Dave's Picks Volume 19 cover

Released 10 years ago

Dave's Picks Volume 19

Grateful Dead · 2016

190 min · 23 tracks · psychedelic rock

A sprawling journey through improvisational psychedelia, weaving together iconic riffs and soulful storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    China Cat Sunflower > Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Dark Star > — This track exemplifies the band's signature blend of improvisation and lyrical exploration, creating an ethereal soundscape that captivates listeners.
  • →
    That's It for the Other One — The lengthy composition showcases the band's ability to seamlessly transition between different musical themes while maintaining an engaging narrative flow.
  • →
    Turn On Your Lovelight — A quintessential live staple that highlights the band's improvisational skills, featuring extended solos and dynamic vocal performances.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

62 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album captures the essence of live Grateful Dead performances with strong improvisation and varied interpretations.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks seamlessly transitioning into one another, creating a continuous flow.
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
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 improvisation
  • extended tracks for deep listening
  • wave-like pacing with peaks
  • for live music enthusiasts
  • exploratory vibes for late nights

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer concise, standalone tracks
  • seek immediate gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Part of an archival series, appealing mainly to dedicated fans of the band.
Themes
1971 concert experience· psychedelic improvisation· live musical journey
Career context
Released in 2016, Dave's Picks Volume 19 is part of the ongoing archival series celebrating the Grateful Dead’s live performances. The band, having disbanded in 1995, continued to cultivate their legacy through these releases, showcasing their live improvisational prowess and deep catalog. This volume features a performance from 1971, highlighting the band's evolution during a pivotal year.
New to Grateful Dead? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 China Cat Sunflower > Start here 4:33
  • 2 I Know You Rider > 6:10
  • 3 Black Peter 8:36
  • 4 The Yellow Dog Story 3:14
  • 5 Hard to Handle 5:40
  • 6 Mama Tried 3:09
  • 7 Casey Jones 1:26
  • 8 Dire Wolf 4:24
  • 9 Good Lovin’ 9:59
  • 10 That’s It for the Other One 21:57

Disc 2

  • 1 Dark Star > 18:44
  • 2 St. Stephen > 5:02
  • 3 Turn On Your Lovelight 38:08

Disc 3

  • 1 Cumberland Blues 5:35
  • 2 Cold Rain and Snow 5:36
  • 3 Me and My Uncle 3:32
  • 4 I’m a King Bee 6:25
  • 5 Mason’s Children 6:47
  • 6 Black Peter 9:41
  • 7 Good Lovin’ 6:27
  • 8 Feedback > 1:20
  • 9 And We Bid You Goodnight 4:25
  • 10 Dancing in the Street 9:18

What to play next

Wake of the Flood
Listen next

Wake of the Flood

1973

Continues the improvisational spirit with rich storytelling and musical exploration.
Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England
Go back to

Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England

2011

Sets the stage for expansive live performances leading into the current album's vibe.
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

Both emphasize extended jams and improvisational spirit in a live setting, creating immersive musical experiences.

A Live One

A Live One

Phish

Shares the same adventurous improvisation and eclectic setlist structure, capturing the essence of live performance.

Traffic

Traffic

Traffic

Combines psychedelic elements with soulful storytelling, reflecting a similar era and exploratory sound palette.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata