[Tennessee Jedi]

No offense -your friends sound like dopes.Sound like kill joys.
I try to play it in the style of either of two guitarists.In the spirit of the tune.I play my own solos in their style (or as in Europe 72 China,I do the solo verbatim.)I always try to do Bob Bobs way when ever I can figure his stuff out.Thats why I play the Dead-cause I love their styles.
Althea is good tune to jam on.Mix it up.So I kinda agree with you.I would never re-interpret the Dead as say Metal.To sound Dead-ish is what I'm looking for.

When I want to sound like me I do my own originals.
Or play the blues.
Good luck and keep rockin,.

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

None taken Jedi...

And those friends are proud to be dopes.. It is mostly all in good fun. I do get the glances of "What the hell was that" and the approving glances of "I see where you're going and understand how you are getting there".

I have played with folks... I'm sure many of us have.... that if you don't do the Europe '72 version of "He's Gone" EXACTLY how it came off one particular night for the Dead, you are playing it wrong. I can understand that to a degree.

I'm old, and don't much care for people telling how what I hear in my head is "Wrong". Perhaps I need to listen though as sometimes I get both feet out of the box and listening to playbacks make me want to say "What was I thinking?".... Oh well, When Jerry comes down and reveals himself to me from the here-after and asks me "What are you thinking?".... I may change my approach...
I'll let you know when Jer shows up....
PEACE,
Phil

[Tennessee Jedi]

I hear ya Bozo.Its all good.
I'm old too.
I usually think I do it right and they do it wrong.
Helps me sleep at night.