(2021) Grateful Dead - Dave's Picks Volume 38


Review:
The Grateful Dead‘s September 8, 1973 concert at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York featured on Dave’s Picks Volume 38. Dave’s Picks 2021 subscribers will receive a bonus disc containing highlights from the previous night’s show at the same venue. The selection of September 8, 1973 for Volume 38 was detailed in an email from Dead.net that included a note from Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux. Dave reveals the late Dick Latvala, the band’s original archivist, long had his eyes on the show as a potential live archival release. “With the excitement we’re all feeling about the Grateful Dead’s 2021 Dave’s Picks subscriptions, focusing so far only on the first of the year, Vol. 37 from 4/15/78 in Williamsburg, VA, we’ve been keeping Vol. 38 under wraps so as not to overwhelm you with too much great news at once. Now, though, the time has come to reveal DAVE’S PICKS VOL. 38: the magnificent complete show from 9/8/73 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. This is a show that has been a long time coming in the Dead’s archival release series. It, and the previous night, was the first run of live shows the Dead played after spending most of the previous month at the Plant Studio in Sausalito, CA, recording WAKE OF THE FLOOD. As soon as they were done mixing their new record, the Dead hit the road for the first leg of the Fall Tour of 1973 with a pair of sold out shows at the home of the New York Islanders. When I first started working for the Grateful Dead in 1999, and was fortunate to work alongside Dick Latvala, who became my friend and mentor, I was turned on to 9/8/73 by Dick. He spoke so eloquently of this terrific show, certain that it would be released on CD some day as part of the Dick’s Picks series. In Dick’s own words, during a rundown of his thoughts on 1973 Grateful Dead, he said “That takes us up to the September run. Well right away 9/8/73 sticks out begging for attention. Even the night before (9/7/73) had fairly thrilling versions of “TLEO,””Jack Straw,””PITB,” “WRS->Let it Grow.” There is not a weak moment from “Truckin’” through the ending tune “Sugar Magnolia.” Even as good as this night must sound, the following night things really explode. I really can’t put my finger on it because from the songlist, there is nothing apparently compelling. Well, you guys will soon find out what I mean, since I intend to release this one whenever the time is right.” For more than 20 years, I’ve listened to this show many times and have thought the exact same thing: every moment is exceptional. When you’re looking for an example of the Grateful Dead when they were fully “on,” firing on all cylinders, this is the one to check out. Now, coming in 2021, we’re thrilled to make this show, and Dick’s wishes, a reality. This is genuine, prime, A+ Grateful Dead music, one of the best nights of what is widely considered one of the best years. Dick, this one’s for you! As Dick alludes, the previous night on 9/7/73, features some exceptional music, and we’re so pleased to include almost two hours of this show to go along with 9/8/73: more than a half hour is included on DAVE’S PICKS VOL. 38 with “Bird Song” and “Playing In The Band” included as bonus tracks, and for Dave’s Picks 2021 subscribers, the always-incredible Bonus Disc featuring almost 80 minutes from this great show, including the first live “Let It Grow” (the first complete live Weather Report Suite was played the next night, and is, of course, included on DAVE’S PICKS VOL. 38) and the aforementioned “Truckin’” jam. Also to note: included on the Bonus Disc is the complete 18+ minute “Eyes Of The World” from 9/7/73, which has previously been released in an edited form on the 2003 WAKE OF THE FLOOD reissue. This Bonus Disc is my favourite in the series so far, and after 10 years and 10 Bonus Discs, all of them excellent, that’s saying a lot. There’s a lot of great music on this Bonus Disc! It’s exclusive to subscribers, so if you want to hear one of the best jams of 1973 and have it as part of your collection, you’ll want to subscribe. As you’re likely aware, the Dave’s Picks volumes sell out very quickly when they’re put on sale four times per year. To avoid disappointment by missing out, might as well subscribe. So far we have 4/15/78 and 9/8/73 coming, plus the wonderful Bonus Disc from 9/7/73, and we are working hard on Vol. 39 right now. Last year featured 10/29/77, 6/23/74 (plus 6/22/74 Bonus Disc), 4/20/84, and 3/26&27/87, and this year looks to be even more exciting and dynamic. Thanks for joining us on this journey, and for another great year of archival releases from the Grateful Dead’s vault.”




Tracklist:

Dave's Picks Volume 38
01 - Bertha
02 - Me & My Uncle
03 - Sugaree
04 - Beat It On Down the Line
05 - Tennessee Jed
06 - Looks Like Rain
07 - Brown-Eyed Women
08 - Jack Straw
09 - Row Jimmy
10 - Weather Report Suite
11 - Eyes of the World
12 - China Doll
13 - Greatest Story Ever Told
14 - Ramble On Rose
15 - Big River
16 - Let Me Sing Your Blues Away
17 - China Cat Sunflower
18 - I Know You Rider
19 - El Paso
20 - He's Gone
21 - Truckin'
22 - Not Fade Away
23 - Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad
24 - Not Fade Away
25 - Stella Blue
26 - One More Saturday Night

Dave's Picks Volume 38: Bonus Disk
01 - Bird Song (1st Set)
02 - Playing in the Band (1st Set)
03 - Here Comes Sunshine
04 - Let It Grow
05 - Stella Blue
06 - Truckin'
07 - Drums
08 - The Other One Jam
09 - Eyes of the World
10 - Sugar Magnolia


Media Report:
Genre: rock
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits