From: Yance Davis
Subject: The Philadelphia Run (long)
Date: 5 Jan 1997 12:26:32 GMT

I haven't seen too many in-depth reviews of Philly so here's my rather
long attempt to do so for two great nights.

Well, I went into this surprisingly down.  I found out a day before the
shows that the person who was going with me (we ordered tickets to
together long ago, and have been talking about these shows since the damn
Ball, but I guess something came up...) was Not going.  I had a place to
stay with an old friends from high school, but driving alone from
Maryland, no matter how many tapes you have, sucks on so many levels.  The
roads were all foggy, and I started off late, all of which makes for an
unpleasant mood to begin in.

Parking:  Wasn't too bad except that I wasn't paying attention and parked
in the wrong Spectrum lot.  Sure it was attached to the venue I'd be at,
but that lot (the six dollar one) was for Disney on Ice.  Whoever set up
these two on the same night was drugged (See the summer Hershey incident).
Who's got my doses".  It was funny in a way, but not many would see it
that way.  They tried to guide me into this lot which was for "the
phisheads" and also ten dollars.  On general principle, I drove back and
said "So, is this where I park for Toy Story on Ice".  The spot was good,
though the 'scene' was younger than usual.

Selling My Tickets:  The first night I got there at 7:00 with my friends
two tickets to sell (one for each night) and set out to find the perfect
customer.  I passed up the "I need a ticket.  I need doses" people right
away.  Hell, make up your minds at least what is more important.  I found
this nice couple and sold it to them face value.  They paid and started
talking to someone walking by without a simple fucking thanks.  He was
trying to sell them NYE tix he acknowleged were fake for really cheap.
The next night's ticket was So rewarding to sell.  I saw an unexpected
friend from work and was talking to her when this girl of about 19 came up
and asked for a ticket.  She was more than happy to pay face value and she
just started hugging me and was almost crying she was so happy.  It was
bliss for me and I was speechless.  It's hard to respond to someone
telling you that you're the greatest person in the parking lot.

Any Show is General Admission When You're Alone:  Ok, this is bad in a
way, I suppose, but being alone at the show was so different.  When you're
stuck with someone else, it's so much harder to get where security doesn't
want you to be.  Alone, on the other hand, I was like the wind.  You just
wait around for a head to turn and slip down.  One fine trick I learned
though, was stand with someone with a valid ticket like you're with them,
listening closely while the usher explained where the seat was.
Seriously, I got to 7th row floor the other night with a top level ticket
just because the usher guided me there.  The lights go down and you stand
in the aisle with other pholk, and no one cares.  Sorry if this is bad,
but truly, that is where the show is.  The sound is all powerful, the
lights are hypnotic, and Trey stares at you at least once a song, smiling.
I'd like to think it was sincerely aimed at me, but I think he's just a   
generally happy person when playing...

Music: 12/28  first set
 Ah, Runaway Jim.. A great way to start.  It wasn't long, but it was
a good start and set a pace for all.  NICU had me dancing the whole time,
like it always does.  Some real fine work from Page on keys, but truly he
was on All night on the 28th.  Not to say other nights he sucks, but this
night in particular he shined.  I'm not going to review every song, since
I'm long enough already here, but instead I'll go for what stuck out.
Billy Breathes didn't.  I wait for that jam to sound as nice as it could,
but I woulda sat down if I had a seat for this one.  SOAMelt was the
highlight of the first set by far, and though I was already tired from the
drive I danced the whole time.  Mango Song was a treat, as always.  I
don't know what to make of Frankenstein.  I fastforward through it on
every tape, yet can't help but get down to it in concert.  Not only that,
but at first it seemed like they did it note by note according to Edgar
Winter down to the drum solo even, though little by little Phish is
expanding this one (very little though, but it was nice to see a few phish
touches to it).

On the Phish scale: a 5.0    a perfectly average Phish set (which as usual
I have to add is still a good thing)

second set

I love Makisupa.  Always have since I heard it, so I'm biased here. All I
can say was that it wasn't as good as the CBall version, which just blows
me away.  At Trey's random line he threw out "Stink! Stank! STunk!" in
honor of the Grinch of course, though perhaps a dual meaning there as
well.  I thought it was Bowie at first ( this has happened to me before
with Maze) but was just as happy to see Maze.  It was strong and long
and I was content.  I was so fucking psyched to see the jam that lead into
TMWSIY.  It was the same jam that Trey always does with delay (ala 5/7/94,
12/31/95, 12/29/94...) and surely a herald of good things.  People started
to talk during it which blew my fucking mind, and there were a few
screamers too.  It was more of a jam than last years NYE, as the other
band members tried to play along, but not quite the level of the Bomb
Factory version.  I don't think Trey originally knew where he wanted to go
with this (and I won't call it Dave's Energy Guide simply cuz I've only
heard it on one tape, but it just doesn't sound close enough) but  after a
little noodling and near-confusion, the opening notes of TMWSIY started
and the rest of Phish caught on quick.  It was soft and mellowing, and
this kid kept yelling for Avenu Malkanu.  That's like yelling for Silent
during the Horse, but I digress.  Avenu was a tight jam, but at the end,
while all were expecting the direct return of TMWSIY, the opening notes of
Mike's sounded.  It was great.  Trey's been doing a lot more scraping that
in some older versions I've heard, and with a Wah-like accompaniment, it
really sounds incredible.  Not quite the Mike's->Weekapaug of 12/28/94,
but a damn fine one nonetheless.  There are good and bad inserts between
Mike's and WGroove; Simple->Harry Hood of Las Vegas is good, and none will
argue.  Strange Design just isn't.  It's a great break for them from heavy
amming, but looking at the whole Mike's Groove as a unit, it takes away a
fair bit from the entire jam.  The fade out of Weekapaug was almost
like Coil, in that Page just got to jam for a good 5-10 minutes
while the band watched on.  It was poignant and sweet, though I was
glad to see the boys sticking around rather than heading directly
backstage, even if all that remained was a Star Spangled Banner.
Johnny B. Goode was a decent version, though not the best I've heard.  I
can't believe that as rare as this tune is, I've seen it every time but
once.

