Dick's Picks, Vol. 6: Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT, 10/14/83 [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Recorded in Hartford, Connecticut, in October 1983, Volume Six catches the band at full throttle. Smack in the middle of their eight-year respite from the studio, this show finds an uninhibited, road-tested band clicking on all cylinders, with little regard for anything but energy and effort, still four years away from their remarkable popular resurgence. By 1983 Brent Mydland's keyboard work (especially on Hammond organ) had become an integral component of the group's sound, adding grit and depth. Disc 1 includes sharp readings of their classic country combo "Mama Tried"/"Big River" and lesser-known original "Day Job," but the centerpiece of the set remains the middle disc, on which the Dead stretch their two signature medleys "Scarlet"/"Fire" and "Estimated"/Eyes" for over an hour with nary a misstep. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Alabama Getaway
Greatest Story Ever Told
They Love Each Other
Mama Tried
Big River
Althea
C.C. Rider
Tennessee Jed
Hell In A Bucket
Keep Your Day Job

Tracks:

Scarlet Begonias
Fire On The Mountain
Estimated Prophet
Eyes Of The World

Tracks:

Drums
Spinach Jam
The Other One
Stella Blue
Sugar Magnolia
U.S. Blues

Amazon.com essential recording

Recorded in Hartford, Connecticut, in October 1983, Volume Six catches the band at full throttle. Smack in the middle of their eight-year respite from the studio, this show finds an uninhibited, road-tested band clicking on all cylinders, with little regard for anything but energy and effort, still four years away from their remarkable popular resurgence. By 1983 Brent Mydland's keyboard work (especially on Hammond organ) had become an integral component of the group's sound, adding grit and depth. Disc 1 includes sharp readings of their classic country combo "Mama Tried"/"Big River" and lesser-known original "Day Job," but the centerpiece of the set remains the middle disc, on which the Dead stretch their two signature medleys "Scarlet"/"Fire" and "Estimated"/Eyes" for over an hour with nary a misstep. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Massive disc 2.......2006-03-26

This is probably the weakest release of the series, but, in true GD fashion, still worth getting. Disc 2 is where its all at; with an hour of utterly spellbinding music. The first set is more or less a trainwreck, showcasing the worst Dead vocals I think I've ever heard, although the playing could be nice at times. But the second set is a different story, with a Scarlet>Fire>Estimated>Eyes sequence that will knock you silly...post-drums is solid...but you seriously need to hear that second disc.

for diehards only............2006-02-20

If a newbie wanted to discover the Grateful Dead, Volume 6 is NOT the way to get started IMO. Sure, there are some musical highlights that might make some diehards take notice (most of disc 2 & "Althea" from disc 1 in particular), but honestly there's not much here to win over a first-timer or casual fan. The performance isn't bad per se, but the sound mix is inconsistent & some songs sounded like they were due for a break from the setlist.

Perhaps one day this volume of Dick's Picks will find your way into your home when all is said & done....but until then, I'd recommend something along the lines of Volume 10, or possibly Vol. 15 or 18....

Greatful Dead-Dick's Picks,Volume 6:Hartford,CT on 10/14/83.......2004-08-25

Very nice archive live recording of a gig the band played at the Hartford Civic Center.It was assembled by tape archivist Dick Latvala.I've never really been THAT big of a Dead fan,but I've always enjoyed Jerry Garcia's(R.I.P.) guitar playing.The tunes I liked the best on this 3-CD release are "Althea","Fire On The Mountain",and the rocking "The Other One".The lengthy tracks "Eyes Of The World" and "Scarlet Begonias" are very well played as is Mickey Hart's drum solo at the start of disc three.Other notable cuts are "Alabama Getaway","C.C.Rider","Keep your Day Job" and the encore "U.S.Blues".The original 'jam band' is hard at work as one can truly experience here.Would make a swell gift for any Deadhead that doesn't already own a copy.

don't let disc 2 fool you.......2004-06-25

I bought this for the Scarlet>Fire and that's all that I found of value. Disc 1 is lazy and sloppy and Disc 3 isn't much better. Disc 2 is outstanding, but everything else can be found elsewhere and in better versions. I wouldn't buy it again.

very very good.......2004-01-14

I like this disc alot. Disc one takes a little while to really take off, and the vocals are turned up a little too much, but everything starts to work out fine in no time. in the meantime, turn up the bass and enjoy.

without question, disc two is fantastic. i can't decide b/w scarlet>fire on this one or on DP18, but the xylophone on this one is truly genius. and the transmission to fire, when the wah wah pedal finally kicks in, is really amazing. and the gritty, almost-sore-throat vocals of jerry are very cool.

but disc three is not to be overlooked. absolutely fantastic version of sugar mag. and u.s. blues is in fine, fine form. it takes a while to get there, but disc three rewards the stalwart

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