In light of the 11/29 Jim and the devastating 11/30 show (never mind the midweek triumph in Hartford), this show tends to be relegated to 'little brother' status. But it's a great concert - and one of very few Fall '97 shows for which tasty SBDs circulate. The first set is full of strong performances, particularly a YEM fit for the bomb squad, but the second set is just wall-to-wall improvisatory mastery.

The songs are self-contained (save for the Ghost > Johnny pairing), but the whole band plays dynamically and creatively throughout, enjoying the freedom of a night without a 300-mile commute to the next show. Those were the days of 12-15 minute LxL's (it's an 8-minute tune now); as in the breathtaking Went versions, the boys make the most of the extra breathing room. Timber goes dark and Slave shines a light, but the real show is the climactic Ghost, an exercise in pinpoint funk that seems to capture some of the band's freewheeling practice-room energy.

11/30 is the best show of the Worcester stand, I'd say, but considering the fidelity of available recordings and the quality of this second set, you shouldn't hesitate to track down this entire show.