@dylphish said:

A bit disappointed in this list for two reasons. 1) Where is the MEXICO love?! These shows were and continue to be incredibly special to me. I don't understand how people refuse to acknowledge the greatness in these shows. Not even cracking the top 50?! The recordings themselves sound so pristine (and quiet!), brings me right back to that beautiful beach. Sure, the improvisation didn't come in the form of a monster 20-minute, but check out the entire second day. The jams in Cities-> Light as well as most of the second set (that 46 days tho!) were brief but powerful and majestically executed in my opinion.

Mexico was the biggest struggle for me, mainly because I've said I think the shows are better than the general populace thinks, but

a) I didn't want to give in too much to recency effect, and
b) We're talking about the best of the best, here. Top 10% of all sets, remember? I'd say they're comfortably in the top 20-30%, if that helps.

By the way, you identified the reason (or the main reason) people are knocking the Mexico shows (save 1/17) so hard in your own post. You'll figure it out, I'm sure. But don't let me, or anyone else, take the experience away from you.

And 2) My fav set of 3.0: Set II of 12/31/13 ! Jamming aside, this setlist is about as dreamy as it gets. Add in the occasion/30th anny, and you got something special. Not to mention everyone in the Garden was freaking out!

It's in Part 3; I'd suggest you go back and re-read. I was confused for a second because I thought you said 12/31/12 II, which is just fine but nowhere near as special as 12/31/13 II is.