Dick's Picks Volume 18 cover

Dick's Picks Volume 18

Grateful Dead · 2000

228 min · 26 tracks · psychedelic rock

A sprawling collection of live performances that captures the Grateful Dead's improvisational spirit and blend of rock, folk, and psychedelic sounds.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Bertha > Start here — This opening track sets an energetic tone for the album, showcasing the band's signature blend of rock and improvisation right from the start.
  • →
    Scarlet Begonias > — The transition into Fire on the Mountain exemplifies the seamless flow and creativity that define the Grateful Dead’s live performances.
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    Estimated Prophet > — This track highlights the band's ability to weave complex musical narratives, featuring intricate guitar work and captivating rhythms that engage listeners deeply.
  • →
    Eyes of the World > — The song serves as a showcase for extended jamming, illustrating how the band could stretch songs into expansive explorations filled with improvisational brilliance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

61 /100
Treeline
Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album captures the Grateful Dead's improvisational spirit but lacks tight cohesion due to its sprawling nature.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended jam sections, with several tracks transitioning seamlessly into one another, creating a continuous flow of music.
  • The first half of the album includes shorter, more structured songs, while the second half shifts to longer, more exploratory pieces that emphasize improvisation.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

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

  • sprawling improvisational jam sessions
  • dynamic peaks and valleys
  • for extended listening
  • engaging live performance energy

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer concise track formats
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Fan Favorite — Beloved live collection showcasing the band's improvisational spirit, appealing to dedicated fans.
Themes
psychedelic improvisation· live concert energy· 1970s jam culture
Career context
Released in 2000, Dick's Picks Volume 18 is part of a series showcasing the Grateful Dead's extensive live archive. By this time, the band had already formed a significant legacy with their unique concert experiences and had built a dedicated fanbase. This album reflects their enduring influence in the jam band scene following the band's peak years in the 1970s and their continued relevance into the new millennium.
New to Grateful Dead? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Bertha > Start here 6:42
  • 2 Good Lovin’ 6:14
  • 3 Cold Rain and Snow 6:17
  • 4 New Minglewood Blues 5:41
  • 5 They Love Each Other 7:42
  • 6 It’s All Over Now 7:39
  • 7 Dupree’s Diamond Blues 4:37
  • 8 Looks Like Rain 7:59
  • 9 Brown‐Eyed Woman 5:34
  • 10 Passenger 5:40
  • 11 Deal 6:34
  • 12 The Music Never Stopped 8:06

Disc 2

  • 1 Estimated Prophet > 12:16
  • 2 Eyes of the World > 14:37
  • 3 Playing in the Band > 24:35
  • 4 The Wheel > 5:43
  • 5 Playing in the Band 9:02
  • 6 Johnny B. Goode 4:38

Disc 3

  • 1 Samson & Delilah 11:21
  • 2 Scarlet Begonias > 12:45
  • 3 Fire on the Mountain 17:03
  • 4 Truckin’ > 9:17
  • 5 Drums > 1:56
  • 6 The Other One > 9:02
  • 7 Wharf Rat > 8:58
  • 8 Around and Around 8:34

What to play next

Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England
Listen next

Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England

2011

Continues the live performance energy with a focus on improvisation.
Wake of the Flood
Go back to

Wake of the Flood

1973

Leads into the expansive live sound and themes found in Dick's Picks Volume 18.
Full Grateful Dead discography Where to start with Grateful Dead Artists like Grateful Dead
psychedelic rock

If this landed

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A Live One

A Live One

Phish

Captures the same improvisational spirit and communal energy of live performances.

At Fillmore East

At Fillmore East

The Allman Brothers Band

Shares a similar blend of rock, blues, and extended jams in a live concert setting.

Anchor Drops

Anchor Drops

Umphrey's McGee

Combines psychedelic rock with intricate improvisation and a modern jam band approach.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata