Out of the 31 years that Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann played with assorted others as the Grateful Dead, maybe 5 years pop up regularly in the Best Year Ever conversation (1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977). Keith Godchaux manned the piano/keys for four of them, and Kreutzmann handled the drums alone for three of those four.

I’m partial to the year with the most Fender Rhodes in it, so 1974 got the nod for this deep, deep dive. It offers quick overviews (below) for every officially released 1974 performance by the Grateful Dead. For those wanting a more comprehensive, detailed, and/or interesting account, the overviews link to full-length reviews, too.

OTOH if you’re looking for a quick top-line semi-ranking, this page starts with 1974 show tiers, each tier in chrono order. If I had to pick one, I’d go with Dick’s Picks 31. Elsewhere, DP 7 in London saw its stock rise as a result of this exercise.

I listened to and reviewed all the shows released as of early 2021 in the spring 2021, in chronological order, one right after the other. This was a big help in putting shows and performances of the same song in more context as part of the year’s live performance journey.

I hope you’ll enjoy the details and factoids in the long reviews at some point, or bookmark this page to use these overviews as a reference for listening or purchasing. Or, of course, comment about my grievous errors in judgment.

Top Tier

5/19/74 Portland (Pacific Northwest ’72-’74 box)
6/16/74 Des Moines & 6/18/74 Louisville (selections) (RT 2.3)
6/22/74 Miami highlights (Dave’s Picks 2021 bonus CD)
6/26/74 Providence & 6/28/74 Boston (selections) (Dick’s Picks 12)
8/4,5,6/74 Philadelphia & Jersey City (Dick’s Picks 31)
9/9,10,11/74 London (Dick’s Picks 7)
10/16-20/74 Winterland (Grateful Dead Movie soundtrack)

Middle Tier

5/14/74 Missoula, MT (Dave’s Picks 9)
5/17/74 Vancouver (Pacific Northwest box)
5/21/74 Seattle (Pacific Northwest box)
6/23/74 Miami (Dave’s Picks 34)
7/29/74 Landover, MD (Dave’s 2012 bonus CD)
9/18/74 Dijon, France (30 Trips box set)

Lower Tier

2/24/74 Winterland (Dave’s Picks 13)
3/23/74 Cow Palace (Dick’s Picks 24)
7/19/74 Fresno (Dave’s Picks 17)
7/31/74 Hartford, CT (Dave’s Picks 2)

2/24/74 Winterland (Dave’s Picks 13)

The Grateful Dead began the touring side of 1974 with three nights at Winterland. They took the opportunity to debut some material, such as the refurbished Wave That Flag turned “U.S. Blues” plus “Ship Of Fools”, both of which would become more familiar with the release of From The Mars Hotel that June.

Maybe a reflection of what they’d practiced recently, the new stuff sounds as solid as anything else on this last night of the stand. It’s a pretty good but not spectacular night for the extended classics, as the band shows moments of cohesion but was still getting its legs in the relatively new year. That said, a couple of shorter songs do show up in above-average form (El Paso, hello!).

Check the full review for more about the unusual amount of stage talk captured on this release, the song that would inexplicably disappear for several years after this night, and the stupid request from the guy in front.

For 1974 – Second tier. Pretty good, but there would be better, and that also goes for the recording quality.
Overall – Second tier.

Set 1: U.S. Blues / Mexicali blues / brown-eyed women / beat it on down the line / candyman / jack straw / china cat sunflower > I know you rider / el paso / loser / playing in the band
Set 2: cumberland blues / it must’ve been the roses / big river / bertha / weather report suite > row jimmy / ship of fools / promised land / dark star > morning dew / sugar magnolia > not fade away > going down the road feeling bad > not fade away // it’s all over now, baby blue

3/23/74 Cow Palace (Dick’s Picks 24)

Tucked between the Winterland run that opened the year and the From The Mars Hotel recording sessions, this lone March hometown gig is kind of an odd duck. Other than the final appearance of a beloved sequence, most of what distinguishes it comes down to live debuts (Scarlet Begonias, Cassidy) and the introduction of the Wall of Sound.

In retrospect, the entire point of the show may have been a live rehearsal for the innovative sound system ahead of the band’s May and June dates. This night may not have been one for the ages musically, but I’m guessing anyone who could come home and say they had the first look at this amazing sound setup and heard two live debuts felt like their money was well spent.

See what was different about the two debuts and enjoy every bite of the Playing sandwich in the full review.

