Dave's Picks Volume 56


Dave's Picks Volume 56 is a four-CD live album by the rock band the Grateful Dead. It was recorded on March 20 and 21, 1981, at the Rainbow Theatre in London, England. It was released on October 31, 2025, in a limited edition of 25,000 copies.
The album contains two nearly complete concerts. The encore of the first show, "U.S. Blues", is not included. Additionally, "Drums" and "Space" from both nights have been shortened by a few minutes.
In March 1981 the Grateful Dead played five concerts in Europe. Four were at the Rainbow Theatre, on March 20, 21, 23, and 24. The fifth, on March 28, was at Grugahalle, in Essen, West Germany, on the same bill as the Who.
Volume 56 was the second Dave's Picks in a row that was recorded in Europe.

Critical reception

On AllMusic, Timothy Monger wrote, "These were the Dead's first shows in Europe since the arrival of keyboardist Brent Mydland and his nimble solos and aching tenor vocals are a fixture of these sets. The rest of the band sounds energetic... Overall, there is a ton of music here, showcasing another classic Dead era as they established their '80s sound."

Track listing

Disc 1
  1. "Feel Like a Stranger" – 7:31
  2. "Friend of the Devil" – 9:27
  3. "C.C. Rider" – 7:36
  4. "Althea" – 8:47
  5. "Mama Tried" – 2:30
  6. "Mexicali Blues" – 4:54
  7. "Loser" – 8:15
  8. "New Minglewood Blues" – 7:14
  9. "Candyman" – 7:18
  10. "Looks Like Rain" – 7:59
  11. "Deal" – 8:23
Disc 2
  1. "Scarlet Begonias" – 10:37
  2. "Fire on the Mountain" – 10:37
  3. "Lost Sailor" – 6:05
  4. "Saint of Circumstance" – 6:48
  5. "He's Gone" – 12:27
  6. "Drums" – 2:31
  7. "Space" – 2:25
  8. "Truckin'" – 9:33
  9. "Wharf Rat" – 8:23
  10. "Around and Around" – 4:26
  11. "Johnny B. Goode" – 4:07
Disc 3
  1. "Alabama Getaway" – 5:32
  2. "Promised Land" – 4:25
  3. "Peggy-O" – 7:04
  4. "Me and My Uncle" – 2:57
  5. "Big River" – 5:36
  6. "Tennessee Jed" – 8:29
  7. "Little Red Rooster" – 8:52
  8. "Althea" – 9:50
  9. "Let It Grow" – 12:49
  10. "China Cat Sunflower" – 6:22
  11. "I Know You Rider" – 7:56
Disc 4
  1. "Jack Straw" – 6:04
  2. "Ship of Fools" – 8:50
  3. "Estimated Prophet" – 11:46
  4. "Eyes of the World" – 12:59
  5. "Drums" – 5:49
  6. "Space" – 5:35
  7. "Not Fade Away" – 10:47
  8. "Black Peter" – 9:06
  9. "One More Saturday Night" – 4:56
  11. "Don't Ease Me In" – 3:07

Personnel

Grateful Dead
Production
  • Produced by Grateful Dead
  • Produced for release by David Lemieux
  • Executive producer: Mark Pinkus
  • Associate producer: Ivette Ramos
  • Recording: Dan Healy
  • Mastering: Jeffrey Norman
  • Art direction, design: Steve Vance
  • Cover art: James Mazza
  • Photos: Mark Lancer, David Corio
  • Liner notes: David Lemieux