LIVE PHISH 07

This is a SICK show from Phish's firery breakout period between 1992 and 1994. The sets are long, unpredictable, the musicianship is incredible and full of passion and energy, and many of the songs are all classics that were seldom played in the latter years of the band's existence.

The first set sparkles with great Phish standards (many of which were still new songs back in 1993, learning to walk), and there is spontenaity in tracks like "Guelah Papyrus," and "Chalkdust Torture." Be warned - guitarist Trey Anastasio sets everything in the room on fire with his custom Languedoc semi-hollowed body guitar. Don't be fooled by the quirkiness - these guys are some serious players.

The "Antelope" in this show is the gem and without a doubt one of the best of hundreds of versions of the song ever played. For more that a half hour, the band tightrope-walks through Jame's Gang's "Walk Away," The Who's instrumental "Sparks," and the reggae of "Have Mercy" without losing sight of the goalposts, which is the "Antelope" that wraps it all up with a bow. The set rounds out with a killer "You Enjoy Myself (YEM)" that includes an operatic vocal jam and a "Myster Achievement" jam thrown in for weird measure. "Purple Rain" is dead on, and ZZ Top's "La Grange" is the last encore. The filler contains a noisy and hot "Mikes Song," followed by Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig in the Sky (complete with vaccuum solo), and is closed with a bouncy and intense "Weekapaug Groove." Listen, and believe. Surrender to the phlow.

There are so many intracate little flips, dips, and musical sprinkles on this recording that it would be impossible to describe them all in the space of this comment field. Regardless, this disc can be the perfect introduction to a phriend of yours who is interested in learning about live Phish.

The Rift tour was probably the first really big tour Phish embarked on. Although their audience hadn't swelled to the numbers it would in the follow tour, they had a pretty solid following at this point. If you like long jams you'll love this show. By this point they had really grown comfortable with each other's improvisational ear. The Run Like an Antelope jam lasts for most of the second disc and encompasses several songs, including The Who's Sparks from Tommy. One of the funniest moments on this disc is Jon Fishman's vocal and vacuum rendition of The Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd. As with all Phish albums, instrumentally, these guys are amazing. The sound quality is also quite good in comparison to their earlier live recordings.