For 1974 – Lower tier. Not bad, but some things would get significantly better after the album was done and the real tour started.
Overall – Lower tier, unless the historical firsts are worth it to you.

u.s. blues / promised land / brown-eyed women / black-throated wind / scarlet begonias / BIODTL / deal / Cassidy / china cat sunflower > I know you rider / WRS / playing in the band > uncle john’s band > morning dew > uncle john’s band > playing in the band / big river / bertha / wharf rat / sugar magnolia

5/14/74 Missoula, MT (Dave’s Picks 9)

Some committee of college kids probably decided to blow a big chunk of their student activities fees on luring the Grateful Dead to the University of Montana in June of 1974. I believe that children are the future in part because these student leaders chose wisely.

The Grateful Dead rewarded them with a lot of good playing, a not-quite-finalized but energetic Scarlet Begonias arrangement, and a consistently well done second set that included the third and final WRS > Dark Star pairing.

Read about all that and the time-traveling Foolish Heart riff in the full review.

For 1974 – Deserves a spot in the top tier more for persistently strong execution than moments of greatness.
Overall – Second tier.

Set 1: bertha / me and my uncle / loser / black-throated wind / scarlet begonias > it must have been the roses / jack straw / Tennessee jed / Mexicali blues / deal / big river / brown-eyed women / playing in the band

Set 2: u.s. blues / el paso / row jimmy / WRS prelude > let it grow > dark star > china doll / promised land / not fade away > GDTRFB / one more Saturday night

5/17/74 Vancouver (Pacific Northwest box)

The 1974 half of the voluminous and often luminous Pacific Northwest ’73-’74 box finds the lady and gentlemen in British Columbia, midway through a month of dates.

Some of the material that will be released on From The Mars Hotel the following month has matured since their February dates at Winterland. Playing In The Band finds the Dead playing an additional five minutes as well.

On this evening, that Playing has a strong start, technical gremlins chew on a piece of Truckin’, and Eyes takes the best in show for the extended pieces.

Other highlights include songs I often skip: Deal and Loose Lucy. When you come away thinking some of your less favorite compositions were among the most enjoyable moments, that’s a good show.

For 1974: Second tier , but due in part to factors beyond the band’s control.
Overall: Second tier, on the stronger side.

The full review has no choice but to mention a song that even the Annotated Lyrics site chooses to ignore.

Set 1: promised land / deal / the race is on / ramble on rose / jack straw / dire wolf / BIODTL / loose lucy / big river / it must have been the roses / Mexicali blues / row jimmy / playing in the band

Set 2: u.s. blues / me & my uncle / ship of fools / money money / china cat sunflower > I know you rider / greatest story ever told / sugaree / truckin’ > nobody’s fault but mine > eyes of the world > china doll / sugar magnolia

5/19/74 Portland (Pacific Northwest box)

The most surprising experience out of the five officially released shows up to this point on the calendar. After a nice Half-Step opener, a lot of the first set suffers comparatively, either from merely decent playing or marred by a prolonged microphone problem affecting all the vocals. Or both.

Just when you’re thinking “what the hell were they thinking?“ including this show in the PNW box, the performance comes roaring back, beginning with an all-time China>Rider to close the first set.

In the back half, a very strong Wharf Rat can get overshadowed by the final appearance of an energetic set-opening trio and then a Truckin’>NFA>GDTRFB vehicle that nearly rivals the China>Rider.

Call it a comeback and find out what song should anchor anyone’s Languid Rock playlist in the long review.

For 1974 – Top tier despite the first hour, which tells you about the rest.
Overall – Would have to call it top tier again, on the strength of not one but two sequences that can stand against dozens of other direct competitors.

Set 1: Mississippi half-step uptown toodle-oo / Mexicali blues / big railroad blues / black-throated wind / scarlet begonias / BIODTL / Tennessee jed / me and bobby mcgee / sugaree / jack straw / it must have been the roses / el paso / loose lucy / money money / china cat sunflower > I know you rider

Set 2: promised land > bertha > greatest story ever told / ship of fools / weather report suite / wharf rat / big river / peggy-o / truckin’ > jam > not fade away > GDTRFB / one more Saturday night // u.s. blues

5/21/74 Seattle (Pacific Northwest box)

We may never know why the Grateful Dead wrapped up the first set in Seattle without Playing In The Band but then opened the second set with a triathlon of a 46-minute version. Does it matter?

As with Portland, the first set is consistent but not heavy with highlights, even if it sports a unique opener/closer combo.

The good news is, where you might expect some degree of letdown after a 46-minute jam right out of the gate, the post-Playing second set delivers several more legit highlights. My favorite might be the Stella Blue, and not because it’s the only one of the 10 Stellas in 1974 to enjoy a standalone appearance, no Weir segues bumping up against its beauty.

Check the full review for a good fly-by of the Playing And Playing And Playing In The Band.

For 1974 – Middle tier.
Overall – Middle tier.

Set 1: me and my uncle / brown-eyed women / BIODTL / deal / Mexicali blues / it must have been the roses / the race is on / scarlet begonias / el paso / row jimmy / money money / ship of fools / weather report suite / china doll

Set 2: Playing in the band / u.s. blues / big river / stella blue / around and around / eyes of the world / wharf rat / sugar magnolia / johnny b. goode

June ’74: The Wall Of Sound – 6/16/74 Des Moines & 6/18/74 Louisville (Road Trips 2.3)

The middle of June 1974 found the Grateful Dead in the middle of America. Attendees at the Iowa State Fairgrounds found a band ready to stretch out on China>Rider and then flash a one-time Eyes>Big River coupling, along with other decent material.

Two days later, those at Freedom Hall ranked a little luckier. They caught not only a Eyes>China Doll that can hold its own with any version, but a superb 50ish-minute second set sequence. The Other One > It’s A Sin jam > Stella Blue in particular covers so much stylistic ground so well, it’s a highlight of the year.

Get the rundown in the full review.

For 1974 – Top tier, joining 5/19/74 and its own remarkable comeback of a second set.
Overall – Top tier. A two-disc set from two ’74 nights was a daunting task, but the final product satisfies.

CD1: china cat sunflower > I know you rider / the race is on / eyes of the world > big river / u.s. blues / playing in the band
CD2: loose lucy / eyes of the world / china doll / weather report suite > jam > the other one > it’s a sin jam > stella blue

6/22/74 Miami highlights (Dave’s Picks 2021 bonus CD)

The 2021 Dave’s Picks bonus disc for subscribers raids night one at the Fronton and continues an above-average era for bonus disc cover art.

The high-caliber song selection gets the rundown it deserves in the full review.

CD 1: playing in the band / china cat sunflower > I know you rider / eyes of the world > wharf rat > sugar magnolia

6/23/74 Miami (Dave’s Picks 34)

It’s an oddly low-energy first set. The funny thing about that is that its two highlights are slow songs that get played a little quicker than usual. The set’s rarity index gets spiked thanks to the lone “Let It Rock” cover of the band’s career.

The guys come out after the break with another unique performance: the jam into Ship Of Fools. It’s a beauty (both parts), as is the tour debut of Black Peter.

Dark Star jam > Spanish jam > U.S. Blues may not have quite been ready for prime time as a set piece, but each component has its moments, especially the bookends.

Dig deeper into the 17-minute Dark Star jam plus some fun with venue names in the full review.

For 1974 – Middle tier.
Overall – Middle tier. Great year, uneven performance, a couple of very distinctive highlights.

Set 1: ramble on rose / black-throated wind / Mississippi half-step uptown toodle-oo / BIODTL / row jimmy / jack straw / let it rock / Cumberland blues / el paso / to lay me down / weather report suite
Break: seastones
Set 2: jam > ship of fools / big river / black peter / around and around / dark star jam > Spanish jam > u.s. blues / uncle john’s band / one more Saturday night // casey jones

6/26/74 Providence & 6/28/74 Boston (Dick’s Picks 12)

With the exception of U.S. Blues and Me & My Uncle repeats in Providence, this Dick’s Picks compiles the full second sets and encores from the Wednesday show in Providence and then Friday in Boston. It selectively seizes the upside of the ’74 tendency toward more uneven first sets and strong second sets.

Unusually, the main interstitial jam is the weaker spot in Providence, but the rare pre-China/Rider jam more than makes up for it.

In Boston, there’s pretty much no weak link, pulling off a 27-minute jam between WRS and U.S. Blues that covers a few themes. The first-ever Sugar Magnolia > Scarlet Begonias works well, too.

Did I mention Kreutzmann in the Let It Grow outro? Holy cow. That and other details in the full review.

For 1974: Top tier. Is it cheating to take two second sets? We don’t care.
Overall: Top tier, and I don’t think I would’ve said that before this listen (2021).

