I've seen December 1999 called one of the best tours (if not the best tour) of the late '90s; I haven't done enough listening to it (outside the monster 12/11 show and Cypress), so I figure I should give some of the shows a shot.

The first set here is nothing particularly special; the Antelope's probably the highlight, but I've heard better. The second set, with a standard Boogie On and Jibboo, does not promise anything either. However, Bathtub Gin saves the day by bringing an groovy, souped-up jam that builds momentum like a boulder rolling down a hill; it's not Type II (in case you needed it to be), but it's a solid version nevertheless, especially for a set that was crying out for a big jam to save it. The Gin jam then goes really big, Trey really ripping off some manic solos, then collapses into a fog of white noise, from which you'd expect Also Sprach Zarathustra to emerge, but instead comes Alaska...no, just kidding, Also Sprach Zarathustra does indeed emerge from the pea soup and bring some manic (maybe a touch too manic) energy to the proceedings. Page plays a really weird and interesting descending 3 notes throughout; otherwise, the version is fun but not one for the record books. But then comes the real highlight of the set - a YEM that starts off pretty standard until Mike starts teasing the bassline to I'm Eighteen (great call by @metawhy - give the song a listen on YouTube, it's pretty much the same), and the band picks up on it and goes into an incredibly hypnotic groove that could pretty much go on forever without getting old to me (kudos to whoever's adding the ghostly, spot-on harmonies). It's something entirely different from YEMs, and definitely worth hearing, especially as the vocal jam sticks with the I'm 18 jam for a bit before taking a crazy left turn into Little Drummer Boy, from which everyone takes off except Fish, giving us an incredibly charming end to the set. That's an hour of music that not only saves the set, but makes it one to listen. You can give the rest of the show a miss, but that Gin/2001/YEM is worth the download time.

I really love this show and still enjoy listening to it today. Me and a buddy went to this whole December tour and this show is as good as any one on the tour. Never miss a Phish show at the Palace....

So, we go in and went to check out where our seats were....and they way up in the top on Fishman's side....and this show was not even close to full...all of the sudden some members of Phish's staff came walking through the upper areas with extra tix handing them out to everyone around?...kinda odd, then they made their way over to us and gave us tix for the floor!!! They told us Trey and the band wanted everyone down close and packed in...not all spaced out over the huge venue...score one for the fans.

First set was solid "opening of a tour" stuff...Jim opener gets thing going, Antelope is a monster. Kind ho-hum set beyond those two.

Second set is truly one of my favorites....Boogie is very nice (not a chula vista...but there never will be), Jibboo really swings and is fun. Bathtub totally rocks...not a funky or noodling jam...but total Trey leaning back on his ax playing a thousand beats a second and destroying the Palace...oh and it's 19 minutes long. Then the Tub drops into a really crazy 2001 with Trey playing on his keyboard and leaving this crazy DJ-scratching sound being looped over the whole time....very unique. Boom...YEM, and this one is one (like everything else in this set) is very unique...its not a "best of all time" or anything....just a very very cool jam...not funky, just rhythmic and textured and then it settles into this jam that's hard to place...then all the boys start humming/chanting over this crazy rhythm....it finally ends up with nice little holiday cheer and the actual vocal jam turns into little drummer boy.

If anyone knows what the YEM jam is...please drop me a line or post...after 11 years I still can't place it. The YEM is a true gem stashed away in an odd tour.

I believe the jam in YEM is based on Alice Cooper's song "I'm 18" or something near that title.

Great show....

First show of the late Fall '99 Tour that lead up to the epic Big Cypress run....this show boasts a sweet song selection and placement....unfortunately the current AUD recording from phishows.com isn't the best....however....it is worth a listen....especially the second set..

Runaway Jim opener is relatively short, but played well, clocking in at just over nine minutes.....Farm House comes next, and although well played, I do not feel that it should be the second song played.....better suited for for a fifth or sixth position IMHO...

Free (11+ min) is def. worth a listen for those who dig this song, which I don't know how you couldn't.....Free relaxes me and then gets me amped....I love it....one of my favorite Phish songs in general....

SECOND SET IS A SCORCHER

GIN (20+ Min) phucking RAGES!!!! (check 12:00-16:00)

2001 (15+ Min) has some really nice moments and is jammed out

YEM (28+ Min) Mike starts a really nice groove at 13:00 that is a MUST LISTEN and the boys take it to a great place!!!

(8/10)

Finally getting around to reviewing a fine release.

Set I isn't all that notable. A perfectly enjoyable Jim kicks things off in fine fashion before a dull Farmhouse, Heavy Things segment. Roggae is pretty choice here, even more so when paired with a fiery but straightforward mid-set Antelope. Wading, Poor Heart & Sample is an adequate run of tunes, before the set highlight version of Free kicks in. This one has a nice patient funky jam and some good playing all around before a requisite scorcher of a solo from Big Red. Coil closes things down pleasantly, per usual.

Highlights: Roggae, Antelope pairing & Free, but a more or less forgettable set in retrospect.

Set II is a doozy. It kicks off with some straight ahead, bundle of fun dance grooves in the form or a wah wah Boogie On & a nice version of Jiboo.

The real meat follows however, with an absolutely scorching Gin jam that was the best version I'd never heard type of rager. This dissolves wonderfully into a long and drawn our 2001 for those who hadn't had enough dancing. The YEM that follows is another treat with a beautifully tranced out vamp from Trey driving this unique version into an a capella LDB. For a 3 song pairing, it's about as choice as it gets. Bold As Love always welcome.

Highlights: The whole set is a nice fun suite of music, but if you are pressed for time you can skip the opening two tunes.

Jim starts things off as a very good warm up. Wading is a very well played version. Free is the star of the first set it is very strong. Besides that not too much notable above average versions in the first set.

The 2nd set is where the business is (as usual). Boogie On for being under 10 minutes packs a huge punch (why don't they open with it anymore?). Jibbo is also very solid. The Gin jam starts serene and beautiful and builds into an all out slaughterfest. Trey is shredding like crazy and Fish is just destroying drums left and right. The jam continues to build up and down like a crazy roller coaster from hell. An outstanding version that should be in the jam charts. It goes effortlessly into 2001 that is extra spacey and for the first half sounds like hundreds of of mice scampering around all over the place. YEM starts off interesting with a good long pause before Fish's symbol section. The jam section starts with a rhythm somewhat similar to Wolfman's Brother. This grows into a very pretty jam that soon includes vocal accompaniment. It's followed by a very notable Little Drummer Boy Vocal Jam that I'm sure was a cool welcome to winter tour for fans.

Bold as love has a pretty damn good guitar solo. I would recommend it.

Overall the first set is just ok. But the 2nd is outstanding!

this was a great show anyone know where i can download it