Is Dave's Picks Volume 20 a good place to start with Grateful Dead?

Yes, Dave's Picks Volume 20 is recommended as a starting point for new Grateful Dead listeners. A vibrant tapestry of improvisational jams, folk influences, and lyrical storytelling unfold across extended live performances. Released in 2016, Dave's Picks Volume 20 is part of a series celebrating the Grateful Dead's extensive live archive, following the band's breakup in 1995. This collection highlights performances from 1974, showcasing the band's peak era of creativity and their ability to blend genres seamlessly, further solidifying their legacy in the live music scene.

Who is Dave's Picks Volume 20 for?

Dave's Picks Volume 20 works well if you're into wave-like pacing with peaks, communal celebration of improvisation and long-form tracks for deep focus.

How many songs are on Dave's Picks Volume 20?

Dave's Picks Volume 20 has 24 tracks, running approximately 182 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Dave's Picks Volume 20

Grateful Dead · 2016

182 min · 24 tracks · psychedelic rock

A vibrant tapestry of improvisational jams, folk influences, and lyrical storytelling unfold across extended live performances.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Cold Rain and Snow Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Scarlet Begonias > — This track features a seamless transition into 'Fire on the Mountain', demonstrating the band’s signature style of melding songs together while exploring expansive improvisation.
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Friend of the Devil > — This rendition captures the heartfelt storytelling and musical interplay typical of the band's acoustic roots, making it a fan favorite during live performances.
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(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction — The cover offers an unexpected twist, showcasing the band’s versatility by transforming a rock classic into a psychedelic jam fest that highlights their improvisational prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

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

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational jams, with several tracks transitioning seamlessly into one another, creating a continuous flow.
Each performance showcases the band's ability to reinterpret songs live, often extending their length and altering arrangements from studio versions.
The inclusion of various musical styles, such as folk and blues, is evident in the diverse tracklist, which includes both original compositions and covers.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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

wave-like pacing with peaks
communal celebration of improvisation
long-form tracks for deep focus
late-night reflective journeys
spirited sing-alongs with friends

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone songs
seek fast-paced instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid live album showcasing the band's improvisational style, appealing to dedicated fans.
Themes: 1970s improvisational spirit· psychedelic jam culture· live concert intimacy
Career context: Released in 2016, Dave's Picks Volume 20 is part of a series celebrating the Grateful Dead's extensive live archive, following the band's breakup in 1995. This collection highlights performances from 1974, showcasing the band's peak era of creativity and their ability to blend genres seamlessly, further solidifying their legacy in the live music scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Phish· The Allman Brothers Band· Jefferson Airplane