I really love this show. It is overshadowed by killer shows at the Gorge and Ventura, but this one is not one to miss. Both sets are pretty stacked. This show also may have some extra flavor coming the day before jerry's b-day. Many heads were looking for some sort of dead tribute. there was certainly a nod to jerry, but heads would have to wait until virginia beach for the tribute they really craved, terrapin station.

ghost opens this up in fine form. this is one of many funkadelic jammed out versions in the summer of '97. also, this may be a slight nod to jerry. page has some very cool licks in this one. also, check out the groove estashed by fish and gordo here. very nice playing here. eventually it gives way to a very fun yamar. trey has some nice noodling here before they find their way into dogs stole things. sticking with the new song thing, they delve into a good early take of limb by limb. this one sounds a lot tighter than it did in europe, but it still not quite there yet... on more year and its money. dirt gives everyone a much needed breather before a very firey maze. trey and page will lift off on this one. glide is a fun choice, and like ghost, i saw it again might be a slight nod to jerry. then they pop off a nice funky yem set closer. once again, page flashes some very serious chops in this one.

after a mighty fine first set, they come out blazing in the second. this jim is a keeper. trey really cuts loose with some nice hendrix'esque licks in this jim jam. it's no worcester '97 but hey, what is!? they eventually slip into one of my favorite slow songs phish plays, the los lobos "when the circus comes to town." trey solos nicely here, and it sets up vultures quite nicely. they dip back into the classics with a nice eery take on mcgrupp. page buries his solo on this one. then they bring the thunder. this is a mighty fine mike's song. in fact, it is a candidate for best of the year. they ride the climaxes very hard, and fishman just plays like a monster here. they stick with the old winning formula and dip into hydrogen here. the weekapaugh that follows is loaded with fun. after complimenting page beautifully throughout this song, trey throws out some pretty sweet happy birthday licks. at first you wonder if he is going to say anything or if he is going to let the happy birthday tease stand on its own. finally, he gives the nod to jerry by saying they are trying to keep the vibe alive. this is the first on stage/public nod toward the dead that phish had made on stage since their show at shoreline in '95. at this point in their career, phish seemed to be doing everything possible to get some space from the monster that was the grateful dead. i think many were expecting/really wanting a dead song for an encore, but they got a nice take of cinnamon girl instead. who can complain about that.