Grateful Dead* – Dave's Picks, Volume 34 (Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, FL• 6/23/74) / Dave's Picks 2020 Bonus Disc

This one is definitely up there as one of the best Dave’s Picks imo. The China -> Rider on the bonus disc is worth the price of ission alone

If ever you were to pick up a volume of Dave's Picks, this is it! ittedly, I have my own "Dream List" of shows I wish Dave and the folks at Grateful Dead archival headquarters would release as part of the series and 6/23/1974 is the first show actually released featured on my "Dream List". I have absolutely loved this show for years ("weird enough for ya?") and consider it easily one of the most fascinating gigs from arguably the Dead's most far out year: 1974. Being the only year in which the full Wall Of Sound P.A. was used, 1974 tapes have a very unique sound. The dynamics which the Wall Of Sound offered also resulted in 1974 featuring some of the most experimental, avant garde explorations of sound of the band's career. 6/23/1974 from Jai Alai Fronton (kind of pronounced Hi-Li Fronton) in Miami, FL is a 1974 fan's dream.
It features the first "Seastones" (Ned Lagin and Phil Lesh's experimental electronic soundscapes) featured between Set 1 and Set 2. For fans present at the show, particularly those under the influence of psychedelics, "Seastones" must have been quite the experience! But what makes this show SO essential is the level of playing, the wonderful flow of the both sets (with "Seastones" tacked in between), and the excellent Kidd Candelario recording (one of the warmest, clearest, and finest of the year). Set 1 begins with a super fun "Ramble On Rose" (rarely used as an opener) followed by a very emotive "Black Throated Wind" and an exceptional "Mississippi Half-Step (Uptown Toodeloo)". Each song in Set 1 is phenomenally well-played with several tracks, such as "To Lay Me Down", approaching greatest version of all-time levels. Set 1 also features the rare and awesome one-time performance of "Let It Rock" as well as a mind-blowing "Weather Report Suite" > "China Doll". Set 2 begins with a fantastic "Jam" which in part originates during the end of "Seastones" making for a fascinating start to Set 2, a set which is wholly unique in that it features occasional electronic contributions from Ned Lagin throughout. Following the "Jam" we're treated to a wonderful "Ship Of Fools", smokin' "Big River", and very emotive "Black Peter". The central portion of the second set is the legendary "Dark Star Jam" > "Spanish Jam", one of the finest 22 minutes of jazzy, very spacey Dead improv. The "Spanish Jam" is one of the all-time best incarnations of this much loved piece. This is pure 1974 Grateful Dead at its finest!!! The show ends with a vigorous and very well-played "U.S. Blues", a very exploratory "Uncle John's Band", and a rockin' "One More Saturday Night" and kickass "Casey Jones".
6/23/1974 features the band totally enjoying themselves and their over the top sound system and its capabilities. This results is some of the most original and unique improv of a year filled with amazing jams coupled with exceptionally well-played versions of every tune attempted. I've had a suspicion that one or more of the band were possibly in chemically enhanced headspace on 6/23/1974 as the show is simply so deeply FAR OUT at times and has that X factor vibe that is present in so many of the Dead's greatest performances. June '74 is one of my favorite months of Grateful Dead performances from possibly my favorite year of the band's career. The Wall Of Sound is simply so unique sounding and the band's performances in '74 so fascinating that I find myself returning to them over and over. If you pick up a copy of Dave's Picks 34 from 6/23/1974 (with a bonus disc for Dave's Picks subscribers of wonderful material, including several monster jams from the night before, also at Jai Alai Fronton in Miami) I think you will find yourself returning to this classic show quite often....An EXCEPTIONAL and much-deserved pick! Great job Dave!!! Now we just need 7/18/1972 from Jersey City, NJ!