The Grateful Dead - **'s Picks Vol. 5-Oakland Auditorium Arena 12/ 26/ 79 - REMASTERED - (Boxed Set) - [Vinyl]

Taken from one of the Dead's annual year-end runs of Bay Area concerts, **'s Picks Vol. 5 marked five straight volumes of '70s shows selected by archivist ** Latvala to start the series, and as it was from one of the very last days of the decade, it was the perfect way for ** to complete his own mini "tour" of the '70s. But Vol. 5 has a lot more going for it than just a convenient spot on the calendar; this is one of the rawest and most energetic Picks, a complete show anchored by a second set that is in essence one big medley that begins with "Uncle John's Band" and ends with it almost two hours later, with a supercharged "The Other One" and the first appearance of "Brokedown Palace" in two years among many high points in between. Set one is no slouch, either, with a great, Garcia-led rendition of "Alabama Getaway" four months before it appeared on record and a passionate vocal by Bob Weir on "Looks Like Rain" leading to a spirited, set-closing "The Promised Land." And throughout it all you'll hear Brent Mydland serving notice in one of his early shows with the band that he is fully up to the task of replacing Keith Godchaux.