This was a curious show. I remember the first set being very mellow. Everyone has preferences about what kind of Phish they want to hear but I’ve always felt that having no expectations and an open mind are just as important as wearing comfortable shoes. I recall some heads sitting nearby complaining about how the show was lagging. I understand where they were coming from but the band up there playing for 3 hours straight each night on tour and doing so better than anyone in the crowd so it always made me wonder how anyone could have a complaint about song selection. I felt that Fast Enough For You was a perfect response to the beginning of the show. It made me laugh and appreciate the music even more.

Scents and Subtle Sounds was the highlight for me. I had a version that I downloaded from Kazaa lite from one of the July shows. Not sure which. I was really drawn in by the opening of the song. The spacey weirdness was so unique and dark. I love the way Page’s keys create a vast bubble that Trey’s notes ping pong within. Its slinkiness and space between the notes makes me shimmy the way that only their beautiful music can. The double meaning of the word scents or sense is a reflection of speaker’s relaxed message and questions asking “what does it mean to you?” The second part of the song has a definite Who influence. The drumming in particular. It launches you into the colorful void that is the third movement. I was super stoked to hear this again a couple days later at IT. That weekend was a recorded rainbow of joy that I like to go back and visit from time to time.