Phish rating 2nd set: 8.0
whole night gets an even 6.5         
Thanks for reading if yer still here.  And many thanks to Phish.  I wish I
could have been there at New Years, but at least they were kind enough to
put on a show like that for those of us who couldn't be.  Peace

Yance DAvis
yance@wam.umd.edu

PS.. And I've never grovelled, really, but damn, if you have this show,
I'd sure as hell love to get a copy.  I'd tape it for people and name my
firstborn child after you, boy or girl.  Thank
                                   
-----------------------------------------------------
Subject: ** Setlist: 12-28-96 Spectrum **
From: "J.E. \"Ellis\" Godard" 

I wasn't sure ZZYZX was going to make it to the show tonight, so
I did some timing of my own. :) Now, keep in mind that I'm but an
apprentice, and that I'm not equipped with the proper tools
(stopwatch, light, clipboard, compas, and secret decoder ring) of
a Master Timer, but, well, here's my stab...

12-28-96, Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA

set one (60 min):
Runaway Jim (8:20)
NICU (5:15)
Wolfman's Brother (6:35)
It's Ice (8ish)
   with a whammy loop at circa 5:05 that was nifty
Billy Breathes (oh, i dont know... around 5)
Ginseng Sullivan! (3ish, but great to hear!)
(then a 22 second pause... proud of me Dave? :)
Split Open & Melt (i'll give it a 10 1/2)
Mango (6, I got 6, anyone gimme 6 1/2? 6 1/2. goin once...)
Frankenstein (does it vary? does it matter?)

set two (75 minutes give or take a bounce):
Makisupa Policeman (9 minutes even)
   including "Stank Stank .. Stunk" line
-> Maze (14 minutes or a bit over and SUPER!)
Bouncing (4:21, or just long enough to visit the loo)
-> Dave's Energyguide (Crimsonish Jam, anyway; a bit under 4)
-> TMWSIY (also a bit under 4 minutes)
-> Avenu Malkenu (2 1/2 ish?? help me Dave... i'm slipping...)
  (no TMWSIY return)
Mike's Song (whoa, baby! hot... oh. the time? hmmm.... uh...)
  with a great jam including a tease of Simple
  and then lots of other stuff
  and then Mike teases Train Song (I thought)
Strange Design (too many minutes for me)
Weekapaug Groove (what *is* time, really, anyway?)
  during which Page was GROOVIN
  ending in a FAB! Page meltdown (like, but not like, Coil)
Star-Spangled Banner
  dedicated to Kate Smith, who used to sing "God Bless
    America" before every Phlyers game, who passed away
    a few years ago, and whose statue is positioned at
    the will call entrance (for anyone reading this before
    Sunday's show)

Encore: Johnny B. Goode (which was long enough but
    not as strong as any of the other 5 I've seen)



Having dispensed with the Apprenticeship duties, on with the fun,
a review like i *used* to do for every show i saw...

SECURITY: Amazingly kind. I asked a policeperson outside if she
was working Sunday and she said, "No, I only get to do tonight"
and I asked "*Get* to?" and she said, "Yeah, I'd rather be here
than dealing with some crowd with guns" and with enormous giggles
added "I don't think anyone here has a *gun*!" .... Inside, even
though *no* employee seemed to know anything about a Greenpeace
table (hint: *don't* walk clockwise from the portal for section
8, or you TOO will walk the ENTIRE circle), all of them had
earnest expressions and took educated guesses, both of which earn
bonus point on the Lemurian Scale of Staff Niceness (or NEFFS,
using the last letters, of course). .... Also, extra ubersuper
gold stars for the quick, friendly, and entirely *gentle* way in
which 12 (count em, 12) staff, security, and medical folks
assisted one guy who slipped and fell on his face following the
encore.

LOT: I'm continually amazed at how people trash the entire
$#&@%ing world! :(  *Please* bring a trash bag for your trash,
and encourage others to use it. (btw, if you see me, I'll be glad
to give ya one -- we travel with boxes of em.)  Great to see Taz,
Lizz, Rosemary, Charlz, Charlie (though the d00d didn't see me;
we've only met once, and that was... nevermind), Dave, Mark,
Mitch, Paul, Alex, Steve, Stretch, Tammi (nice ta meetcha! :), 
 
LIGHTS: Seemed tamer than the past 14 months or so. Mebbee net
thoughts and discussions (about their intensity as a distraction)
were passed along (possible), or similar thoughts occurred
elsewhere (likely), or mebbee just the attention that the lights
were getting suggested that, like the Minkin backdrops, they were
a distraction from the show. Dunno. Anyway, things seemed calmer,
more in control, for much of it. Least, we thought so. ... And
the red projection light (that little dot that comes from a pen
used in presentations, which frequently emerges on the stage
backdrop or PA) has re-emerged, this time on the ceiling,
directly above the Monitor Fellow's head. .... But if you want
*really* distracting and annoying, check out the @*@% lightsaber
thing that from where I stood was, by perspective, as tall as
Mike, but a lot BRIGHTER and spinning and dancing and .... ARGH!
so, yeah.. there was that.

