If you're looking for the best of the 97 Winter European tour, this show should be one of the first you pull down after 3/1 and 2/17. The first thing you'll notice about this show is the impressive setlist filled with bustouts and rarities, but there is some really good jamming in this show as well. The first set is highlighted by a pretty strong Hood, the best Tube played up to this point in the band's career, and a fine performance of the Fishman-penned Rock a William.

The second set gets off to a fast start with Buried Alive>Poor Heart>Ha Ha Ha. Ha Ha Ha is particularly strong as it includes a nice little jam tacked on the end of the song that I wish they would do more often. YEM is solid and the Scent of a Mule later in the set features a great jazzy jam which segues naturally into Magilla. This is definitely one of my favorite Mules. The set-ending Slave is very good and the show concludes with the last Highway to Hell until 6/12/09.

All in all, this is a very nice show and makes a fun listen.

To my ears this this the 4th best Winter 97 show after 3/1, 2/17, and 2/23, but it's a very fun show that is worth the download.

The number one thing it has going for it is the setlist... lots of rarer songs interspersed among classics.

The first set highlight is unquestionably the Tube which is the precursor to the magic that would take place on 12/7. Nothing else stands out, but all of the bustouts are very well played.

As mentioned, the second set SOAMule is a goofy highlight, and the YEM is above average.

Get this one for the setlist and early 90's-esque goofiness.

4/5

PHISH, WEDNESDAY 02/26/1997
LONGHORN
Stuttgart, Germany

SET 1:

Camel Walk: Huge bustout. Awesome way to start this show.

Llama: Standard.

My Friend, My Friend: Standard.

Harry Hood: Cool placement but average version. >

My Soul: Standard. >

Tube: Standard. >

Carini: Standard.

Rock A William: Standard, brief explanation of who Rock A William is/was.

Dog Log: Another big bust out. Not played since the famous version from 12.11.95, 90 show gap.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps: Standard.

SET 2:

Buried Alive: Standard. >

Poor Heart: Standard. >

Ha Ha Ha[1] - Heavy metal outro jam is sick, would recommend! >

You Enjoy Myself: Trey rips the solo, nicely done! ->

Kung: Standard. Standard. ->

Theme From the Bottom: Standard. >

Scent of a Mule > Jam -> Magilla > Scent of a Mule: I typically am a hater of Mule. But this whole segment was a ton of fun! Would recommend.

Slave to the Traffic Light: Very strong and soulful version. Great Trey. Would recommend!

ENCORE:

Highway to Hell: Standard.

Summary: Bust out city = instant classic plus this SBD tape being widely circulated did not hurt it’s popularity. Really fun show. 4/5.

Replay Value: Ha Ha Ha, Scent of a Mule > Jam -> Magilla > Scent of a Mule , Slave to the Traffic Light

[1] Heavy metal outro.

This show featured the first Camel Walk since July 2, 1995 (140 shows) and first Magilla since May 4, 1994 (261 shows). Ha Ha Ha was notable for the heavy metal jam outro. YEM included Super Bad teases. Trey teased Dave's Energy Guide in Theme. The jazz jam in the Mule Duel included an ‘A’ Train tease from Mike.
JAM CHART VERSIONS
Ha Ha Ha, You Enjoy Myself, Scent of a Mule, Jam, Magilla, Scent of a Mule
TEASES
Super Bad tease in You Enjoy Myself, Take the 'A' Train tease in Jam, Dave's Energy Guide tease in Theme From the Bottom