My first ever show. I was 15 years old and thought I knew what music sounded like. Good music anyways. I was way off. I was now introduced to improv in such a profound way. I heard the dead before but this was different. (No taking away from the Giants The Grateful Dead!) the boys had something different about them. There were a few technical issues but they played right thru like nothing even happened. I didn't live that far from The Chance. But was ultimately shocked and taken back by the culture that surrounded the band. It was one hell of a night for a 15 year old kid. Watching Jaime play the dig was enough for me to go out and learn how to circular breath. Still play it till this day. I look at their tour schedule back then and it's crazy. So many shows in so many places. I was hooked from that night on. Toured many years with them. Some of the greatest times of my life. Experiences that will ride with me to the end. It's like I told my one friend. One show and your hooked. Back then you never knew what antics they were going to do. Thank you Phish on demand for bringing some of the old school shows. The shows that started it all. Well almost lol. To a 15 year old kid they did. I was lucky to meet Mike many times. Trey twice. Fishman like 5 times. And Page a hand full of times as well. All down to earth individuals. Mike actually gave me a ride with his golf cart at the Clifford Ball. Still have the photos. And I have to agree with the other person above ^^. Watching Trey play is like watching a hand of Spaghetti fingers fly thru frets like a honey badger. It's insane!!!! Thank you Phish for expanding my mind to what music is. To play by ear is the most magical way to play. I can go to every show and I'll hear a different version of the same song every night. Not like those jukebox Hero's!! That's boring. My kids are now getting up there in age where they can listen and hear the differences that I point out. I don't know how much longer you guys can go but hopefully it's enough for the future generations to hear. Once again thank you Phish OD. For bringing these obscure shows to light.

(Published in the second edition of The Phish Companion...)

Due to the fact that a tape of this show has never come my way, this review will have to consist of mainly my personal memories of the show. Most of the music has long since been lost to me.
The first thing I noticed after the trip across the Hudson River from New Paltz was how different the feel was at the Chance that particular night. We had bought tickets at the door, but many people were bummed later to find it had sold out shortly thereafter. However, unlike other sold-out shows I had seen at The Chance, this crowd seemed friendly and familiar with each other. Not like the drunken, rowdy crowds at shows like Joe Walsh and Johnny Winter. I had gotten this feeling at Phish shows before, but this night was different.
After getting into the tiny, ancient vaudeville theater, my companion and I walked past the merchandise table. I was already signed up for the mailing list, but after she jotted her info down, I wrote my name and a little note saying "hi" to the band. It was for this reason that I think the following happened.
After getting a spot to stand near the center and against the second rail (about 1 foot up and twenty-five feet back), my friend went to use the bathroom. So there I stood, watching the opening band more or less alone when a guy came by and stood next to me, in her spot. Our conversation went something like this:
Me: "Excuse me, but someone is standing there. She just went to…you're Mike Gordon."
MG: "Yup."
Me: "Cool. Pleased to meet you." (while shaking hands)
Then a long pause passed by as we watched the opening band…
MG: "Pretty cool band huh?"
Me: "Actually, I think they suck."
MG: (chuckles)
There was then another long pause as we took in Skratch Baxter. Then a couple of guys came over fawning, screaming "MIKE GORDON!" and asking for autographs. He obliged them, then excused himself as he disappeared backstage. About that time, my companion returned to her place beside me, and I proceeded to relay the story to her. Her response? "Well, don't look now, but Fishman is standing on your other side."
I turned to look just as he was leaving. Drat! Perhaps another time, Henrietta.
Eventually Phish hit the stage, and I remember a slow start followed by a toe-tapping “Rocky Top”, and then an equipment malfunction. Our setlists remind me that it was “Colonel Forbin” that brought us a mystery guest on some large, odd instrument (reported to be a didjeridoo, but I remember it as one of those big horns they play on the mountains of Switzerland). “Sweet Adeline” was preceded by an explanation of how The Chance used to be a vaudeville theater way back when. Trey felt this was a good reason to sing “Sweet Adeline” without the benefit of amplification.
I believe it was during set break that some friends from college convinced me to join them on what passed at that time as "the rail": leaning against a five-foot stage, right at Trey's feet. I spent most of the second set marveling at Trey's guitar playing. I remember at some point being amazed by how many frets he could spread his fingers across.
I remember less of the second set then the first. But what sticks with me most is that when Fishman came out from his kit to sing “I Didn't Know”, he was wearing that funky superhero suit he used to have. It was made of a red and blue satin-like material so form-fitting it looked like the seams were about to bust! Hilarious. As I recall, my comment after the show was "that outfit was so tight you could tell if he was circumcised or not." (No, I don't remember the answer.)
Oh well, I guess if I was to keep any memory of this show it would be Zeroman standing at the edge of the stage with only his face protruding from that tight, red hood with the tiny cape coming off the back of his neck.
Speaking of “Hood”s, that's what the encore was, I believe by request. There were many people screaming what I thought was "hairy" when Phish came back onstage (not only did I not have many tapes then, but Harry was relatively rare). So Trey did a little speech that was lost on me, concerning the Vermont Dairy Farmers. And away we went….

Not the best audience recording but an enjoyable listen nonetheless. Big thanks to Todd and Arty for getting this one out to the community!

The first set cuts in with Fish drumming while Mike changes a broken bass string. This cuts and picks back up during Page’s solo in Foam. Unfortunately the Rocky Top opener is cut from the recording. Forbin>Mockingbird has Jamie Janover on didgeridoo for part of the narration. Llama rips. Bowie has a nice hi-hat hijinx section with Mockingbird teasing. Solid jam. For the first known time Phish performs with no amplification for Sweet Adeline. The crowd freaks during Fish’s part per usual. lol

Chalk Dust opens the second half in fine fashion. Strong Sky. Melt>Tela make a good pairing. Really nice Melt!
Zilch, Zero, Nobody delivers a fine bone solo for I Didn’t Know in his custom-made spandex red and blue superhero costume with a cape and hood! lol Sick Possum set closer!!Gorgeous Hood to wrap up the evening! Afterwards Trey dedicates that to all of the Vermont dairy farmers protesting Hood Inc. He says “it’s a little tongue and cheek, but it’s still a great song and we love playing it but we hope Hood changes their policies.” The PA outro music is Louis Armstrong’s “Duke’s Place”.