COSTUMES: new category for my review! :)  Page, Trey, and Mike
(Kristen pointed out to me) all seemed to be in all black. not
sure why. mebbee a hint or suggestion or leadup to the NYE
shenanigans. (Also, along that line, note that the NYE shirts
have lots o balloons. Yeah, they're dropped large ones every
year, but... well.... I can imagine! :)

SOUND: Pretty good from where we were, though Mike coulda been
louder in Mike's Song! :(

AUDIENCE: Nice, seemed  pretty in tune with things, quiet for
most of it (especially for Mango, though NOT for Star-Spangled
Banner, and coulda held out a bit more during Page's Weekapaug
Meltdown.) 

THE SHOW (my 53rd): Still kinda fried, but thought the second set
was wonderful; definitely some hose action going! :) Wondering if
we'll get any repeats over the four shows given what they played;
figuring that Mike's Groove is likely for NYE, so maybe that one.
And, well, I'd love to hear Energyguide again! ;)

AFTERSHOW: Went to the Middle East (corner of Chestnut and Pine)
for 7 bands for $6. Ominous Seapods were just finishing on floor
three when we got there, but we got to see Rugby Road on the
second floor and, BOY! am I more convinced that they're talented,
earnest, fun, strong, and promising! I like their material, their
delivery, their stage presence, their flow... I even like their
shoes. There are a handful of up-and-coming bands that are
getting attention (rightly) round these parts (rmp et al), but
there are only a few in which *everyone* in the group seems
strong, with no weak links, and Rugby Road is definitely one of
those few... They're going places, mark my words... (Note: The
flyer also advertised Mimi Fishman's Liquid Playground, but I saw
no such happening advertised or occurring once at the venue. :(

Looking forward to more fun... 
------------------------------------------------
Subject: 12/28 setlist/review
From: truss13@aol.com (TRuss13)

Hey, hope everyone is having a good holiday season and is ready for a
great New Year's!

Setlist:
I: Runaway Jim, NICU, Wolfman's brother, It's Ice, Billy Breathes, Ginseng
Sullivan, SOAMelt, Mango, Frankenstein
II: Makisupa> Maze, Bouncin', Delay loop jam> TMWSIY > Alvenu Malkenu >
Mike's Song > strange design, Weekapaugh, Star Spangled Banner*
E: Johnny B. Goode!!

Pretty nice show in general; lots of energy, probably a 7.0 on the 10
scale that people use around these parts

Jim: Never got really spacy, nice jamming by Trey, short...a nice opener
to pump up the crowd
NICU: Nice!! I wanted to hear this one, and they played it well. Pretty
standard, except before the repeating of the chorus that closes the song,
Trey gave a "Leo" yell, and Page cranked it up on organ for a minute or
two, Otherwise, solid--one of my favorite songs.
W. Brother: Never heard it live before, some nice melodious jamming for
only about a minute or so (not that this is supposed to be an epic).
Strong standard performance, as with NICU
Ice: Pretty spacy during that middle section. Trey banged around on his
kit, and they got a good groove together which faded into a strobe by
Chris. Not the best version of this song, average
Billy Breathes: as with most songs in this set, strong, regular version.
No real jamming, just pop in phish's latest CD, and that's what I heard
here.
Ginseng Sullivan: Nice!! Pumped me back up after the soft Billy. Trey had
some real nice soloing here.
Melt: Fish started the drum beat and then stopped. Trey went over to Mike
and Mike jumped up and down after Trey said something. I was honestly
thinking they would whip out a Guyute or something special. But Fish
started SOAM again. Very strong, had the best jamming of the set. They
built it and built it into a perfect resounding outro jam. Sweet, the hose
was on here!
Mango: I wanted to hear this, and they played a standard strong version.
Frankenstein: Yup, yup...nice selection. Had a little more spacy jam in
the middle than they do regularly, left me pumped up for the second set.
The time on the first was a little over an hour (I think...I didn't time
it)

II:
Makisupa: Strong version, the jam wasn't too spacy. I think Trey's lyrics
went something like "Woke up this morning, stink......stank......stunk",
this faded into a super spacy-type jam. They continued this for a couple
of minutes and I thought they would go into 2001, and after Fish started
the high-hat thing, I thought they were going to Bowie, but no they
suprised me with...
Maze: Solid, solid version, super powerful and building. Very nice jamming
by the entire band, Page lead the jam for a while before Trey brought it
to a furious climax.
Bouncin': I might be getting jaded, but I really couldn't get into it at
all
Delay Jam: Trey started doing that delay loop jam, without the loop. If
you've heard NYE '95, it's that guitar thing during Mike's where Trey
plays ascending notes, starts over and ascends them again...this went on a
while and I'm not sure if there was a little Dave's energy guide in
there....this jam built and melded beautifully into...
TMWSIY: Nice and sweet. I was thinking they might do a little Gamehendge,
because the mood seemed right, but instead the standard Alvenu Malkenu
followed, which was nice standard. 
Mike's: Trey was not into doing a standard jam from the start. He started
doing these palm mutes for a minute or two. Then built it into this spacy
jam which was wierd, but had some great moments. It wasn't great, I'll
really have to hear this song again: there was some nice stuff going on
here, for a second it went back to the standard jam (with that 1-IV-V jam,
hold each chord for a measure), but soon returned to this wierd silent jam
that really didn't go anywhere until they went into...
Strange Design: standard.
Weekapaugh: SD didn't > into Week. there was a definite pause. NIce
jamming here, not strong building, but some nice melodious stuff. Trey
went on his drum set for a little, played guitar and then just put the
guitar down and walked over to Mike who stopped playing. Fish then stopped
and there was this Page solo that went on for a _long_ time. At least 5
minutes, maybe 10. It was astounding work, and I was once again dazzled by
Page's proficiency.
SSBanner: Trey said that growing up he was a Flyer's fan, and still is. He
said this is for Kate Smith, it wasn't God Bless America, but it was the
national anthem.

