[Before I start: My OPINION vantage point is 68 shows since 1989]

I'm sad. Phish is evolving... changing.... and I am finally just starting to lose interest a tiny bit (which just means I'm not quite as obsessed anymore).

I think most old school hardcores would concur with the following quality hierarchy:
1. '97 - '98
2. Dick's 2012
3. Summer 2015

In that context, summer & Dick's 2016 would sound disappointing.... as they do to me. There can be any number of root causes and conditions for the absence of quality, long, cohesive type II jams, and I won't speculate here. However, what I will comment on is Trey's new trend of putting down the guitar and going up to jam with Fish on percussion and/or marimba lumina. Once in a tour, perhaps as a freaky fun occurrence would be OK, but now it's a trend. And a disappointing one at that.

I'm a little sad.... but not giving up hope. I will never give up hope. And I will always - for the rest of my life - have an entire library of "go to" jams to lean on. For that I am grateful.

Peace,
~Nigel