It was difficult to recall whether this was 1989 or 1990 from this distance in time. Luckily, a wee board dl from etree helped jog the memory. The Tree was sort of a dump, but hey, we sat in a booth right behind Fishman. By the end of the night, 80% of the room was filled with familiar northern New England faces from all walks of our lives–summer, high school, college, wandering. Burlington and Portsmouth scenes meeting Portland. Cool.

As was always the case in those days, this show was LOUD. I'm talking about ear-ringing-this-is-the-last-concert-on-planet-earth-loud. We bought a round for the band (Mexican cousin variety), and laughed, danced, jumped around and had a generally rollicking good time. The sidewalk scene between sets was gabby, and despite the January night, the Tree was steamy hot inside. Divided Sky was always my highlight back then, and this one rocks.

Was it really 21 years ago? That's hard to believe. Well, when I consider our energy levels then compared to now, I guess it is believable.

Sigh...I wish I'd recognized at the time that driving 2.5 hours on a Friday night was worth it to see Phish in a small club. School was beating me like a mule and I probably wasn't fired up for a road trip. I was at the Tree a couple different times, and my recollection that it was a fairly small place that tried to squeeze a band into a room that was really awkward for it. But they seemed dedicated to bringing in good live music and kinda made it work.

As for the show... it sounds like a playful, fun Friday night. Quite a bit of slop, but they were taking chances and being creative. I suspect that midcoaster may not have been the only one buying tequlla that night. I say fun but nonessential listening. Still wish I went though.

This was a very high-energy show to hear, although not a complete recording, it’s still a great “Lawn Boy era” show. Also, it was their last performance at the Tree Café.

I’m assuming we are missing at least 30 to 45 minutes of music in the first set as the recording cuts in half way through a pretty good Antelope. Tela still has rough spots. D-Sky was good and solid. The vocals get dialed in a bit more with another Carolina. And then the obligatory Zeppelin cover song to end the first set? Page belts out Communication Breakdown and I can see why this one didn’t last too long as a cover. Very interesting back half of the first set.

The new Coil starts off second set and I guess for the first time Page gets a mini solo at the end. It still has rough parts, but it’s new. Melt also had some timing problems from Mike and Fish, but a rocking jam. Trey had problems with the lyrics of Esther and then the recording cuts to the beginning of a really solid Reba. They lock in pretty well all the way through and then continue the trend through Jesus, Bag and Lawn Boy. My Sweet One had some timing problems with Fish, but not too bad. Foam was nice and tight and a pretty solid Caravan rounds out the recording as it cuts off again…

Not a bad half show to hear, just wish there was more of it to hear. I’m going with three stars.

Nice SBD recording for this one. Like Hanover there are some flaws. Unfortunately both sets are missing large chunks of music.

Antelope cuts in half way through the jam. This appears to be the middle of Set 1. Another beautiful version of Tela follows. Divided Sky is up next. I can’t imagine what must’ve been going through the minds of some of the lucky folks that were in attendance for this one. Carolina gave everyone a breather before the newly debuted Communication Breakdown closes out the first half in grand fashion! The band just absolutely slays this version! I wish they continued to play this throughout the 90’s!

Set 2 opens with newly debuted Coil. This version doesn’t differ much from Hanover. This fades into a rippin’ version of Melt. Trey fumbles the first couple verses of Esther and then the tape fades out shortly thereafter. Luckily it fades back in just as Reba starts. There’s some tape warble to start but quickly gets back on track. This version is noticeably faster paced than the versions that have preceded it. Compare this version to the one 6 days ago in Hanover. Great Reba tonight! Jesus Left is up next. Rarely played but always welcome. This version doesn’t disappoint. AC/DC came out of the gate swinging! I thought the pitch may have been off but I think it’s pretty right on. Like Reba this version is noticeably faster than usual. Damn this version kicks ass! Lawn Boy does a nice job of cooling off the small audience. MSO is noticeably faster as well. Nice Foam! Before Caravan starts up Fishman says “here’s one with almost the same beat!” Fantastic version! Unfortunately the tape cuts out following Caravan! Ugh!!!

Nice SBD recording for this one. Like Hanover there are some flaws. Unfortunately both sets are missing large chunks of music.

Antelope cuts in half way through the jam. This appears to be the middle of Set 1. Another beautiful version of Tela follows. Divided Sky is up next. I can’t imagine what must’ve been going through the minds of some of the lucky folks that were in attendance for this one. Carolina gave everyone a breather before the first known version of Communication Breakdown! This closes out the first half in grand fashion. The band just absolutely slays this version! I wish they continued to play this throughout the 90’s!

Set 2 opens with newly debuted Coil. This version doesn’t differ much from Hanover. This fades into a rippin’ version of Melt. Trey fumbles the first couple verses of Esther and then the tape fades out shortly thereafter. Luckily it fades back in just as Reba starts. There’s some tape warble to start but quickly gets back on track. This version is noticeably faster paced than the versions that have preceded it. Compare this version to the one 6 days ago in Hanover. Great Reba tonight! Jesus Left is up next. Rarely played but always welcome. This version doesn’t disappoint. AC/DC came out of the gate swinging! I thought the pitch may have been off but I think it’s pretty right on. Like Reba this version is noticeably faster than usual. Damn this version kicks ass! Lawn Boy does a nice job of cooling off the small audience. MSO is noticeably faster as well. Nice Foam! Before Caravan starts up Fishman says “here’s one with almost the same beat!” Fantastic version! Unfortunately the tape cuts out following Caravan! Ugh!!!