Dick's Picks, Vol. 16: Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA, 11/8/69
The people say that this one was one of the late Dick Latvala's favorite shows--and since the Dead's tape archivist was the fountainhead of theDick's Picksseries, you better believe it's a solid choice. The first of the series to feature a 1960s performance, Volume 16 catches the band on the cusp of a transitional period. The first part of this Fillmore Auditorium gem showcases five songs fromWorkingman's Dead, which wouldn't be released until spring of the following year. The band is feeling their way through these newer songs a bit--this may have been their first-ever live version of "Cumberland Blues" and it shows--but these songs (and their cover ofMerle Haggard's "Mama Tried") foreshadow their evolution toward the simplicity and sincerity of country and folk music. By the second disc, however, the Dead are back in their familiar psychedelic playground, offering a long, winding, scintillating jam through, around, and between "Dark Star" and "Caution." Led by Jerry Garcia and bassist Phil Lesh, the boys are clicking on all cylinders, delivering some of their heaviest, most ruthless music on disc. Toss in the 25-minute "Lovelight" from the previous night's performance for good measure, and you have one of the standout selections from the series thus far.--Marc Greilsamer