(Published in the second edition of The Phish Companion...)

This show is, by far, the shortest I have ever seen and is one of the shortest I have ever heard on tape. If anyone complains about it, though, I will hunt them down and force them to listen to Fishman impersonating James Brown covering Hanson for hours upon end!
The night before was the U.S. tour opener in Virginia Beach. I was staying at a house in Nag's Head for the weekend, partying down with some fellow fans. One of them had taped the two July Amsterdam shows, so we all got a chance to hear some of the new songs and get prepared. I drove to Raleigh from Nag's Head with those two shows, as well as the night before, lingering in my head.
Pressed up against the gates, I listened to the soundcheck. I knew this would be my last show until the fall, so I wanted it to be a great one. I left a few hours later far from disappointed! I had decided to go to this show at the last minute, so I was on the lawn while my friends were all in the reserved seats. I had found a patch of grass in the front of the lawn near an awesome couple from Texas and a guy named Travis who was at his first show. Prophetically, Travis's last name was Rainwater. We talked and laughed and waited for the show to start.
Honestly, though, the first set was pretty unremarkable. The "Runaway Jim" opener was a surprising call, especially given the monster "Jim" in Raleigh during the summer of 1995. My friend Brian swears he saw Trey pour some water on his hands and rub them together, as if to "wash his hands" of that epic jam. I've heard people corroborate this story, so maybe it happened. The "Stash" was nice, and I knew that Fishman's "Footsteps" poem from the Schvice had been turned into a song. Since I thought (and still think) it was a poignant poem, I was glad to hear it. Somewhere about this time is when the rain that had been steadily falling turned into an all-out downpour.
As the band launched into "Taste", we were trying to find ways to stay dry. Travis' girlfriend had some sort of blanket, which had been stretched out over us until it was too soaked to do any good. That's when the thunder and lightning kicked in. Listen to the tapes; the crackles are unmistakable! For a moment, I thought about leaving"...hell, I love Phish shows but I certainly didn't want to get electrocuted at one! The lightning crashed down on all sides of the amphitheater, and I realized that I probably had a better chance getting hit while walking to my car than I did standing with thousands of other people!
So, I started to pay attention to the "Taste" jam, and it was simply electrifying. Each crash of thunder and burst of lightning brought a frenzied scream from the crowd, which seemed to further excite the band and deepen the jam. When it ended ten minutes later, I had been hosed in both the literal and metaphoric sense.
I have to say that this is the only show I have ever seen where set break was actually fifteen minutes. Who knows, maybe the band realized how bad the weather was and wanted to finish the show before anyone got hurt. We out on the lawn didn't seem to care anymore, though. Since we were all wet and muddy to begin with, rounds of mudsliding began. It became an all-out pigpen party, and everyone was loving it.
Words can't do the second set justice. All I can do is advise you to get a tape and listen for yourself. The "Disease" starts out really shaky but the set from there is basically flawless. The segue from "Disease" into "Mike's" is perhaps the best, most fluid, most inventive segue the band has ever pulled off. The "Hydrogen" was a treat, and the "Weekapaug" was an all-out dancefest in the mud.
I was excited to hear "When the Circus Comes", and thought it was a sweet way to bring us back to earth after an ethereal show. Little did I realize that we'd get a "Harry Hood" after it to cap an excellent set! Personally, I say get the second set at any cost and have someone throw on the first-set "Taste" as filler. And, if you've got good ears and want goose bumps, pay close attention to the roar of the crowd as they realize that the band is about to break into "Mike's" from "Disease". If you listen closely, you can hear me"...cold, wet, tired, and loving every second of it.

Fine first set cut off early by a biblical rainstorm, which invests Taste with hair-raising energy - an absolute must-hear version. The whole second set flows pleasantly from the post-Disease swamp-funk; the segue into Mike's Song is worth hearing for the crowd's ecstatic response, never mind Trey's patient thematic teasing and the band's effortless group modulation. Not for nothing did this multifaceted show get an official release, though there are stronger summer outings overall.

