Dave's Picks Volume 25
Grateful Dead · 2018
166 min · 23 tracks · psychedelic rock
A vibrant tapestry of improvisation and storytelling that captures the essence of a quintessential Grateful Dead performance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mississippi Half‐Step Uptown Toodleoo Start here — The opening track sets the tone with its intricate guitar interplay and poetic lyrics, encapsulating the band's unique blend of storytelling and musicianship.
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Scarlet Begonias > — This song features a captivating transition into Fire on the Mountain, showcasing the band’s ability to create cohesive medleys that elevate live performances.
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Truckin’ — A classic Dead anthem, this track highlights communal spirit and resilience through its narrative while delivering one of the band's most iconic jams.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This live album captures the essence of Grateful Dead's improvisational style and showcases their unique sound.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational segments, with several tracks seamlessly transitioning into one another, creating a continuous flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 progression with improvisational peaks
- wave-like pacing for deep engagement
- lyrical storytelling in vibrant jams
- for extended listening sessions
- ideal for communal sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, 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 live performances.
- Themes
- 1970s concert energy· psychedelic storytelling· communal spirit of jam bands
- Career context
- Released in early 2018, Dave's Picks Volume 25 is part of the ongoing archival series celebrating the Grateful Dead’s extensive live recordings. This volume draws from a standout concert on May 14, 1974, showcasing the band's peak improvisational skills during their golden era. The series has become a vital component of the band's legacy, allowing fans to experience rare performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Phish· The Allman Brothers Band· Jefferson Airplane
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Mississippi Half‐Step Uptown Toodleoo Start here 12:21
- 2 Jack Straw 7:17
- 3 Tennessee Jed 9:24
- 4 Mexicali Blues > 3:18
- 5 Me and My Uncle 3:29
- 6 Friend of the Devil 9:38
- 7 New Minglewood Blues 5:33
- 8 Dupree’s Diamond Blues 6:10
- 9 Passenger 4:42
- 10 Dire Wolf 5:18
- 11 The Music Never Stopped 8:04
Disc 2
- 1 Samson and Delilah 9:09
- 2 Sunrise 4:44
- 3 Scarlet Begonias > 10:45
- 4 Fire on the Mountain > 9:36
- 5 Good Lovin’ 6:37
Disc 3
- 1 St. Stephen > 8:22
- 2 Drums > 2:47
- 3 Not Fade Away > 9:44
- 4 Wharf Rat > 11:08
- 5 St. Stephen > 1:03
- 6 Truckin’ 11:32
- 7 Johnny B. Goode 5:08
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Features extended improvisation and a communal energy similar to the Grateful Dead's live performances.
A Live One
Phish
Captures the same spirit of improvisational jamming and storytelling in a live setting.
Larks' Tongues in Aspic
King Crimson
Shares a complex, exploratory sound with psychedelic elements and intricate arrangements.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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