Although this was my first official show, I really didn't know what I was getting into. Rift had just come out, Maze and Rift were very new. Jim and Maze both stick out in my mind, and although I didn't return to see Phish again for almost two years, this show left a lasting impression (not to mention my introduction to the vacuum as an instrument).
My first "real" show turned out to be a special one. Little did I know when Trey started talking about a man in a dentist chair that I was about to witness the fifth (and last) ever live Gamehendge. Does Trey always tell stories between the songs? This show really blew me away, Trey was really into his sound making and loop delays as in a typical '94 show. Llama, the latest addition to Gamehendge as the liner notes in Nectar tell us, curiously opened the set. Divided Sky, the other album song noted for its Gamehendge affiliation, capped the set off well. Interestingly, there was another full Gamehendge set played only two weeks earlier in Charleston, WV, and this Great Woods version ended up being the last one to date. The second set was highlighted with the YEM->Frankenstein->YEM. Pure madness, I tell you!
My first Holiday Tour show, and a great beginning. The first set had a great Jim opener, and Uncle Pen and Possum are always welcome in my setlists. The second set, however, was the knockout punch. Guyute was debued about a month earlier, and proved that Trey's songwriting was only getting better. For a fresh song, Guyute was seamless. The David Bowie after that will go down in history as "The Bowie" in many fan's eyes. This was about a 45 minute version, complete with creepy vocal jams and playful instrumentation. This all built up to a more explosive ending than ever, leaving us all questioning our sanity. But that wasn't it. Halley's brought us right back to reality, then Fishman entertained us with his cymbals in Cracklin Rosie. This song also gave Trey a chance to show off his drum prowess while Fish took over the lead vocals. A roaring Good Times Bad Times capped off a legendary set. The encore was quite appropriate, with Two Dollar Bill and the rare Fishman tune Sleeping Monkey. You know you've seen a killer show when you get fun and rare encores like these, and everyone leaves smiling.
I: AC/DC Bag, Scent of a Mule, Horn, Taste, The Wedge, Lizards, Mound,
Fee, Antelope
II: 2001->Possum->Ha Ha Ha, TMWSIY->Avenu
Malkenu->Mike's->Contact->Weekapaug, Amazing Grace, Squirming Coil
E:Cracklin' Rosie, Golgi
AC/DC opener, what else to say? Could be one of the best openers there is, too bad it doesn't happen all that often these days. First time hearing Taste, a sign of things to come in the coming two years. Also got a bunch of Rift tunes, The Wedge being the stand out. A racing Antelope closed off the first set with extra high emotion. As usual, this turned out to be a second set show. 2001 kicked it off beautifully, and Possum kept the energy level high. Then we got a taste of some Fishman writing in Ha Ha Ha. This one was short and fun, and led to The Man Who Stepped and Avenu. This little medley always thickens things up mid-set. Plus, you know you're in for the goods soon after. Not to be disappointed, a great Mike's->Contact->Week pushed the show to another level, hinting at things to come in Plattsburgh and many other '96's. Amazing Grace seemed like an appropriate show closer, but no, time for Coil. Is it me, or do they always seem to throw in Coil just when you think the show is over (First night Great Went, Albany 12/13/97)? Cracklin' Rosie was fun, but the Golgi was a better encore.
I: Ya Mar, Llama, If I Could, All Things Reconsidered, It's Ice, Prince
Caspian, Split Open and Melt, Bouncin', Chalkdust
II: Wilson, Maze, Theme, Uncle Pen, Stash, Strange Design, Acoustic Army,
Hood, Suzie
E: Funky Bitch
Ya Mar is a great opener, it warms everyone up nice. A sweet Split Open highlighted the standard first half. A Live One just came out, and everyone was ready for some audience participation in Wilson. Other treats in this set were the Maze, Uncle Pen, and of course...HOOD! Trey came out for the encore and told the crowd that they were gonna play one that everyone always asks for but never hears. They were right - my first Funky Bitch was a raging one and wrapped up the weekend just right.
I: Julius, Gumbo, Divided Sky, Punch You, Stash, My Mind's Got a Mind of
It's Own, Axilla II, The Horse->Silent, Ragtime Gal, While My Guitar
II: Timber Ho!, Sparkle, Ya Mar, Antelope, Billy Breathes, Cars Trucks and
Busses, YEM, Sample, Frankenstein
E: Bouncing, Rocky Top
This show left me quite confused. There's something about a college show, especially when Phish was already this big. The first set started strong, but the Punch You did it for me. I had just started to listen to the song on older tapes, and I was praying for it at UMASS, even though I thought there was no chance of getting it here. As soon as the first notes were played, I lost my mind in excitement. Later in the song, I noticed very few people into it, let alone even standing. What? At that time Punch was pretty rare to hear, how could anyone be sitting? What can you do but ignore. The second set proved to be sweet, start to finish. The Bouncing encore put me to sleep, but surprisingly enough had the other 10,000 or so going crazy. Good thing they played Rocky Top as a second encore, or I may have gone into severe depression.
I: Split Open and Melt, Gumbo, The Curtain->Julius, Guyute, Horn, Rift,
Fast Enough For You, Possum
II: Timber Ho!, Theme, Wilson, Buried Alive, Tweezer, I Didn't Know, Uncle
Pen, Slave
E: Fee, Tweezer Reprise
This was a rebound show for me, UMASS being kind of a low note. As you would probably guess, the boys pulled me back in. Set I - the whole thing was pretty smokin, Guyute! Also Gumbo, Curtain, Possum, all consistantly great. But this show is famous for what happened in Rift. If you haven't heard, the entire PA except for the stage monitors just all the sudden popped in the middle of the song. Trey was laughing and Fish was fooling around, but Page and Mike looked pissed as they continued to play. Suddenly the sound came back in full force, and big smiles came over their faces cuz it was just before Page comes in with: "and silence contagious in moments like these..." Perfect! The whole place went nuts, it was hilarious. Actually, this sound difficulty became a sort of holiday tour tradition on it's own, see 12/30/96. The second set was even better, opening with Timber Ho!, and including Buried Alive (bonus), Uncle Pen, and the always sweet Slave.
I: My Friend, Poor Heart, Down with Disease, Fog that Surrounds, NICU,
Stash, Fluffhead, Llama, Sweet Adeline
II: Makisupa, Cars Trucks and Busses, Bathtub Gin->The Real Me->Bathtub
Gin, McGrupp, BBFCFM, Bass Jam->La Grange, Bouncin', Fire
E: Golgi
Another sweet New Years run show, first set DWD real nice. The second set became my favorite for some time after. My first Makisupa opened it up, what a great way to get things started. Then CTB, thought it was a cover, like a Booker T and the MG's song or something. Loved it, a perfect bridge to Bathtub. And what a great Gin it was, swinging and swaying. It got heavier and heavier...wait a minute...The Real Me! Quadrophenia was played only a couple months earlier, The Who was still on their minds. The song fit like a glove in the middle of Bathtub, and they really rocked it out with Trey doing his best Daltrey impression. The Big Black Furry was fun, another first timer (me and John called it). The show wasn't over yet, Gordon's bass instructor Jim Stinnet came out and did some jamming with his student, and then they broke into La Grange, a real crowd pleaser. Fire and Golgi wrapped it up real quick, what a great show!
I: Chalkdust, Bathtub Gin, Ya Mar, AC/DC Bag, Esther, Divided Sky,
Halley's Comet, Bowie
II: Split Open, Sparkle, Free, Coil, Waste, Talk, Trainsong, Strange
Design, Ragtime Gal, Mike's->Simple->Contact->Weekapaug
III: Makisupa, 2001->Down With Disease, NICU, Life on Mars, Hood
E: Amazing Grace
What to say about the Ball? Couldn't be much better. First of all the weekend was perfect, never mind the music itself. They simply gave us what we wanted all weekend. The first set was solid to say the least. The blue skies welcomed a screaming Chalkdust opener. Bathtub was in rare form. The whole first set was so nice, not much to complain about. It didn't take them too long to adjust to the huge setting. Before this show their largest were around 25,000. I thought they'd be overwhelmed by the 75,000 that were there, but they settled right in. AC/DC, Halley's, and Bowie all in the first of SIX SETS! Quite a feeling as the sun beat down on all of us while we listened to the magic. As the sets rolled by I kept asking myself "what else are they gonna play?" The daytime set was over, and we all went back to our campsites with big grins. We have so much Phish to go! The night sets were just as smokin'. The music was just as good as the setlists suggest, if you don't have the tapes get them. Just a great version of all of their favorites. The acoustic mini-set was a good chance to catch our breath, which led to the Mike's-Simple-Contact -Weekapaug. This was the first time I heard the new ending to Simple, and it floored me. That segment of Simple is a defining moment of their sound. The third set nailed everyone. The whole thing was picture perfect, and that's all.