I still have to rate this a 4, as I did 7/21/97, but make no mistake, this show is worlds better. (Oh Phish.net, why can't we use half stars???) The first set features an excellent bluesy Jim with a very nice segue into My soul. Stash is above-average if not extraordinary, and Vultures is always welcome. The set highlight is clearly Bye Bye Foot, Taste. Perhaps my love for Foot is irrational, but man does Trey kill his solo. And Taste with the lightning is an all-time classic.

Second set highlight is clearly the Disease->Mike's segue... it's probably the best segue in Phish history, but the Groove is also an above-average version and not to be missed.

This was the first show I ever heard, and it remains in my heart as a truly emotional, exciting experience every time I jam it out. The first set is just fun, with a crowd pleasing Stash, and genius execution of Vultures. For me, set two is where S*** GETS REAL. Starting with, in my mind, a perfect DWD with a truly awe inspiring jam into Mike's. This snail's pace, big, phat, juicy, funkadelic Mike's is really what told me as a kid that Phish was the band for me. I always had a very strong tendency to prefer funk over any other genre, (as a bassist, I sort of have to) but I'd still find myself always jammin' out on the "classic rock" side of the spectrum. Anyway, directly following Mike's is a high energy Simple, which kind of brings the listener back down to earth from this funkadelic super trip from outer space. After that, a short but sweet Hydrogen, into a perfectly executed Weekapaug. Mike goes pretty hard in this jam, which of course I love. To close the second set, we get a great A Capella 'HMB' that lets the listener off on a pleasant, goofy note. For the encore we get a pretty standard 'Circus' into a sweet ass Hood. Now, as stated before, this was the first Phish show I ever heard, which obviously means the first Hood too. I can still remember so vividly hearing my first Mr. Miner sequence. For lack of a better term, that s*** SHOCKED MY BRAIN. This might still be my favorite show, its got such a sentimental value in my heart, and the transformation for Disease to Mike's remains to be my favorite ">" of all time. Great job boys.

Me and my bro chickened out and left this show during the setbreak. The thunder and lightning-driven Taste to end the first set was truly terrifying, the experience was just more intense than we were prepared to handle I guess. I don't even remember making the decision to leave, all I remember is wandering around outside for a while after the band started back up, getting kinda freaked out by the lot scene, and eventually leaving sometimes during the Mikes. More than 15 years later, I just listened to set 2 for the first time, and I'm regretting the decision to leave more than ever! At least we made it to Atlanta the next night for that transcendent experience.

Runaway Jim -> My Soul starts the show with a smorgasbord of ideas. There's a hint of the cowfunk in the Jim jam. Stash reminds me of 1992 version opening for Santana. The energy here is so good that it makes this first set's version an exemplary version of Bouncing Around the Room (a non-jamming tune.) Taste is highly recommended for good reason. Down with Disease verges on Fall '94 or Summer '95 territory, but is more cohesive, and -> Mike's Song (v. good segue.) Simple is really tuned in, with special playing from Mike. Weekapaug Groove goes into some of the same weird territory as Disease, but with a commensurately unique take on it, given the difference in tempo and frame. Harry Hood builds up a head of steam into a massive peak! The LivePhish version of this show features the 6/16/95 You Enjoy Myself as "filler," with a guest spot from Boyd Tinsley of Dave Matthews Band.

At one point, I thought I saw the band member's heads detach from their bodies and float above the stage while their bodies continued to play music. But that's just crazy, right?

This show still sends shivers down my spine. Quite simply, it's the most amazing concert I've been lucky enough to witness. As most have mentioned, this one has a phenomenal jam/transition from Disease into Mike's. I pride myself (somewhat) on having an "insider's" knowledge of this music; I almost always know what song is being teased, jammed, etc. however the transition was SO SMOOTH into Mike's that it took me completely by surprise. To me, that means something. This was music beyond the form of "songs", this was the tightest rock group in history fully tapped into the musical well; they could have played the theme to rawhide for an hour and they would have found a way to make it interesting.

