David Lemieux Selects Grateful Dead’s Spring 1973 Concert at Baltimore Civic Center for ‘Dave’s Picks Vol. 54’

David Lemieux has visited the Grateful Dead archive once again. The respected jam aficionado and band historian has unveiled his concert choice for the 54th edition of Dave’s Picks, Baltimore Civic Center, March 26, 1973. Subscribers of the exclusive Bonus Disc will also have an opportunity to obtain the group’s colossal second set, performed days later on March 31, 1973, during their spring tour stop at Buffalo, N.Y.’s War Memorial Auditorium. 

Ahead of the band’s 60th anniversary, the revisited performance intends to transport listeners back to the early ‘70s era band material, including the unifying “Promised Land,” “Mississippi Half Step,” “The Race Is One,” and an early iteration of “Wave That Flag.” A hallmark of this collection is the timing of the performance, which happened after the 1972 release of Jerry Garcia and Bobby Weir’s debut solo records.

The motif above provides a foundation for Ace features like Mexicali Blues,” “Playing in the Band,” “Looks Like Rain,” and “Greatest Story Ever Told” while still holding space for defining Garcia pulls like fan favorite “Sugaree.” 

While more details will arrive in the spring, Lemieux was quick to note the specialty of Baltimore ‘73’s second set and a particularly potent sequence of “He’s Gone” >  “Truckin’” > “Weather Report Suite Prelude” > Jam > “Wharf Rat” > “Me and Bobby McGee” > “Eyes of the World.” Notably, the concert represents one of the band’s most extended shows that calendar year, suggesting momentum and fun at hand. 

Another defying moment captured and turned over for release is the Buffalo bonus set, a rare “I Know You Rider” sans its sister song, “China Cat Sunflower.” 

Pre-order a subscription for 2025 Dave’s Picks now. 

Scroll down to view the Grateful Dead’s setlist from Baltimore Civic Center, March 26, 1973.

Set I:

Promised Land

Mississippi Half-Step

The Race Is On

Wave That Flag

Jack Straw

Sugaree

Mexicali Blues

Box of Rain

Row Jimmy

Beat it on Down the Line

Brown Eyed Women

El Paso

China Cat Sunflower

I Know You Rider

Looks Like Rain

Don’t Ease Me In

Playing in the Band

Set II:

Ramble On Rose

Big River

Here Comes Sunshine

Greatest Story Ever Told

Candyman

Me and My Uncle

He’s Gone

Truckin’

WRS Prelude

Wharf Rat

Me and Bobby McGee

Eyes of the World

Morning Dew

One More Saturday Night