I: My Old Home Place, Punch You, Reba, Cars Trucks and Busses, Lizards,
Sample, Taste, Fee, Maze, Suzie
II: The Curtain, Jim, It's Ice, Brother, Fluffhead, Antelope, Golgi,
Slave
III: Wilson, Frankenstein, Scent of a Mule, Tweezer, Day in the Life,
Possum, Tweezer Reprise
E: Harpua
Another day of perfection, great weather and all. The first set was standard, all old and new favorites. Long setlist, don't ya think? Second set is a great one, especially on tape. Every song is quality, just look at that lineup. Jim, Fluff, Antelope (mid-set!), and a slave all in one. The third set kept it coming, with more old favorites. They really gave us what we wanted in these shows, great tapes to have. The only dissapointment was the encore. It's too bad cuz everything was going so well, but things got screwed up with this Harpua. First of all, the plane's timing was all off. Second, the narration started off good, but went nowhere. So thats how it ended, a screwed up Harpua that was never finished. They nailed everything else in this whole weekend, sad that it had to end this way. I bet they had this great idea to end the big weekend off with Harpua and surprise everyone. Little did people know that they would make up for it a year later...
I: Ya Mar, The Sloth, Llama, Gumbo, Reba, Talk, Funky Bitch, Theme, Good
Times Bad Times
II: Timber Ho!, Uncle Pen, AC/DC Bag, Guyute, Tweezer->Lifeboy, Scent,
Slave
E: Possum
This show goes down in history for me, truely a defining musical moment. For some reason not everyone felt the same way, but if you get the tapes and take a close look you will understand. At first I really loved the second set more than the first, but now I see them as near equals. The first set was so snappy, full of power. Every song fit coming from the other, and except for the sound popping in Funky Bitch, it was a near perfect set. Each of the songs were the best (if not near best) versions I have ever heard. It's too bad cuz the Funky Bitch was rocking so hard, I swear they turned up too loud and that's why the sound went out. Even though the songs are somewhat standard, it was just another example of the setlist meaning nothing - the band was just on, they played the hell out of whatever song they happened to be playing. The second set defined the reasons I love Phish. I won't go too into it, but there really was something magical that night. I was hanging on every note, and every note they played seemed to be the right one. This show launched me to a new level with the band, and I have never heard them the same since.
I: Axilla I, Peaches, Punch You, CTB, Stash, The
Horse->Silent, Divided Sky, Sample, Tweezer Reprise
II: Chalkdust, Wilson, Sparkle, Simple->Swept Away->Steep, Hood->Prince
Caspian, Character Zero
III: 2001->Auld Lang Sine, DWD, Suzie, Antelope, Bohemian Rhapsody,
Julius
E: Amazing Grace
Any show would be a tough act to follow after last nights experience. Nevertheless, my first and only New Years show turned out to be a good one. A basically standard first set was opened with Axilla I, which I think has better lyrics. So those of you who were wondering where the Tweezer Reprise was from the 30th, it turned up at the end of the first set. This was a really cool idea, cuz in a way the two shows act as one, as if it's a five set show, and that's what it really is. The second set was nice and powerful, with some great jamming. Chalkdust was nice as usual, as was Wilson, Simple, and Hood. The Simple ending jam was real nice, a way I judge all Simples these days, and this was a winner. The third set was really just a huge New Years party. 2001 was expected, and at midnight they dropped something like 60,000 balloons on us, as they went into Down With Disease. DWD is one of the most fun songs these guys play, and it fit perfectly for the occasion. Antelope was big, as we all searched for an ounce of energy left in us after this draining night. Then came that huge chorus - all in neon orange robes shining in the lights. Bohemian Rhapsody was a surprise, and then they threw in Julius just to see how it sounded with 50 choir singers in the background. Amazing Grace encore, a mellow end to a crazy night.
I: Amarina, Poor Heart, Water in the Sky, Gumbo, Horse->Silent, Beauty of
My Dreams, Crosseyed and Painless, Wilson->Little Drummer Boy, Sweet
Adeline
II: Jim, Ghost->Isabella, Sleeping Monkey, McGrupp, Sample, 2001->Golgi,
Frankenstein
E: Theme
We came a long way for just this show, hoping for a winner. And there were no complaints. Got a bunch of first timers - never heard Amarina, and haven't since. I only have the second set of this show, so the first set is kinda foggy in my mind. Water in the Sky was another first timer, and not too shabby. Gumbo was sweet, and it was real nice to hear Crosseyed, didn't think of it but a treat. End of first set Wilson, that's different. Where Little Drummer Boy came from I do not know being mid-summer, but it was cool to hear it come out of Wilson. Second set - Jim opener! Got to be my favorite in that place, and it was nice. First time for Ghost, little did I know where this song was going. First time for Isabella, too. A bit of Fish on Sleeping Monkey, then an oddly placed 2001. Song placement in this show was different, left us guessing even more. All in all, not a spectacular show, more like initiation night for a bunch of new stuff.
I: Makisupa->Harpua, Chalkdust, Theme, Punch You->Ghost, Ginseng Sullivan,
YEM, Trainsong, Character Zero, Coil
II: Wolfman's->Simple, My Soul->Slave->Rockytop->Julius
III: Halley's Comet->Cities->Llama->Lawn Boy, Limb by Limb->Funky
Bitch
E: Contact->Loving Cup
Rain sucks. Especially after dealing with it at Burgettstown. All I know is I woke up in a water bed around five in the morning, and we never dried out until Sunday night. Anyway...the shows. Makisupa opener at 4:20!! Keyword this time: Gooballs. How appropriate, they really were everywhere. Then they wasted no time fixing what they broke last year, with basically the second half of Harpua, well done this time. The rest of the set was very long, seemed like it would never end. They also had some sound problems, but they worked them out for the other five sets. Great setlist, but never really got too into it. Just a little adjustment for everyone, I guess. Unfortunately they started EXACTLY at 7:00 for the second set, and I missed the two songs I really wanted. Oh well, on tape Wolfman's and Simple are so chill, really flowing like one long song. So all I caught for this set was Slave, Rockytop, and Julius, and they were good. The third set, however, was the mind-bender. Actually, after the second set Trey said, "Were gonna come back with some really strange stuff, so get ready." He wasn't kidding. Just ask Smalls. So anyway, the Halley's was amazingly slow and screwed up, and crept into Cities. This was no ordinary Cities, but very s l o w and confusing. I don't think anyone knew what was really going on. Then Llama, which switched gears just a bit on the speed end. Lawn Boy, whatever. Limb by Limb, still growing on me. Then they did the fireworks up at the end of Funky Bitch, which was quite a specticle. With a Contact encore, you can only hope and pray for another. Of course - Loving Cup. The final set was the best of the day by far.
I: The Wedge, Beauty of My Dreams, Dogs Stole Things, Vultures, Water in
the Sky->Maze, Bouncin', Tweezer->Taste, Carolina
II: DWD->Bathtub, Uncle Pen, 2001->"Art Jam"->Hood
III: Buffalo Bill->NICU->Weigh->Guyute, Dirt, Scent, Prince Caspian
E: When the Circus Comes to Town->Tweezer Reprise
So here we go, another three sets. Wedge openers are real cool, and this was no exception. Then we got inundated with four new ones, which was cool, but I can't lie that I was ready for the Maze. The Tweezer was great, complete with a Cities jam. They've been using that groove in a lot of their jams, and it always seems to fit well. Second set was right up there with yesterday's third set for the two best. Just look at the setlist and you understand why. The Bathtub gives me bigtime chills every time I hear it, and many say it could be the best ever played. The mode they get into, especially Trey, as the jam moves along is so good it's scary. This groove put everyone in a trance, then Uncle Pen out of nowhere, which is fine with me cuz you know we're gonna get some vicious soloing from all four of them. We've all heard about the 2001->art jam, and it was cool but it took a while for them to send the thing down. Hood was nice, I heard about the glowstick show at the Gorge, and Trey had Chris turn off the lights once again. Gotta admit, it's pretty cool. Set three - Guyute. We all wanted it, and thankfully it made the final set. Not much else to say about it. And I like Circus, but is it really an encore? Reprise made up for it a little bit, but I don't know. Maybe next year they'll nail the big encore after a tour ending weekend show like this.