CD1: jam > china cat sunflower > I know you rider / beer barrel polka / trucking > other one jam > spanish jam > wharf rat / sugar magnolia
CD2: eyes of the world / seastones / sugar magnolia / scarlet begonias / big river / to lay me down / me & my uncle / row jimmy
CD3: weather report suite > jam > u.s. blues / promised land > GDTRFB > sunshine daydream // ship of fools

7/19/74 Fresno (Dave’s Picks 17)

Summing up this show sounds more like a late-era review: The Dead had more than a few minor miscues, but each set had a stretch where they more or less had it all together. Basically, it was their first concert in almost three weeks, and it shows in spots. It happens.

I’m a little surprised this was a Dave’s Picks – especially after looking at the Playing sandwich the next night in Hollywood.

This recording contains some evidence of a neat Lesh trick that I think might’ve only lasted as long as the Wall Of Sound. That and other details in the full review.

For 1974: Lower tier.
Overall: Lower tier, but another good record of the brief 2^nd-set WRS>jam habit.

Set1: bertha / Mexicali blues / deal / BIODTL / row jimmy / me & bobby mcgee / scarlet begonias / el paso / Tennessee jed / playing in the band
Intermission: seastones
Set2: brown-eyed women / me & my uncle / it must have been the roses / jack straw / he’s gone > u.s. blues / weather report suite > jam > eyes of the world > china doll // one more Saturday night

7/29/74 Landover, MD (Dave’s 2012 bonus disc)

I remembered the WRS on this bonus disc being stronger than the one on the actual Dave’s Pick it accompanied (7/31/74 Hartford). And it has both quality and quantity.

But as it turns out, that memory had overshadowed a thoroughly enjoyable and fairly rare-for-1974 He’s Gone, along with a less rare Wharf Rat at the end of the disc that contends for best of tour. Right this way to the full review.

For 1974 bonus discs: Doesn’t beat the 6/22/74 Miami bonus disc, but there is no shame in that. It’s quality ’74.

Sugaree / weather report suite / he’s gone > truckin’ > nobody’s fault but mine jam > the other one > Spanish jam > wharf rat

7/31/74 Hartford (Dave’s Picks 2)

The first ’74 show of Dave’s series starts strong and ends well. But during this 3-set coliseum show, the Dead chalk up just enough inattentive moments and ordinary passages to keep Hartford out of contention for high regard.

It’d make a nice single-disc comp, though (should this have been the bonus disc instead of the main show?). It also provides an excuse to point out a pretty interesting factoid about Uncle John’s Band. Get that in the big review along with this confession:

Bertha brings its 1974-vintage lope/funk to kick off the middle set. Every now and then (but only now and then) in the first three verses, Garcia’s rhythm THWACK and Kreutzmann’s snare align to the microsecond, and it illuminates its own tiny little dopamine light in my brain.

Highs and middles in the full review.

For 1974: Lower tier. Too much was done too much better in other shows this year.
Overall: Middle tier.

Set1: scarlet begonias / me and my uncle / brown-eyed women / BIODTL / Mississippi half-step uptown toodle-oo / it must have been the roses / Mexicali blues / row jimmy / jack straw / china cat sunflower > I know you rider / around & around
Set2: bertha / big river / eyes of the world > china doll / promised land / ship of fools / weather report suite
Set3: el paso / ramble on rose / greatest story ever told / truckin’ > mind left body jam > Spanish jam > wharf rat / u.s. blues / one more Saturday night // uncle john’s band

8/4,5,6/74 Philadelphia and Jersey City, NJ (Dick’s Picks 31)

Dick’s Picks 31 is a feast.

After compiling a fantasy mini-set CD from pieces of 8/4 and 8/5 in Philadelphia, Latvala gave each show another disc of highlights and did the same for 8/6 Jersey City.

Really, the entire set is a 5-hour Playing sandwich with an Uncle John’s Band after-dinner mint. He packed this compilation for maximum enjoyment – is there a better example of “all killer, no filler?” – and it delivers.

A fat release that deserves a fat review.

For 1974: Top tier.
Overall: Top tier. In my Top 5 official releases.

CD1: playing in the band / scarlet begonias / jack straw / peggy-o / me & bobby mcgee / china cat sunflower > I know you rider / around & around
CD2: ship of fools / loose lucy / weather report suite > jam > wharf rat / u.s. blues / sugar magnolia / casey jones
CD3: Mississippi half-step uptown toodle-oo / it must have been the roses / big river / he’s gone > truckin’ > jam > other one jam > space > stella blue > one more Saturday night
CD4: eyes of the world / playing in the band / scarlet begonias > playing in the band > uncle john’s band

9/9,10,11/74 London (Dick’s Picks 7)

In the full Dick’s Picks series, Latvala compiled a Pick from three shows only twice, and both of those runs took place in a six-week span in 1974. The three Philly-area nights would later get a 4-disc release after the series was a big hit — and to be fair, that run deserved deluxe accommodation. But three discs was still the limit when Dick tackled a trio of nights at Alexandra Palace for this release.

