Dreahead and Eerae,
The point I was trying to make, and I guess I didn't very well is about INSPIRATION. I've seen the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band, Bob Weir, and Phil Lesh many times. My take on Phish is not that they are as good(or not--whatever your opinion is, fine) as the Dead, but that they found inspiration in the Dead's music that no doubt influenced the development of their own sound. When I saw Trey guest with Phil Lesh & Friends this was obvious in about 10 seconds. Everyone knew that Trey cherishes the Dead, and that helped make him what he is, his own unique musician. No doubt that John Mayer feels the same way about SRV, INPSIRED! Cheers,
Spencer