Phish - December 30th, 2016

Trey dazzles in this patient and well-crafted "Type I" jam reminiscent of some late 1.0 versions.

The jam slowly, patiently builds before (similar to 10/19/16) plateauing mellifluously, exploding triumphantly, and seguing into "Sparks" (after Trey arguably teases "Midnight Rider" for a measure or two!).

Severe weather alert: if the thunder don't get you, then the lightning wheel. [Mike opens the door to a more contemplative major-key space, and Trey hits on a gorgeous repeating note pattern. Page moves to piano and the jam turns warmer and richer, then settles down into a chilled-out late-night groove. Superb version that > into a killer "Light".]

Delves into a knotty space out of the verses at Mike's urging, then Page takes the reins and he and Trey bring in a cavalcade of spacey effects and the jam gets foggier and fuzzier, Fishman hanging back and adding color rather than driving the proceedings. Resolves into an almost calypso-style space, with some dissonant and atonal playing from Trey, then slides into an upbeat zone that Trey and Page briefly sing "Party Time" vocals over. The band builds to a pretty sweet peak, we get some more "Party Time" vocals for funsies, then > into "Velvet Sea". A strong jam from a killer set.

Extended take begins by bringing the music to hush, with dynamically delicate nuance setting the table. Trey's liquid sustain glides with Mike's economical bass fills, slowly building to a soaring conclusion.