DOWNLOADS OF THE WEEKEND:
In the middle of their revolutionary Summer ’97 Europe run, Phish stopped for two nights in Amsterdam. Following up their amazing show on 2.17.97, Phish brought the heat in the former church turned venue, The Paradiso. Legend has it that during their weekend in the worlds psychedelic capitol, Trey had some “adventures” resulting in this stage banter:
Now be careful when you walk out of here tonight…because you don’t want to be swallowed up by one of those worms in the canal. You know those toilets on the side of the road here — don’t go in there — because you’ll get sucked down into the canal and be stuck all night riding along those giant worms….you might think I’m kidding around, but it happened to me last night and it was scary.
One can only imagine the antics that went into that story! Nonetheless, “the back of the worm” became the theme of the weekend, as the phrase was repeated and catcalled by Trey and Fish throughout several jams during both shows.
The music over these two shows stellar was very illustrative of the changes the band was undertaking during their Europe run. The first night started with an extended “Ghost” story, setting the laid back and funked-out tone for the stand. Both second sets were perfectly flowing sets of improvisational Phish.
7.2 began quickly with a massive first set “Mike’s Sandwich,” while set two featured a 30-minute masterpiece in “Stash,” and a “Llama” that found its way into a jam that brought everyone onto the “back of the worm.” This legendary set was capped with a double encore- taboot, taboot. These shows were classic pieces of the Summer of 1997.
7.1.97 Paradisio, Amsterdam, NL < LINK
I: Ghost, Horn, Ya Mar, Limb By Limb, Ain’t Love Funny, I Saw It Again, Dirt, Reba, Dogs Stole Things
II: Jam* > Timber Ho!, Bathtub Gin > Cities, Loving Cup, Slave to the Traffic Light
E: When the Circus Comes
*Fish alone on piano, then builds into a jam distinct from “Timber Ho!”
7.2.97 Paradisio, Amsterdam, NL < LINK
I: Mike’s Song > Simple > Maze, Strange Design, Ginseng Sullivan, Vultures, Water in the Sky, Weekapaug Groove
II: Jam > Stash > Llama > Worm Town Jam* > Wading in the Velvet Sea
E1: Free^
E2: David Bowie
*A jam on “Swing Town” (Steve Miller tune) with dark vocals about “Back of the Worm.” ^Band left stage after Free.
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VIDEOS OF THE WEEKEND: CLIFFORD BALL DVD PREVIEWS
“Punch You In the Eye”
“Fluffhead”
