, attached to 1997-11-30

Review by spreaditround

spreaditround SET 1:

Guyute: Typical version, but the crowd goes crazy for it.

Funky Bitch: Unfinished. Not your average version! Instead of ending it as they typically would, Trey lays back in the cut just funkily strumming while Mike runs wild and amok. It’s great and I would highly recommend!

Wolfman's Brother: During Wolfman's, the lights were turned off and Trey and Mike ducked behind the onstage speakers. When the lights were turned back on, they were hidden from the crowd. Wolfman’s also included a heavy metal style jam with Trey quoting the lyrics to Sanity and Esther. Man, when this jam hits – it’s just a beautiful thing. Like the Funky Bitch before it, Trey hangs way back in the beginning and let’s Mike take the lead. So mellow and so funky. Absolutely delicious. Please listen to the section in the 9’s and beyond. This is sublime, some of the best Phish music they have offered in their career. When folks talk about the band being in the pocket – this is IT. Doesn’t really get better. It is subdued, but that is the whole point. True perfection. This section goes through about the 14 even minute mark when Trey starts to cycle up the pace. The crunch factor enters the chat around 15:45. 18:55 – the hard core theme enters the chat. You know the one I am talking about. The one that goes on forever. If I ever get to meet Trey, this will be the question I lead with – what was the motivation for this excruciating section? Who were you pissed at? How high were you guys? What were you on? 26:25 people whistling, begging for mercy. None was granted. I know this deserves flames, but I will recommend this version. From roughly 9 through 19 is Phish at their career best. What comes next? Hard to put into words. Would recommend. ->

Love Me: Of all things they could have gone into, lol. Mike’s vocals are quite on point here. He must have practiced a lot for this.

The Squirming Coil: Great Page solo and the incredible dovetail into Loving Cup. This was the first time this combo was matched up in this order, plus 9.19.99, 10.2.99, 12.17.99.

Loving Cup: Perfect way to end this set. Smokes!

SET 2:

NICU: Standard.

Stash: Unfinished. Very intense Type I jam that takes a left turn into Type II territory around 11:55. 13:13 shift into porno funk mode. The eventual staccato playing from Trey is exceptional and driving. In the 16 minute range, the only way I can describe this is ‘coming in and out’ – I am certain this is a very poor description for this section so please listen to it but it’s like the band is dunking you under water and then letting you come up for air – albeit briefly. It’s incredible! By 19:45 this amazing section closes out. Big time, psychedelic effects follow but no finish and then into Free. ->

Free: First and last of the tour. Left off at 1:59, pick up the song at 1:59. This one is pretty funky. But in the mid 7’s it starts taking on elements of that heavy metal jam from Wolfman’s. Folks probably had PTSD already from that but this time, it was very brief, only a few measures. From there it goes into the ending theme. Really good Free and nicely jammed, would recommend! >

Jam: Super heady jam, ethereal. This melts exceptionally well into Piper. Very psychedelic stuff right there! ->

Piper: Page absolutely crushes on this one, banging on that baby grand! >

When the Circus Comes: Very nicely played. Who said this band doesn’t have soul?

Run Like an Antelope: Red hot Antelope! Absolutely smokes, great set closer. Had to have left most a puddle on the floor in the Centrum. They really rip this one.

ENCORE:

Them Changes: Debut. Thought Page sounded great with his vocals, very strong. Trey has a ripping solo. This was the only time they played this. Fishman also crushes on this.

Summary: Show absolutely smokes and is the best of the three night run, which is saying A LOT. That Funky Bitch is awesome, and half of the Wolfman’s is incredible Phish. The Stash, Free, Piper run in the second set is amazing and the Antelope and Them Changes just smokes!! The rating of 4.391/5 (192 ratings) doesn’t quite do this show justice. I would give it a 4.5/5.

Replay Value: Funky Bitch, Wolfman's Brother, Stash, Free, Jam, Run Like an Antelope


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