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 (... more »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« less
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
CD Reviews
An Underrated Pick
Jack Jones | Woodland Hills, CA United States | 02/26/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Dick?s Picks 17 is underrated. The 90?s are now regarded as the weakest period of the band?s output with 1991 largely considered "the last strong year." And when this set came out many fans complained that one of the other Boston Garden shows from the run-there were six nights to choose from-should have come out. (For one, they played "Dark Star" not one but two nights!) But regardless, this set is excellent. It features fun interplay between the band members and it?s the only pick to feature Bruce Hornsby who played with the band regularly for 18 months in the early 90?s. He lights a spark under the proceedings and the musical texture of this short-lived septet version of the band is nicely unique.The first disk (and first set) is consistent and well played so if you like the songlist you should enjoy it. I particularly like this version of "Tennessee Jed" because of Vince Welnick?s fiddle line throughout. I?ll be the first to complain about his tenure with the band but this works.The second disk is my favorite. The transition from "Victim Or the Crime" into "Crazy Fingers" is the Dead at their best, carving through very raucous waters. Also, with "Playing In the Band" and "Boston Clam Jam" the listener gets to hear plenty of free jamming. "Terrapin Station" is solid too.When disk three starts, Garcia only does "That Would Be Something" for a couple minutes, the first time the Dead covered that McCartney tune. After more jamming with "Playing", Garcia goes into the relatively rarely played "China Doll". The "Throwing Stones-Not Fade Away" set closer is energetic and the Band?s "The Mighty Quinn" is fun to hear. At the end of the disk you get bonus material of "Samson and Delilah" and a 23-minute "Eyes Of the World" with plenty of Garcia leads.This Pick gets many spins in my cd player. The playing is good and it happens to cover a lot of the Dead?s songbook that I like. My only complaint-the sound of the recording is excellent but Garcia?s guitar does get buried occasionally."
An enjoyable night for all...
Eric D. Sweetwood | Normal, Illinois USA | 03/24/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Just picked it up and I really enjoyed the energy of the show. For me, the Queen Jane Approximately track, the Terrapin Station track, Playing In The Band track, and Samson and Delilah tracks were all standouts. I am a relatively new Dead fan--having purchased Dead releases after the "Touch of Grey" single. Please don't damn me for being a late starter. By the way, Throwing Stones on this one is incredible. I really enjoy this band--now that I am older. For me, this show is something I can respect--as I am not bogged down by the 1970s shows that I missed and did not once appreciate. Now I do, of course. I have gone back and bought all of the Dead commercial releases and a few of the Dick's Picks, and I rank this up there with the best. Is it as good as the Fillmore East show on Ladies and Gentlemen...The Grateful Dead? Nope. Is it better than most music on the radio today? Yep! Is it better than no Dead at all? Resoundingly yes! I think this is one of the best-drving-forty-minutes-to-work CD's I own. The drive home actually soothes me as I look forward to it. Fellow Dead fans, you know you will buy it anyway. Buy it, enjoy it, and respect it for what it was--an enjoyable night for all. Plus, what a great price!"
Variety and Ragtime
space39 | Milford, Ct. United States | 05/16/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Well I'm on my way to collecting many in this series, the most played so far being 13 and the one from Providence- Recently, I had a decision to make whether I should get this one or The Dane county one, 18 I believe. You may think I'm crazy but I chose this one- not because I dont think that 18 is mind blowing, I'm sure it is, but I just couldnt escape the fact that 17 has some great variety and interesting new looks at some classics by having a two-keyboard combo. I'll admit sometimes the keys do overwelm, but its a different feel, and I think thats more important than hearing jerry go off on a 30min scarlet/fire for like the fifth time and then doing the estimated-eyes stuff.
This one instead launches right into Blues for Allah and dont listen to what others say Jerry's voice maybe a little ragged but its full of emotion (ragged but right). When he says help on the way, he's really hoping there is! Must have been the roses is also beautiful balled thats really played well here. I'm not going to bore you with a song-by-song but the first set is all good stuff played with emotion- The second disc starts with an eirie Victim that launches into a cool Crazy Fingers (another pick for variety!)- I'm still digesting the rest, I like to take my time with these sets, but so far I'm glad I grabbed this one to refresh my Dead listening with some new stuff from the 90's thats heartfelt and well played- Oh one more thing check out the backround vocals- they are great and rock star bobby is nowhere to be found..... I'll get 18 next, but I'm glad I chose this one first!"
A strong show... thank you Mr. Hornsby
space39 | 02/17/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a solid 90's show, although it does not represent the best of this era. Bruce Hornsby inspires the band to play well, set list is great, rest of the band is in good form."
Boston Run
T. E. Abrahamsen | Boston, MA | 02/17/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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.
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1