Phish - August 3rd, 1997

> in from "Bathtub Gin." Very cool, exploratory Page solo. Trey's solo is enhanced by an echo-like effect. A bass and percussion rich build-up leads to a soaring finish. If you aren't on the edge of your seat when the final verse starts, your soul has gone missing!

> "Dirt", the version demonstrates considerable growth over a short period of time. Page's fills fall like scales between Fish's off-kilter percussion, the jam itself a revelation. Trey's riffing and soloing is forceful, with each musician acutely attuned and playing "out" as if a means to somehow reign their sound "in". Impressive.

A good, rocking and bluesy jam develops at 7:30 and continues until -> to "Jesus Just Left Chicago."

-> in from "Twist." Great version from the Gorge with Page switching keyboards and a fiery ending to the jam.

A very different version from 7/31/97, with more staccato playing by Trey, and minor key fills from Page at points.

Jam begins in a great, bluesy groove with Page on the B-3 for a few minutes before he jumps to the piano. Trey is relaxed in his playing, gradually building this one up, but never loses the swinging feel.

Beginning in 1997 and forever since, "Fluffhead" has suffered from some performance malaise. Whether due to lack of practice, fewer live performances, or other causes, the band's precision has declined. Yet this summer 1997 version is an anomaly, a nearly flawless rendering. Thank you Kevin Shapiro for releasing this version officially on Live Bait Vol. 17, because the audience recordings of this classic performance don't do justice to a truly exceptional, outlier version.

Around 6:30, this version comes very close to breaking free of "Taste" altogether into free form improvisation. Fantastic peak and finale.