Sometimes the ability to think critically eludes jamband fans in ways that are both amusing and infuriating.

This isn't about what YOU think of Nancy Pelosi.

I highly, highly encourage anyone to go back and listen to this set. Weir's subtleties on the guitar are beautiful here.

"They're a band beyond description
Like Jehovah's favourite choir
People joining hand in hand
While the music plays the band
Lord they're setting us on fire"

The music never stopped. Throw on some John Coltrane Quartet and try out some Dead jams from 1972-1977 and key in on the unique and fearless playing of Bob Weir and listen to how Jerry Garcia responds. That's the magic of the greatest American rock band of all time.

Without that curiosity, sense of adventure and inspiration, the music remains indistinguishable from other bands that emerged from the 60s and 70s psychedelia scene and this whole community would have stalled out long ago, well before millennials and gen z entered the picture.

These influences are baked into the cake of the songs and the music in a way that opens listeners to new music and possibilities.

This daring approach was critical in allowing the band to open the jam portal to new frontiers and soundscapes. The band created a uniquely American melting pot of rock and roll and psychedelic exploration based on a shared love of bluegrass, jazz, classical and blues.

Bobby spoke often of the importance of the John Coltrane Quartet and specifically McCoy Tyner's piano playing. Inspired by Tyner's style of feeding rhythmic and harmonic ideas to Coltrane, Weir approached his role as rhythm guitarist to Jerry Garcia as lead guitarist similarly.

People often identify the characters and stories in the songs when they talk about a sense of adventure with this band. I am more drawn to the musical sense of adventure. I've often said music lovers don't necessarily find The Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead finds music lovers.