I: Tweezer->Sparkle, Gumbo, My Soul, McGrupp, Dirt, Split Open,
Horse->Silent, Taste
II: Character Zero->2001->Cities->Ya Mar->Punch You, Prince Caspian, Poor
Heart, Tweezer Reprise
E: Cavern
So this show kicked off my own little fall tour run. The Tweezer opener was nice, as was Gumbo, McGrupp, and Split Open. This was a solid set, though I have to say there were some I wasn't jumping out of my seat for. Really wanted the Gumbo, it's sounding real snappy these days. The second set was sweet. Although I'm not the hugest fan of Zero, the jam after the vocals are through is always interesting, and this was no exception. I just remember thinking how twisted the playing was at the end of this song, it was just disturbing. Then we get into it - 2001. Hardcore funk, which spilled over into Cities, Ya Mar, and Punch You. These four songs were really one big funk jam, each coming out of the blue from the other. If you have the tapes listen to the transitions, especially into Cities and Ya Mar, real special. The rest of the show was standard, except for the weird Poor Heart. They were playing Rockytop, and then Mike started singing Poor Heart. Did he screw up or was he screwing with us? We may never know. Oh, and one other note. The Cavern had that new part where Trey sings an extra line or two and plays this dark riff. Anyone know what it is? Oh yah, Cavern is not a good encore.
I: The Curtain, YEM->I Didn't Know, Maze, Farmhouse, Black-Eyed Katy,
Theme, Rockytop
II: Timber Ho!, Limb by Limb, Slave, Ghost, Johnny B. Goode
E: My Soul
This was a solid show. The YEM was nutty, full of the funk, vocal jam, and a vaccuum solo. Then we got treated to an I Didn't Know, not bad. Maze...yes! This was the first time I heard Farmhouse, didn't see Conan O'Brien that night. Not a bad soft little one, chalk it up on the list of those new ones. Black-Eyed Katy ruled, first time for that one too. Couldn't figure out if it was a real song or just a funk jam. Overall a fine set, kinda weird song and order choice. Second set: I still love a second set Timber Ho opener, and the new ones really go out there. After I heard this Limb by Limb I knew I would love it. Just a great, soothing, feel good song. Plus we get treated to Fish on the angelic vocals. Other than that, Ghost was so funky and nice, this really is turning into a show stopper. And then...My Soul encore. What a dissapointment. Not only did they just play it the show before in Hartford, but it plain sucks as an encore. I can live with it, but it has no business being in that place. I must be jinxed for encores, from now on I should just expect something boring.
I: The Wedge, Foam, Simple->TMWSIY->Avenu Malkenu->TMWSIY, The Sloth,
Ginseng Sullivan, I Saw it Again, Horn, Water in the Sky, Bowie
II: Jim->Strange Design, Hood, Prince Caspian, Suzie
E: Buffalo Bill->Moby Dick->Fire
OK, I didn't go to the wrap up show on Sunday, so I was hoping this was the one. And yes, it was. The whole first set was great, so many I was calling for. The Wedge was smooth, this may come into full rotation again judging by how the jam is going. I wanted Simple and Sloth so bad, and they were both solid versions. The fact that The Man Who Stepped and Avenu are sandwiched in between them makes it even better. What a great mid set lineup. But the killer: Bowie! It was so high energy, so raging. Unbelievable power, this is one epic tune that is still gaining speed. It had the entire place in confusion, they really nailed the place. What a great set closer, and one of the best versions I've heard. So what can I say about the second set? JIM. 58 whole minutes. There was a Weekapaug jam in there at the end, but it was all Jim. Historic. Twisted. Mind bending. Just what I wanted. I thought the whole set would be Jim, but theres was some other stuff, Hood being the biggie. They really gave it to us tonight, that's all I can say. The encore: finally! Trey comes out saying, "Fishman picked this one. Fish you start it off, it was your call." So a few minutes into Buffalo Bill, Trey starts yelling, "Moby Dick! It's Moby Dick, everyone!" Then they tried to play it, which never happend before, and this led into Fire. This encore was the boys just having fun, laughing and trying new things. I bet they probably only planned to play Buffalo Bill and everything after was, how do you say, improvised.
