Dick's Picks, Vol. 17: Boston Garden, Boston, MA, 9/25/91 [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Only the second Dick's Picks set to come from the 1990s, Volume 17 comes from the middle of a six-night run at Boston Garden and boasts a prominent and playful Bruce Hornsby, who by this point had become fully integrated (along with keyboardist Vince Welnick) into the band's sound. The first set especially finds the band as tight and together as they ever were in the '90s. As an added bonus, the third disc adds a pair of strong tunes from a Greensboro, North Carolina, show from the previous March, including a marathon "Eyes of the World." When looked at in the context of the Dead's entire career, this date doesn't really stand out, but as a characteristic document of Hornsby's early-1990s tenure, it works just fine--and it's definitely a cut above Volume 9, the other '90s-era Dick's Pick set. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Help On The Way
Slipknot!
Franklin's Tower
Walkin' Blues
It Must Have Been The Roses
Dire Wolf
Queen Jane Approximately
Tennessee Jed
The Music Never Stopped

Tracks:

Victim Or The Crime
Crazy Fingers
Playing In The Band
Terrapin Station
Boston Clam Jam
Drums
Space

Tracks:

That Would Be Something
Playing In The Band
China Doll
Throwing Stones
Not Fade Away
The Mighty Quinn
Samson And Delilah
Eyes Of The World

Amazon.com

Only the second Dick's Picks set to come from the 1990s, Volume 17 comes from the middle of a six-night run at Boston Garden and boasts a prominent and playful Bruce Hornsby, who by this point had become fully integrated (along with keyboardist Vince Welnick) into the band's sound. The first set especially finds the band as tight and together as they ever were in the '90s. As an added bonus, the third disc adds a pair of strong tunes from a Greensboro, North Carolina, show from the previous March, including a marathon "Eyes of the World." When looked at in the context of the Dead's entire career, this date doesn't really stand out, but as a characteristic document of Hornsby's early-1990s tenure, it works just fine--and it's definitely a cut above Volume 9, the other '90s-era Dick's Pick set. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Boston Run.......2007-02-17

the Boston runs were always fun, and with Bruce Hornsby added to the mix it made the '91 run that much more memorable. he added such a great mix to the band especially in '91. the grateful dead had a sound in '91, and it was defined by the lead changing duo of Garcia and Hornsby. it is very fun to pay attention to.

best DP's out there - in terms of their magical abilities - are 3, 12, 18, and 20.

rock on. we are everywhere.

Definitely underrated.......2006-05-11

First of all, I agree with the Franklin's Tower review. This Franklin's is one of, if not the best I have heard, ever. I think there may have been a '77 show, I believe at the Swing Auditorium, that had the best Franklin's I have ever heard, but this is the best one that has been released on disc, in my opinion. The first set is really solid. The second set has a strong Terrapin, but there are probably better versions in '77/'78. The third set is quite good too, with a couple covers in there. All around a solid, highly unappreciated pick. Many people complain about there being too much Bruce Hornsby, but I think he does just enough filling in to make this pick good. He doesn't take away from Jerry. I think he actually enriches the performance. Highly recommended!

Franklin's Tower.......2006-03-19

I came across a copy of this pick's Franklin's Tower before I bought the CD. I was shocked to learn that it came from the 90's. Well hello -- 90's; I didn't think I would ever get into the 90s dead.

I play this song over and over. It is infectious -- I play it for my 3 1/2 year old boy, and he starts moving to the music also.

I think the reason why I was shocked to learn it came from the 90s is the rawness of some of the Garcia Guitarisms. He is as beautiful as he ever was -- and than as he creates this wonderful world of easy going sounds, he rips it all apart -- at this moment I am hearing the part; him and Weir take off with their playing.

I have never been to a dead show, but I can only imagine how intense the experience must have been. This song does it for me -- from a musical perspective. It sounds best when it is as loud as you can get it -- makes me want to invest a top of the line sound system.

Sound quality is poor.......2005-06-28

I was very surprised by the low sound quality of these discs. I have bootleg tapes from this period that sound cleaner and more up front. If this disc had better sound I would have given it 3 stars.
As has already been mentioned, the best part of this set is the filler at the end. "Eyes" is long and well jammed. And the "Samson" is one of the best I've ever heard. These two songs almost make up for an otherwise disapointing Dicks Picks.

Worth it for Bruce.......2004-06-16

90's Dead will always be regarded as so-so. However, it does showcase Bruce Hornsby's ivory prowess, and at times still shines. An excellent Help-Slip-Frank is as good a sampler as any. Although Jerry isn't as prominent as in prior years, Bruce takes up the lead and it does provide another sound for GD. If you are a Jerry-only fan, I guess you will not take to this release. However, as a musical history, it is certainly worth obtaining.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review