Dick's Picks Volume 24 cover

Dick's Picks Volume 24

Grateful Dead · 2002

151 min · 20 tracks · psychedelic rock

A vibrant tapestry of improvisational rock that captures the essence of live Grateful Dead performances with exuberant energy and fluid transitions.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    U.S. Blues Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Scarlet Begonias — The seamless transition into 'Fire on the Mountain' during this performance showcases the band's improvisational skill, capturing their ability to blend songs into extended jams.
  • →
    Uncle John’s Band — This track exemplifies the band's lyrical storytelling and harmonic richness, serving as a poignant reflection on community and connection within their expansive repertoire.
  • →
    Morning Dew — A powerful rendition where Jerry Garcia's emotive vocals elevate the song’s themes of loss and resilience, making it a highlight of this concert.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album captures the essence of live Grateful Dead performances with strong improvisation and fluid transitions.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding ten minutes, allowing for deep musical exploration.
  • Transitions between songs often blend seamlessly, creating a continuous flow that enhances the live performance feel.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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
  • headphone detail hunting
  • late-night jam session vibes
  • improvisational explorations and twists

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking concise, standalone tracks
  • prefer predictable song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Part of an archival series, appealing primarily to dedicated fans of live performances.
Themes
1970s concert culture· psychedelic exploration· community connection· live improvisation
Career context
Released in 2002, Dick's Picks Volume 24 is part of the extensive archival series documenting the Grateful Dead's prolific live performances. This collection showcases concerts from 1973, a period marked by the band's deep explorations into psychedelic rock and evolving musical styles. At this point in their career, the band had already solidified their legacy as pioneers of the live jam scene.
New to Grateful Dead? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 U.S. Blues Start here 6:16
  • 2 Promised Land 4:04
  • 3 Brown‐Eyed Woman 5:27
  • 4 Black‐Throated Wind 7:05
  • 5 Scarlet Begonias 7:13
  • 6 Beat It On Down the Line 3:46
  • 7 Deal 5:29
  • 8 Cassidy 4:09

Disc 2

  • 1 China Cat Sunflower 8:41
  • 2 I Know You Rider 6:02
  • 3 Weather Report Suite 15:35

Disc 3

  • 1 Playing in the Band 14:11
  • 2 Uncle John’s Band 9:16
  • 3 Morning Dew 12:31
  • 4 Uncle John’s Band 6:27
  • 5 Playing in the Band 4:11

Disc 4

  • 1 Big River 5:54
  • 2 Bertha 6:35
  • 3 Wharf Rat 9:29
  • 4 Sugar Magnolia 8:57

What to play next

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

Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England

2011

Continues the live experience with vibrant improvisation and energy.
Wake of the Flood
Go back to

Wake of the Flood

1973

Sets the stage with rich musical themes and fluid transitions.
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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata