"everyone is anxious to see if Phish is going to swallow their pride and give the fans a Grateful Dead tune."

The current manifestation of Phish pays homage to the Dead by writing 'like'' the Dead _Alaska_, and 'playing' like the dead _No Man's_ (or pick your favorite tease).

Terrapin was so cool because it was unexpected; for me, that's what made it great - people were visibly moved.

A cover simply because it's Jerry's birthday, and because Trey did some gigs?

I hope not. I'd rather get Your Pet Cat (unlikely), or a full-blown Dave's Energy Guide.

I don't think you were writing in the pejorative; at least I hope not. I actually like the Dead quite a bit - but I like Phish much more. Sure the band could cover them - they cover the Apples in Stereo (or did). Truly, though, I'd only be interested were the tune carefully selected - maybe like a Sugaree.... Something to match the band's deliberate focus on meter and tempo of late (like last night's Groove).

Seems as though they have too much integrity to simply cover something to satisfy the incessant chatter.