Phish - August 9th, 1997
Alpine Valley Music Theatre · East Troy · WI
1 No whistling.
2 Duel between Trey and Mike after Page's solo.
Song length in play order. Tap a point for that song. Swipe the chart to see the rest.
Tonight's unique songs by the era Phish first played them.
- '83-'899
- '90-'943
- '95-'008
The studio home of each song, from phish.net. Covers count as one slice.
- Billy Breathes4
- Lawn Boy2
- Hoist1
- Junta1
- The Story of the Ghost1
- The White Tape1
- Covers4
- No studio album6
Shows since each song's previous appearance. A big number is a bustout.
- 1-21
- 3-510
- 6-153
- 16-505
- 51+ · bustout1
Whose songbook tonight drew from.
- Phish original16
- J.J. Cale1
- Los Lobos1
- Osborne Brothers1
- Robert Johnson1
Rarer than most - 1 song shelved 50+ shows.
Gap = shows since the song was last played, at the moment it was played.
Very strong group interplay, between Trey and Page in particular, but also between Mike and Fish, gives this version a sound and dynamic almost like "Taste" or "Limb By Limb."
Big bass techno-funk. Fine segue into "Taste." [Funk -> release as expected, but the release is short before delving into more funk, then settling to some excellent, quiet introspective play which -> to "Taste."]
-> in from "Ghost." Powerful version in which the whole band keeps rocking full tilt throughout the slot where Trey customarily takes the lead. Fish is the hidden gem holding rhythm in check while Trey and Page frenetically spiral up and up the scales.
This super, Summer '97 version received recognition when released via Live Bait Vol. 11. Trey ignites a bouncy, infectious groove, which, in time, morphs into more metered jamming. Mike's playing is particularly strong, offset by great percussion, which bleeds into a heightened breakdown, the band working through an effects-laden passage. A stunning bit of improvisational majesty.
Unusual second set placement. Listen to this one back-to-back with 8/3/97. Both masterpieces. But very different performances. Here Page's solo is less adventurous, but finishes in a rousing manner. Trey deploys very different effects from the preceding version, with surgical precision. And of course, the build-up is epic.
Page > guitar and bass duet as a response > whole band in a cacophony of noise > pause > more noise > straight to final verse with no klezmer.
Such a graceful version. In 1997, the band was in no hurry to rush things. Here the patient building makes the eventual, huge peak that much sweeter. > to "Weekapaug."
-> in from "Slave," capping a nearly set-long "Mike's Groove." After a percussive start with hints of "CYHMK," Trey hoses down the crowd beginning at 3:30. The jam climaxes with "CYHMK" teases, and Trey bids good night while the music rolls on.
Versions phish.net's jam charts single out as noteworthy.
Ain't Love Funny > Warped Jam, The Old Home Place, Funky Bitch
Tears of a Clown was teased before Theme. Reba did not have the whistling ending. Scent featured a duel between Trey and Mike after Page’s solo. Mike and Trey started their duel facing each other and wound up on the ground doing bicycle kicks while they played. Weekapaug included Can’t You Hear Me Knocking teases. Crossroads was played for the first time since December 9, 1995 (127 shows). During the soundcheck, the Warped Jam included an Ain’t Love Funny/Waterwheel rap and Funky Bitch was sung by Trey.
Setlist, gaps, jam charts, and notes from phish.net, a project of the non-profit Mockingbird Foundation.