Any CD credited to either the Grateful Dead or Jerry Garcia is not an optional disc for the collection. It’s a must-have. At least, it is for me. With that said, however, I still have a hard time recommending the new Rhino Records 2-disc set, “The Very Best of Jerry Garcia.” The first disc is interesting, bringing together what somebody deems the best of his solo studio work.

The second disc is good, but frustrating. It’s a collection of 10 of Garcia’s live cuts, none of which are with the Grateful Dead. That’s not the frustrating part. What is a bit maddening, at least for a longtime fan, is the way it all comes together. We get tracks from Jerry’s acoustic band right next to tracks from his electric outfit. We also get a cut from Old and In The Way (Jerry’s old-timey music outfit) thrown into the mix.

It’s also a nonlinear set, which moves haphazardly from the early ’70s to the late ’80s, to the mid-’70s and then to the early ’90s. The result is that there is no real flow to Disc 2. It sounds like one big hodge-podge, with little rhyme or reason to it. I know this is probably intended as an introductory overview to Garcia, but it’s likely to turn off more fans than it turns on.

If you are looking to get with Garcia, I’d recommend any of the “Pure Jerry” releases far ahead of his set. Better yet, just ask your Deadhead friend for some tapes. Jerry rules.