Dick nailed the compilation approach this time around. I know any Dark Star > Morning Dew is supposed to be the Exciting Conclusion of any show or release, and they’re certainly good here. However, DP 7’s strength rests in an excellent collection of first-set songs on CD1 (while still making room for feature-length PITB) and in the second-set materials collected on CD2 (especially Garcia’s work on Let It Grow).

Stroll around the Ally Pally for all the little gems, nuggets, and/or blemishes in the long review.

For 1974: Top tier, even if the quirks of the Wall Of Sound era recordings draw some attention at times.
Overall: Top tier, and the second release where I wouldn’t’ve said that before this listen (2021).

CD1: scarlet begonias / Mexicali blues / row jimmy / black throated wind / Mississippi half-step uptown toodle-oo / beat it on down the line / Tennessee jed / playing in the band
CD2: weather report suite > stella blue / jack straw / brown-eyed women / big river / truckin’ > wood green jam > wharf rat
CD3: me & my uncle / not fade away / dark star > spam jam > morning dew // u.s. blues

9/18/74 Dijon, France (30 Trips box set)

If there were such a thing as a typical Grateful Dead show, 9/18/74 Dijon would not be your typical Grateful Dead show. Uncle John’s Band opener! The town of a famous mustard! A ’74 Peggy-O! Phil attempts to communicate in the local language! First no-Pigpen Caution appearance!

I’d mention the couple of songs that sound nice but have almost no recorded vocal, but that’s not entirely unsurprising, at least this year, is it?

The Eyes > China Doll underwhelms, but that UJB, the Scarlet, and a couple of others do not. The first set might be the most consistent at this quick stop on the road to Paris.

Did I mention the quality Jerry/Sly Stone factoid in the full review.

For 1974 – Second tier.
Overall – Second tier

CD1: uncle john’s band / jack straw / friend of the devil / black-throated wind / scarlet begonias / Mexicali blues / row jimmy / beat it on down the line / deal / the race is on / to lay me down
CD2: playing in the band / seastones / loose lucy / big river / peggy-o / me & my uncle
CD3: eyes of the world > china doll / he’s gone > truckin’ > drums > caution jam > ship of fools / johnny b. goode // u.s. blues

10/16-20/74 Winterland (Grateful Dead Movie Soundtrack)

It’s worth saying up front that this Grateful Dead Movie Soundtrack is one of the best two or three bargains around — anywhere — in terms of voluminous live compilations. Offhand, the only rival that comes to mind for my taste is Tom Petty’s Live Anthology.

After an opening disc from various shows, the next four discs are mostly or completely from a single night, proceeding in order. Some moments do give the impression of playing it just a little safe given the Special Occasion.

On the other hand, the Special Occasion also provides the certainly “produced” multitrack recording unlike most if not all other 1974 releases.

The middle disc, anchored by the Dark Star > Dew, ranks as the best and most consistent. Discs 2 and 4 after that.

The first and last probably have the most ups and downs. But don’t get me wrong – highlights abound, such as the long Scarlet Begonias starting CD2 or the Jerry and Donna crooning the rare “Tomorrow Is Forever” on CD4. Befitting for 1974, Playing In The Band stars pretty much wherever it shows up.

A pretty big box at the ’74 finish line gets the generous account it deserves.

For 1974: Top tier. Some releases have hotter passages, but this remains essential and a huge value.
Overall: Top tier. See above. And look at all that bold below.

CD1: u.s. blues / one more Saturday night / china cat sunflower > I know you rider / eyes of the world > china doll / playing in the band
CD2: scarlet begonias / he’s gone > jam > weirdness > other one > Spanish jam > mind left body jam > other one > stella blue / casey jones
CD3: weather report suite / jam > dark star > morning dew / not fade away > going down the road feeling bad
CD4: uncle john’s band / big railroad blues / tomorrow is forever / sugar magnolia > he’s gone > caution jam > drums > space > truckin’ > black peter / sunshine daydream
CD5: playing in the band > drums > not fade away > drums > other one > wharf rat > playing in the band / johnny b. goode / Mississippi half-step uptown toodle-oo / and we bid you goodnight