We have often been asked how we’d go about selecting the year from which the next Dick Pick or Vault Release was selected. It was always a very involved process, but the key factor was walking outside in the morning and seeing what the temperature was that day. Today, it was 71 degrees, so we figured we’d bring you a nice selection of music from 1971, October specifically, Keith’s first tour, and the tour from which the magical Dick’s Picks Vol. 2 was drawn. That Pick is rightfully called a one-disc wonder.

Our first selection from that mighty little tour is from 10/22/71 in Chicago. From that great show we have the rare pairing of That’s It For The Other One>Deal. It might look a little odd on paper, but it certainly does work in practice.

From a couple of days later in Detroit, on 10/24/71, we have the other quintessential 1971 second set jamming vehicle, Dark Star. Although this rendition doesn’t quite reach the peaks as the version from 10/31/71 (Dick’s Picks Vol. 2), it still goes to some amazing places, and is certainly a worth companion to that of 10/31/71.

Finally from our brief foray into October, 1971, we have the show-closing jam of Not Fade Away>Drums>Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad>Not Fade Away from 10/27/71 in Syracuse, complete with a nifty China Cat jam. Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks for another stunning NFA>GDTRFB>NFA from late 1971.

Lastly this week, also from October, but a year later, is the second set jam from 10/24/72 in Milwaukee. This is a classic 1972 jam featuring Truckin’>The Other One>He’s Gone>The Other One. Inspired, deep and interesting.

Be sure to check back next week when we’ll have some music from 1973, amongst some other great stuff, we expect. As always, feel free to write with questions or comments. It’s always nice to hear from you.

David Lemieux
vault[at]dead.net