From DeadNet: http://www.dead.net/ (DeadNet>Grateful Dead Central> Dick's Picks Resurrected>One Man Gathers What Another Man Spills>OMGWAMS page 4). Dick Latvala - 12:37am Jul 29, 1998 PDT (#2 of 5) A VERY SUBJECTIVE, IN PROGRESS, LOOK AT THE YEAR 1974: 1) I was never too thrilled by the opening 3 shows at Winterland. Clearly the 2/24/74 night is the one to get and give a good listen. But it pales in comparison to the 4th show of the year-3/23/74- Cow Palace. I feel that this show could easily come out as a release someday. 2) I probably need to relisten to several of the spring shows, but at this point, I don't really see that much of importance that happened other than the Portland show, and only the 2nd set which contains a terrific jam starting with "Truckin". Some amazing playing during the jam segment following "Truckin". BTW, I don't place a whole lot of importance on the 46 min. version of "Playing in the Band" that occurs on 5/21- Seattle. 3) The 6/16 &6/18 shows are usually praised pretty highly, but I think that is mostly because of the great sound quality and that we got these in tape trading circles over 22 years ago. They ain't shabby. But they do come up lacking when compared to what followed a week later. 4) The Miami Jai-Alai Fronton show of 6/23/74 is one of my favorite shows of the year. It almost could be the best of the year as a show unto itself. (I am aware that 7/19 and 8/6 present a fairly strong alternative to this) 5) The second sets from 6/26 and 6/28 are, well shall we say that something very incredible occurs. (Soon we shall all get the opportunity to hear these in all their glory). 6) The Springfield show on 6/30 is quite a raucous affair, and may itself someday be the subject of a release. Well, maybe not. 7) The 7/19 show in Fresno is one of the better shows of the year, and it to, could qualify for a release someday. This one also has one of the more intense and thrilling versions of "The Spanish Jam". 8) It is a shame that we don't have a good board of the Hollywood Bowl on 7/21. From my audience tape, it wasn't difficult to notice that this show had something extra special to it. I have faith that it will turn up someday, just like the boards of the Hollywood Palladium from 8/5&6/71 will someday make their presence known. 9) Next up of significance is the Hartford show on 7/31. I used to think that this was the cat's meow, mainly because of the unusual pairing of the "Mind Left Body" and "The Spanish Jam" within the same basic jam. Well that is not altogether fair. There are some well played versions sprinkled thru-out the show. But I still am pretty sure that 3/23, 6/23, 7/19, and 8/6 and even surprisingly 8/4 (which one of you out there recently turned me on to) are in a different and higher class. I need to listen again to the 8/4 show, but it seemed awfully decent when I was copying it. 10) We all know how I felt about the shows at the Alexandra Palace in London (9/9->11). 11) Two of the three shows in France (9/18 and 9/20) have a lot going for them, but I need to relisten before I get into any more detail. 12) Out of the 5 shows that closed the year at Winterland, I feel that the middle 3 are worthy of attention. I guess that 10/18 might get the nod over-all, but since these are multi-track recordings, I don't have a whole lot of effect on whether these are released or not. That's about it for now.