My most distinct memory of the show was when a bolt of lightning hit one of the rods on the shed, and for a few seconds, it was as bright as high noon, despite the sun having already set. Talk about an acid test!

Get the DVD; it's the house screen feed so you lose some sense of what it was like to be in the crowd, but still worth it imho.

At this point, I've heard some really mind bending jams from the guys over the years, but the DWD->Mike's from this show is probably my favorite. My buddy was there, and his older brother sent him the tape a few days later. I remember sitting in his room freaking all the way out when they slid into Mike's Song. Even now I can't listen to it without smiling.

This was the first show that I had ever seen and it was a magical night. I had decided the night before the show to go and went to see if I could get tickets, to my surprise there was a pair of front and center tickets that I quickly snatched up and the rest is history. I had the time of my life and have been seeing them ever since. The storm was epic to say the least. Best night of my life. On a side note while I stayed dry in the front row my future husband was on the lawn dancing the night away in a thunderstorm. We both look back at the DVD and smile. Me a little more because there I am in the front row dancing my ass off.

If you dig this Disease>Mike's, I urge you to check out the Disease>Tweezer from the Gorge 8-2-1997. The amazing segue is eerily similar.

While all four members turned in strong performances, Trey was the MVP that summer evening in Raleigh. Check out the incendiary guitar work on Jim > My Soul and Stash. The highlight of the night was the sublime Taste, whose intensity was heightened by a storm of biblical dimensions.

Epic show, made even more by the infamous by the lightning storm during the first set and an official DVD release. The highlights from this show are all choice meat cuts. Quick plug for the 6/16/95 YEM that is a bonus track included with the soundboard release of this show - Boyd Tinsley fiddle feature really amps the energy! OK, back to this glorious show and highlights:

1) Jim -> My Soul: The Jim jam is short, but rocks solidly before dropping very briefly into a funky, hopping-across-hot-coals, romp. And while I would have loved that to continue a little longer, what happens next is more than forgivable. This transition into My Soul is 'Risky Business' level smooth as it slides across the hardwood floor and kicks the ever loving snot of my skull. Chills inducing amazing.

2) Taste: Maybe its just the image of the infamously ferocious lightning storm (or perhaps it is the the extremely audible lightning crack that can be heard on the soundboard version of this show), but I swear that Zeus himself is whipping every band member into a frenzy of Type I jam excellence! I think the audience was in more danger from what was happening on stage than whatever was going on out in the elements. Ride the motherf***ing lightning!!! Definitely need a setbreak after that one.

3) DWD: Very exploratory adventure, with a funk-flavored backdrop. Starts with plucky riffing by Trey while Page hits some 1999-esque synths and Mike's bass leads tangle and collide with Trey. After a brief tension flirt, the band settles into an armchair groove, the kind where you kick the BarcaLounger up as you sink into the La-Z-Boy for spacious, atmospheric blues vibes. Fishman's steady, simple beat keeps the open space grounded and Page is just adding subtle hints, while Trey and Mike have a lovely intermingling conversation. As they swirl around each other in this airy blues debate, apparently the conversation begins to shift to a new topic...

4)->Mike's: Two masterclass transitions!? The patience with how Trey starts the Mike's riff before slowly bringing it up to full speed with the rest of the band is jaw unhinging. Clearly the crowd loves it, which only intensifies the spine-tingling effect because everyone felt the ungodly power in that one. Transition aside, this 15 minute beast casts about from the high octane rock, typical of a Mike's song, to plunky rock funk, back to high octane rock with some added psychosis from layered gutiar loops and a mix of baby grand/organ stabs. The building layers finally give way to this incredible mood of darkness triumphant, where Trey's vibrato tone and deliberate, repeating plodding guitar riff become the anthem of a horned demon king surveying its gray clouded moors. Its such an awesome moment in this brilliant shifting jam. One last jolt back to the Mike's Groove proper, before a deceptively straightforward ->Simple! Also, I disagree with the Jam Chart description of the last transition being forced. More like an appropriately violent wake-up call from one nightmare into another

SET 1: Runaway Jim: Strong Jim and the funk jam that is at the end and segues very well into… ->

My Soul: Standard.

