Really solid first set and a great old school feeling in how it started up. Theme was really starting to come into its own as a big pleaser and Chris was really starting to kill the lightshow in that one. Taste, still under a year at that time since the whole Fog that Surrounds weirdness, was also great and I remember going ballistic during Loving Cup, always a phave.

The second set blew the roof off the place and really had us in a phrenzy by the time the first notes of YEM cranked up. I remember being pleased with Fire as the set ender--I was looking forward to a long sleep before I made the drive to Spokane (that dirty Spokane! hahahah)

One of those underrated shows that you don't hear about. This one was special for me b/c I personally requested the Foam (LONGTIME phave PHiSH tune--the night before I was talking with Trey about a show in Park City earlier that summer ((my home town at that time)) where they had played a sick Foam underneath a double rainbow.) Any PHiSH set with FOAM in it makes me happy but since I asked phor this one, this one is special.

Set I
Ya Mar – This one has about 3 different small jam segments in which Trey and Page play off each other quite well. Not monumental at all, but don’t skip it. It’s playful and melodic. Clocking in at about 10 minutes, this one serves perfectly as an effective opener.

Bag – The star of this version is, as usual, Fish. His drum fills guide this smoothly built outro jam tempo. This gives a glimpse into just how well Fish can glue the band’s pacing together with his skillful drumming. Not an amazing Bag, but definitely a good one. Obviously Trey gets nasty later on through the song. Great second slot song for this show.
Foam – Ahhh one of the most underrated, unspoken about tunes in the Phish repertoire. Page is on fire in this rendition.

Theme – Clocking in at about 10 minutes, this is a standard Theme. It’s one of those songs that seems like chaotic noise for a while, but ends up slowly sorting itself out for a blissful ending. Don’t expect to be blown away, but nevertheless it is well worth listening to.

Mound – There’s never anything wrong with a Mound in the setlist.

Stash – In my opinion this is a mediocre jam for the first 5 minutes, but it gets intriguing the last few minutes.

Fee – Fee was the song that got me hooked to Phish in the first place. Nothing wrong with the placement here.

Taste – Standard taste.

Loving Cup – While I detest the abundant listening of Loving Cup as of recent tours, this one belongs to an exclusive group of Loving Cups which I can still enjoy. Trey doesn’t force anything, but he also knows he has to keep up the energy, so this version turns out well.

Set 2
David Bowie – Caution! This Bowie is not for relaxing. It will melt your mind if you are not ready for the fast-paced psychedelic notes Trey fires at you. Ha ha ha, but seriously, it is intense.

ADITL – Always fun to hear this. Very cool dissonance-to-resolution Phish can pull off.

Gin – This one is not top 5, but is great in its own right. The tempo switches from slow to fast every couple minutes or so and allows for a smooth transition into the Vibration of Life. Can’t explain it too well, but definitely a highlight.

Vibration of Life – Room for meditation before this nasty YEM.

YEM – Tight playing of the composed sections. Then the jam happens. This jam features many complete halts, making the crowd feel like the song is over. But then Phish puts it into overdrive and funks it out each time the music is stopped. This is what I like to call a hyper-funk jam because it features the speed and energy of ’94, but also the smokin’ funk of late ’96-’97. Mike is the accelerator here with Fish, Trey, and Page keeping pace and creating a hip-moving wall of sound. This also contains a quirky Groove is in the Heart segment and a keeper of a vocal jam.

Star-Spangled Banner – A Cappella is nice.

Fire – Standard, but this set closer doesn’t often disappoint.

Encore: Squirming Coil – I never have too much to say about this. It’s just always refreshing to hear Page alone.

Highlights:
Set 1-Ya Mar, Bag, Stash
Set 2 – Gin>Vibration of Life>YEM, Bowie
Overall: Very good show, but not mind-blowing. Undeniably well-worth at least one listen, but it doesn’t quite achieve a 5-star reputation because its first set is merely solid. The second set is great, but doesn’t contain anything too ground-breaking. The YEM is the real gem here. Maybe it’s not ground-breaking, but it is absolutely filthy and is sheer bliss to listen to. There are jams in the Phish repertoire where I find myself grinning like a jackass, and this is definitely one of them. Check this show out. Rating – 4/5 stars (if I could make it a 4.4 I would).

The Power of Fall '96 shines through.

Standard YaMar. AC/DC bag is played with an extra amount of power, it's a thunderous version very strong. Excellent Theme with a great peak. Really Strong and well played Stash with a little stretch to it. Loving Cup is one of the best versions I've ever heard the guys play. Typically it's time to use the bathroom or leave when you hear it, but don't skip this version!

Bowie is as powerful and intense as you would like it to be, and it opens the set, quite a bit of stretch to it as well. The Gin Jam starts in it's typical fashion but with a little more thunder. It expands into a nice percussive driven jam. Nice little Banter and Vibration of life before a nice stretched out YEM, it's a great version great teases great playing and It runs an extra 6-8 minutes! Who could complain about that?

Coil is excellent to end the show. Top shelf version.

This show is just another example of the 90º turn the guys took after Halloween of this year. Everything is played with inspiration and dexterity. Excellent show!

I was at the Park City show and this show too. The second set in KC was a blast!

SET 1: Ya Mar: Great opener, well jammed.

AC/DC Bag: Nothing out of the ordinary, but it surely rocks. >

Foam: Love this tune, this version is no exception.

Theme From the Bottom: This is the right spot for this tune in this era. Smack dab in the middle of the first set. Not opening or closing a set – or as an encore. Good Theme here.

Mound: Awesome! After this version they put it on the shelf not to be rocked for another 289 shows @ the comeback show 12.31.02!

Stash: Rocking Stash!

Fee: Standard. >

Taste, Loving Cup: Standard.

SET 2: David Bowie: Trey seems to really concentrate on sustaining a lot of his leads deep in this jam. Works very well. Pretty awesome Bowie right here. Underrated for sure.

A Day in the Life: Back in 96 they loved the Bowie/ADITL combo, as they paired them 4 times, three times as second set opener combos. They would pair them once more (not in a set opener spot) at 8.9.10. >

Bathtub Gin: Incredibly peaky in the 8-minute range, Trey just destroying everything in sight. Super funky and fast in the late 9’s. Just a jam-packed version that gets nicely stretched out. All-timer – not as good as Rupp, but still has a seat at the table as IMHO. ->

The Vibration of Life: Last one ever, dedicated to the crew. Bob Newman gets a special shout out for building the speak enclosures. ->

You Enjoy Myself: Love the stop start jam in the 11’s. Things get decidedly funky after that and then a raging jam gets underway. Groove is in the Heart by Deee-Lite at 17:05. Things just get super wacky after this, especially with Fishman and Mike. Trey on his kit.

The Star Spangled Banner: Standard.

Fire: Fire indeed, this is smoked.

ENCORE: The Squirming Coil: Standard (awesome).

Summary: First is solid, workmanlike. Gets the job done and is anchored by a good Stash. Second set is where it’s at – huge jams and not just jams – but one that is definitely an all-timer (YEM) and IMHO two (Gin). Bowie is no slouch either. Another barn burner show in the Midwest and Trey pays respect to the crowd in that regard – he talks about how this is the last show in “this half of the country” and the next show is 1,700 miles away. I am all in on this show as a 4.3 out of 5.