Phish the bar band! If you haven't heard any '88 Phish, I'll give you the lowdown. There are a few things you'll notice right off the bat: their equipment isn't very good (the overall sound suffers for this), but most of all, there is a real lack of dynamics and tightness. It's amazing how tight they would become in just one year! Incessant practice and touring would eventually make them wizards of dynamics with uncanny ability.
But back in '88, things were quite a bit different. Some songs are noticeably sloooow, and many will be reworked over time (Divided Sky, for example, is missing some key sections, and Wilson has a funky start). Machine-gun Trey is almost nowhere to be found, though he really shines on Harry Hood (the highlight of the show).
Still, Phish had a remarkable vision, and it is undeniably evident on this early tape. It must have been utterly bizarre (and exciting!) to see them play all these prog rock tunes in a little bar back in 1988.