I have a nagging feeling my lack of Phil Lesh appreciation has been noticed among early readers here, though all have been kind enough to hold their tongues.

I do recognize that Phil is seemingly universally beloved among Dead fans.

Obsessively listening to all my versions in hand of the Weather Report Suite, I think it was during the Dick’s Pick’s #1 version where I suddenly realized Phil and Jerry were soloing in sympatico, with Phil playing bass chords at one point to make his point.

My first Phil moment.  Completely unforced and natural, the way I hoped it would be.

Now if I can just get over the feeling that Box of Rain is just one long run-on sentence . . . .