Dick's Picks Volume 10

Nearly complete show from 12/29/77 and filler from 12/30/77

Set 1:Jack Straw, They Love Each Other, Mama Tried, Loser, Looks Like Rain, Tennessee Jed, New Minglewood Blues, Sugaree, Promised Land

Set 2: Bertha->Good Lovin', (Sunrise and It Must Have Been the Roses missing), Playin' in the Band>China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider>China Doll>Playin' Jam>Drums>Not Fade Away>Playin' in the Band 

E:Terrapin Station

E:Johnny B. Goode

12/30/77 filler

Estimated Prophet->Eyes of the World->St.Stephen->Sugar Magnolia

Pros

-Great Filler

-Great China->Rider

-Incredible Encore

Cons

-Most of First Set

-Middle of Second Set

The Show:7/10

The Filler:9/10

OverallL8/10

This show brings together all the good sides and bad sides to the Dead in 1977. The first set is frankly pretty average, mostly due to the song selection. They Love Each Other, Minglewood, Tennessee Jed, Mama Tried, Loser, Promised Land, etc, all are played well, no doubt, but are just so standard that it can be hard to stomach. However, the two notable exceptions to an otherwise average set are the opening Jack Straw, with the two drummers really pounding with all their might, and a hot 77 Sugaree. Otherwise, the rest isn't Dick's Picks worthy at all.

The second set fares better, with a little of everything. The opening Bertha->Good Lovin, a common set opener at this time, is played very well, and is one of my favorite ways to start a set. However, the real jamming starts with a monster Playin' sandwich. I can't say that 1977 one of the best years for Playin, that honor belongs to any between 1972 and 1974. The Playin' itself is only slightly above average, due its nice peaceful jam at around the 10 minute mark, but the highlight of the set comes with the bustout of China->Rider, not played since pre-hiatus. It's a very good version for sure, but doesn't come with the same fury as the 1972 versions do, or the great jamming that the 1974 versions have.The China Doll->Playin' Jam->Drums->NFA->Playin' looks nice, but it is all very standard, with no real highlights. The encore is my favorite the Dead every played bar none, with my favorite Terrapin Station ever, and a rocking Johnny B. Goode that leaves a great taste in my mouth.

The filler is spectacular, my favorite on any Dick's Picks bar none. The Estimated->Eyes is perhaps my favorite version of this all too common couple, and the St.Stephen is a different beast than the '69 versions, but just as fiery. The Sugar Magnolia is a great end to the filler.

Overall, if you like 1977, this is a good release to have. Don't make it one of your first purchases, however, as there is just so many outstanding Dick's Pick's releases to get before this one.

8/10