I think in the vault (as it is called) one can likely find a recording of every show the Dead played. Doubtful that such a complete recording record exists for any other band.
For every sucky moment (and there were plenty) there were manyu other moments of great, rootsy rock.
I have made it a mission of mine, for those who say the Dead sucked, to have them listen to American Beauty, Workingman’s Dead, and Reckoning. Largely acoustic records, with none of the silly excess often heard in live shows. None of the folks I’ve tried it on have become huge fans that I know of, but universally they were shocked at the complete lack of psychedalia.
And they mostly cannot believe that Garcia was a banjo picker in a bluegrass band, who once chickened out and skipped his audition for Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys.
Phish is a different story (at least for me). Inane lyrics and completely derivative music.
I was just cracking wise. While I’m not a big GD fan, I can appreciate some of their stuff. Phish I know nothing about, except for that they’re a jamband, and jambands don’t really appeal to me. Granted, when I’m IN jambands I’m as happy as a clam, but I ain’t going to go see one.
To that, I would add most of Wake of the Flood and From the Mars Hotel.