This is quite possibly one of the best shows of Early 1.0 Phish.
I think it is only one set long because they were so good that they overheated the building.
Probably their best show from the periods 1983-April 16th, 1992.
Now let me lay this set out for you in all of it's brilliance.
First up we have GOLGI APPARATUS.
Mike is killer on the bass in this crisp opener. Now here is where the fun begins.
Now it says that the JAM was after the Golgi Apparatus, which is true, but for the review's sake we can consider it a jammed out Golgi Apparatus. Now how often were those?
There weren't any jammed out Golgi Apparati in Fall Funk '97.
Adding to this wonderful show was the fact that there was some stage banter during this Jam. How wonderful is that? You don't get that every day.
Next up is THE SLOTH. Absolutely beautiful rendition of this song, one of my favorites. Even though the name is Sloth, the song goes rather fast. Aren't you funny, Phish?
OH MY GOD THIS DIVIDED SKY. Seguing in from The Sloth, I was just stunned for a second when I heard this piece. Phish nails all the composed sections with an air of brilliant tactical work, and the result is soft sugar butter candy to the ears. Must-hear for any self-proclaimed Phish aficionado.
By this point my face is melted. This band is so good that I will take any song now. The next one, of course, is SANITY. The fast version.
Holy Schnikeys I get excited now just thinking about it. Trey takes a guitar solo near the end that is just absolute perfection.
Why doesn't this Sanity have the green or even red on it? Why isn't this whole show a signature version? Imma message the mods because this is some real babyback bullshit.
Next up is I DIDN'T KNOW. Holy hell this song is funny. A picture of Otis Redding? HAHAHA this band is hilarious!! I love Mike during this one, as he seems to be the one carrying the band through this song.
Next up is ALUMNI BLUES. I love this song!! I graduated from high school once so I feel the "Blues" as narrated in this song. I thought that this trip was over but WHAM BAM -> LETTER TO JIMMY PAGE. Damn! I know who Jimmy Page is so automatically this song is for me. I wonder why they don't play this one anymore, but this is clearly one of the best versions of this song. I love the Type 2 jamming that occurs about midway through.
And back into ALUMNI BLUES. Did I say I love this song? Yes. Did I say I love this band? Yes. Amazing version with a capital A, not just because it begins a sentence.
And segue into the LIZARDS!!! THIS SHOW IS SO GOOD!! One of the best of early Phish, I'd say. Almost as good as Tweezerfest 5/07/94, that's for sure. But this Lizards song with the Calypso beat is just melting my fucking face right now. Trey remembers all the lyrics this time, and the atmosphere is just sublime. Do yourself a favor and give this song a listen if you can only just listen to one song, or you are just lazy.
Next is AN 11 MINUTE WHIPPING POST!!! In 1989!!! WOW!! This song is the clincher to a perfect set. Shame they didn't play two sets because they are on fucking fire. I love the Allman Brothers too so it is an extra treat. Consider yourself lucky and a miracle that you are listening to this show, or happen to click on it on phish.net. OH ME OH MY!!!!
There is an encore!! How lucky are we? How often do encores happen?
First is CONTACT. I love this song, Mike!!! THE WHEELS ON THE CAR ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND
YEAH!!! Love this encore so far. Page is killer on the keys right now. That is why they call him Chairman of the Boards.
WHAT!! DAVID BOWIE??? IN AN ENCORE?? HOLY SHIT!!!
This Bowie is so good!! The hose in the second part of the jam is absolutely incredible!!
So to close it off, I will say that this show (4/27/89) is my favorite show of all time, beating out the 5/7/94 Tweezerfest and the 12/29/94 show.
LivePhish you need to FUCKING STEP IT UP!!! GET THIS SHOW AS ONE OF YOUR CD'S OR ITUNES OR WHAT NOT. You need to make this gem of a show accessible to the mainstream public.
LISTEN TO THIS SHOW EVERYONE!!!