Enc: JBGoode, whooa I called this as the encore, and was sooo happy to
hear it. It was a real stong version, and kept on smoking and smoking as
Trey brought it around a couple times. Very powerful, great closer for a
ncie night. It was dedicated to some fan who threw a TMElmo doll to Trey.

Overall, a nice solid show. The songs that didn't get jammed were solid.
The song selection was solid. Some jams were ferocious: SOAM, Maze, Page
on Week. A nice 7.0

Hopefully there is more to come tommorrow, when Trey comes on saying:
"Final score: Eagles 28, San Fran: 23" and the crowd goes crazy.

Sorry this review is sloppy, I wanted to get it done before I went to
sleep. Tell me what you think, Later and see you tommorrow,
Adam
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/adr128

--------------------------------------------------
Subject: 12/28 setlist/review......................Rosemary, coud you
From: TOMC 


12/28/96 Philadelphia Spectrum, Phila. PA
I. Run Jim, NICU, Wolfmans Bro., It's Ice, Billy Breathes, Ginseng
Sullivan, SOAM, Mango>Frankenstein

II. Makisupa>Maze, Bouncin', TMWSIY>Avenu Malkenu>Mikes>Stange Design,
Weekapaug(was sick)>Page Jam, SSB

E: Johnny B. Goode

IMO, the first set didnt really start jamming until the SOAM(was way
phat), this jam may have sparked the stellar 2nd set, it really got the
crowd hype. The Mango>Frankenstein was sweet. Frankenstein was ontime
the whole time.
 The 2nd set crazy. The Makisupa>Maze transition was great. No 420 or
DANK, this time it was "Woke up in the mornin', Stink- Stank- Stunk-". I
thought Trey was gonna say "Stink- Stank- DANK!"
TMWSIY>Avenu>Mikes>Strange Design was definetly the diggity. The jam in
Mikes was the sickest I've seen. Strange D. was totally unexpected.
There may have been some teases during the Weeka, but I'm not sure.
Also, Trey took to the drum kit during the middle section(of Weeka).
 Before SSB, Trey mentioned the Flyers, "As some of you may know I'm a
big Flyers Fan..." and something about LeClair. Then he dedicated it to
Kate Smith, "Its not God Bless America, but its the best we could do".
All in all it was a great show (as always), and if the next three are
anything like last nights 2nd set...    ;) dave           Go
Phlyers!!!
---------------------------------------------------
Subject: NYErun in Review Pt. 1
Date: 2 Jan 1997 15:33:16 GMT
From: "James C. Raras Jr." 

Happy New Year's everyone!  I just awoke after going to bed at 7:30am, 
needless to say I had a grrrreat NYE!  First off I want to thank phish 
for an entertaining show as usual (see review below), and I especially 
want to thank everyone who attended the net.gathering at The Commonwealth 
Brewery, I think I speak for all when I say it was a great success, I 
thank you all!  It was really great to see old friends as well as people 
who I have never met face to face before, it was a blast!  It just makes 
me realize that eventhough the music is what it's all about the friends 
that come along with it are fantastic as well and I'm really glad to be 
part of such a great group of people.  I want to thank Craig Hilliwig for 
the patches and all the help when things went sour, I really appreciate 
it (Schoeps rule :)!  And last but not by any means least I want to send 
out a big thank you to Mark Goldberg for hosting a great after show get 
together and for putting up with my drunken banters :)  Allrighty, on to 
the meat of my post, the 1996 NYErun in shortened review form, part 1...

12/28/96

After getting lost in philly (bad section of Broad st) we finally made it 
to the show, I won't really go into details on the scene as you all know 
what it's like (a large typical east coast crowd), but there was waaay to 
much gas (n2O) around, oh well.  The Jim opener got things off to a nice 
quick start, can't say I was surprised though, NICU was a nice treat and 
Wolfman's was really fun with some interesting turns, Ice was pretty 
average imo.  Billy Breathes was next, standard slow tune no real jam, I 
would have prefered Fast Enough, next was a Ginseng, woo hoo, I love that 
tune!  Split was next, pretty good, but nothing too crazy (see 12/95 and 
8/93 Splits as well as 6/11/94 and 4/21/93), a semi sloppy Mango was 
next, and Frankenstein closed the set.  Overall pretty standard and 
really short set, imo.  Yes I am "jaded" (obligatory glance toward 
Dirk420 :).  Set two was  fun, the Makisupa > Maze to open reminded me 
and my other tour partners, who I talked to later, of St. Louis.  Check 
out the "Stink, Stank, Stunk" line Trey borrows from "The Grinch That 
Stole X-mas" in Makisupa, congrats to Craig D. (schwag queen??;) for the 
great observation!  See if you didn't come to Boston I couldn't have used 
that :).  Bouncin' was next, not bad, then Trey hits the delay into 
Dave's EG, whew hOO, which segues magnificantly into TMWSIY > Avenu, no 
TMWSIY rep..  Then basically the greatest sound that these ears can hear 
filled the hellish sounding Spectrum (worst sounding venue phish plays 
imo), yes I'm talking about the MikeS intro, we compared it to Vegas and 
St Louis on the ride to MA and I liked this one better than the other 
two, but don't get me wrong it's no 12/30/93 nor 12/7/95 etc...  MikeS 
|'ed into Design, ehhh... to keep my self from bitter comments I'll 
refrain from talking about this, I told you I was "jaded" (glance toward 
Dirk420 :), but I must admit AJ did love it ;)  There was no > into 
Weekapaug, and overall I thought it was weak, the set closed with the 
Banner dedicated to the Flyer's old singer (i forget her name, sorry).  
The JBG encore was nice, but I think it would have fit better as the enc 
on 12/29 rather than Rocky top, but who am I to say.  Keep an eye out for 
part two, if you got this far I'm proud of you, part two will include an 
offer for a D>D copy of the NYE FM's that I taped this morn (Sony rec > 
DA20), sorry no D>A's I have no analog deck as others can attest to.

off to eat and rest so more :)

take care,
jim    
-------------------------------------------------------
From: afrankel@ix.netcom.com (Arthur Frankel)
Subject: Comments: 12-28-96 (long)
Date: 25 Feb 1997 04:31:57 GMT

Hi everybody,

Note: Everything is strictly my opinion, and if you disagree, please
comment.  Thanks.  Also, numbers that come in () after songs, like so:
(4), are my ratings for this particular version on the Scott J. scale,
except instead of whole shows, I'm doing songs.  So, a (5) would be a
perfectly average (great) version of a song.

Just a few thoughts regarding the 12-28-96 Philly show. I guess this is
kind of a review, sort of, maybe, (definitely), but I'm just wide awake
tonight and I'm hoping to increase the discussion of Phish's music, so
here goes.  I know it's late for a review (what's 2 months?), but heck,
I like to talk about Phish (don't we all?).  Anyway.  

Our seats were pretty bad, and the sound wasn't particularly great
(section 70, top level, way off to side, though not directly to side of
stage; we were a *little* out in front, and could basically see
everybody).  One thing I noticed thoughout the Holiday Run, and maybe
someone will agree with me on this, was that the sound was noticeably
better for the second sets of each show, and this phenomenon was most
noticeable, imo, on the 29th and 30th.  Regardless to the somewhat
muddy sound (I thought it would be worse, so I was mildly enthused), we
were treating to an typically excellent -- okay, a little better than
typically excellent -- set of Phish.  I gave it a 6 I believe, but
that's just imo; I don't honestly believe it was deserving of anything
less than five however, for even after reviewing the tapes numerous
times, it is clear that Phish played a very tight, enjoyable set
(often, a show seems great until you hear it again on tape, but the
tapes did not in any way make this set worse than i remembered it).   

Runaway Jim was a nice, relatively short opener, not anything like the
12-31-95 Jim, but more or less like the 12-29-94 Jim opener (until it
got spacey and --> Foam) or even the 10-23-94 II Jim opener.  Concise
and enjoyable, an average (excellent) Jim (5).  NICU next was great to
hear, and I was glad to hear it, and really liked the placement of it
this time.  This version's comparable to the 12-29-95 version, ont ape
anyway (I was not at 12-29-95, so can't comment otherwise).  It's a
song that you always want to hear, but, imo, anyway, it's not quite the
song you'd want to hear mid/late second set, it just doesn't have the
power potential to fill that role (12-14-95, with jam, etc., EXCLUDED).
Anyway, a good NICU (I don't know: 5 or 6), few flubs by Trey, but
typically nice.

Now, for the first above-typically-excellent tune of the night,
Wolfman's Brother.  I can't tell you how much I love this version.  At
the time, I was pretty unenthused to hear this one (Whoopee, Wolfman's,
you know?), but by the song's end was sporting a gigantic smile.  This  
is truly a *great* Wolfman's Brother (at least an 8, but I'd go with a
9), and would not be surprised if it is one of the top two or three
versions out there.  Just an excellent, strictly "type I" (as much as I
don't like to use that phrase), feel-good jam at the end, that was much
appreciated and enjoyed.  I really like to use this as filler.  It's
Ice was good to hear (I liked its placement here), though nothing
special as far as Ice's go, and it was not, imo, as good as the 8-17-96
Ice.  I didn't notice anything particularly moving regarding the middle
space section where, sometimes, a nice "dark" jam can pick up, and I'm
too lazy to check.  Perhaps a little below average (4) for Ice's, but,
as is most (all) of Phish's music, thoroughly enjoyable.

Billy Breathes -- again, Phish shows us their ability to place songs
perfectly.  Very sweet, as to be expected, harmonies decent.  Trey's
trilling at the end was beautiful, and I really like this song, so a
definite plus in my book (6).  Comparable to the 12-9-95 Billy.
Ginseng Sullivan was the first bluegrass tune of the night (I don't  
count Possum; you may, however), and I was happy they pulled this one
out.  Nothing special, except that it is relatively rare, so a nice
addition to this already great set.  Nice and tight Ginseng (5).

It was time for a jam now, and I was both unsurprised and excited when
Fishman kicked in the Split Open and Melt drumbeat.  Imo, this was the
next better-than-average jam of the night (6.5 or 7).  It approached
the 8-16-96 SOAMelt set II opener, which was *excellent*, but I don't
think it surpassed it.  It did, true to form, get *very* dark and
scary, however, and I quickly labeled this with a "!" to signify its
role as an Official Matt Set Highlight, of which there were two in this
set (Wolfman's the other).  Lots of effects used by Trey in this one,
and he certainly used a *lot* of feedback to create major tension.  I
thought this was a great SOAMelt.  The Mango Song was, again, the
perfect, serene, happy song to follow the dark, frightening SOAMelt
which preceded it.  An inspired Mango (my first live) that was, as are
most Mango's, very enjoyable and upbeat.  Nothing particularly special
about it, though it was exceedingly tight (typical Phish).  Fun stuff
(I dunno, 5.5).

Frankenstein was an excellent closer to an excellent set.  Not quite as
powerful as the 8-17-96 Frankenstein, because I think outdoor, natural
darkness with the moon and wispy, ghost-like clouds overhead help to
create a more effective mood for this song than an arena does.  Still,
tight and powerful as all hell, as to be expected.  Nowhere near the
quality of 10-31-96, however, but an awesome set closer, for sure (5).

Set two opened with a short, somewhat weak Makisupa Policeman, but it's
hard to call such a likable song weak.  It was short and un-jammed,
that's for sure, but Trey played some neat stuff on his percussion kit
(including some fat effect that sounded like a rock dropped into a
well).  Makisupa, though, is a good opener, so I was happy with it,
Decent, though short, version (3.5).  Makisupa faded out into the
high-hat intro, and I called for Maze, and Maze it was, and the     
high-hat intro, and I called for Maze, and Maze it was, and the
familiar bass line kicked in rather quickly, so all questions as to
Maze/Bowie were quickly answered.  This is the third definite
highlight, above average excellent Phish song of the night.  Now, the
8-17-96 Maze *completely and totally* knocked my socks off -- I was
surprised not to hear more ranting about it after Cliff Ball.  This one
was, in a different sense, equally as mind-blowing.  Trey comes in
ferociously to his solo with some off-key, Arabian-feel, almost
speeded-up Taste-esque jamming that, for me, was unprecedented.  After
some of this excellent jamming (which was preceded by a very, very good
Page jam/solo), it climaxes excellently, as usual.  Just a great early
second set Maze, which, imo, is its perfect placement.  Maze belongs
here 75% of the time.  This was was *awesome* (7.5).

Bouncing was very pretty, as usual, and was well-received.  I didn't
mind it, really; it's a sweet song, and after that Maze, I needed to
find my brain hiding among the Flyers banners.  Bouncing, too, was
placed well, and played well, fwiw (5).    

Ahhhh, the DDL Intro.  I let out a welp of joy, and everybody looked at
me, like, "If it were Mike's or YEM or something recognizable, that
scream would be warranted, but this?  I don't know this."  Anyway, I
knew what the DDL intro meant, something good was to follow (12-29-94!
12-31-95!)  It was drawn out, and it's a really eerie "song," but I
loved it.  It segued AWESOMELY and FLAWLESSLY into TMWSIY, which was
sweet and is totally welcome at any time, definitely.  A sweet TMWSIY,
though nothing exceptional for this song, which, of course, led into
Avenu Malkenu, which was played ultra-powerfully.  Harmonies were
great.  I was psyched (DDL > TMWSIY > Avenu: 6).  This set was
measuring up, easily, to the first.

Avenu stopped, and instead of the usual return to TMWSIY, Trey
immediately kicked in Mike's Song.  Yes!  And, no!  Yes, because,
Jesus!, we were hearing Mike's.  No, because this was it for the rest
of the run.  The Yes! side of me won.  Immediately my mind started to
wander, and I pissed my pants at the thought of a DDL > TMWSIY > Avenu
> Mike's > TMWSIY > Weekapaug.  That woulda been one totally whacked
out and amazing string of songs.  Then, I realized I was listening to
Mike's, so I zoned back in.  It was a dark, "heavy" Mike's, with some
scratching, distortion tyoe noises/playing from Trey.  (Dananana-NA,
Dananana-NA, if you've heard it).  All in all, an okay Mike's, much
less melodious than 8-16-96, though nothing terribly mind-blowing, but,
to be sure, I was happy as hell.  It was a decent Mike's (5 or so).
Segue to Strange Design.  It was fine; this song I like, regardless of
the feelings of hate many have towards it.  Standard, my first one
non-acoustic, and it was good (5).  Weekapaug was next, no segue,
however, and it was an average, or a little above average Weekapaug.
First some normal (beautiful) Weekapaug soloing from Trey.  Then he got
on the kit, and did some really cool rhythmic effects that sounded
great, while Page took the lead.  This Weekapaug, instead of going into
the final chorus, disintigrates into just Page, and he plays a
marvelous, long, inspired piano solo to basically wind things down.  A
good Weekapaug, imo, worthy of merit b/c of extraordinary percussion
kit effects by Trey and the incredible Weekapage solo to close things
out.  I thought it was, overall, a good Mike's Groove, and an awesome
Weekapaug, perhaps beating out 8-16-96 and 11-23-96, and I was
thoroughly ecstatic (I'd give Week. a 6).

SSB was fine.  I was glad to have heard it, but bummed that it was
their only a capella number ALL RUN.  Huh?  Oh well.

Johnny B. Goode raged.  Good choice for an encore, but obviously not at
the level of 12-31-95.  An upbeat version, and a great way to cap off a
great tour opener.  It was tight (do I even need to say that) and Trey
really wailed; thier just excellent musicians, and every time I forget
that, they remind me super-quick.  Anyway, this JBG was fun/fine (4).

The show was excellent, overall.  Perhaps it was stronger, overall,
than any of the other 3 shows following it, and some have even put it
higher than 12-31-96.  The next night's second set would essentially be
my New Year's (and I saw the Boston shows, too), and perhaps the
greatest night of my life, for several reasons which I'm not going to
talk about in the least.  But this show, too, was special -- it saw a
mind-blowing version of a sometimes lackluster song (Wolfman's), a
super SOAMelt, a mind-blowing Maze, and a great DDL intro --> Weekapage
Solo.  All in all, this show gets a 6, but I'd come close to giving it
the old 6.5 bonus for some nice segues (DDL > TMWSIY, Mike's > Strange)
and overall song placement, which was impeccable.

If you got this far, I pity you.  Thanks a lot, though, for reading.
No grovels, please, I'll offer this one up in about 3 weeks.

Later, Matt 
--------------------------------------------------------
From: Icculus3@aol.com 
Subject: Holiday Tour in Review - Part I - 12/28 and 12/29 
Date: 3 Jan 1997 22:48:21 GMT
 
Hey, Happy New Years to all! 
 
Well, I got back from Boston yesterday and got 16 hours of sleep that I
lacked over the past 4 days. What a wonderful time was had by all over
the past 4 four days and I would like to express my gratitude to Phish,
Shelly, M.O. personel and everybody else that made this great run
possible.  Without further ado, here is the review as best as I can
recount it: 
 
12/28/96 I: Jim, NICU, Wolfman's Bro, It's Ice, Billy Breathes, Ginseng
Sullivan, SOAM, Mango --> Frankenstein
 
II: Makisupa --> Maze, Boucin', Daves Energy Guide (digital delay loop
jam) | --> TMWSIY --> A Venu Malkenu --> Mikes --> Strange Design,
Weekapaug --> Long Page Solo, Star Spangled Banner*
 
E: Jonny B. Goode
 
* With dedication to Kate Smith
 
The Scene: was very reminiscent of other shows. It was a pretty generic
scene. There were plenty of ticketless. Lots o' people selling glass,
etc.  We were sittin in front of the barricades in front of the Rocky
Statue trying to find some friends, but to our avail we had no luck.
 
The Security: was very leniant and relaxed. They made the show very
enjoyable and laid back. My friend and I saw some very nice security
guards dancing at their posts when we made a run for the lavatory
during Bouncin'. It was pretty funny to see them try to emulate our
noodle dancing techniques. Nonetheless, as Ellis and some others have
mentioned the security was very cool, except they would not let me
bring my water inside the venue......... Darn.... 
 
The Show:  Runaway Jim: It wasn't too long. Pretty good jam segment. It
was solid, but couldn't hold a candle to 12/31/95. Nevertheless I was
pleased with this as a choice for an opener. 

NICU: Psyched to hear it. Pretty standard, except Trey missed a couple
notes and it sounded a little awkward after the minor flubs.

Wolfman's Brother: This was the most jammin' Bro I've ever heard. It
lasted fairly longer than most, but it was so firey and energetic.
Machine Gun Trey was in full effect while making his obligatory head
girations. This was surely an above average Wolfman's. 

It's Ice: I love when Fish Stands on his stool. This Ice had a spacey,
haunting feel to it. It was pretty standard. 

Billy Breathes: My first. I actually enjoyed this one a lot more than I
expected to. It is a very melodic and harmonious tune. That outro solo
is very peaceful and I closed my eyes and let that beautiful riff take
me into.... 

Ginseng Sullivan: Sweet.. Cactus is god! 

SOAM: This was wonderful. IMO, it ranks up in the top 10 I've heard. I
would say 8/20/93 and the Demand one and a handful other may edge this
one out, but it was a very looong and jazzy Split. Trey commanded, but
Mike and Page definantely added some funk to it. I remember really
digging this. 

Mango: Very nice to hear. Trey flubbed the lyrics once or twice. He
said grape apple pies when everyone else said wrap paper ties. No
biggie.

| -->Frankenstein: This Frankenstein was longer than usual. The boys
added some space and jamming. It sounded different than the normal
Edgar Winter version. 

II: Makisupa: Very cool bass line, Mike was very audible throughout the
whole tour. Bonus! Fairly short Makisupa which included the Stink...
Stank...  Stunk line. 

| --> Maze: Very jammin' Maze. I can't remember much, I'm pretty
exhausted, but I just remember it was long and Trey was hitting us with
nonstop fury. 

Bouncin': Good break to go to the bathroom. 

Dave's Energy Guide: Whether this was Dave's Energy Guide or just the
Digital Delay Loop jam ( a la 12/31/95 and 12/29/94) seems to be the
65,000 dollar question. It was pretty cool, nonetheless and the
flawless segue into TMWSIY was very cool. 

| --> TMWSIY: I was very thrilled to hear this one. Standard TMWSIY,
but enjoyable

| --> A Venu Malkenu: Very cool... 

| --> Mikes: This was a solid Mikes. It contained a lot of Trey and
Page. I wish Mike was a little more present. It was not awe-inspiring,
but it was a solid Mikes. I think Trey tried to lead this jam and take
the spotlight a little bit. I don't know what his rationale for this
may have been, maybe he wanted to show off for his father who was in
attendance 3 rows below us in section T. Trey's dad is a very nice man. 
I had a suspicion that it was Trey's dad, so I went up to him and asked
him how he obtained an All Access pass and he said, "Well a while back,
I became Trey's father." Doh! He made fun of me. Mr. Anastasio was very
friendly to everybody and very nice.  He is a proud father. I really
thought they were going to go back into TMWSIY, but after a climactic
ending and choppy segue, we got... 

| --> Strange Design: Standard

Weekapaug, no segue here. There was a definite pause before Weekapaug. 
For the life of me I cannot remember the specifics of this Weekapaug. I
guess it wasn't that incredible since it does not stand out in my
memory, but I know it was still great. I know I was not dissapointed
and I was definantely not dissapointed by what came next.... 

| --> Page solo: This had to be over 10 minutes long. It was truly
awe-inspiring. Leo never fails to amaze even his closest confreres: 
Trey, Mike and Fish who stood in awe as did the other 18,000 in
attendance.  Page kept progessing up and down the piano hitting the
ivory so slowly and beautifully. Each progression flowed masterfully
into the next. Page never lost steam, it very calm and soothing solo.
Page, also seems to be a little less bashful these days as he was
scatting along with what he played.  He was grunting and moaning.....
it sounded very sweet! 

Star Spangled Banner: dedicated to Kate Smith who sang God Bless
Americabefore dozens of Flyers games in their "Broad Street Bullies" 
days. She was the Flyers good luck charm during the Fred Shero, Bobby
Clarke Stanley Cup years. There is a statue of her right near will-call
on the side of the Spectrum adjacent to the new "Core States Center". 
Anyway, Trey expressed his admiration for Smith and the Flyers and said
"We're not going to sing God Bless America, but this is the best we can
do." 

E: Jonny B. Goode: Before the Encore Trey thanked someone for throwing
a Tickle Me Elmo Doll on stage. Anyway, this was by far the best JBG
ever! I know last years NYE version was pretty good, but this was so
incredible.  They jammed it out with so much energy. Trey was smokin'. 
Very nice end to the night. This had to be the longest JBG ever by a
minute or two, taboot! 

This was a very cool night. Hello to everyone in section T and if you
were near that area, I was the guy in the blue tie-dye handing out
blowpops at the setbreak. This show had to be a 7.0 or 7.5 on the Scott
Jordan Review Poll. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Andrew Gadiel  Subject: My New Year's
Thoughts, Pt. 1 - 12/28 Date: Fri, 03 Jan 1997 20:08:28 -0500

Alright, here I go. 

So I went to all four of the shows this year, and I'm quite thankful
that I was given the ability to find ticktets. The shows were
incredible. All four truly great shows that I would welcome on any tour
of the year, but putting them on the holiday tour makes them more
examined, as I hope they have been on the newsgroup.

As they did last year, Phish did not repeat a song on the entire run,
which was expected and very welcomed. Besides The Star Spangled Banner,
there wasn't one acapella song, which I was very happy with. I don't
hate the acapella, but I'm happy they decided to limit them. 

IN PHILLY: The spectrum is a little away from the city, on the south
east side by the Veterans Stadium and the old Spectrum. The entire area
is a sports stadium park. Too bad the Eagles were in D.C. and the
Flyers were away, we could have been jumping from event to event, the
stadiums were really within walking distance.

The parking lot for the shows was right in front of the Football
stadium, and you had to walk through it and across the street to get
in. Not too bad, only a short walk from the other side of the parking
lot to get there from the Holday Inn where we stayed, which I'll touch
on more later. 

We didn't really hang out in the parking lot too much on the first
night and made out way into the show and actually had floor seats for
this show. The place was nice, it was the old spectrum, so didn't blow
me away with size, but was huge nonetheless.

12/28/96 Corestates Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA

I:  Runaway Jim, NICU, Wolfman's Brother, It's Ice, Billy Breathes,
    Ginseng Sullivan, Split Open & Melt, Mango Song, Frankenstein

II: Makisupa Policeman > Maze, Bouncing Around The Room > The Man Who
    Stepped Into Yesterday > Avenu Malkenu, Mike's Song > Strange
    Design > Weekapaug Groove, The Star Spangled Banner

E:  Johnny B. Goode

Runaway jim was a quality opener to the tour, good call Corey, and NICU
was a welcome start. Already Phish was rolling! Wolfman's Brother made
me happy to see, and it's ice kept the mood stable. Billy Breather was
alright, I really enjoyed Ginsing... 

Split Open and Melt: By far my highlight of the first set. I loved it,
you think it's almost done when they get to the "breathe deep" part,
but no, they just keep jamming away forever. Awesome jam, I can't wait
to hear the tape! The mango song: I love it, and was so happy to hear
it, especially after a wonderful melt. Frankenstein was a quality
setcloser. 

Makisupa I loved! Such an awesome tune and then they segued into, The
Maze....such the underrated song of the year. They love it, and jam it
out to it's full extent! WOW!

When they started bouncin I looked over to my friend and said, "I'm
happy...they're playing bouncin, good...get it out of the way." But
then I thought to myself, and then turned again and said, "But I like
bouncin" I really do. It was really the first song I ever heard, and
always brings me back... 

After bouncin, they stopped and began again with a building melody. 
Something I had heard before, I knew it...but couldn't place it. They
built up a smooth easy progression and then trey finally, after about 5
minutes of incredible build and smooth melody, began to play The Man
who stepped into Yesterday...I was in heaven, they were so patient with
it, and made it fill the arena. Then, at the usual Avenu Malkenu
entrance, Fishman didn't do it, they kept going. "Oh my god they're
going to do Gamehendge TONIGHT!" i thought. I mean, how often do you
get such a wonderful TMWSIY without an avenu malkenu, started from
nothing, building and building....But then, Avenu Malkenu, not bad.. 

Mike's Song - Wow! I definately thought they'd wait til new Year's to
do this one, but no...great Mike's...very upbeat jammy and excellent. 
Strange Design seemed a little out of place there, but we wouldn't know
unless they tried. And weekapaug rocked as usual... 

Encore: Johnny B. Goode...Excellent, they encore'd new years' with
thisone and it was great here. 

Overall, a great tour opening show. I felt great about Phish when I
left. As I reached the parking lot, I had to swim through a sea of
nitrous balloons, which kinda made me not want to do it. I guess that's
what the balloons on the t-shirts were for. 

One thing I didn't understand is that I hear stories, and saw people
getting busted for bootlegging t-shirts, but I didn't see one of the
maybe two dozen tank people getting busted, which made me sad. 

Oh, and the Holiday Inn after the show showed sucked, but more about
that on my 29th review, which should be up soon, along with my stroll
down amnesia lane about the Boston shows, which were great. 

Peace, Andrew Gadiel

==============================