This review will complete my trifecta of 20 year anniversary reviews of the Roxy run. This show isn't quite as nuts as the first two nights but it's definitely solid. Let's recap: in the span of 3 days, Phish had two guest sit-ins (Jimmy Herring and The Reverend), three HYHU > Fishmantics > HYHU stunts, two debuts (Moby Dick and Pig in a Pen), The first of several Tweezer -> Walk Away pairings, the first Tweezer teases in Suzy (I love that particular tease, especially on 8/24/93), boatloads of other teases, a few bustouts, and a 2-guitar Llama taboot taboot. So what's missing? Serious, deep, Type II jamming. But that's where August 1993 comes into play -- this run is, in some sense, the pinnacle of Phish's Type I mastery -- the point at which they began to peak technically, and could use their ever-growing confidence as a baseline for the serious experimentation that would blossom over the next half decade, turning every song as a candidate for deep space exploration. As a juxtaposition, tonight's show features the first Stash -> Manteca -> Stash, foreshadowing the *much deeper* 11/14/95 pairing (if you haven't heard that, drop whatever you're doing and listen to it immediately -- it's near the top of the Top 10 Things Phish Has Ever Done list). If you can only listen to one show in this three night run, choose 2/20/93, but don't be lame -- listen to all three nights. There's a reason they released it as a Box Set.

This show is my personal favorite of the "At the Roxy" box set. Though it lacks the spontaneity and musical craziness of the previous night, it is not without it's own musical highlights. Suzy starts off with a unique a cappella rendition of the opening line, which sets the stage for an interesting night of music. The mid first set has some very cool variations by Page that make this version stand out from others I have heard. The first set also includes strong versions of Punch and Chalk Dust and ends in a fiery set closing Antelope.

The second set starts off with a shot of energy in Axilla, and follows with a nice Curtain. The Stash -> Manteca -> Stash that follows is one of my favorite early versions of Stash. The segue into Manteca is crisp and fun, and the Stash that precedes it brings some serious heat. After Manteca they go into a brief spacey portion before quickly segueing into a beautiful rendition of Lizards. The rest of the second set is standard fare for the times, with some funny Trey and Fish banter about McDonalds and condoms.

The encore too is special, with an appearance by the Rev. Jeff Mosier on banjo to help with some bluegrass standards and a completely unexpected bluegrass version of Good Times, Bad Times

Well after reading all the hub bub about these shows, I'll have to say I was not impressed with this one. It does have the extreme novelty factor though, including a special guest on stage and lots of rarer songs. This makes the band sound sloppy and rusty at times. This is the last of three shows at the Roxy, sixteenth show of the tour, and a really good recording.

This is the third or fourth time I've heard them do the a cappella intro to Suzy. This show is a triple opener with a good Suzy and Buried Alive and a rough newly revived Punch. Not too bad, just knocking the rust off still. Pen was also a little sloppy. Horn was pretty good. Chalk Dust was rocking as usual. Trey was out of tune already and may have broken a string or something, because this plagues him all night. Esther has an extended intro and is still a little off over all. Dinner seems like a surprise as Fish is off on this too fast version. Mike continues right into an ok Bouncing. Antelope is a good closer here and is pretty well played.

Axilla is a rocking way to start off the second set although Trey is mysteriously missing in the mix. Well played though. The Curtain was rather weak and rusty sounding to me. I disagree completely with the other reviewer on here. Stash was awful, not God awful, but just really rough. And Manteca wasn't much better as Mike searches all over for the right notes. Lizards was good, maybe a few loose spots. Gin seemed foreign and forgotten and was also kind of fast. Mike leads them right into HYHU to bring Fish out for Rosie. Great stage banter here and one of the highlights to this show for me. Fish blows the lyrics to Rosie. Trey returns to tune the guitar again which has been bugging me this whole show. Coil is also weak and not just from Mike, but also Page. That doesn't seem to happen very often. Even Page's solo lacks a little at the end. Mars rocks out as usual and ends this below average set.

After the thank you's and shushing, a nice Adeline helps clean up this show. A false start ensues because the guitar needs to be tuned again. This continues the novelty filled show with a bluegrass rendition of GTBT with banjo. Right into Paul and Pig in a Pen, which are really well played.

Again, I can't tell you how disappointed I am in this one. Even though it’s been officially released, I don't feel the need to own it. Definitely not four star Phish in my book especially when the guitar is out of tune for half the show. Sorry folks, just my opinion.

Oops, should say "The mid first set *ESTHER* has some very cool variations by Page that make this version stand out from others I have heard."

Also, I failed to mention that I particularly enjoyed the segue from Bathtub Gin -> HYHU in the 2nd set.

N3 at the Roxy finds the band coming off the heat they stormed up on N2 with a few scattered gems hidden in the midst of some more average performances. The bluegrass finishers are a fun distinctive element to the show, but ultimately leave me wanting more standard Phish before saying goodnight.

Setlist Thoughts
- "LITTLE SUZY GREENBERG WITH HER HEAD CAVED IN" what a fun way to kick of N3. Love the Tweezer quotes in here too. Page is loving this new Baby Grand
- Page has a lot of fun on the PYITE intro, though I definitely prefer it when Trey's got a phase pedal on this track
- super beautiful Esther with swells from Trey and phenomenal playing by Page throughout
- Antelope really takes off here. Some great chaos driven by Page and Fishman
- Though probably not as legendary as its 11/14/95 brother, Stash -> Manteca -> Stash does a phenomenal job of building toward what you expect to be a standard conclusion. But it never comes. Instead, the energy slowly drops, Trey's noodling evolves into the familiar Manteca riff and Fishman changes the groove. The departure is short and hangs over a simple pedal note, but the band all follows the same cue and leads right back into an unfinished Stash -> Lizards.
- For a short Bathtub Gin, it's a great Bathtub Gin. Stays Type I, but the drunken jamming is fun and gripping anyway.
- Big Black Furry Creature From Mars is the one Phish song I really just don't get, and not sure I agree with the bluegrass heavy encore (though GTBT is fun in this style). The show ends on a relatively soft note imo.

Excellent show!!!! Tight versions of almost everything. 1st set has a rocking Chalk Dust. Don't miss it. Esther was good. The Antelope is a good one as well. Set 2 has a tight Curtain, well played Stash and a superbly played Lizards. Lizards never ceases to amaze me, especially when they play it with this kind of precision. Textbook pre jammed Gin. Bluegrass encores. Worth your time.

I wasn't terribly impressed with this show. There are standout flubs here and there (PYITE, The Curtain...), and, most unfortunately, no truly memorable jams. Horn, Esther, Dinner and a Movie, and others are all well-played, but nothing to write mama about. Set 2 closes with a BBFCFM that most discordantly follows Coil.
The encore is the highlight here: the bluegrass medley with the "Reverend" Jeff Mosier sitting in on banjo makes this show a worthwhile listen. The bluegrass(!) GTBT starts out unsure of itself at first, but it steadily finds firmer and firmer ground as all the musicians settle into the groove. The medley comes together nicely, with smooth segues and an infectious happy mood evident in the spontaneity of it all. It's a nice treat tacked on to the end of a subpar show.