Dick's / Dave's picks

Yep, '72 & '77 were magical years in the GD arsenal.

I've been buying Dick's Picks since around the time that Jerry died.  My favorites are #1 from '73, every song is excellent except "Weather Report" which I never liked.  #2 from '71 has a great, jazzy "Dark Star".  Volume #3 from '77 is excellent and widely regarded as one of the best.  #4 from '70 is also outstanding especially Rider-High Time-Dire Wolf-Darkstar.   I also really like #7 from '74.  I have to say though that my all time favorite live show was from '80 - their superb Reckoning cd.  I haven't been compelled to buy any Dave's Picks.  Maybe you could recommend a show or two that I should check out.  

Both Reckoning + Dead Set are tough to beat (no pun).
The thing about the GD, is that, we all have our fave year/line-up.

There are plenty of recordings to go around. I am intrigued by the wall of sound (WOS), so these short-lived shows are of interest to me.

Those early Fillmore shows are excellent w/ pigpen as well.

I think there's a reason that sets such as Reckoning and Dead Set are on the "big, important" label and some of the soundboard stuff is available with less fanfare.  But there are some great moments on the soundboard tapes.  I was cruising through Houston with the radio on the left end of the dial a few months back and heard a mind-blowing version of New Potato Caboose.  I think the date was 8/24/68 (I could be off on the year).  I had forgotten the sort of magic they could muster at times.  Does anyone know where this track is available?