PHISH, SUNDAY 04/05/1998
PROVIDENCE CIVIC CENTER
Providence, RI

SET 1:

The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony: Nice way to open the show! Expecting a Suzy or Bag after this of course. >

You Enjoy Myself: Whoa! Didn’t see that coming! Love the loops that set the funky tone after the tramps section. This one is a funk monster. But it’s not a one trick pony either. Love the little theme that Trey creates and develops late in the 16’s. He uses this as a springboard to take this one to shred town. Phish.net says there is no B&D in this one. Not so sure about that? Mike is definitely funking pretty hard at the end along with Fish? Maybe it’s just as pronounced as usual? Great version would recommend. We had a blast getting down to this one.

Theme From the Bottom: This one definitely has extra mustard; Trey seems especially inspired. Would recommend. >

McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters: Seemed pretty standard to me at the show and have listened to it many times since, nothing really sticks out to me, but it is a jamcharts selection with the following description: “Great first-set placement affords room for dark, contemplative playing. Although Page dominates, full-band interplay takes hold, with Trey providing strong counterpoint to Page. Fish serves as the unsung hero, adeptly using the cymbals to keep a vibrant pulse, and adding tension as this swirling version builds to a cathartic conclusion.” >

Bathtub Gin: Standard version. Here again, this is noted as a Phish.net jamcharts version. That’s just not being very honest, c’mon now. It was fun live and again on tape, but it’s very straightforward. But it does have an awesome segue into Cities! ->

Cities: Cool version! Nice and funky. Swear to God Mike is teasing Mike and Fish and then eventually Trey are teasing Eye of the Tiger in the early 8 minute range and beyond – check it out, I cannot be the only one hearing this! Would recommend this Cities. >

Sparkle: Standard. >

Split Open and Melt: Really good Melt going into set break. Fairly thrilling climax that left our synapses sizzling as we sank back into our seats and started counting the seconds until the lights went down again. Yeah, it was that kind of show for us, lol – a real white knuckle affair.

SET 2:

Down with Disease[1] - Fairly straightforward version. But the last 3 minutes or so provide some ample ambient headspace. Oddly enough, this one just wastes away to nothing and ends, there is a clean break between this and Ya Mar.

Ya Mar: Kind of strange placement – felt it then at the show and feel it even now. But man did they ever prove me a naysayer! I LOVE the breakdown that occurs at the 8 minute mark! I have heard this one so much that anytime I hear Ya Mar I almost half hope or expect this same thing to happen. I hope that makes sense, lol. I can still remember Trey in the spotlight at the 9 minute mark going on that run. It’s sick! Then the crowd clap along. 10:32!!! 10:47 bending those notes!!! And then Fishman comes back then Page and Mike. Lord, those are the goods right there. Then the gorgeous notes at 11:15, woo hoo! Phish perfection right there ladies and gentleman. Highly recommended! Awesome segue into Prince Caspian ->

Prince Caspian: Mike lays down some great licks in the 8:30 range. From there some neat, quiet jamming. The band is definitely in sync, very cool. Would recommend just for everything that happens after Trey’s rock and roll solo. >

Maze[1] - Page’s solo was different than I had ever heard – especially the beginning of it. Very thick. When he goes to turn it over to Trey instead they suddenly segue into Shafty ->

Shafty[2] - Wow, that was out of left field and obviously practiced. Funky stuff! Wish they would have kept this funky jam going but another hard left into Possum ->

Possum[1] - That funk they hit at 8:06 and then shortly transition into the funk jam is so good… ->

Jam The thick icky sticky funk right here people. Mike just throwing it DOWN. Trey “So it’s getting near the end of this little four day run here… so we gotta uh… it’s been really fun, and it’s kind of weird having to stop after four days, but for those of you who came to a lot of the shows, or those of you who just came tonight, thank you very much, we really appreciate everything. And uh… I started this little funk groove because we can’t end this whole thing without a little more funk, because that’s kind of been the theme. So just… for those of you who want to take off, take off. But for those of you who want to dance to the funk, you know, we’re gonna stay around and keep grooving. So uh… thanks a lot, it’s really been fun, and we’ll see you guys this summer.” ->

Cavern[3] - Fishman is so awesome in this – an absolute master. Mike too, my God man, bombs everywhere. Look out below!

ENCORE:

Bold As Love: Trey killed it as always.

Summary: Nothing too crazy in that first set. A few highlights and plenty of strong playing top to bottom, YEM was the obvious anchor. Ya Mar is clearly the anchor of that second set, love it. Everyone remembers this second set and show for that matter for all the funk at the end. Obviously, that was cool and unique. I loved it then. I love it today. But don’t fool yourself, this show was clearly the weakest of the run. Not by much! If I were to rate them, from top to bottom they would go in chronological order so 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5. What a run though! Many would argue this run is where the band peaked. I think it’s a solid point or argument to make. The current rating on Phish.net is 4.577/5 (447 ratings) – that seems to high. I think 4.3 would be more representative of what this show contributes to the run. This show was a lot of fun to attend, I am still bitter about being shut out of 4.4, lol.

Replay Value: You Enjoy Myself, Theme from the Bottom, Cities, Ya Mar, Prince Caspian, Maze, Shafty, Jam, Cavern

[1] Unfinished.
[2] Debut.
[3] Slow, funky version with original lyrics.

This show included the debut of Shafty, which was teased by Mike in Bathtub Gin and by Mike and Trey in Possum. Disease, Maze, and Possum were unfinished. Trey teased Fire (Ohio Players) in Shafty. The funky jam in between Possum and Cavern featured some stage banter from Trey about the funk jams the band had been playing. Accordingly, Cavern was played in a slower, funkier manner than usual and included some of the older, alternate lyrics. This show is available as an archival release on LivePhish.com.

SHOW RATING
Your rating:
Overall: 4.577/5 (447 ratings)
JAM CHART VERSIONS
You Enjoy Myself, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Bathtub Gin, Cities, Ya Mar, Prince Caspian, Maze, Shafty, Jam, Cavern
TEASES
Shafty tease in Possum, Shafty tease in Bathtub Gin, Fire (Ohio Players) tease in Shafty