Dave's Picks Volume 30
Grateful Dead · 2019
305 min · 36 tracks · psychedelic rock
A sprawling tapestry of improvisational rock that blends intricate melodies with cosmic explorations and heartfelt storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mason’s Children Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Dark Star > — The extended improvisational journey of Dark Star serves as a cornerstone of the band's live experience, showcasing their ability to weave complex sonic landscapes.
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Uncle John’s Band — This track exemplifies the Grateful Dead's storytelling prowess, blending harmonies with poignant lyrics that reflect on themes of community and connection.
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Turn On Your Lovelight — A quintessential example of the band’s energetic live performances, this track captures the essence of their improvisational style and audience interaction.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong improvisation and thematic continuity, characteristic of the Grateful Dead's live ethos.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks seamlessly transitioning into one another, creating a continuous flow.
- Multiple songs are reprised within the set, such as 'St. Stephen' appearing three times, which emphasizes thematic continuity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- sprawling improvisational jam sessions
- dynamic exploration with peaks
- captivating storytelling through music
- for long drives
- engaging for live performance enthusiasts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, radio-friendly tracks
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Part of an archival series showcasing live performances, appealing to dedicated fans.
- Themes
- 1970 concert experience· cosmic improvisation· community connection
- Career context
- Released in 2019, Dave's Picks Volume 30 is part of the ongoing archival series that showcases live performances, illustrating the Grateful Dead's enduring legacy long after their initial disbandment in 1995. This volume highlights a concert from 1970, demonstrating the band's ability to continually captivate audiences through their unique blend of psychedelic rock and improvisation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Phish· The Allman Brothers Band· Jefferson Airplane
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Mason’s Children Start here 6:12
- 2 Casey Jones 4:28
- 3 Black Peter 12:21
- 4 Mama Tried 2:29
- 5 Hard to Handle 5:02
- 6 Cumberland Blues 5:42
- 7 That’s It for the Other One > 18:19
- 8 Cosmic Charlie 7:06
- 9 Uncle John’s Band 7:24
- 10 High Time 7:22
Disc 2
- 1 Dire Wolf 4:43
- 2 Easy Wind 7:49
- 3 China Cat Sunflower > 4:47
- 4 I Know You Rider 4:12
- 5 Good Lovin’ 7:24
- 6 Me and My Uncle 4:33
- 7 Monkey and the Engineer 1:54
- 8 Morning Dew 10:00
- 9 Big Boss Man 4:24
- 10 Dancing in the Street 10:50
- 11 St. Stephen > 6:14
- 12 In the Midnight Hour 9:31
Disc 3
- 1 Dark Star > 32:12
- 2 St. Stephen > 9:16
- 3 The Eleven > 10:28
- 4 Turn On Your Lovelight 22:50
Disc 4
- 1 Cold Rain and Snow 6:07
- 2 Alligator > 4:00
- 3 Drums > 1:59
- 4 Alligator > 12:07
- 5 Feedback 6:37
- 6 Casey Jones 4:59
- 7 Mason's Children 5:38
- 8 That's It for the Other One > 21:57
- 9 Cosmic Charlie 7:46
- 10 Uncle John's Band 6:58
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Both feature extended jams and a blend of rock and improvisation capturing live concert energy.
A Picture of Nectar
Phish
Shares a playful approach to improvisational rock with cosmic themes and communal vibes.
In the Court of the Crimson King
King Crimson
Explores adventurous soundscapes and intricate melodies, echoing a similar psychedelic atmosphere.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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