Since Vann-Di has a jazz background, I'm thinking he might like Help On the Way/Slipknot off Blues For Allah, and Estimated Prophet off Terrapin Station.  Both have great bass lines; and both feature complex ensemble playing.

From 1998 to 2001 a group called Jazz Is Dead put out three albums that I think make a great introduction to Grateful Dead music for people coming from a jazz background.  The first album featured Billy Cobham on drums, Alphonso Johnson on bass, T Lavitz on keyboards, and Jimmy Herring on guitar.  On the second album the drum seat was split between Rod Morgenstein and Jeff Sipe.  And on the third it's Morgenstein again on drums.  All three albums are instrumental covers of Grateful Dead tunes; and all three feature great playing all the way through.  Hearing these guys play these tunes really highlights the great songwriting of the Grateful Dead.  I highly recommend them.

With that in mind Dave, he might have an interest in Unbroken Chain and Weather Report Suite, and even Eyes of the World.

Agreed; especially with regards to Unbroken Chain, an absolutely beautiful tune.

Another very enjoyable jazz take on Dead tunes is Dark Star: The Music of the Grateful Dead by the Dave Murray Octet.
 
Bill, tgo

Was Alphonso playing an Alembic on these, Dave?

Both of those pics are from my 1st Grateful Dead show.
 
07-21-74 Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, Ca. (Sun)  
1: Promised, Tennessee Jed, Me & My Uncle, Sugaree, Jack Straw, Half Step> Roses, El Paso, Scarlet, Around 1.5: Phil & Ned  
2: China Cat> I Know You Rider, Big River, Row Jimmy, Playin> Wharf Rat> Truckin> Nobody's Jam> Playin, Ship Of Fools, Sugar Magnolia E: U. S. Blues  
Commander Cody; Maria Muldaur with John Kahn opened

As a relative late-bloomer Dead Head, Terrapin Station and Skull 'n Roses (aka SkullF**k) turned me on to the Dead in '77 (Kudos to 1st Cousin Joe Napolitano!). IMHO listening to the official studio releases turned me on to them...the live official releases like Europe '72 and Live Dead, Steal Your Face (I know, bad sound quality, chopped-up shows, etc.), along with the aforementioned SNR cemented it. Even before I actually saw them live, It was all over but the shouting. Still love 'em, and I actually enjoy them even more now without the enhancements I once enjoyed in my youth, LOL! Kind of like fine wine...they get better with age. Enjoy!
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin
 
P.S., Yes, of course I support Jerry's Kids by my blind, lemming-like reaction to everything the dead.net online store puts up for sale (music-wise, at least). These days you don't need crappy audience bootlegs, just pony-up the dosh and get the best-sounding stuff direct from the Dead, Inc., LOL!

D'oh,
 
Right you are Jeff.  For some reason I was confusing Hundred Year Hall with Europe '72.  Anyway, that's another good one.

Peter, with respect to Dr. Who, I agree I am also a Tom Baker fan (isn't he the frind/foe of Mojo risin aka Jim Morrison of the Doors, featured so prominently in No One Here Gets Out Alive?  Can't keep the scarf and jelly babies out of my mind.  Pertwee was good but a little stiff.  Baker has a good sense of humor and did not take himself too seriously, kind of like Roger Moore as Bond.
 
Speaking of the Dead, anyone take notice that Phil Less is now playing a 6 string Ritter?  I own a different model Ritter.  They are nice basses, but I still come back to my Alembics.  Unfortunatley for me, Bass Central keeps selling the future targetted members of my Alembic clan before I can make the deal final.

Man-O-Man
 
If it were not for Pandora.com I would be broke!
 
Checking out Jazz is Dead.  Love Blues for Allah and Working Man's Dead.
 
I listen to any music with good musicians playing it: Jazz, Blues, Funk, pre-80's Rock
 
I have never heard any of this music.  The only Dead tune I remember was Shades of Grey (which I did not really care for).  
 
Thank you for getting me started!!

I was at the record release party for Blues for Allah  @ the Great American Music Hall in  San Francisco  .  Such memories !