Dick's Picks Volume 36 cover

Dick's Picks Volume 36

Grateful Dead · 2005

279 min · 30 tracks · psychedelic rock

A sprawling tapestry of improvisational jams and heartfelt melodies, embodying the Grateful Dead's unique blend of rock and psychedelia.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Promised Land Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Dark Star > — The extended jam showcases the band's improvisational skills, evolving through various musical landscapes while maintaining an ethereal quality that defines their sound.
  • →
    Playing in the Band — This track exemplifies the seamless transitions between structured melodies and freeform exploration, highlighting the band's signature style of blending genres.
  • →
    He's Gone > — The emotional depth of this song is heightened by its lengthy outro, which allows for profound expression through musical dialogue among band members.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

74 /100
Alpine
Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

The album captures the Grateful Dead's improvisational style, blending various songs into cohesive jams that reward repeated listens.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended improvisational segments, with several tracks seamlessly transitioning into one another, creating a continuous flow.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
9/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

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 improvisation with peaks
  • extended tracks for deep exploration
  • for long listening sessions
  • wave-like pacing encourages reflection
  • engaging live performance atmosphere

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer concise, structured songs
  • seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Fan Favorite — Highlights peak improvisational prowess, cherished by dedicated fans of the Grateful Dead.
Themes
1970s concert culture· extended musical journeys· psychedelic improvisation
Career context
Released in 2005, Dick's Picks Volume 36 captures a concert from 1974 during the Grateful Dead's prolific years. This period marked a transition towards more intricate arrangements and extended improvisation as they solidified their legacy as pioneers in live performance. The archival series showcased their commitment to preserving live recordings, allowing fans to experience the band's dynamic evolution.
New to Grateful Dead? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Promised Land Start here 3:49
  • 2 Bird Song 13:40
  • 3 El Paso 5:05
  • 4 China Cat Sunflower > 5:28
  • 5 I Know You Rider 6:48
  • 6 Black‐Throated Wind 6:46
  • 7 Big Railroad Blues 4:09
  • 8 Jack Straw 4:51
  • 9 Loser 7:12
  • 10 Big River 4:42

Disc 2

  • 1 Ramble On Rose 6:34
  • 2 Cumberland Blues 7:40
  • 3 Playing in the Band 16:51
  • 4 He’s Gone > 14:17
  • 5 Truckin’ 11:50
  • 6 Black Peter 9:38
  • 7 Mexicali Blues 3:25

Disc 3

  • 1 Dark Star > 37:08
  • 2 Morning Dew 12:09
  • 3 Beat It On Down the Line 3:33
  • 4 Mississippi Half‐Step Uptown Toodeloo 10:02
  • 5 Sugar Magnolia 8:30
  • 6 Friend of the Devil 3:37

Disc 4

  • 1 Not Fade Away > 5:56
  • 2 Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad > 7:26
  • 3 Not Fade Away 3:31
  • 4 One More Saturday Night 5:01
  • 5 He’s Gone > 10:30
  • 6 The Other One > 28:56
  • 7 Wharf Rat 10:15

What to play next

Wake of the Flood
Listen next

Wake of the Flood

1973

Continues the improvisational spirit with rich melodies and layered instrumentation.
American Beauty
Go back to

American Beauty

1970

Sets a foundation of heartfelt songwriting and melodic exploration that leads into the jams.
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.

At Fillmore East

At Fillmore East

The Allman Brothers Band

Shares the same improvisational spirit with extended jams and Southern rock vibes.

A Live One

A Live One

Phish

Captures a similar concert vibe with intricate arrangements and psychedelic explorations.

John Barleycorn Must Die

John Barleycorn Must Die

Traffic

Features a blend of rock, jazz, and folk elements with a focus on extended musical expression.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata