As much as I love May 77 Sugarees, Spring 76 is where it's at for me. Subtlety, separation, and Garcia's whispery, silver-dipped guitar breaks.

1978: Prime weather for Candyman. This performance, like many from then, highlights the bleak world of the narrator. Garcia's break: spidery.

Bubbly, bratty storyboard version. Character & twang for miles. I'd pay to see this band. Two for a tenner? Four please.

This is a very sweet Terrapin. Everyone's fired up to play it. All you need to do is watch the vid to see the pure joy this brings Garcia. Memorable.

Oversight Alert! Conversational then a violent row ensues. A total taste treat. 1970.

Nice revisit. A perfect summary of all they achieved with the song all Spring. Garcia's envelope filter never enveloped more. Sounds like an underwater violin sometimes.

May77 - that loping beauty. A great period for Jeds. And Garcia's guitar break is a treat. High in quality, this one.

And another lap around this monumental Scarlet>Fire. Right in front of City Hall. This time I really notice the whole group - led by Lesh in some ways, dialed in and super dynamic. Big wave at end of the Scarlet bridge - crowd goes ape - as good as it gets. Beautiful matrix recording probably doesn't hurt much. A short-lister. I'll say it again: Garcia and the Envelope Filter. On Disney+!

I was like "yeah, this is OK," then Garcia did some little move @4.22 that made me hit the counter. I have to tell you, though - and this really bums me out: my local pickle co., Number One Sons, had a great Super Sour pickle that rivaled any garlicky sour I've ever had. WOooof! I finally got out to a farmers market in Rockville and bought TWO containers of Super Sours. O Happy Day! Right? . . . . . . . . . Wh ... what is that? Vinegar!!!!???? They ruined the fucking pickle is the point. That's the punchline. Sours come in 2 sizes: garlic (deep and luscious) and its shrill cousin vinegar. I can taste it! Checked the website and they glibly go "a splash of vinegar . . ." as if WEEEEEE as if it's a mere trifle. They just dumbed down their pickle!!! One of many business decisions I . . . I personally question!

Among other things: guitar playing at its finest.