phish took a much needed break after a very hot month of august. the first to shows of this ny run are not bad, but compared to what they had been doing, they were less than spectacular. any rust that may have been present, was not evident in this show. for a long time, this one was considered, in almost every "phan poll" i saw, to be a top 5 show of all time. it's stilli in my top 5, and there is no reason any phan should not be fully aware of this one. this is the phish fans greatest hits album right here ladies and gentlemen. if you don't know this show, it is a must have, and you must get it!

set 1:

the bowie opener starts this one off in style. there are some nifty aerosmith/dream on teases in this bowie. also, trey has some nice exploration throughout this one, especially for so early in the show. weigh, one of my favorite odd ball phish tunes, turns the dark bowie vibe upside down. the curtain>sample combo works well, as does a nice hot take on paul and silas. you gotta love this forbin's>bird. trey comments on how this stadium is normally a hockey arena and how they are all standing on ice. he also gives a warm welcome to some late comers to the show. sounds like weather was a bitch.... maine in december...no way! anyway, they kick down a quick rift after a hot mockingbird. then, we get the first real jam fire works of the night. this is a nice free-wheeling, rollicking bathtub gin. they end this one in rousing fashion. free bird sends the masses into set break happy.

set 2:

here we go. they do a quick one through 2001 before blasting into a monster mike's song. this groove really seems to have it all, but it all starts with a very strong mike's song. page and trey are very much in sync here. this eventually skips hydrogen as it peters out, but it does find it way into a lovely version of horse>silent. i love these early 90's punches. page stays on the piano, and i always thought that sounded a little cooler than synthed out sound he uses now. still love punch, but love the old ones better. punch finds its way into an inspired take of mcgrupp that drives into a really gordon' centric hot hot hot weekapaugh. trey tears through his solo hear too. very good ending to a classic mike's groove. weekapaugh eventually falls into a "lovely" purple rain before going to hold your head up. what should they close with... how about the newly rejuvinated slave to the traffic light. this one overflows with emotion and energy. this is one of my favorite slaves. i don't know if its the stand alone performance that gets me or if it's how it fits in with the rest of the set. great slave, great closer.

over all:

this second set does not just have the tight, focused jamming that we all know and love, but it has remarkably good flow. every song works extremely well with the one played before and after it. remarkable flow.

highlights

set 1:
bowie, paul and silas, forbin>bird, gin

set 2:
really the whole thing. how do i narrow it down. i'll try...

mike's>horse>silent>pyite>mcg>paugh