Dick's Picks Volume 20
Grateful Dead · 2001
306 min · 43 tracks · psychedelic rock
A sprawling tapestry of improvisational jams and heartfelt storytelling unfolds across this live performance collection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bertha Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Scarlet Begonias — The track exemplifies the band's seamless transitions between melodic beauty and intricate improvisation, encapsulating their signature sound.
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Let It Grow — This extended version showcases the band's ability to build tension and release through intricate musical interplay, making it a highlight of their jam-centric style.
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Playing in the Band — The track serves as a prime example of the band’s improvisational skill, evolving into multiple interwoven themes throughout its runtime.
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Friend of the Devil — A classic that highlights lyrical storytelling and harmonies, offering a moment of reflection amidst more intense jamming sequences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong live performances with notable improvisation but lacks a tight cohesive structure due to its sprawling nature.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks seamlessly transitioning into one another, creating a continuous flow.
- The setlist includes multiple renditions of songs like 'New Minglewood Blues' and 'Cassidy', emphasizing their evolving interpretations over time.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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 journey with peaks
- vibrant improvisational jam sessions
- lyrical storytelling moments
- for extended listening
- engaging late-night explorations
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Highlights live performances from a peak era, cherished by dedicated followers.
- Themes
- post-Garcia legacy· psychedelic improvisation· live musical tapestry
- Career context
- By the time 'Dick's Picks Volume 20' was released in 2001, the Grateful Dead had solidified their legacy as a pioneering force in live rock music, with decades of improvisational exploration. This album comes during the band's post-1995 era following Jerry Garcia's death, serving as a testament to their enduring appeal and the continued interest in their extensive live recordings.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Phish· The Allman Brothers Band· Jefferson Airplane
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Bertha Start here 5:27
- 2 New Minglewood Blues 4:48
- 3 Ramble On Rose 7:11
- 4 Cassidy 4:43
- 5 Brown‐Eyed Woman 4:55
- 6 Mama Tried 2:48
- 7 Peggy‐O 9:41
- 8 Loser 8:17
- 9 Let It Grow 12:25
- 10 Sugaree 11:04
- 11 Lazy Lightnin’ > 2:53
- 12 Supplication 4:37
Disc 2
- 1 Mississippi Half‐Step Uptown Toodeloo 11:27
- 2 Dancing in the Streets > 12:43
- 3 Cosmic Charlie 8:39
- 4 Scarlet Begonias 11:07
- 5 St. Stephen > 4:15
- 6 Not Fade Away > 9:54
- 7 Drums > 3:34
- 8 Jam > 2:05
- 9 St. Stephen > 2:02
- 10 Sugar Magnolia 9:39
Disc 3
- 1 Cold Rain and Snow 6:36
- 2 Big River 5:54
- 3 Cassidy 4:32
- 4 Tennessee Jed 8:37
- 5 New Minglewood Blues 6:05
- 6 Candyman 7:24
- 7 It’s All Over Now 6:39
- 8 Friend of the Devil 8:44
- 9 Let It Grow > 11:40
- 10 Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad 9:13
Disc 4
- 1 Playing in the Band > 10:39
- 2 The Wheel > 7:07
- 3 Samson and Delilah > 8:01
- 4 Jam > 5:39
- 5 Comes a Time > 7:49
- 6 Drums > 4:58
- 7 Eyes of the World > 8:38
- 8 Orange Tango Jam > 4:46
- 9 Dancing in the Streets > 9:15
- 10 Playing in the Band 5:05
- 11 Johnny B. Goode 4:33
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
A Live One
Phish
Shares extensive improvisation and a celebratory live atmosphere, echoing the Dead's jam-centric approach.
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Combines bluesy rock with extended jams and heartfelt storytelling, resonating with the Grateful Dead's spirit.
Live in the Classic City
Widespread Panic
Delivers a similar blend of improvisational rock and Southern storytelling, embodying a communal live experience.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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