"Perdido" is a jazz standard. The point being, that if there were only one way to play it, then there would be no use in others trying to cover it. Almost every jazzman has made a recording of it since the forties. But they each made it his own.
The reference to Grateful Dead being better in the improvisatory era of the '60s and '70s is, of course, my own opinion, and reflects very accurately my approach to playing from their catalog. Those on this board who have played with me know that my approach can (and has) been described as "interesting", "different", etc., but never as predictable or perfunct. I don't think Phil ever played "Morning Dew" with a prethought that it would be double-stopped (chorded, or "bombed") or played with nothing but interesting note choices, before he started playing that song that night, in the early days. Musically he was a quick thinker, and was completely "in the moment". That is what I enjoy, and try to bring to the table. Of course, although I have listened to his influences from Shopenhaur and Kleinhausen to Scott Farrow, I am not Phil and cannot and would not want to be him. I like me, as a person, and as a musician. Each path is for each person's steps alone. I do not take anything away from those who like a different era of the Dead better, or those who like other forms of music, or have other interpretations of how it should be played. I have my outlook, just as Phil does, Jerry did, or you do. I respect and honor the differences. I try to be the best "me" that I can. Hopefully musically it will resonate somewhere, with someone, but if not, I make no appologies.
Peace to the rest of the family (we are one, right?)
Gone are the days we stopped to decide where we should go, we just ride...