Grateful Dead
Dick's Picks Volume 23
BALTIMORE
CIVIC CENTER
BALTIMORE MD 9/17/72
Review by Barry
Small
© 12/20/2001
The
music from Dick’s Picks Volume 23 is a complete concert performed
September 17, 1972, at the Baltimore Civic Center in Baltimore, MD.
The first CD of Dick’s Picks 23 begins set one that starts in
high gear and does not let up. They
run through outstanding versions of many great songs.
"Friend of the Devil" is played in the up tempo style similar
to the studio version. Personally,
I prefer the slower rendition of the later years, though, this one is a welcome
change of pace. There are many more high moments here most notable, a great
version of "Bird Song."
The
second disc of Dick’s Picks 23 continues the first set with its last
two songs. The “Playing in the
Band" is top notch with great extended jamming.
The "Casey Jones" is noteworthy as the song improves with Keith
in the mix. At the end of the song when the boys are throwing those power chords
out of their instruments, Keith pours out melodic riff after riff.
The
second set starts out with "Truckin’" and it is a gem. It
takes a more bluesy tone than usual and even has a bluesy rhythm during the
instrumental. The "Mississippi Half Step" is still in its
infancy as it debuted July 16, 1972; I heard the July 26 version on tape and
there is no ending instrumental. Here they begin to develop the song and
it has quite a good jam to finish the song.
The
third disc of Dick’s Picks 23 continues the second set and contains the
meat of the show, with “The Other One” clocking in at close to forty
minutes. This version goes in many
different directions and will certainly not disappoint fans of their exploratory
songs. This leads to a stunning version of “Sing Me Back Home.”
After
hearing Dick’s Picks 23 I have two questions. First, why don’t I listen to more from 1972?
Second, what took the Grateful Dead so long to release this?
The answer to both questions is there is so much good stuff to choose
from, a good problem to have!
Dick
Pick’s 23
is a top shelf.
A
Page last edited on 06/22/02
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