Water in the Sky: Standard.

Stash: Solid version.

Bouncing Around the Room: Standard.

Vultures: Standard. Big crack of thunder at the end.

Bye Bye Foot: Tough for me to put into words how much I adore this Bye Bye Foot. Embarrassed to admit how many times I have listened to this one and watched the video. Literally perfect. Trey's big grin when Fish's lyrics start. 1:02. That knowing smile from Fishman when Trey takes the reigns, major goosebumps man. Trey's big grin when Fish's lyrics start. 1:02. Trey’ shoulder bend at 2:13. Love it so much.

Taste: Thunder going nuts as Page starts an incredibly spirited solo! Trey has a great solo, but it pales in comparison to what Page threw down. This version is one for the ages.

SET 2: Down with Disease: I really like where this one lands in the late 14’s with Mike going off and Page leaning hard on the synth. Things go on to get mostly funky and a little bluesy until this unbelievable segue… ->

Mike's Song: Ferocious as one would expect and then goes into deep outer space, this is an awesome version! Trey eventually finds an ascending theme that Mike piggybacks on nicely. >

Simple: Short and sweet, segues nicely into… ->

I Am Hydrogen: Standard. >

Weekapaug Groove: Trey rooting Page on when he takes this one to Funky Town, lol. I love the theme that Mike creates around the 5 minute mark and Trey jumps on it rather quickly. Pretty strong version but not necessarily one I would recommend or seek out for future consumption.

Hello My Baby: Standard.

ENCORE: When the Circus Comes - >

Harry Hood: Kind of wish this one would have peaked a little harder, but the jam is very, very good. Mike is so prominent in the mix! As an encore, this was fantastic and a wonderful cap to an outstanding show.

Replay Value: Bye Bye Foot, Taste, Down with Disease, Mike's Song

Summary: Kind of two short sets, weather obviously played a factor in at least the first sets length. Nice, long encore though. Great show and I absolutely agree with Phish.net’s rating of 4.55/5 (340 ratings). It’s a legendary show and there is a good reason why this was released as a DVD on Phish Dry Goods.

Night 2 back in the States after a crazy European summer. This show ranks high on my 1.0 FOMO due to the legendary thunderstorm that super powered the band toward the end of Set 1. In addition to obvious highlights, this show features some hidden gems and a few of my favorite lightweight tunes. Listening to this show right after 7/21, it’s obvious the band is primed to prove itself upon returning to America.

Setlist Thoughts
- Runaway Jim gets the crowd up and at em right off the bat with some clapalong energy in the first solo section. The second solo slowly evolves into a swung groove that bleeds expertly into a sweet My Soul (the band syncs up on the key change perfectly).
- Water in the Sky has yet to take its upbeat, soaring form, but this is a great cooldown song. Maybe a bit early in the set for this energy level, but I have to imagine the weather had a hand in the song choice. Page runs up and down the board with a relaxed hand.
- Stash brings back the energy with a fairly stock standard version. Great solo section with some cool rhythmic deviations from the band.
- Bouncing is straightforward as ever, but lends a familiar grounds for treading into the third US debut of the night with Vultures (My Soul and Water in the Sky also new to the homeland). Fishman is a beast on the kit here and implements some really awesome use of the cymbals and floor toms, emulating the thunderstorm that is churning above. A quick crack of thunder can be heard shortly after this one.
- Bye Bye Foot (4th US debut) has some of the best lyrics of any Phish song ever, imo. Trey makes Fishman chuckle with an obvious Mother tease in his solo.
- The greatest Taste of all time. Super powered by the storm, Page and Trey are absolutely ridiculous in their solos. Fishman shows up with the drums big time.
- DwD stays in a somewhat aimless Type I state for a while before things slowly start to devolve. Trey calls back the same Route 1 riffing he played the night before. By the end we land in a funky, slow jam that Trey takes into Mike’s song.
- Pretty awesome Mike’s Groove featuring a lot of Mike in the early jam. Trey sets up a looming and ominous ascending riff toward the end of Mike’s, where Fishman brings us back down to a slower—though energetic—groove. -> Simple is fun and contained. We land in a spacey ethereal finish here, which leads to a slightly rocky Hydrogen, and then -> Weekapaug. Weekapaug is a fun if straightforward jam with some nice Can’t You Hear Me Knocking teases from Trey. Instead of taking off with this (3/1/97 style), the band lets the jam fizzle out before closing Set 2 with Hello My Baby.
- Circus (5th US Debut) > Hood encore is pretty par for the course. Reggae section of Hood is drawn out and very playful

