To most Grateful Dead fans, the band had three distinct peaks: 1968-72, which was the height of the band's psychedelic experimental phase, 1977-79 (arguably their best period just based on pure musicianship and consistency), and 1989-90, when the band was a well seasoned machine able to play anything and everything thrown at them.
"Dozin' At The Knick" is a compilation of a three day run (March 24-26,1990) at the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, New York, widely regarded as the best shows of their Spring 1990 run. Much like Europe '72 and Barton Hall '77 are to their respective eras, "Dozin' At The Knick" is as good a snapshot as you can get to hear this incarnation of the band at their fiercest.
The songs are well chosen from each gig, a healthy mix of tried and true Dead classics, some real deep cuts, and familiar covers. Each song is played with verve and precision, with nary a note out of place. Jerry Garcia's guitar playing, by now a well known commodity, hit a zenith here, with a level of creativity, fluidity and passion that he never achieved again: just listen to his playing on the jams during "Playin' In The Band" and "Uncle John's Band," or throughout their apocalyptic take on "All Along The Watchtower." Jerry's 'guitar hero' status, while never in doubt, is further cemented by his playing here.
Another commodity worthy of praise is keyboardist Brent Mydland, the 'new guy' who had been with the band since 1979. At this point, Brent was as much a force to be reckoned with as Jerry or Phil. His voice had developed into a powerful instrument capable of adding pinpoint emotional heft to both the lead and harmony vocals, his keyboard playing as intricately crafted and meticulously fleshed out as a spider web. At their best, Brent and Jerry were of one mind, their playing seamlessly building off each other's energy and creating an airtight soundscape like never before.
The rest of the band, weren't slouches, as they kept up with Jerry and Brent admirably, most notably on the 16 minute "Terrapin Station" performance and the rollicking "Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad."
"Dozin' At The Knick" is one of the band's very best official live releases, and is an essential snapshot of one of their three watershed eras.
