams on disc 1. but the overall energy of disc 1 totally made up for it.
Disc 2, 3 & 4! these discs seriously jam! Phil's bass is incredible as usual. Jerry's guitar is delacate and sometimes enigmatic. Bobby and Mickey are the ONLY reason you dance at a dead show, and this is definately no exception. At this point in the Dead's career Bobby has really grown into his own and puts on a great show! Generaly the whole band is playing very well together. However... Donna's off key singing was almost unbearable and would have been if it wasn't for Jerry's singing.

I recomend these shows to anyone who is even remotely fascinated with the dead!

On of the the personal pet peeves of mine involves some of the altering that has been happening with Grateful Dead shows as they transfer them from tape to cd. Take, for example this performance of Friend Of The Devil, on all the old soundboard tapes from this era FOTD features backing vocals by Bob and Donna. On all the cd releases from this era Bob's voice is erased on FOTD. There are other times to where voices or keyboard parts are erased and this is happening on releases from throughout their career. As for these two shows themselves, they're very good. One the first disc Bertha, Let It Grow, Sugaree and the second set opener of Lazy Lightnin' -> Supplication rocks. On the second disc, the Scarlet Begonias and the Saint Stephen jam are great. Disc three starts with the last Cold, Rain and Snow for over a year. Disc four is a five from beginning to end.

This is a good Dick's Picks for several reasons.
1. Great first sets. There are plenty of Dead shows with wonderful set II rivers of sound, but the Dead's finest first set songs like Sugaree, Cassidy, Half-Step, Peggy-O all really shine here. Beautiful stuff.
2. Keith is on fire. Listen to him in Half-Step. His piano sparkles and glories in all the turns of emotion.
3. There are a lot of songs on here, and a great variety of Dead songwriting and covers. Good value.

Top performances: Definitely Sugaree and Half-Step. The two Cassidys are beautiful as well, thanks to Keith's poignant keys. Also we have the ORANGE TANGO JAM, played only ONCE in the Dead's entire 30 years...well worth it! It's a beautiful tango-style jam.

Now for the nitpicks.
A. This show is great and all, but when you hear 9-24-76, you will be floored and wonder why in hell they didn't choose that monster show. Consider this: Playin' > Supplication (!) > Playin, Help > Slip > Drums > [Doubletime] Slip > Franklins > Music Never Stopped > Stella Blue > Round & Round. Definitely worth the download. Go get a copy, you know where to look.

B. To the haters, yes, the recording is a little flatter than other dick's picks, but if you just add some software reverb your problems will melt away.

C. Why aren't there more 1976 Picks? 6-15-76 is wonderful, the Scarlet Begonias > Sunshine Daydream melts me every time. 6-28-76 has a wonderful early Fire on the Mountain Jam. October is just littered with sweet Franklins.

But I digress. Anyway, Dick's Pick's 20 is well worth it. Mostly for the great 1st set songs and unusually inspired Keith.

This edition of Dicks Picks is a bit of a mystery. The show at the Capital Centre on 9/25/1976 is pretty lackluster and I would have rated the CD with 2 stars if it only included that concert. In contra-distinction, the concert at Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse NY 3 days later rips, and roars and is worthy of 4 stars - which is why I settled on giving the overall package 3 stars.

The band at the Capital Centre sounds like it is permanently in second gear with only the occasional glimmer of better things to come at Onondaga. Both "Loser" and "Mississippi Half Step" sound like they're being played at the wrong speed, Lazy Lightnin sounds sloppy and combined with Donna Godchaux's voice is downright annoying. There are some bright spots, including an inspired "Peggy-O" and some nice guitar work by Jerry on "Sugaree", "Scarlet Begonias" and "Dancing in the Streets", but it generally feels like an uninspired performance. Kinder dead-heads are likely to refer to it as a "mellow" effort.

Things changed dramatically in Syracuse. The band begins the show with one of my all time favorite openers, "Cold Rain and Snow" and the first set ends with a great combo "Let it Grow" into a ripping version of "Going Down the Road." (Unfortunately, the CD leaves out a great version of "Bertha" which was the show's second song.) The second set has a playlist that looks good on paper as it appears to be continuous music from "Playing in the Band" - "The Wheel" - "Samson and Delilah" - "Comes a Time" - "Eyes" - "Dancing in the Streets" - "Playing in the Band". The band does not disappoint, as all band members are fully in synch, producing exceptional jams.

The concert at Syracuse hints at the beauty of things to come the following year in 1977 which was almost definately the Dead's best year and when the music gods were surely smiling on the band. The best shows from 1977 seem to have a certain crispness, energy and sparkle not often found in any other year. To appreciate what I mean, listen to the concert at Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ (released as Dicks Picks 15) and the monster of all Dead concerts, Barton Hall, Cornell University, on May 8, 1977 (which for some reason has yet to be made commercially available), and which contains the definitive version of "Dancing in the Streets."

Enjoy the music.

I will only ever give a Pick five stars. There are some I like more than others; mostly I just like them for different reasons. But all in the series contain many reasons to celebrate the many great things about Grateful Dead as The Live Band they were. More concisely: The music is really, really good.
So my reviews of the individual Dick's Picks deal mainly in the nuances of styles, numbers of superlatives and varying degree of enthusiasm.
For Dick's Picks 20 I find the sort of 'prototype for the '77 sound' sound throughout this four disc, two concert offering, insightful into the evolution of Grateful Dead in the sense that although not quite filled out, fused and galvanised into that sound they had the following year, it still has its own charm and character - of course, kind sir. Also, the Pick frequently stunned me with those impressive jams and the original takes on the songs that give it a great reason for being played when you want a break from listening to '77 but still want it in similar vibe. Now I'm really talking to the Deadheads, here! -I don't think This would be the first concert/s I'd use to hopefully infuse someone with the Grateful Dead Gratitude. Maybe some tracks though!
So, it's a bit skeletal and transitional if you look at it in comparison to what they were doing before and directly after 1976, but they still achieve heights in many of the good ol' songs... No, not SAME Ol'songs! And wasn't it the last Cosmic Charlie for a while? (should reviewers ask rhetorical questions in reviews?)
And again thanks to the bad reviews for lowering my expectation.
Some absolute nuggets of gold here, folks.
So much for a review here, but there's nothing like a Grateful Dead concert.. Even on a Disc.

Well, what can I say! The Dead in the 70's will definitely deliver versions of our favorites in a Rock Jazz fusion. I always liked this time period of the Dead because of Wall of Sound brings Phil's bass and Jerry best playing to the front. This CD shows this period well. Let It Grow versions that are awesome, (you can tell the difference from 90's versions of the song)

Great CD for Deadheads who like the 70's sound. This CD showcases it to perfection. I highly reccommend. ENJOY ALL!

This is a KILLER show, and the recording sounds like it was from 2004 or so. Like most here, I have many Dead shows but I listen to this one as much or more than most I. This show and the Winterland 73 recordings are enough to keep any dh busy for a good long while. Listen to it, then decide. Don't buy into any negativity about this show; it's simply not accurate.

Have a Grateful day!