I: Yamar->Axilla I, Theme, Ginseng Sullivan, Strange Design, Sample,
Vultures, Tube, Good Times Bad Times
II: NICU, Punch You, Ghost->Mike's->Llama->When the Circus->Weekapaug->
Catapult->Weekapaug, Hood
E: My Soul, Coil
OK, so where are all the extras? There were so many at Friday's Worcester show, why does everyone have their finger up? We didn't drive six hours from Durham to Burlington to Albany to get shut out. God must have heard our pleas, cuz me Justin and Joe all got singles, probably the only extras at the place. Anyway, on with the show! Yamar was almost a half-hour... what? Never knew this set opener had those capabilities. Since New Year's '96, I'd always rather hear Axilla I than II, mostly cuz I'm not familiar with the lyrics and they sound much cooler. Overall, the set seemed pretty much standard, with the exception of Tube and Good Times Bad Times, both of which were treats. Vultures has potential, didn't quite get it yet, though. Make no mistake, the second set was historic. NICU and Punch You will both always be special to me, no matter how much I hear them. But the real fun began with Ghost, a sick version. As the ending came and it got real chill, the opening riff to Mike's snuck in so quietly. What's that I hear, Mike's? Yes!! But we had no idea what this mikes would be like. If you haven't heard this, it's quite nutty. Trey started calling for Mike to "Bring the Dude," and then the rest of the boys started in on him. So Mike brought the dude, allright, with the most demonic bass solo I've ever heard. Then Trey got to break it down two times with some real pornographic guitar riffs on his own. Then Page got his chance, giving the clavinet a workout funk-style. When this madness was over, the jam grew into some real head-spinning material. Soon the jam was flying which was a perfect time to insert Llama, and ragingly fast I might add. Circus gave us a minute to catch our breath before Weekapaug. The Weekapaug was sweet, but the Catapult sandwiched in the middle made it. All lights out except one spot on Mike, as he bellowed out the lyrics Gregorian Chant style. We figured Weekapaug would end it, but they floored everyone with the opening notes to Hood. What can I say. The encores were standard, (thank God they didn't leave it with My Soul), and do the second set little justice. You must hear the second set, musical mastership and pure lunacy together as one.
I: Tweezer->Taste, Bouncin, Funky Bitch, Ginseng Sullivan, Limb by
Limb, Lawn Boy, Character Zero
II: Birds of a Feather->2001->Brother (x2), Ghost->Lizards, Bowie
E: Hood
Tweezer openers have turned into my favorites, and this one was no exception as Trey had it swinging and swaying. They did something interesting here, cuz Tweezer Reprise was the final encore the night before in Nassau, and then Tweezer followed it up right away in this show. We couldn't figure it out since they didn't play Reprise at all later in this show or the next night, but they reversed it this time. Taste kept it going, but then Bouncin took a step back. Funky Bitch was smokin, but it was hard to get real into it after the letdown. Limb by Limb made the set for me, this song is really great and keeps getting better. Character Zero was nice and tight, and ended the set with authority. Tweezer, Funky Bitch, and Limb by Limb made up for Bouncin and Lawn Boy, as it turned out to be a set with its high and low points. The second set opened with a repeat of the four show tour with "Birds of a Feather," which sounded like it could be a big one this summer. One of those complex structured jams that goes a lot of places. Thought 2001 would open it, but they played it second instead. This went into a rare Brother, with a sweet unexpected jam in the middle. A few minutes after they finished Brother, they played the main line a couple of times, which Trey called the "edited, radio friendly version." Then came Ghost, "a radio unfriendly song" which is "very long, and very slow" according to Fish. The Bowie closer was as ripping as the 11/29/97 version, and was followed up with (yes!) a Hood encore. Finally, a big encore!!
