From: Charlie Dirksen
10/15/86 Hunt's, Burlington, VT (Rvwd 11/95) Nick sent this to me labeled as 4/20/87, Paul's first show. Nick mentioned that it might be 10/15/86. Trey says "Paul" before the Quinn... as if in reference to the sound. Shelly seemed to think the Oct 86 date made more sense than 4/20/87, but that she would ask Paul about it (Shelly? Are you still asking Paul? ;^). The MikeS at this show segued right out of an **AMAZING** Quinn the Eskimo (much more interesting than any Dead version I've heard, although Trey is clearly imitating Jerry's style of jamming in this version, which makes it that much more enjoyable... he does a great job!). Mike LOVES singing this tune! Too bad that they don't do it today (would beat the hell out of *every* cover they do today, in my opinion). These jam segments are hot! Page is lovin' 'em! There are jam segments between the verses.. To think what they could do with this tune TODAY!! Yikes. C'mon you guys!! I'd much rather hear them do this than Destiny Unbound, that's for DAMN sure! GOD I LOVE THIS CLOSING JAM! It is honestly like hearing Phish cover a Dead tune..WELL! (I guess this was the point) Mike's bass is like Phil, Trey's playin' like Jerry, but Page is Page and Fish is Fish.. this is really fun to hear! It is not that the jamming is awe-inspiring in its depth and complexity..IT ISN'T...but it is just very Curious and Fun! Might as well be a "Here Comes Sunshine" jam in this ending jam segment! HEY, AND WHAT THE !@#$% HAPPENED TO MUSTANG SALLY!? This is a great cover.. wish they did this one too. AND "I WISH".. what happened??? Sneakin' Sally??? All of these covers are more complex and engaging than Highway, GTBT, Frankenstein.. even Peaches, Day in the Life, and Yamar, for christ's sake! RIIIDE SALLY RIDE! ;^) Ride Captain Ride.. That's what we need to bring in '96! A Ride Captain-> Mustang Sally encore! This Quinn the Eskimo is definitely one of my favorite performances of Phish doin' a cover. The segue into MikeS is smooth and SWEEEET!! (one other thing: the Fluffhead at this show is one of my faves.. there's an Allmans jam in it, although brief.. Jessica, sorta.. very cool! they may not have meant for it to be like Jessica, but it sure comes damn close to it (just kidding.. there is always this Allmans tease.. it is built in to Fluffhead)) The MikeS opening verse is a bit quicker than usual (comin' as it does out of the Quinn jam), and the "tramps segment" begins at 2:10 or so, earlier than usual. This jam is really beautiful, folks. I love this MikeS! Trey really kneads a melodic theme, and the interplay with the other band members is really amazing, especially given that this is such an Olde Show. Nick says that Trey "blatantly" teases Zappa's "The Gumbo Variations" in here, but I am not familiar enough with that to verify it. I wish the MikeS of today were more like this.. just one constant jam that enchants with spell-binding melodies and harmonies. Damn this is nice!! No hint of the MIkeS theme ending even around 5 mins.. they are just in never-never-land, in the midst of an intensely melodic jam. DAMN IS THIS GOOD. This MikeS should be mandatory listening material for anyone who thinks the Mike's Songs of the last few years have been great. Christ. This is almost EMBARRASING to listen to. At just after 6 mins, the same pre-closing theme jam comes in as on 10/17/85, and then the final MikeS-theme close. The theme ends at 6:49, and then there are the same chords from Page as if Mike was going to do that same final weird verse that he did on 10/17/85 (which, presumably, was done on other MikeS in 1986.. although my 12/86 version doesn't have this ending verse thing). But Mike doesn't do this final weird verse here. A- for this kickass MikeS. Definitely one of my favorite versions.