This show is the absolute heat. One of my phavorites from Phall 1996. We had so much phun at this show. The first set is solid thruout--I was there with Jimmy so Runaway had us all going nuts. The bluegrass choices with John McEuen on banjo were tasty! Great Stash, Fluff and Chalkdust also. But it was like they went backstage during setbreak and absolutely came out on fire. Everything in the second set was just ripping. Look at that second set-it does NOT LIE on the screen, on paper or to the ears. I highly recommend finding a copy of this sleeper show. There is nothing in the second set that is played weakly. Midset Contact was a nice surprise--Funky Bitch was also a surprise. The Amazing Grace>Jam was wonderful with John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) on lap steel. And Possum blew ARCO's roof off. SKI ya!

My first show. I was 16, my parents dropped me off and waved goodbye telling me to "have a good time". And I absolutely did. Granted the ARCO Arena is probably the worst venue to see Phish in, but at the same time, you're seeing Phish, so no complaints. I was fairly green at this point and my favorite songs were Stash and Brother and was hoping they'd play both not realizing that Brother is a pretty rare song. I remember them playing with this ferocity that was infectious and just loosing my mind when they broke into Stash and did the chanting. Shame for how sober I was I don't remember more details. Pretty much just chilled up in the seats stage right (Page side!) and took it all in. Had no clue that it was such a treat to get two legends to join them on-stage (Apflebaum and McEuen), thought it was all just par for the course. Safe to say I was hooked from that point on. My next show at the Shoreline in 97, was even more tasty. Thanks Phish.

This first set was smoking hot, Runaway Jim started it off fast, Punch with fishman and the James Brown shout outs was so nice. I was living in Tahoe and San Fran was my backyard. 3 hours to be there. This was the 2nd night of our two day Phish run. I went down with a crew of 10 including my future wife (6th & 7th shows together). But the PYITE was insane. Cool lot scene, lots of parking, but the ARCO did not have good sound. Luckily we were 1st row Mikes side. ATR was a nice treat, Bouncin was fun as always. Stash was NICE. Fluffhead was the highlight of the great first set. The old home pen was a nice bluegrass feel. Caspian was great, my wifes 2nd favorite song. CDT always delivers.
2nd set. We were all feeling really good by now, La Grange fired us up and It's Ice crushed us, one of my favorite live Phish songs. The Brother Contact sequence was great. 2001 was funky and grooving, then Timber>Jam with the sax dude was Insane. This is a must listen, its like Branford with the Dead stuff. It doesn't show it in the show notes, but there is a 2 minute jam by Phish and the sax dude, UNREAL. Taste is great with the sax ripping throughout. Funky Birch was a grooving jam. The Amazing Grace acapella was deer, I love when they do this, with 10,000 people in the venue to go no mics, pretty amazing. Then the jam after, WOW, slowed it down for a nice mellow encore. Nope. The best Possums I've ever scene (20 total). Sax guy jamming away.
Great overall show. These shows are the reason I became a Phan. This was night 2 of our two day Phish run. Stayed in San Fran, partied down with our crew first night, . This is an underated show. If you haven't heard it, your probably not reading this. Sucks for you.

I concur with Ski- This was a rippin show even if the venue left something to be desired. I keep listening for the back and forth between John McEuen on the lap slide steel and Trey- who yells out "Take it John!" during Possum... my Dog that was a hawt jam, and earlier with Fishman practically levitating out of 2001 with those James Brown yells! Very vocal show to say the least. Exciting to be at and see phish kill it with a couple musical vets for both sets.

Unfortunately the few tapes I've heard of this show are awefull and it's because the sound inside was just that. Shame on you ARCO Arena, you don't deserve your capitals.

Standout show for all the dueling guest spots... That Possum is just awesome... hearing John McEuen trade licks with Trey... Phriceless!

Awesome show! Maybe my favorite of the tour.

Great 2nd Set!

SET 1: Runaway Jim: Can’t go wrong with this one opening the show. >

Punch You in the Eye: Get Up Offa That Thing tease by James Brown at 0:40

All Things Reconsidered: Second to last one ever played (2.23.97).

Bouncing Around the Room: Standard.

Stash: Immense tension built in the 9’s and a nice peak out of that. Decent Stash, no peak at the end though.

Fluffhead: Rip roaring end shred.

The Old Home Place, Uncle Pen: John McEuen on banjo – This was fantastic!

Prince Caspian: Nicely ripped. >

Chalk Dust Torture: Has pornofunk elements to it, very cool and unique for a Fall 96 CDT up until this point.

SET 2: La Grange: Absolutely SMOKES. Killer opener!

It's Ice: More pornofunk in the beginning, very cool. Super crazy breakdown, tons of effects. Unfortunately my Relisten audio at this point really took a major nosedive. Sounds a lot like What’s the Use? At 6:26 and 6:56 and beyond. Killer It’s Ice!!!

Glide, Brother[3], Contact >

Also Sprach Zarathustra: Get Up Offa That Thing by James Brown at 2:35, Super Bad by James Brown at 2:45 >

Timber (Jerry the Mule) - Peter Apfelbaum on tenor saxophone: This was awesome! >

Taste: Peter Apfelbaum on tenor saxophone, slowed down intro: The jam in between Timber and Taste with Apfelbaum is exceptional, it is short but oh so sweet, a must hear for any fan. As far as the actual Taste – most of this is not my bag – sounds like that episode of Seinfeld where Elaine is dating that horn player – you know what I’m talking about – I know I am in the minority here – but I am not a fan.

Funky Bitch: Peter Apfelbaum on tenor saxophone – This works, tons of fun.

Amazing Grace: Standard.

Amazing Grace Jam: With both special guests, and this jam is special. Last of three Amazing Grace jams ever played. Like I said in my 10.20.95 review, this gives me goosebumps. It’s just cathartic. Would recommend!

ENCORE: Possum: Peter Apfelbaum on tenor saxophone and John McEuen on lap slide guitar. Good fun here.

Summary: Really good bordering on great show, all things considered, hah. Fluffhead, CDT, La Grange, It’s Ice, 2001, and Timber I would suggest as replay value. Nothing super huge or all time here, just lot’s of unique, cool stuff that is off the beaten path due in large part to the special guests. I would rate this a bit lower than what you currently see – I am good at 4.1 out of 5.

Peter Apfelbaum AND John McEuen . FLUFFHEAD! I have given a Behind STAGE all access from a friend whom was too high after, "I'll pass tonight friend" he said casually, n stuck it on me (it was jaws from fall 96 passes). Very casual behind the scenes then, Fishman was actually quite joyful, n still on point, playing soda /Heineken cans on the table. The difference in liquid amounts was a new sound. I regress. Excellent night!

FLUFFHEAD, GLIDE, BROTHER>CONTACT> 2001 [JAMES BROWN] > Timber Ho was very unique sounding. Great La Grange placement of opening set II plus 2001 a few tunes in set was special, that's engulfed in the most thrilling REVEALS of night, all that talent on that stage that evening .

I'm honestly not a huge fan of this show. There's a solid jam in It's Ice and the 2001 shows strong signs of what was to come over the next few years for this song, but the guest appearances are pretty timid and keep Timber through Possum from lifting off. Well, the Amazing Grace jam is pretty cool and it sounds like they're playing Steely Dan right before Taste, but other than that, a rather pedestrian back quarter. First set is solid and more enjoyable to me than the second.

3 STARS