I: Oh Kee Pa->You Enjoy Myself, Theme, McGrupp, Bathtub Gin->Cities,
Sparkle, Split Open and Melt
II: Down with Disease->Yamar->Jam w/Trey solo->Prince Caspian,
Maze->Oblivious Fool->Possum->Jam->Cavern
E: Bold as Love
OK, last show of the "Island Tour" so it's got to be special. Oh Ke Pah warmed us up, then they didn't waste any time getting into it with YEM. This 30 minute version had it all, including tramps and vocal jam with major light freak-outs. The Theme was one of the best I've ever heard, real powerful. The set just kept going, all solid versions of worthy songs. Bathtub into Cities thickened things up mid-set, and Split open ended the set forcefully. While the first set gave it to us straight up, the second was completely free form. Almost none of the songs were finished, as each transformed into the next. During Yamar Trey just sounded on with his smooth finger-picking, and the band thankfully let him take it away. I had never witnessed this before, all lights out except for one spot on Trey and no one else playing. His solo went on for a few and was just smokin. Never seen Trey move around and show so much emotion before this set. Caspian was loud and in charge, and then we were treated to a mid-set Maze, which turned into the funk and never came back. This morphed into Oblivious Fool, my first time for this new one, highlighted with a sweet bass line in the intro. Possum came out of nowhere, and at this point I felt as if I was at a different show. As this flowed into the funk once again, Trey announced that "we're just gonna funk it out for a while, so this is for all the people who came down to dance." After a few minutes of spontaneous funk, Cavern came to be. This was no normal Cavern, but really a funk groove with the lyrics of Cavern sung over it. And they also threw that extra part into it, like in Hartford last fall. What is that, I still don't know. Cool though, spice up a little one like Cavern. Page sang out the final lyrics of the tour with Bold as Love, and that was that. This show had it all. While the first set was near perfect, the second set was a great example of Phish throwing out the rule book and having fun.
I: Mikes->Simple, Beauty of my Dreams, Roget, Split Open, Poor Heart,
Moma Dance, Divided Sky, Water in the Sky, Funky
Bitch->Cities, Weekapaug
II: The Wedge->Reba, Gumbo->Sanity, Tweezer, The Horse->Silent,
Chalkdust, Slave
III: NICU->?!?!?->Bowie, Strange Design, Limb by Limb, Brian and
Robert, Loving Cup
E: Halley's Comet->Cavern, Tweezer Reprise
IV: Ambient Jam
Here we are, third time around. The only show I could catch this summer, so hoping for the good stuff. And we got it - perfect weather this year, great atmosphere, everyone all ready. Opening with Mike's is sweet, nothin' like jumping right into it. This was a Mikes-Weekapaug set, everything else sandwiched in between. Simple was good, but the ending jam didn't float off as much as the great ones. First time for Roget and Moma Dance, need to hear Roget again, not a strong impression. Recognized Moma Dance right away, I heard it was a funk spinoff of Black Eyed Katy, and turned out to be real nice indeed. Sounds like the end is really Black Eyed, so these two are probably going to be as one from now on. The double time Water in the Sky was sweet, it gives it its own feel now instead of just another slow one. Overall this set had some great stuff, but like last year they were having some sound difficulties, especially with volume control. We couldn't figure out if it was the wind or the amps., but it was rough whatever the cause. Plus it was kinda early for some of those biggies, like Split Open, Funky Bitch, and Cities. Set II - deja vu all over again from the Went - we missed The Wedge, Reba and Gumbo, and walked in during Sanity. Four songs I was looking forward to, and like the Went, they started early and we were also late. Anyway, Tweezer and Chalkdust were great, and it was time to gear up for set number III. For some reason, NICU set openers seem to set a very chill mood for the rest of the set. This NICU was no exception, but there was no way we could have prepared for what was to come. Put it this way - the sounds they were creating before Bowie were more than scary. For about five minutes Phish enjoyed creating explosions in everyone's brain while pushing us to the brink of...then Bowie punches through. Insanity, as expected. Like the Worcester Runaway Jam from last fall, Strange Design was strategically placed to bring everyone back to Earth. This song is perfect when played just after time warps like that. Limb by Limb was great again, this song just keeps getting better. Loving Cup was RAGING - ending the set ferociously. Halley's encores are so cool, and the jam afterwards was groovin. Don't really like Cavern enough to be an encore, but we were all rewarded when Trey announced that they would be coming back for a FOURTH set...what? By the way he said it, it sounded like they might play for hours. So we stayed and waited. Soon they came back out, and for about an hour played some real quiet, peaceful music. No vocals, and like the set list states, real ambient. So we just layed on our backs and drifted to this amazing thing. I really can't say enough about the vibes at this point in the weekend. Everyone just sitting or laying there, relaxing to this amazingly chill music. I think I was drifting in and out of sleep, half-conscious, to Trey's gentle playing. Wow, what a night.
