Disco de Grateful Dead: “Dick's Picks, Vol. 18”

This may be the biggest surprise of all the Dick's Picks and multi-track releases. Really, even stacked against the known al-time great shows (DP4, DP8, DP 16, Live/Dead, "Ladies and Gentlemen . . ." etc.) If you are a Dead Head, then the choice is simple: BUY THIS NOW! If you're not a Dead Head, DP 18 is actually a very good place to start.

I've been a devotee for 30 years, a fanatical taper, bought nearly every release, etc., but I play DP 18 as much as anything since it came out a couple years' back.

Just for the Record - As good a Scarlet>Fire as can be found - no kidding (that includes 5/8/77 et al). And my current favorite Eyes, right up there with 11/5/77, 3/29/90, etc. Actually, every track burns. Jerry's solos are at peak; they just stay with you. Even Keith, who was beginning his decline, plays very well here. And as for Phil . . .

You simply cannot go wrong with this purchase.

This is solid choice of material spread out over a few nights in the Midwest in '78. Both shows are exceptional. I was well aware of the exceptional Samson->Scarlet->Fire from the Iowa show. Previous reviews have criticized the 2-show on one picks format. In general, I would agree, however #18 not only offers one of the best Scarlett->Fires of all time, but in my opinion, one of the finest Estimated->Eyes->Playin->Wheel->Playin of all time. Please note, I have listened to several, seemingly thousands of Estimated->Eyes, and even more versions of Playin, and was in a completly clean and sober state when I first listened to #18, but disc 2 is mind-blowing. As a furvent critic of Donna Jean, I am forced to admit she actually enhances the quality of the Madison show, and as ardent Brenthead,I'll admit that Keith's keys are as stong as any show of any era on this disc. By the way, the first disc is very strong, with a passionate Passenger, Deal, Music to cap off the set. Deadheads and lovers of jazz should not delay in purchasing #18.

The reason i like this release so much is because they go the extra mile on the tunes. This is taken from 2 nights plus some songs from the Milwaukee show. Like most Dicks Picks, the songs really stand out. The first disc which comprises a really nice 1st set stands out w/ Deal and Music Never Stopped as big hits. The 2nd disc is the 2nd set from The UNI dome show and is one of the best 2nd sets/ or 90 minutes of dead in one disc. And the 3rd disc is the 2nd set from the Feb 3 show in WI which is solid playing throughout.

I am more a fan of progressive rock (Genesis, Premiata forneria marconi), but the tunes on DP 18 are all high energy and are classic Grateful Dead = )

Additionally, the disc w/ the Scarlet - Fire from Cedar Falls deserves 5 stars. It is some of the best music they've done or has been done on earth = )

As an 18 year old, i have only been a deadhead for about 5 months now after i attended my first concert. since then, u could say im obsessed. I now own about 50 dead CD's and these 3 are my favorite of them all. If you love to listen to the dead jam and play, these CD's are definately for you. the transitions and solos seem perfect. Estimated profit-eyes is worth the purchase all buy itself. jerry is incredible throughout the entire show, leaving me wishing i had been born 20 years earlier so that i couldve seen im myslef. GIVES ME THE CHILLS MAN! also, disc 3 features one of the most interesting scarlet- fire on the mountain's that i have heard. even if your not really into the dead, try this CD. its definately worth a shot

Bad News and Good News

First, the bad news: I'm not a huge fan of the setlist. The Wheel, All over now, Playin'? Eh. Really Bland songs. Also, Jerry forgets a lot of the words. I can't believe he left out the entire last stanza of "Scarlet Begonias", which concludes the whole story. I grudgingly sing it myself every time I listen to it.

Now the good news.

The Scarlet>Fire saved my soul. I kid you not. I was an atheist my entire life and listening to this album's Scarlet>Fire (along with a bunch of other stuff in my life) somehow proved to me God. There cannot be such musical beauty in existence without Love from On High. I listened to it nearly every single day of July 06 and August 06. Cures all ills, the jamming alone, no words needed. Jesus loves Jerry.

Additionally, Eyes and Prophet are hot. Bertha's jam is beautiful. Truckin is not as good as in DP1, but is good for running & such because it is a heavy hitter. Wharf Rat is also a sweet, sweet closer.

In short, this album's Scarlet > Fire obliterates all the album's other flaws. You will not find a more soulful, entire-human-experience-summarizing 29 minutes as the DP 18 Scarlet > Fire.

Signed, Charles Payson Frederick