All selections and text by: Joe Bakaitis (a couple audio clips were edited to save bandwidth)
“2001 > Bowie” 10.27.95 II, Kalamazoo MI
This was my first show and still to this day the best “Bowie” I have heard. When the jam starts up Trey is chanting some pretty strange stuff under his guitar work. This is a must hear for any “Bowie” fan.
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“Mike’s > Lifeboy > Weekapaug” 8.13.96 II, Noblesville, IN
What a night this was. Everything about this show was great. The last four songs of set one are also worth checking out, but this is by far the best “Mike’s” from the whole 96 summer tour. For the most part summer 96 seemed pretty tame, but they really let it out in this “Mike’s.”
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“Theme, Punch, Ghost > Taste” 8.9.97 I, East Troy, WI
97 has so many gems, and it seemed like the bands style would change every show. The first four songs of set one was some of my favorite Phish music I have ever heard. This was my first time seeing them play “Ghost” and what a “Ghost” it was. These first four songs still seem fresh in my memory 16 years later.
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“Julius > Slave” 12.5.97 II, Cleveland,OH
For a 97 show this one seems to be overlooked alot, and on paper this might seem like a let down as being the heart of the second set, but this “Julius” swings harder than any Phish song I have heard them play, and then the “Slave” is out of this world.
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“Tweezer > Izabella” 12.6.97 II, Auburn Hills, MI
This is the best “Tweezer” ever. I’m sure just about everyone has heard this one. You really just need to listen to the whole second set.
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“2001 > Mike’s > Weekapug > Zero “7.17.98 II, George, WA
My friends and me did this whole summer tour and even though the tour opener in Portland was a great show, summer tour really felt like it started this night. What a magical night in the desert.
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“Mike’s > Simple > Bittersweet Motel” 7.21.98 II, Phoenix, AZ
This “Mike’s Song” is dark, rocking, and just out right awesome but the best part of this show is the “Simple.” This “Simple” is just great. Trey and Pages playing is so sweet and light. This whole second set is worth listening to, but I always find myself enjoying the “Mikes > Simple” the most. I believe this was the first time they played “Bittersweet” too.
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“Bathtub Gin” 7.29.98 I, Maryland Heights, MO
This is the “Bathtub Gin” of all “Bathtub Gins!”
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“Mike’s Song” 12.30.99 III, Big Cypress, FL
From my top ten list it would seem that I really like “Mike’s Song,” and who doesn’t, but I wanted to pick only songs from shows that I was at and I also wanted to pick out songs that are forever my first thoughts when I am asked about Phish, so behold another “Mike’s Song.” I remember CK5 filling up the swamp with the most smoke I have ever seen at a Phish show and this is one dark, electric, rocking “Mike’s Song.” I am sad to say that I feel that this is one of the last true “Mike”s Songs” with a real jam.
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“Moma, Light > Taste, Fluffhead, Joy, Gin> Hood. E. Slave” 8.7.09, George, WA
For my tenth pick I’m going to have to pick this whole second set. I have thought Phish has played some great shows in their new era, but maybe its’ the openness of the Gorge but to me this show has a feel that you don’t hear very much nowadays. Every song has a pop and a lightness to them. The jams do not seem forced and the “Light” and “Gin” have epic jams for 3.0 Phish. I have not been to a lot of show in the 3.0 era, but have downloaded most of the shows, and I keep finding myself listening to this show the most out of all of the 3.0 Phish. Great Phish music all around.
This was a fun project and than you Mr. Miner for the opportunity to share my memory’s with everyone.
