Jerry Garcia was truly special.

In 1987 the Jerry Garcia Band performed 13 magical nights on Broadway, culminating on Halloween with two shows at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The result of those two concerts twenty-two years ago today is my 4-CD Desert Island Disc titled Pure Jerry.

At both the matinee and the evening shows that day, the band played an acoustic set followed by an electric one. Four sets translates into four discs of classic Jerry. Although the quality of the recordings isn’t top-notch, that matters little as this is Uncle Jerry at his best.

An eclectic mix of tunes includes Mississippi John Hurt’s “Spike Driver Blues”, Jimmie Rodgers’ “Blue Yodel #9,” “Goodnight Irene” and “Ripple” on the acoustic side. While I love both acoustic sets, it’s the electric stuff that make my spine tingle. Of course, Dylan is well-represented with “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” “I Shall Be Released” and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” The afternoon show featured a smoldering 12-minute “Dear Prudence” and an encore of Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love,” while the late show included Zevon’s “Werewolves of London,” Chuck Berry’s “Let it Rock” and a boppin’ “Deal.”

If, by chance, you don’t have anything from the Jerry Garcia Band in your collection, I’d strongly suggest Pure Jerry as a delightful place to start.

And be sure to listen to it every Halloween.