The DWD>Mike's transition is just nuts. So smooth you might not hear it coming the first time around. All of a sudden we're in the midst of a "time stands still" Mike's intro, before they seamlessly speed up to the usual tempo. I love how it takes a few seconds for the crowd to catch on!

It didn't take long for the U.S. tour to hit some major high points. (just check out the opening show!)

As for Walnut Creek and it's fantastic official DVD release here goes...

The first set is pretty short, cut off by an epic rain storm.

Runaway Jim works well as an opener and is plenty crisp ->My Soul (or as I call it, my least favorite overplayed song from '97)

Water in the Sky is fitting.

Stash is pretty good, without being anything too special. It's still nice to hear and has a capable jam.

Bouncing slows it down for a second.

Vultures is a nice treat and is well played. Always welcome.

Bye Bye Foot is cool and gets the major rarity points.

Taste is surely the highlight in closing the set prematurely. The epic rainstorm kicked in and the song is infused with incredible energy. This is a must hear version and the DVD even gives us the evidence of the crazy lightning. Suddenly I heard the crack of thunder indeed!

So overall set I is a bit tough to judge because it's quite short. That said, the Taste is certainly worth your time.

Set II is a very well respected set with impeccable flow, song selection, and jamming. It's a set that certainly solidifed my fandom.

They open with DWD, which has a great jam. Nice rocking section and then just funky '97 madness. It's a nice length and they give it good patient treatment. It's a lot of fun on the DVD/SBD to hear Trey's vocal enthusiasm during the swampy funk jam. Eventually they slow down hitting an oh so familiar vamp. They milk this slowly progressing in one of the ultimate segues -> Mike's song. Side note, my favorite moment in the DVD is when they craft and execute this segue, which culminates in an absolutely infectious smile from Page (who is usually understated on stage). It's a legendary moment.

Mike's is fantastic as well. The jam proper is a good one, and Trey's playing is funkalicious. A second favorite moment for me is the evil dark jam at the end, with Trey wobbling maniacally back and forth backlit by a couple of candles. It's menacing stuff.

Simple is up next and is a nice version. It's not majorly jammed out or overly long, but it's more than capable. Always a fun one to belt out.

They ->Hydrogen with aplomb, which is a beautiful treat. This is a very nice version as well.

Weekapaug serves as the instrumental closer and rages very well. Very fun version and completes the flow of the set to perfection.

Hello My Baby is a nice choice for a little a capella.

So the set was a bit short - but not to worry - a double encore of Circus and Harry Hood close out the show.

When the Circus Comes to Town is a very well played rendition of a great tune.

Harry Hood is equally well performed. This is a very nice version. It has a great jam in the traditional Harry Hood mold. Very fine ending.

Overall set II is a monster with no let up. The whole thing is one beautiful suite of music and the opening pairing is monstrous jamming. It's a damn near perfect set.

4.2/5 - just knock it because environmental factors cut the show a bit short. Go get this DVD!!!

The first funk/jam section of Mike's at 5:55 it sounds like the basis of BEK.

The absolute worst thunder, and lightning I can remember at a show, really fun show, the band playing with the storm was epic, I think I'll grab the DVD...