Dave's Picks Volume 11 cover

Dave's Picks Volume 11

Grateful Dead · 2014

229 min · 30 tracks · psychedelic rock

A vibrant tapestry of improvisational rock and heartfelt storytelling unfolds over extended jams and tight harmonies.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Promised Land Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    He's Gone — The emotional depth of the performance captures the band's ability to blend personal storytelling with musical exploration, making it a hallmark of their improvisational style.
  • →
    Playing in the Band — Spanning nearly 31 minutes, this track exemplifies the band's signature extended improvisation, showcasing their intricate interplay and ability to transport listeners through shifting musical landscapes.
  • →
    Bird Song — This rendition highlights Jerry Garcia's lyrical guitar work, intertwining with harmonies that evoke a sense of longing and introspection, pivotal elements in the band's repertoire.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album captures the Grateful Dead's improvisational prowess and strong live performance energy.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended jams, with several tracks exceeding ten minutes, allowing for improvisational exploration.
  • Transitions between songs often include seamless segues, creating a continuous flow rather than distinct breaks.
  • The setlist includes multiple fan favorites and showcases the band's ability to reinterpret their own material in live settings.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with peaks
  • heartfelt storytelling through improvisation
  • for long listening sessions
  • engaging group sing-alongs
  • captivating extended jam exploration

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification music

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Highlights a specific live performance, appealing to dedicated fans of the band's catalog.
Themes
1970s concert experience· extended musical improvisation· personal storytelling· psychedelic journey
Career context
Released in 2014, Dave's Picks Volume 11 is part of a series that highlights live performances from the Grateful Dead's extensive catalog. This volume features a concert from 1974, showcasing the band during a period of transition following their critically acclaimed album American Beauty. By this time, the Grateful Dead had solidified their reputation as pioneers of live improvisation and a dedicated fanbase.
New to Grateful Dead? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Promised Land Start here 3:11
  • 2 Sugaree 7:00
  • 3 Me and My Uncle 3:11
  • 4 Tennessee Jed 7:47
  • 5 Black‐Throated Wind 7:04
  • 6 Bird Song 11:00
  • 7 Jack Straw 4:59
  • 8 Box of Rain 4:54
  • 9 Don’t Ease Me In 3:15
  • 10 Beat It On Down the Line 3:26
  • 11 Brown‐Eyed Women 5:10
  • 12 Big River 4:38
  • 13 China Cat Sunflower > 7:09
  • 14 I Know You Rider 4:46

Disc 2

  • 1 Around and Around 3:54
  • 2 Casey Jones 6:34
  • 3 Cumberland Blues 6:30
  • 4 El Paso 4:17
  • 5 He’s Gone 14:11
  • 6 Truckin’ > 9:56
  • 7 The Other One > 19:48
  • 8 Brokedown Palace 5:58
  • 9 Sugar Magnolia 8:28

Disc 3

  • 1 Uncle John’s Band 8:07
  • 2 Johnny B. Goode 4:02
  • 3 Playing in the Band 30:57
  • 4 Wharf Rat 10:40
  • 5 Not Fade Away > 7:46
  • 6 Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad > 7:12
  • 7 Not Fade Away 3:25

What to play next

Wake of the Flood
Listen next

Wake of the Flood

1973

Continues the vibrant improvisational rock and storytelling style with rich musical textures.
Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England
Go back to

Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England

2011

Sets up the live experience and improvisational spirit found in Dave's Picks Volume 11.
Full Grateful Dead discography Where to start with Grateful Dead Artists like Grateful Dead
psychedelic rock

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

At Fillmore East

At Fillmore East

The Allman Brothers Band

Features extended improvisational jams and a blend of rock with deep Southern storytelling.

A Live One

A Live One

Phish

Captures the spirit of live improvisation with playful narratives and a psychedelic atmosphere.

Surrealistic Pillow

Surrealistic Pillow

Jefferson Airplane

Shares a similar psychedelic vibe with rich harmonies and introspective lyrical themes from the 70s.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata