Customer Reviews

Live Phish 12/29/97

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is what a live album should sound like: a mix of live standards, covers, and unreleased songs; each performed energetically and at times perfectly; in an excellent sounding mix; and with bonus tracks to fill in the extra time.
Disc one gives us the entire first set, which kicks off with the always enjoyable "NICU". This song can take the band many places and here it takes them into a short jam and then the rather unexpected "Golgi Apparatus". Great spot for a tired song. This then leads into "Crossroads", a sloppy yet inspired cover. A mid set "Theme from the Bottom" gives the band a little more breathing room to explore, which, oddly enough, takes them to the beautifully executed "Fluffhead". A monster of a "Run Like an Antelope" finishes the set with ten plus minutes of extreme jamming.
As good as the first set is, the second set is simply transcendent. This is the music that defines Phish as Phish. "Down With Disease" opens and immediately takes over the set, dominating the scenery for close to 25 expansive minutes. When the boys finally let off the pedal and slow down, we quickly find ourselves in "David Bowie" country, at which point we are off for another 25 minutes. Exhilarating. Then, to finish off the hour long opening salvo, "Possum" jams us home. A wicked "Tube" follows, which sets the stage for the always excellent "You Enjoy Myself". To top off the strong show, two better than average soundcheck tracks are included as dessert.
All around excellent Phish show that highlights the bands varied strengths. Well worth the money.

The first live Phish I ever knew (courtesy of Slip, Stitch, and Pass) was the funky Phish, so a set like this really feels like home to me. Hearing classic Phish live staples like "Run Like An Antelope", "You Enjoy Myself", and "Tube" all funked out should be high on the priority list of any Phish fan that hasn't done so already, and that is something that this set provides.

But there is also quite a bit of variety here. "David Bowie" reaches almost ethereal limits. One of my personal favorites, "Dirt", and "Train Song" tone things down a bit. A trio of Billy Breathes songs in the first set is more than welcome. And how can you go wrong with "Golgi" and "Fluffhead"?

I can't find much of anything wrong with the two main sets. The mixing in of the vocals can be distracting at times (mostly on NICU), but this is a minor quibble. The encore Zeppelin cover is a bit clumsy, but it's fine, and saved by some quality jamming. Really rocking stuff. Great filler tacked on at the end of this release.

Overall, this is one of the best Phish shows that I've ever heard. Treat yourself to it!

this is just one of those great live albums period.If your already into phish then you will love this release,if not and you are an adventurous listener then pick this up w/out hesitation.The band does it all with great flow between songs great improv.and as always great guitar work from Trey.this is truly "a work of art"by a band at its peak!Pick it up and enjoy for a long time to come because this is the real thing.-peace.- oh I almost forgot,the sound quality is also clean and crisp!

I guess I should preempt this review by saying I don't own a lot of Phish live shows, but I have many of their studio albums, and have seen them live, and I really like Trey's solo work. I have to say I was very disappointed in this CD after reading so many glowing reviews. Most of the songs sound like the band is just going through the motions, and they really lack the edge and tightness that characterizes some of their best work. I was really looking forward to Golgi Apparatus, Down with Disease, You Enjoy Myself and some of the other long, jamming songs, but Trey seems uninterested in doing more than just finishing them up and moving on.

I know there are better shows out there than this one.

I've had an excellent audience recording of this show for years, but hearing the SBD is a real treat.

The show itself is one of the strongest of an excellent year. The entire first set is Phish at their very best. The highlights are a beautiful Theme, Fluffhead and Anleope.

The second drags a little at the beginning, but once Bowie gets going, the band is in full flight once again. Highlights are Bowie>Possum and Tube.

A great mix of rockin' Phish and funky Phish!

Once my wife and I attempted to attend a phish concert; in point of fact, this was one of the worst experiences of my life: we never made it to the venue, becoming stuck in a twilight-zone-esque traffic line of cars and buses filled (seemingly) with a horde of pubescent male ogglers and frumpy young women.

That being said, it is this recording that makes me understand--when and if it should ever be forgotten--that in-between the years 1995-1998, phish will have been, always already, the evental rift, the deciscence of something that took place, and there something arises--namely, work of art I believe we have yet to describe in truth. Instead, I think we're missing this possibility by being lead astray in the contemporary state of saturation that currently defines this undescribed art. This contemporary state can be observed in bands like the Breakfast and Umphrey's McGee.