I: Ginseng Sullivan, Bathtub->Rift, Punch You, Yawn Boy, Ya Mar->AC/DC
Bag, Relax, Birds of a Feather, Gyute, Possum
II: Down with Disease, Piper, Ghost->Fluffhead, Circus, Velvet Sea,
HYHU->Sexual Healing->HYHU, Antelope
III: Sabotage->2001, Wilson, Mango Song, Character Zero,
Bittersweet Motel, While my Guitar
E: Hood, (Baby Elephant Walk)
Ginseng was just what I wanted to open this day. Nothing too serious, just a solid bluegrass tune to get things warmed up. Then...Bathtub! Couldn't wait for this one, and with the sun shining brightly and everyone groovin, it was perfectly placed. The ending jam didn't quite match last year's, but I'm not sure if any Bathtub will reach the goosebump-levels of the Went version. Rift was a nice surprise, then a powerful Punch. This set had the makings of a good one, a great day time set. Lawn Boy gave us a minute to sit, and then Ya Mar heated it up again. And finally, yes, AC/DC!!! I've been bitching about not seeing this one in forever (11 shows) and I finally got the treat. And a great one at that! What a perfect time to catch it, the feeling in the daytime air was so fine. Relax was cool and twisted, but kinda wanted something like that real late when it's dark and more evil. Another winner with Birds, this set keeps getting stronger. Then a picture perfect Gyute, I've only heard one or two perfectly played Gyutes (see 12/30/96), but this was one of them. Trey wasted no time in the breaks, just ripping through the changes. This Gyute had power, to say the least. Then the sunny set was topped off with a cookin' Possum, another well placed and well played tune. This Possum was stretched out, Trey continually topping his last solo. Yes! What a set, got so many that I was calling for. Second Set - We walked in just in time for Gordon signaling Disease. A second sed DWD opener, like last year, and who could complain. Then Piper, this is right up there with my favorite new ones. Love how this one swells, solid version, which was followed by Ghost, and seemed to be completely different in the mid-section from any other I've heard. Fluffhead was a nice surprise, wow we just keep getting big song after big song. Circus gave everyone a breather, and I was struck by how quiet 70,000 people could be as Trey wispered the vocals. Then Wading in a Velvet Sea kept us sitting, what's the deal with this yawner? Then came Fishman, Sexual Healing. We laughed the whole way through, a real treat. Plus Trey on drums. Fish really got into it, and we even got about six running bows. So glad to see some Fish antics at the big show. The Antelope set closer was good, they abandoned much of the mid section, which I kinda missed. By the third set, we were getting beat. Plus, they took over an hour betwen sets, what the hell were they doing back there? But the opening notes of Sabotage woke everyone up, what a great set opener! When I heard they played this earlier this summer, I was thinking that it was great that they played a Beasties song, but why Sabotage? My question was answered, as it Rocked! Trey's vocals were great, and they nailed every section. So glad to have just gotten this set on tape. The we got a sweet 2001, complete with the giant light show. Wilson was a surprise this late in the show, followed by another surprise in the Mango Song. Mango was just great, sounds like they've been working on it, cuz it sounded real fresh. Wouldn't mind hearing more of this one live. Character Zero is OK in my book, but I never call for it. I will say that the ending jam to this is always sick and demented, and this was no exception. Trey just went off with some disgusting guitar, heavy metal from hell. Chalk up Bittersweet Motel on the "New Slow Song" list, whatever. Then WMGGW, not too big on this cover, but who can complain when they do a Beatles cover. So I along with 69,999 others called the Hood encore, but it's not that we didn't want it. And it rocked, as usual, ending a near perfect weekend to a close. I've gotta say that this year's big weekend rivaled the Clifford Ball. Great weather, relaxed atmosphere, and smokin' Phish.