Dick's Picks Volume 31 cover

Dick's Picks Volume 31

Grateful Dead · 2004

295 min · 31 tracks · psychedelic rock

A sprawling, improvisational tapestry weaving together psychedelic rock and Americana with fluid transitions and communal energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Playing in the Band Start here — The extended version acts as a showcase for the band's improvisational prowess, evolving through multiple themes while maintaining an infectious groove.
  • →
    Scarlet Begonias — This track highlights the band's ability to blend lyrical storytelling with rich musical landscapes, seamlessly transitioning into its companion piece, 'Fire on the Mountain'.
  • →
    Eyes of the World — The song exemplifies the Grateful Dead's signature style, characterized by a vibrant interplay between rhythm and melody that encourages improvisation and exploration.

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 essence with fluid transitions and a diverse setlist.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended jams, with several tracks seamlessly transitioning into one another, creating a continuous flow of music.
  • Multiple songs are reprised throughout the set, such as 'Playing in the Band' and 'Scarlet Begonias', which emphasizes the band's improvisational style.
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
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

  • dynamic journey with peaks
  • extended jams inviting exploration
  • heartfelt storytelling through music
  • for late-night listening
  • immersive experience for attentive ears

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer shorter, standalone tracks
  • want immediate gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — Part of a dedicated archival series, appealing to fans but not a primary entry point.
Themes
1970s jam scene· psychedelic improvisation· communal energy· American road trip
Career context
Released in 2004, Dick's Picks Volume 31 captures the Grateful Dead during their extensive archival release campaign post their active years. This installment features performances from 1974, showcasing the band's legendary live improvisation skills and cementing their legacy as icons of the jam band scene.
New to Grateful Dead? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Playing in the Band Start here 25:49
  • 2 Scarlet Begonias 12:01
  • 3 Jack Straw 5:26
  • 4 Peggy‐O 6:46
  • 5 Me & Bobby McGee 5:34
  • 6 China Cat Sunflower > 11:13
  • 7 I Know You Rider 6:13
  • 8 Around and Around 5:07

Disc 2

  • 1 Ship of Fools 6:59
  • 2 Loose Lucy 5:32
  • 3 Weather Report Suite > 14:56
  • 4 Jam > 9:25
  • 5 Wharf Rat > 11:21
  • 6 U.S. Blues 6:31
  • 7 Sugar Magnolia 10:41
  • 8 Casey Jones 6:25

Disc 3

  • 1 Mississippi Half‐Step Uptown Toodeloo > 8:30
  • 2 It Must Have Been the Roses 5:53
  • 3 Big River 5:16
  • 4 He’s Gone > 13:11
  • 5 Truckin’ > 9:46
  • 6 Jam > 8:15
  • 7 Other One Jam > 2:30
  • 8 Space > 10:24
  • 9 Stella Blue 9:36
  • 10 One More Saturday Night 4:57

Disc 4

  • 1 Eyes of the World 19:27
  • 2 Playing in the Band > 22:36
  • 3 Scarlet Begonias > 9:25
  • 4 Playing in the Band Start here 5:03
  • 5 Uncle John’s Band 10:43

What to play next

Wake of the Flood
Listen next

Wake of the Flood

1973

Continues the improvisational spirit with rich arrangements and communal vibes.
Blues for Allah
Go back to

Blues for Allah

1975

Precedes with a similar experimental approach and fluid transitions.
Full Grateful Dead discography Where to start with Grateful Dead Artists like Grateful Dead
psychedelic rock

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

A Live One

A Live One

Phish

Captures the same improvisational spirit and communal energy of live performances in a jam band context.

At Fillmore East

At Fillmore East

The Allman Brothers Band

Offers expansive jams and a Southern rock vibe that resonates with the Grateful Dead’s improvisational style.

Live in the Classic City

Live in the Classic City

Widespread Panic

Features extended jams and a similar sense of community, echoing the improvisational essence of the jam band era.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata