From peter.j.bean@vanderbilt.edu Sat Dec 12 16:21:22 1998
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 10:36:39 -0600 (Central Standard Time)
From: "Bean, Peter Justin" 
To: dan@archive.phish.net
Subject: Show Review, 11-15-98 MTSU Center, 1st Set

	The energy was high well before the show Sunday 
night (Nov. 15).  The MTSU Center is basically a big 
rectangle, with circular seating around a modest stage.   
It's not too big, which created for one big hot box, but it 
was okay.  The Phans were riled up for an exciting show, 
and they were not the least bit disappointed.
	The show opened with My Friend, My Friend, a 
sometimes overlooked song that carries a great beat and 
served its purpose well for opening the show.  The real 
treat came right afterwards, with a roaring, long, 
free-jammed Ghost.  (It's amazing how great a song it 
is, and how poorly Phish captures it on the new album, but 
that's another issue...)  Phish read the energy of the 
crowd, and played to it, keeping the first set rolling with 
an absolutely killer, wild Scent of a Mule.  I've never 
quite heard them play that song so well - they seemed to 
find the right beat, and make the right transitions as the 
song jammed.  Lots of technically excellent free-jam, and 
Fish pushed a nice beat.  
	The energy after Mule was incredibly high, and 
Phish couldn't have picked a better time to play Cavern.  
The song fit in perfectly with the first set, and crucially 
kept the energy of the show high, while kicking out one of 
their best songs in style. 
	The set continued with Limb by Limb, though I 
thought they didn't quite hit it right on this particular 
night.  It was maybe a fraction too slow, and Page slipped 
a bit near the end.  All in all, though, a nice fit in with 
the set.
	After a great rendition or Roggae, Phish left the 
crowd in a frenzy with a high-energy La Grange cover.  very 
nice as always, and a perfect close to the set.  
	This was, no doubt, a very good set.  The crowd 
wanted to rock, and Phish rocked.  This set was high 
energy, lots of jamming, technically well-played, and fun, 
fun, fun.  Almost everyone was close to the stage, and a 
great light show added to the fun and frenzy.  I will, for 
sure, remember this first set as a great one.  


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bean, Peter Justin
Vanderbilt University
Email: peter.j.bean@Vanderbilt.Edu



-------------


From justinm@mem.net Sat Dec 12 16:21:23 1998
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 16:02:28 -0600
From: Justin Metz 
To: dan@archive.phish.net
Subject: 11/15/98 Show Review

After hearing some of the negative posts and Vibes
coming out of the Murfreesboro show on 11/15/98, I
figured i'd better write a review to clear some things up.
This was #16 for me (Cincy was 15).  I also have over
500 hours of Phish on tape, so I'm no stranger to
Phish's intense grooves.

First off The Setlist should read like this

set 1: My Friend, Ghost, Driver, Scent of A Mule,
Cavern, Limb By Limb, Roggae, La Grange

Set 2: Runaway Jim, Stash, Mike's
Song>>Simple>>Wading in The Velvet Sea,
JAM*>>Loving cup>>Weekapaug Groove
Encore: Rocky Top

*3-5 minute jam, started off like an Ambient jam with
some spacy effects, but got a little more loud and
groovin towards the end.  Finished with Page taking it
in to Cup.

The Scene outside the Venue was Sketchy.  I watched 3
people get their car Searched and hassled by Police,
then taken off in handcuffs!!  Boo!!  Still alot of
vending going on, just lots of cops everywhere.
Inside the Venue was small.  Just a little bit bigger than
a High School Gymnasium.  The Floor Was Very
Small, And thats where i was first set - Very middle
about 6 rows back.

They opened with a crispy My Friend.  I hadn't heard
this as an opener since Alpine Valley in 96, and i think
this version was much better.  The energy was just
intense.  I don't think i've been so psyched for an opener
in a while.  IT WAS NICE, Always a great tune to get
down to.  I didn't notice to many people dancing around
me.  I was getting down though.  After it was over I
heard Trey kick in the Delay Loop, and I looked over to
my friend and said "this better be
GHOST!" -  Great version.  Slow and funky from the
outset, Page really funked it down in the section
between the verses.  The Jam started out really great
from the begginning.  As soon as the last verse was
sung they all started grooving a little faster.  and Trey
strummed along for a minute than started noodling.
Page was really working very well off of Trey.  I could
tell that they were really on the money, even more so
than Cincy.  The jam lasted a good 10-15 minutes and
was VERY NICE.  It slowed down some, and Trey
Picked up his Acoustic as it wound down and we got
Driver - good song.  First time for me.  I really liked the
lyrics.  It seemed in the style of the OLD Water IN The
Sky, but better.
Scent Of A Mule - this was So Dank.  Much better than
the Houston version With Ha Ha Ha sandwiched in
between.  Page Just kicked ASS!!  i've seen Scent 6
times now, and this is my favorite.  Page just kept
fuckin me up.  I couldn't believe how on he was.  Some
dude in front of me was trippin real hard and fell down
TWICE because Page was just rippin' those keys
down.  I thought he teased something real quick early
on, but i couldn't place it.  GREAT MULE!!!
Cavern - Standard stuff, Great placement
Limb By Limb - Oh yea!  i got real excited as they
kicked into this.  This is one of my favorites.  Ever
Since Atlanta 97 have i just loved this shit!  This was the
best version i've heard to date (out of 4).  The jam
started out real hard and strong, but Trey slowed it
down some and then brought it back up, then back
down and noodled around alot.  The whole time the
entire band was just right there with him - especially
Fishman.  He jammed it up a little bit more, then after
about 8-10 minutes he kicked back into the main Theme
of the song where they sing the limb by limb by limb
part.  But no words, They just slowed it down and
ended it slowly, no inhuman drum beat from Fish.
Roggae - Nice Verison - one of my favorites of the new
98 stuff.  kind of Standard though
La Grange - Well the version i heard in Dallas this
summer was FAR BETTER and LONGER than this,
but i kind of expected that.  First set closers jam good,
but never really stretch out too far.  The jammed it up
good, and ended it after about 7 or 8 minutes.  Nice
Closer.

setbreak was bullshit.  There were two exits to get off
the floor and EVERYONE  was trying to get out.  I
waited 15 or 20 minutes to get out to the concession
area.  Then I waited in line 20-25 minutes just for an
expensive cup of Ice Water.  By the time i was out of
the line, the lights went down, and i had to push my way
through a bunch of people to get back down on the
floor.  SHEESH!!  This place needs better Access!!

Runaway Jim - Yea!  Never heard this as an opener to
anything before so i was stoked!!  I didn't make it to the
floor until the jam.  The lyrical part was real good, but i
wish i could have been more into it, instead of trying to
find a spot.  The jam was nice, 10-12 minutes.  It never
really left the Jim Jam.  Trey rock and Rolled it hard
though.
Stash - ABSOLUTELY SMOKED!!!  right as they
kicked into this i saw the guy next to me get arrested for
smoking pot!!  that really sketched me out.  The stash
jam was so magnificent. It was normal stash stuff, but
Trey and Page were just hittin so many high points and
getting some awesome noodling in, then the jam turned
and got really different.  I have to hear the tapes to really
discuss what went on exactly with the jam, but i do
remember that it was fuckin killer.
Mike's Song>> - I called this for set 2.  Standard Mike's
jam.  good jammin by all the band.  Trey was a little
more into it, than some of the versions i've heard from
this summer.  I really got into this one.  I figured after
the switch it would go into
Simple>> - Standard Simple jam.  after the Bebop verse
Trey just busted out a fat-ass riff, best one i've ever
heard between the Bebop and Skyscraper verses.  The
jam was good, standard simple stuff - just a variation on
the same jam.  Ended with a nice Page solo that lasted
about a minute and sounded like something out of
Squirming Coil, but it was just a lead into
Wading In The Velvet Sea. - My first.  I really enjoy it
on the album.  The lyrics are beautiful  "Time leaks out,
My life leaks in"  AWESOME!!  Good jam. as it
finished a one second pause fell into some spaciness
which was the precursor to the
JAM>>  - this jam was as close to an ambient jam that
they got all night.  It had alot of spacy effects from the
rest of the band and Trey was noodling around real
well.  It was tight.  It lasted about 3 to 6 minutes.   I was
really zoning into it, and the jam kept building and
getting louder.  It finally ended with Page playing some
familiar notes...
Loving Cup - Oh what a beautiful buzz.  Good
placement.  I like hearing new shit inside Mike's groove
and this didn't disappoint.  It got the whole crowd
moving.  The jam was good, rocked hard, but standard
as usual.  When the noise at the end finally settled down
a little bit I heard Fish's familiar Drum Beat Start To
Rise, Then Mike...
Weekapaug Groove -  I wan't really expecting a hot
version.  The set had been good, but not superb for the
most part, just good and somewhat standard.  and i
know they rock and rolled the Vegas Weekapaug hard
so i was expecting something more standard.  But this
version also smoked.  SO much interaction, and jam
switching.  Page started funkin it down so hard and SO
FAST i couldn't believe it.  I had to dance doubletime!!
Trey got in there well, as well as Mike and Fish.  But
that was pretty much the story of the night.  Good
Interaction from each band member, and tight, tight
jammin throughout.  The Whole Show was much
tighter and smoother than Cincinatti.
Rocky Top  - I was hoping for a bigger encore. It was
11:00 when they left the stage after set 2 and i was
expecting a double.  or a Coil. But when they came on i
knew it was rocky top because i could hear the blue
grass gearing up in trey's guitar (i always recognize
Phish blue grass).  It was good, but i heard them do this
as a single encore in knoxville in 96.  That had a good
set 2 mike's groove as well. I don't care though, i live in
Tennessee so it's Ok with me.

Highlights for me were the My Friend, Ghost opener,
Scent, Limb By Limb, Stash, and The entire Mike's
groove.
Driver was nice to hear for the first time also.

"Something" in Cincinnati was Awesome, but the rest
was standard, Good, but standard.  Cincy didn't jam too
much, and most of the songs i've heard MANY times
before.  On a Whole, Murfreesboro was a better show
than Cincy.   Murfreesboro had more jams, no doubt.
cicny seemed to float from song to song, but never
really reached out and connected to anything.  The
Mike's Groove In Murfreesboro DID...

I had a great time at both though.  I hope they play more
shows next year.  Maybe even a sho^@^@^@^@pring Tour...


Let me hear watch you think of my Review
justinm@mem.net

or stop by and say hi
http://www.stuff4stores.com/guyute.html

peace to you all
justin


-----------------



Date:    Tue, 17 Nov 1998 00:27:08 -0500
From:    Steve Paolini 
Subject: 11/15/98 Tennesse Review

Tennesseing is Tennebelieving...

(Sorry I just had to get that out.)

First a little background.  This was an extremely special show to me.
It was my 50th.  More than that, it was the 7 year anniversary of my 1st
show (11/15/91 @ Trax).

First off, I must express my dissappointment that Phish didn't play
Destiny Unbound for me, as per my letter.  It seemed so logical...the
lasy time they played it was at my first show, and here we were, 49
shows later and on the same day, taboot taboot.  I mean, friends of mine
are starting to think I;ve had something to do w/ the 7 year drought.
Seriously, though (and I really did write that letter, BTW) I was
expecting big things.

I didn't quite get them, but I did get a Phish show.  If there's one
thing I've learned after seeing Phish on virtually every tour since fall
'91 (I'm not the touring type), it's that it's ok to have expectations,
just remember that when they're not fulfilled, you're still at a Phish
show.  End of babbling on to the review...

The first set was as weak as I've seen in awhile.  MFMF was full of
flubs, but nice to hear, I guess.  Ghost was a good version, but then
again, I'd be hard pressed to find a truly bad version of this song.
Did anyone else hear this Ghost coming a mile away??  Before they even
started the refrain to MFMF, I called it.  Trey started playing what has
become the signature delay loop during MFMF.  Anyway, Driver was mildly
amusing, which seemed to describe the entire set.  SOAMule was...SOAMule
(although it did, unfortunately drive home the fact that there was no
way Bela Fleck was going to play, as was rummored on Andy Gadiel's
page).  This song just doesn't normally do it for me (except for
12/30/94, for some reason).  Limbx2 was probably above average, and La
Grange was a first for me.  Still, nothing anywhere near
groundbreaking.  Maybe a 2.5, tops.

Second set made the trip worthwhile, though.  I'm not quite sure why
people seemed to dislike this set.  Runaway was pretty standard, but the
Stash that followed would have been a highlight at any show.  A solid 15
min. w/ plenty of *interesting* jamming.  A lot of Stash's tend to too
far out there and end up boring me.  This is just a personal preference,
though, nd I'm sure alot of you dig the wierd versions;  they don't
really do it for me though.  It really reminded me of a seriously tamed
down 7/2/97 version (Hidden B&P offer, I'll dub this show for the first
who responds) which is one of my all time favorite Phish jams.  Ever.
Now, last night's version wasn't in this league, but it was a similar
style, relying less on tension and release, and more on unique ideas.

Mike's was next and was average (for Mike's song, mind you, still
apowerhouse of a jam).  Nice, though usual, segue into Simple, which was
also good but not great.  Velvet was up next, and while I like this
song, it always fools me into thinking I'm going to get a Purple Rain
(especially when it's in the middle of a Mike's Groove, I start getting
flashbacks of 12/30/93).  Loving Cup was all Trey, and was one of my
favorite renditions  of this classic.  Weekapaug was as fierce as ever,
but nowhere near NYE '97.  I really enjoyed the second set... nothing
legendary, but consistent in both jaming and song selection.  I'd say
5.5

Clearly not a great show, but nothing to sneeze at.  I'm glad I was in
TN last night instead of at home in Atlanta.  Can't wait for Greenville
(and MSG 30th & NYE), though!!  Ok, how about one more *potential*
offer.  I am 95% sure that I'll have 2 extras for NYE.  I'll consider
any trade/sale that amounts to $37.50 per ticket.  Preference will go to
those who I've exchanged private emails with in the past, but go ahead
and try me, regardless.  If you don't hear from me, I'm sorry...

--Steve


-------

1/15/98 MTSU Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, TN


 Getting into the venue was torture, as the traffic was out of hand. 
     Those if us that had to deal with will call were even more unfortunate 
     - what were they thinking ? Most of the show lacked energy, and at 
     times it seemed the boys were on autopilot. The Mike's - VERY simple 
     Simple was almost boring - though the Lovin Cup was solid, and in a 
     most unusual spot. La Grange was a nice first set closer, and Scent 
     was uplifting. Just seemed as though the show lacked will. No worries 
     though - can't all be the bomb. On to Greenville....
     
     Mg 




Murfreesboro, Tenessee was an outstanding show to me, and I would like to
portray a different opinion than some who say, "Worst show of tour".  First of
all I have been to about fifteen shows and have been an ardent fan and tape
collector for about three years.  This is my first ever review, tough, but I
had heard bad things and felt completely opposite, so here goes. Skip to end
if just want summation without explanation.
My preshow was nightmare!  Yes, from the beginning my evening was horrible.
We met up with friends who "knew the way" and got lost.  Finally made it to
the show about six, when the doors opened, and still three friends had to get
will call tickets.  Well, MTSU had the worst! system designed for will call,
buying tickets, and seeing the show.  But I was so pysched to get in, because
I had my ticket, and I had just seen the two Vegas shows; plus judging from
the previous nights we were up for a good setlist.  After lots of confusion,
stemming from the lines at will call and miscommunication, I lost everyone I
was with.  I ended up sitting in the perfect seats for the first set, front
and center, level with the band.  Seeing a show by myself was a first for me
and was probably one of the best experiences at a concert.  So I didn't really
care to miss the show to find the group.  Anyways, lights when out. crowd went
crazy, Fishman walks out with this viking hat which fit him perfectly!  My
Friend My Friend was a great mellow opener, that beginning part is very
patient and relaxed,  then get to the heavier part, which picked up the show.
"Unexpected" opener, which was a pleasant surprised, and one of the best parts
aobut the band, the unexpected.  I knew ghost was coming, although I was
hoping those spacy, delay loops were starting a 2001.  But ghost was nice.
Long, slow with a hint of the early summer 97 ghosts with that jam/riff trey
days that is nice and funky. Can't really explain. But I was definitely into
the show.  Then driver, nice, I heard it in Vegas so knew what it was, this
song is very "creative".  It is like oen complete circle, which I like, but in
the middle it goes many different places.  Interesting to hear again, but not
the "killer show".  Then Scent of Mule.  Always a TREAT!!!!!!  Great version,
this is where Page started to "lead" the show, or at least show that he came
out to duel and jam on the grand piano tonight.  Of course fabulous lights and
a great crescendo jam.  Cavern was interesting next, I knew the set couldn't
be over, but lots of energy, definitely there to keep the crowd going.  I
personally love Limb By Limb, I think it is a great new song.  The beginning
is so pure and clear and it takes off into the funky mellow jam.  This one was
real slow and lost lots of the crowd.  I stayed with it but started to get
side tracted, meaning something wasn't right.  I think this song is an example
of lots of the new stuff, which has the philosophy less is more.  Which is
very true and can be proven by numerous shows, but with it comes the hardest
balance to maintain.  Playing less to create more without playing to little or
something so as to lose the crowd, I think they may have slipped here.
Especially with Roggae next, which to me is alright.  Similar feeling about
the repitition and idea.  Not bad though.  Finally the closer.  I had no idea
what was coming, then Trey starts into those infamous lines, La Grange. What a
surprise.  The energy that started from this song began what the rest of the
show was like, hard, rocked out, ON FIRE!!!!  So set closes and I search for
friends. So set I, alright, some interesting jams, decent set, pretty
satisfied, because I can feel something big coming.
        Set II, I am alone again on floor in perfect place.  Lights go out.  RUNAWAY
JIM.  Perfect song to come out with, so sweet, began the set with a rock jam
mood.  The jam that ensued from Jim was fantastic, great lights, lots of
solid, equal play from whole band.  They were playing together, creating peaks
of energy and starting over with a new variation.  I thought it should have
kept going but Trey sort of forced it to end.  (which is fine, he is the
musician, he knows what he is doing, I just know what I felt, no one is there
though to see how I feel)  Stash, is always nice, I have gotten it a bunch
lately, and I feel the same each time.  Start out ambivalent, then grow
towards impressed by the song, music, wind up in awe of band.  Especially when
it was followed by, Duh Deh De Deh. . . of MIKE"S.  Whoowhoo!!!!   It was so
great, becasue the band was together.  They were playing it much slower than
usual, but definitely ready to jam.  They took this song into a great jam,
that just kept me moving.  So many different facets and little jams, while
that one big groove was going on.  GET THE TAPES (at least of second set).  SO
anyways, SIMPLE.  Simple was awesome, especially since I just finished reading
The Phish Book, where Trey talks about it is the one song he wishes he had
written.  It undoubtely is one of their favorites (at this point in career,
which could change tomorrow), especially with Trey working some magical guitar
rifts into the saxophone part and at the Beebop part the whole band sort of
knew to go into this other little jam, "trey cool" as some would say.  Plus
the mellow, winding jam that they take out of the versus part of the song,
just moves me every time.  Especially, when Page steps forward and really
becomes leader in the jam, but at same time just felt like all playing
together, and naturally it wound up with Page soloing.  I love seeing him come
forward and show off his hidden, remarkable talent.  I felt Loving cup was
coming, but to a nice surprise Wading in the Velvet Sea.  Another song I like
that most people don't.  I think it is perfect in that it is one of the few
Phish songs where the lyrics get me, but more importantly it balances between
the heavy sort of sorrow sadness that can be felt and the melodrama that would
make it rediculous, stupidly repetitive.  WHen it was over, Page played what I
felt was coming, boy do I love those opening lines to Loving Cup.  Everyone
else is silent and Page starts those pure moving notes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost
fell on the railing next to me I was jumping so high.  I LOVE THIS SONG.  This
is by far one of the best versions I have heard.  It was really long for a
Loving Cup, (anyone know exact time), but the best part about it was the
energy; length doesn't matter if not jamming well.  BUt oh my god, this made
me want to rip myself apart.  Trey was wailing this into a pure rock and roll
jam.  It built itself up multiple times(which is one of my favorite type of
jams), it was pure.  No synthesizers, etc., just Trey on guitar and Page on
grand piano.  This song was basically jsut out of control, everyone going nuts
(including the band and jam).  Especially since we knew Weekapaug was coming
up.  (I thought they might stop with Loving cup because so good, and encore
with Weekapaug, how incrdible would that be?)  But those base lines hit, and
we were off.  THis was nuts, no other way to describe.  LISTEN TO TAPES.  I
CANNOT DESCRIBE the length of energy maintained from the beginning of Mike's
thru Weekapaug, but especially in Loving Cup and Weekapaug.  I am sore because
I have not gotten as much exercise in a year that I danced away last night.
Finally, the crowd was screaming so loud for the encore, I had to put my hands
over ears.  Unbelievable, I thought everyone was as impressed as me, but
obviously not with some of the critiques, which is fine we all have our
differences, I just want some to know the power this show had on me.  Rocky
Top, great encore, new it was coming, yeah short, would have liked maybe Slave
or something afterwards but hey expectations are made to be knocked down and
the show didn't need it (maybe Greenville will get one, I hope).  
        So, to get to the point, overall the show was: well fantastic.  This show was
definitely different than the style being played of late.  Nothing quite as
slow, synthetic, and funky as say the third set of Vegas.  Don't get me wrong
I appreciate that style just as much or more, but this show was different.
This show (probably should say set II, because set I just alright, I get
caught up in euphoria of set II) was just a rocked out energetic jam using the
combined talent as a whole of each individual in the band.  Some may not like
this style as much but have to admit they were on fire.  Yes, there was no
little antic played or new cover song "busted out" or old song brought back or
any of those types of things.  THis was PHish at their best, not needing that
stuff, which are great crowd pleasers, I love all the gags etc., but this was
raw Phish.  Just the band and some energetic music.  I think we (phans) may
get our hopes up of the extreme and wild, when really it is a set like set II
of the band, playing one of their many styles,  that is just so solid and
original that keeps me\us coming back.  SO, GET THE TAPES!!!!! EVALUATE FOR
YOURSELF and respond with your opinions,
thanks
peace
Parker Hudson
(phudson3@aol.com)
Oh, by the way, if the guy in the white Maxell shirt who experienced this show
with me reads this please write me, I was the real tall dude going wild,
talking to you about what was about to be played)


This was my phirst Phish show.  My friends Jake and Clay prepared me for
utter insanity as they had caught two shows on the summer tour.  I had
wanted to see Phish for quite some time, but things never worked out for
me.  The three of us along with the other newbie Austin loaded up and
made the seven hour drive to Tennessee.  We spent the day trying to
figure out what they would play.  Of the sixteen songs we picked, four
were played, but we were not dissappointed.
        I thought the first set was very good but not great.  Certainly, the My
Friend opener had to catch everyone by surprise.  It was a song we all
wanted to hear but never thought they'd open with it.  Ghost seemed to
be in placed weird but was nonetheless a great jam. I hadn't heard
Driver before but really liked it.  Scent was insane.  They really tore
it up, and Page's solo was the first real highlight for me.  To me,
there was not much of a duel as Page just wailed away. Trey and Gordon
displayed some mighty fine footwork during the Russian march. Cavern was
another song we picked and one of my first favorites, so it was nice to
hear it.  Limb by Limb had a nice jam, and Roggae was good to hear.  I
loved La Grange.  Mike sounds so much like the Top when he sings it. All
in all a solid set that seemed to be enjoyed by everyone.
However, the second set was the best thing I have ever seen in my life.
Remember, this was my first show, so I may be a little overzealous. 
Runaway Jim was solid.  Stash was incredible, one of the best I have
heard.  The crowd was way into it.  Up next, was Mike's.  We went nuts
when Trey hit the intro.  The groove was the other thing we picked.  The
jam was tremendous with Trey wailing away.  I heard Mike play the bass
line to Simple, so I knew it was next.  Velvet Sea is one of my
favorites from the new album.  Trey seemed to fumble the solo at the
beginning, but once he got going, it was beautiful.  After a quiet
little jam, Page hit the opening chords, and I thought the roof was
going to come off the place.  I was so hyped as this was something I
really wanted to hear.  Of the few, I have heard this one is by far the
best.  Trey ripped on the solo.  What a beautiful buzz indeed.
Weekapaug-Mike what else can be said.  He was playing some amazing bass
lines.
They closed with Rocky Top, which we kind of expected but didn't think
they'd play.  It was short but fun.  Afterwards, we basked in the glory
we felt after the show.  This weekend Jake, my brother, and I go to
Hampton.  I can't wait.
Michael Dean
msdean@planttel.net



From: bren mcleod bren@ebicom.net
Subject: FALL_REVIEW

  My Friend opener was tight; great red lights throughout by Chris and
Trey's guitar was down by his knees.  This opener seemingly indicated that
the boys intended a very nasty show.  Ghost was nice; so was Driver.
Scent of a Mule went NOWHERE!  I'm sorry that everyone thought this was a
highlight and Chicken Shack in the middle.  In my opinion, this is where
the first set took a turn for the worse and where the band lost their
hook-ups.  The rest of the first set was fair by phish standards, with the
exception of LaGrange, where I felt the band meshed again.  It was
considerably shorter than the Dallas Lagrange, which ironically was a set
opener and completely rocked out. But this LaGrange was no doubt a great
set closer:  enjoyable because not like Character Zero and pretty
unpredictable and tight. 

Second Set:  Jim was nice, Stash OK, Mike's is always good if not
spectacular, even though Simple was as obvious as it gets.  But, I'll
sacrifice Simple to hear Mike's and Weekapaug any day.  Loving cup OK,
maybe a little too crowd pleasing, but they played it very well none the
less.

Encore:  Anyone who was please with Rocky Top as  the sole encore needs
help; it's ok if they do it as an obligatory ending, especially in
Tennessee, but please put something smoking in front of it.  



Wading in the Velvet Sea has to do with the incident involving Trey and
a personal friend of his in their ongoing practical jokes and bad puns
incidents that got Trey suspended at UVM when he was at college there.
The incident that comes to mind is when he took a lamb's heart and a
human hand, placed the heart in the hand and mailed it to his friend
(normal mail) with a note reading "I've got to hand it to you, you've
got heart."  Trey forgot to be at all subtle about sending it; he didn't
package the animal and human parts in any sort of protective materials
and he put his return address on the package.  Thus, it was easy to
catch him "red-handed" and prosecute him.

Well, here's what I'm thinking:
The lines "I took a moment from my day / wrapped it up in things you say
/ mailed it off to your  address / you'll get it soon unless / the
packaging begins to break / and all the points I tried to make / are
tossed with thoughts into a bin / time leaks out my life leaks in"
pertain to the practical joke and the ensuing punishment from UVM for
his prank.  The lines "You won't find moments in a box / and someone
else will set your clocks" pertain to the idea that UVM put him on a
suspension--that his time at UVM was decided for him by someone else.

Thanks,
Joel Price
jprice1@swarthmore.edu
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/~jfwp/phish.html



First of all anyone complaining about this show doesn't know what the 
hell they are talking about. I travelled a long distance to this show, 
and was rewarded for my troubles. I thought the show was absolutely 
amazing, and I have seen a great number of shows. There was a definate 
mood set the minute you walked into the venue.  I saw the Vegas shows 
which were great, but the scene here was like night and day compared to 
Vegas.  The venue was incredibly intimate.  The floor was one of the 
smallest I've ever seen, and it was not too crowded because every seat in 
the house was a good one.  The boys knew from the start it was going to 
be a good night. To tell you the truth I was worried about them blowing 
the roof of the fucking place.  I was groovin on the floor even with Page 
half way back, a beautiful view.
The show reminded me of a 94 show alot. It was almost as if it was 1994. 
The setlist had a lot of tunes from that period and the venue was like a 
94 venue. 

My Friend, My Friend-  I haven't heard this tune since Gainsville, FLA. 
96.  It definetly set the mood for the entire show. A great opener played 
extremely well, and it was on. The crowd was ready to go. 

Ghost-  Next Ghost was very good.  They definetly didn't waste any time 
getting to the meat of things. I've seen a lot of ghosts and to tell you 
the truth I've never not liked one. This one wasn't any better than any 
others I don't guess. It just rocked. Yeah baby! 

Driver- Although I wasn't expecting this yet, It was beautiful. This song 
is awesome. What more could you want than Trey on acoustic singing us a 
ditty. Hope they keep this one around, I think they will. It was 
definately a change from the rocking Ghost, but I like it when they mix 
it up.

Scent of a mule- They picked things right back up with the first notes of 
Scent. The jam in the middle was great. Page did his thing, and I thought 
Trey was really trying to go out there, but people kept screaming like 
idiots and he finally said fuck it. Fishman started a militant jam that 
sounded like a drumroll for a nazi marching band or something. They 
finished Scent strongly.

Cavern- Funk What more needs to be said. Pure Energized FUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Limbylimb- This Limb was great. Trey was staring up into the lights, 
doing his famous mouth exercises the entire song.  He was all over this 
jam, getting so far down on the neck of the guitar, I found myself not 
even dancing, but staring at him like I was hypnotized.  He was totally 
visualizing the cool water that drips from above.  WOW!

Roggae- After Limb this was so perfect. After staring up into the air the 
whole Limb, when Trey said his verse about the shiny music descending 
from overhead it was magical. I like this song too much.  When Trey broke 
it down after the intense trance jam, you could feel the music falling 
from the roof.

La Grange- A great song with great placement, sends you into the break 
smiling. Plus Mike got a little of my attention back after Trey 
mesmorized me for Limb and roggae. 


Set 2

Runaway Jim- Jim was incredible. My only complaint was that people 
started yelling during the quiet part right before they kick it. That's 
what makes this song so awesome and people just can't wait until the 
appropriate time to yell. Oh well it still rocked. They didn't jam it too 
long , just long enough. I'm not a big fan of the 55 minute Runaway's 
this one was perfect. Again the show reminds me of a 94 show with Stash 
next.

Stash- WITHOUT A DOUBT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SHOW.  Chris took over 
halfway throughthe song and put on the most incredible light show. I 
think the band got a little too much into the lights themselves. I had 
been a little tired of Stashes but this one changed that. The best Stash 
I've ever seen. 

Mike's- A very good Mike's that morphed a few times picking up more and 
more intensity until it exploded into Simple. I'm not complaining but I 
was getting a little bored with Simple after Mike's since they did it 
pretty much all summer, however this one was placed perfectly. 

Simple- The simple had the energy of a 94 Simple.  It reminded me of the 
Simple from Raleigh,NC 97. It was so loud that it took on a whole nother 
dimension. It slowed to a beautiful mellow jam like most that had me once 
again staring in disbelief.

Velvet Sea-  I know they could have come next with something more 
energetic but if you complain about a Velvet Sea you need your head 
examined.  Whoever said they felt like poking their eyeballs out during 
Velvet is stupid (if you want to fight meet me at will call 420 at 
hampton). I'll poke them out for you if you like. How can you call this 
song cheesy. It's fucking beautiful and full of pure soul, which you 
obviously have little of. I thought I was going to cry when Trey smiled 
at Page as he sang the first lyrics.

Loving Cup- Rock and Roll Baby! What a beautiful buzz it was!

Weekapaug- Gordon was somehow making a bass guitar do things I've never 
heard before. I think the bass made my heartbeat a little speratic. A 
great weekapaug.

Rocky Top- A fitting Encore for the locals. Can't complain after a set 
like that, Rocky top just sent everyone out exhausted.

I would love Comments George Grantham ggrantham@mindspring.com 



 I think I have to give my two cents after reading the past reviews.  MTSU
was show number 18 for me, and just as great as all the others.  If there
is one thing I have learned about Phish in the past year, it is that every
show is incredible, some are better than others, but every one is great.
        We drove in from Austin and arrived in Murfreesboro just before showtime.
The parking lot scene was good, better than your average fall tour.  As we
entered the arena, I realized how small and comfortable it was.  Definately
the smallest venue I have every seen a show in.  The first set was well
played.  MY FRIEND opener got everybody going and was a treat.  GHOST was
my personal highlight of the evening.  It was super fat and funky.  I love
the way they can bring up the funk, let it flow and bring it back on down.
The crowd was grooving hard and good vibes were in the air.   DRIVER was
mellow and good.  I had a great view of Trey's feet and pedals, and as
Ghost ended, he got four funky loops going.  He set down his guitar and
picked up the acoustic and the transition into driver was truly beautiful.
I saw Driver in Vegas, and I really love the words.   That is the thing
with many of Phish's new stuff.  The words are meaningful, and interesting.
 After the song was over Trey said "We were going to call that "the Driver
in Fish's head", but we thought that would be too obvious.  I am going to
skip over the rest of the set, simply because all the songs were great, but
nothing exceptional.
        The RUNAWAY opener got things going, but the STASH was crazy.  I mean
intense and mind bending.  I have never been a huge stash fan, but the end
of this stash went places i didn't new existed.  Great lights by Chris
during this one also.  They completely left the stash groove and went into
some Hyper-Funk, super fast computer like music.    It was incredible.
They came back to stash, and then I heard those first notes of MIKE'S.
This was one song I was hoping for and it was played with intensity.  The
jam part didn't last too long before I heard some Simple teases, and then
they hit SIMPLE hard core.  How can you  not love simple?  It is the most
beautiful jam.  Simple segued into WADING IN THE VELVET SEA.  This is my
personal favorite of the new disc.  Just like I said about Driver, Velvet
has the best words.  I truly got lost in the words during the song.  I
think Tom Marshall has really got some great things going on in his head.
No complaints about this one, simply incredible.  Then Loving Cup.  Typical
jam and intensity.  I was worried they had forgotten about the Weekapaug,
but how could I think that?  Trey gave Fish the nod, and it was on.  PHATTY
JAM!!!!  Didn't last for too long, but just long enough.  I called the
ROCKY TOP encore and although I expected a song to follow ROCKY TOP, I
wasn't disappointed with the closer.  This was one show I felt like I got
everything I wanted.  Sometimes a show ends, and I feel like I want more,
such as Halloween, but not this one.  Truly a great one, enough to hold me
over till Summer 99.  Thanks -  Josh   
  


This was going to be number 8 and the first of five in a row for me.  So
thing were just starting to warm up.  The venue and the Middle Tennessee
State campus in general was pretty laid back.  In fact it was so laid back
that myself and three of my friends managed to accidently walk backstage
during a soundcheck hours before the show.  Apparently someone had left one
of the doors leading back there unlocked, and I didnt know where I was
going.  I thought the show was pretty good myself, although apparently some
people really disagree according to your "on-tour" setlists page.  This was
also my friend Dave's first show.  He was about to find out why it is that
I go to as many shows as I do. 

"MY FRIEND MY FRIEND" - This was a huge surprise for the opener.  I in no
way shape or form expected them to play this.  It got the place pumped up
too.  Trey was doing some crazy stuff in the middle of this song. 

"GHOST" - I was starting to think it was going to be a good night when I
heard this.  You can never get enough funk.  

"DRIVER" - I had seen this song on setlists for the Bridge School Benefits
and for some earlier shows on the fall tour but this was the first time I
had heard this song.  About what I had expected - a simple acoustic song.
I figured at this point that they were slowing the tempo down a bit to blow
us away with what was about to be played next.....

"SCENT OF A MULE" - This is not what I was talking about though.  This was
good though, fully played with the "Muel Duel" and the Russian Jam and all.
 I had never seen this before either.  I was thinking more along the lines
of PYITE or something though.  

"CAVERN" - This was nice.  Never really taken deep but always gets me
going.  No complaints here.

"LIMB BY LIMB" - I really like this song.  I thought it was played pretty
well too.  This was another one of the seven new songs I got to see this
night.  

"ROGGAE" - This is one of my favorite new songs from the summer.  It
reminds me  alot of something that Pink Floyd might compose.  They did a
pretty good job with this too... about the same as when I saw it in
Virginia Beach this summer.  

"LA GRANGE" - Good way to end the set.  I had never seen this before
either.  It got me all fired up at the end of the set.  

"RUNAWAY JIM" - After a 50 minute setbreak, they came back on stage, and
opened with this.  Very well played.  I liked it a lot.  

"STASH" - My friend Bryan read Trey's lips when he was telling Mike what
was coming next so I knew this was coming.  And this was unlike any other
version of this song that I have ever heard.  It was jammed out really well.  

"MIKE'S SONG" - I knew this was coming next.  For some reason I had decided
that I wanted to see a Mike's Groove at the show tonight, and I got my
wish.  This was taken pretty deep too.  Trey was definately in a "rock n'
roll" kinda mood tonight as well.  And this led right into.....

"SIMPLE" - This is what I was looking for!!!!  I had never seen this song
before.  It really got me going too.  Well played, mellowed down until just
Page was playing.  He took it pretty easy, leading into.....

"WADING IN A VELVET SEA" - I like this song quite a bit.  I know a lot of
people don't like it simply because it's slow, but I like it quite a bit.
I think that it also sounds a lot like something that Pink Floyd could have
written.  The solo at the end was played well by Trey.  This led into a jam
that revolved around the first couple of chords of this song.  The jam was
very mellow, but sounded good, and led right into.....

"LOVING CUP" - This is where Trey was rocking it out the most.  He was
going nuts during the jam of this.  A lot of people don't like this for
whatever reason, but I like this song a lot.  My friend Dave was impressed
with Trey during this.  

"WEEKAPAUG GROOVE" - This brought the groove to a close.  This was
incredible, and fast as hell too.  Great way to close the set.  

"ROCKY TOP" - I think anyone who knew anything about Phish saw this coming
from a mile away.  After the second set was over, my friend Bryan and I
were sitting down and trying to guess what the encore was going to be, but
then it hit us that it was going to be Rocky Top for sure because we were
in Tennessee.  And we got what we expected.  I wasn't complaining, I had
never seen it before.  But I did kinda hope for a second song.  But, oh well. 

All in all, I had a really great time at this show.  I can't wait to get
tapes of this.  I have four more shows ahead of me, and no idea as to what
will happen.  That is the reason that I keep coming back to see this band
again and again.  Anyways, bottom line, the show was good.  

-David Marshall
 11-16-98 



I'd like to preface this review of Sunday night's show at the Murphey
Center by saying that, if nothing else, I respect Phish's right to play
whatever songs they want to whenever they want to.
        That having been said, I'd like to point out some things about
tonight's show.  Great opening My Friend, a spectacular Ghost that was
primed to head in beautiful directions before it was abruptly ended.  I
don't think I'm alone in wishing that the occassional segue would pop up
in the first set.  Ghost was a prime opportunity.  
        The first set was fairly satisfying, but it's the second set that
we all look forward to.  This one opened with a nice Runaway Jim.  Not
last year's hour-long performance, but hey, what are you gonna do?  Stash
was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening, musically.  This song has
been getting a lot of flack lately, sometimes understandably so.  From the
first notes of the ensuing jam, however, they were on.  In sharp contrast
to the treatment it received in earlier days, this Stash was very toned
down.  Extra notes were eliminated.  It seemed as though the entire band
was floating on the head of a pin, and they performed flawlessly.  
        Mike's was rather uninspired, but still incredibly satisfying, as
was Simple.  And then, it happened.  Halfway into a stellar second set,
Phish stopped the energy cold by passing the ball to Page for yet another
round of Wading In the Velvet Sea.  I don't know about you, folks, but I'd
rather stab my eyeballs out than listen to this song again.  If not for
being a rather cheesy song, then because it totally killed the momentum of
the show.  
        The show ended with a good Weekapaugh, but seemed tacked on simply
because Mike's had been played earlier.  Rocky Top was probably picked by
many before the show as a likely encore, and it perfectly fit an evening
filled with good, but not great, musical moments.  I myself was hoping
that we were going to be invited to listen to the whistle of the evenin'
train.  Maybe next year.
josh (jimi@email.unc.edu)



From: bkc.cheerful@mindspring.com
Subject: FALL_REVIEW

11/15/98   MTSU Murphy Center, Mufreesboro, TN


    Hey everyone, just got back from seeing the boys in Tennesse tonight,
and let me tell you, it was an amazing show. But before we get into the
show, lets talk about how crazy and unorganized the line was to get into
the place. Basically it took forever to get in because the rent a cops "
Rock Solid Security" were basically giving eveyone cavity searches on the
way in. It was insane....I had never been searched so throughly in my
life.  But enough about that....this venue was awsome.....the place was
tiny.  Quite possibly the smallest place they have played in a long time.
But lets get onto the music...


  They open the show with a phat and I'm talkin phat My Friend, My
Friend....they hadn't played this one since 12/5/97 in Clevland ( which I
was also at ).  Me and my friends were talking before the show about how
My Friend is most definatly in our opinion the best 1st set opener that
they play...and then bam!  they do it!!  This went into a good , solid
Ghost.  After Ghost I got to hear my first Driver....and I must say that I
really dug this one alot!!!  After Driver the boys treated us to a Scent
of a Mule...this was really nice to hear...Page was going off in the
middle jam of the song like I've never heard him before on this
tune......this was followed by an always welcome Cavern.....phat, solid
and tight as it always is.  Then came perhaps the best Limb by Limb that I
have seen.......they were on....really on. A nice Roggae followed that and
then it was off to La Grange.  La Grange was Smokin!!! This was my first
one and it was definantly worth the wait.

     The second set was opened with a fuking kickin Runaway Jim and was
followed by an out of this world Stash...this stash got really crazy and
frenzied during the jam.....it was stelar, beyond belief. And then the
boys busted one of the sickest Mike's Song that I have had the pleasure of
seeing....the jam was more intence then ever and they sequed nicely into
Simple afterward....simple eventually faded into Wading in a Velvet
Sea...which I must say is not at all one of my favorites , but I was not
at all disapointed to hear it....this one trailed off really slowly and a
kinda nice mellow jam ensued ....until it became Loving Cup.....they
rocked this one out...I've always loved this song...and this performance
of it reminded why I liked it so much....and then after the last notes of
Loving Cup came the Weekapaug...and boy did it.   I mean I thought the
Mikes Song was hot..........it was, but this Weekapaug got brought to
levels that up until this point I had never heard them reach with this
song....it was just such an amazing jam.  Then the boys left the
stage...and now it was encore time.....and what is more fitting
to play in the middle of Tennesse then Rocky Top.....the crowd went nuts
for this one........I mean I'm talking ape shyt.  At first I thought it
was going to be a double encore, but then soon realized that after the
responce they got for that one....no other song could have follewed and
gotten the same response except maybe a Hood or something.  All in all
this was a great show.......the boys were excellent and this venue really
is pretty damn cool ( except for the security getting in, but once you
were in the security were virtually non-exsistent). I know some really
phat tapes of this have to exist...the place was so much smaller then alot
of the places that the tapers section was alot closer to the stage then it
is in most of the other venues that they play.  Now it's on to Greenville
on Wednesday.....hope to see everyone there! If anyone who is reading this
taped the show please email me and I know we can work out somekind of a
trade .

   Peace Everyone,
   Brian C.
   bkc@cheerful.com           


Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1998 18:03:28 -0600
From: rodneyp Rodneyp@fullnet.net
To: andy@gadiel.com
Subject: FALL_REVIEW

Murfreesboro was a fun show.  My Friend My Friend was a treat for the
opener.
Roggae was beautiful.  Ghost jammed.  La Grange as a first set closer was
great

(I like the older covers).  But second set was the set.  Jim got the crowd
pumped.  Stash lost me at one point, and rocked.  Mike'sSimple was lame,
but
the Simple jam was good.  Wading kinda lost the momentum of the show and
the
Weekapaug could have been better but still fun.  The Rocky Top encore was
a let

down but the locals seemed to enjoy it.  All and all it was a good show,
not
great but good.

P.S. An average Phish show  is better than a great show by any other band
any day.


From: big black furry creature from mars mr.minor@worldnet.att.net
To: andy@gadiel.com
Subject: FALL_REVIEW

Murfreesboro was my 2nd show and I was far from
pissed off after the boys closed w/ Rocky Top...  I
have been collecting tapes for 2 years now, and on my
first show experience over the summer I vowed to
catch a fall show or two.  A lot of people have been
decrying this one but they should shitcan that
attitude; the energy was purely raw and fantastic.
got a prob w/ that?  Email me and we'll fight.  This
has to be one of the best shows since the '94 times.
The venue was tiny!  But the atmosphere was made sooo
much more intimate; the floor was like a dime
compared to other arenas I've been to, but not    
necesarily for Phish shows. DUH.  Anyway, I drove for
10 hours to hear the gods play and play they did...
here's a quick synopsis.  Enjoy.

SET 1
My Friend My Friend-HELLO!  Wasn't expecting this but
what the hell...I love that change from the melodious
opening into the hardcore wailing of Trey's piece!
Great rendition.
Ghost-Funk at its best, brief yes, but nonetheless it
was incredible
Driver-Never heard this before and I was happy w/ it.
The boys had a fun time w/ this one.  Not at all
diasappointing.
Scent of a Mule-WOW!  I love this one. I loved to
boogie on to this ditty, especially w/ the duel and
dance included.  Great performance by Trey and Mike. 
Page stuck out here, as he did the rest opf show but
I remember him here the most.  Mike is justn a bad
ass.
Cavern-The roof had to be shaking when the guys went
into this one; the crowd had this simultaneous wave
of dancin' flood the arena; I saw this 50 year-old
guy just goin' crazy, too!  Based on that, it had to
be as awesome as I say it was.
Limb By Limb-Loved it.  Trey had the groove on for
this tune and was hypnotized by his typical antic of
looking into the lights from above.  Tight sound
throughout.  No expansion by jam, but you can't what
you everyday.
Roggae-very Fishman, and it was so beautiful.  A very
good cut from the new album; too bad Mike can't bass
and slide guitar at once (it's got a huge sound on
the album)!  The music really descended from above
for this one.
La Grange-If this had been the end of the show, I
would've gone home happy.  DAMN it was good!!!  Mike
was on fire for this one, and that Chicago-blues
sound really came out in the best medium I have
known.  What a way to leave the phans begging for
more...

SET 2
This set is not done justice by my words.  It was
phenomenal.  YOU MUST GET THE TAPES.  Runaway,
incredible; not a marathon which is a good thing, but
curt enough to really savor...and remember!  Unlike
other people, I was diappointed for the bulk of
Stash; the ending of the jam was nice, however.  It
was the low point in the entire show for me.  Mike's
came next...predictable.  Much slower than usual, but 
it was great to hear it live.  The transition into
Simple was huge!  I was blown away by the first
chords and I looked at the guys and they were soaking
up our energy as much as we were theirs.  Great
version.  Wading in the Velvet Sea was beautifully
led into by Page; this has to be one of the best
tracks of the new album.  One of the few Phish songs
that one and all can sympathize with and understand,
plus the melody is fucking gorgeous.  Loving Cup had
the tiny Murphy Center rocking!  I wish I could have
heard the lyrics better but some fat drunken chick
was screaming the words right in my ear.  If I find
her I'll have to thank her for my newfound hearing
impairment.  Everybody knew what to expect:
WEEKAPAUG.  I have never seen hands float over a fret
board like Mike's did on this song.  Intense, body
rockin', groove is all that can be said by me.  The 
best version and closer I can dream of.  Well, we're
in Tennessee, hmmm...what are they gonna play?  Yes,
Rocky Top!  Short and sweet, but sooo fun!  The guys
seemed to have difficulty keeping themselves from
laughing but managed to pull it off somehow.  Then
they left the stage...WHAT!?  Why are they leaving?
I didn't hear Funky or Hood!  Come back!!!  Oh well,
maybe this summer.  See everyone in Dallas, Austin,
KC, or St. Louis.  Feel free to respond to this
posting:  mr.minor@worldnet.att.net
Share the groove,
klay in tulsa 



Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 13:42:37 -0600
From: Justin Metz justinm@mem.net
To: andy@gadiel.com
Subject: FALL_REVIEW 11/15/98

After hearing some of the negative posts and Vibes coming out of the
Murfreesboro show on 11/15/98, I figured i'd better write a review to
clear some things up.  This was #16 for me (Cincy was 15).  I also have
over 500 hours of Phish on tape, so I'm no stranger to Phish's intense
grooves.

First off The Setlist should read like this

set 1: My Friend, Ghost, Driver, Scent of A Mule, Cavern, Limb By Limb,
Roggae, La Grange

Set 2: Runaway Jim, Stash, Mike's SongSimpleWading in The Velvet
Sea, JAM*Loving cupWeekapaug Groove
Encore: Rocky Top  
*3-5 minute jam, started off like an Ambient jam with some spacy
effects, but got a little more loud and groovin towards the end.
Finished with Page taking it in to Cup.

The Scene outside the Venue was Sketchy.  I watched 3 people get their
car Searched and hassled by Police, then taken off in handcuffs!!
Boo!!  Still alot of vending going on, just lots of cops everywhere.
Inside the Venue was small.  Just a little bit bigger than a High School
Gymnasium.  The Floor Was Very Small, And thats where i was first set -
Very middle about 6 rows back.

They opened with a crispy My Friend.  I hadn't heard this as an opener
since Alpine Valley in 96, and i think this version was much better.
The energy was just intense.  I don't think i've been so psyched for an
opener in a while.  IT WAS NICE, Always a great tune to get down to.  I
didn't notice to many people dancing around me.  I was getting down
though.  After it was over I heard Trey kick in the Delay Loop, and I
looked over to my friend and said "this better be
GHOST!" -  Great version.  Slow and funky from the outset, Page really
funked it down in the section between the verses.  The Jam started out
really great from the begginning.  As soon as the last verse was sung
they all started grooving a little faster.  and Trey strummed along for
a minute than started noodling.  Page was really working very well off
of Trey.  I could tell that they were really on the money, even more so
than Cincy.  The jam lasted a good 10-15 minutes and was VERY NICE.  It
slowed down some, and Trey Picked up his Acoustic as it wound down and
we got
Driver - good song.  First time for me.  I really liked the lyrics.  It
seemed in the style of the OLD Water IN The Sky, but better.
Scent Of A Mule - this was So Dank.  Much better than the Houston
version With Ha Ha Ha sandwiched in between.  Page Just kicked ASS!!
i've seen Scent 6 times now, and this is my favorite.  Page just kept
fuckin me up.  I couldn't believe how on he was.  Some dude in front ofme
was trippin real hard and fell down TWICE because Page was just
rippin' those keys down.  I thought he teased something real quick early
on, but i couldn't place it.  GREAT MULE!!!
Cavern - Standard stuff, Great placement
Limb By Limb - Oh yea!  i got real excited as they kicked into this.
This is one of my favorites.  Ever Since Atlanta 97 have i just loved
this shit!  This was the best version i've heard to date (out of 4).
The jam started out real hard and strong, but Trey slowed it down some
and then brought it back up, then back down and noodled around alot.
The whole time the entire band was just right there with him -
especially Fishman.  He jammed it up a little bit more, then after about
8-10 minutes he kicked back into the main Theme of the song where they
sing the limb by limb by limb part.  But no words, They just slowed it
down and ended it slowly, no inhuman drum beat from Fish.
Roggae - Nice Verison - one of my favorites of the new 98 stuff.  kind
of Standard though
La Grange - Well the version i heard in Dallas this summer was FAR  BETTER
and LONGER than this, but i kind of expected that.  First set
closers jam good, but never really stretch out too far.  The jammed it
up good, and ended it after about 7 or 8 minutes.  Nice Closer.

setbreak was bullshit.  There were two exits to get off the floor and
EVERYONE  was trying to get out.  I waited 15 or 20 minutes to get out
to the concession area.  Then I waited in line 20-25 minutes just for an
expensive cup of Ice Water.  By the time i was out of the line, the
lights went down, and i had to push my way through a bunch of people to
get back down on the floor.  SHEESH!!  This place needs better Access!!

Runaway Jim - Yea!  Never heard this as an opener to anything before so
i was stoked!!  I didn't make it to the floor until the jam.  The
lyrical part was real good, but i wish i could have been more into it,
instead of trying to find a spot.  The jam was nice, 10-12 minutes.  It
never really left the Jim Jam.  Trey rock and Rolled it hard though.
Stash - ABSOLUTELY SMOKED!!!  right as they kicked into this i saw theguy
next to me get arrested for smoking pot!!  that really sketched me
out.  The stash jam was so magnificent. It was normal stash stuff, but
Trey and Page were just hittin so many high points and getting some
awesome noodling in, then the jam turned and got really different.  I
have to hear the tapes to really discuss what went on exactly with the
jam, but i do remember that it was fuckin killer.
Mike's Song - I called this for set 2.  Standard Mike's jam.  good
jammin by all the band.  Trey was a little more into it, than some of
the versions i've heard from this summer.  I really got into this one.
I figured after the switch it would go into
Simple - Standard Simple jam.  after the Bebop verse Trey just busted
out a fat-ass riff, best one i've ever heard between the Bebop and
Skyscraper verses.  The jam was good, standard simple stuff - just a
variation on the same jam.  Ended with a nice Page solo that lasted
about a minute and sounded like something out of Squirming Coil, but it
was just a lead into
Wading In The Velvet Sea. - My first.  I really enjoy it on the album.The
lyrics are beautiful  "Time leaks out, My life leaks in"  AWESOME!!
Good jam. as it finished a one second pause fell into some spaciness
which was the precursor to the
JAM  - this jam was as close to an ambient jam that they got all
night.  It had alot of spacy effects from the rest of the band and Trey
was noodling around real well.  It was tight.  It lasted about 3 to 6
minutes.   I was really zoning into it, and the jam kept building and
getting louder.  It finally ended with Page playing some familiar
notes...
Loving Cup - Oh what a beautiful buzz.  Good placement.  I like hearing
new shit inside Mike's groove and this didn't disappoint.  It got the
whole crowd moving.  The jam was good, rocked hard, but standard as
usual.  When the noise at the end finally settled down a little bit I
heard Fish's familiar Drum Beat Start To Rise, Then Mike...
Weekapaug Groove -  I wan't really expecting a hot version.  The set had
been good, but not superb for the most part, just good and somewhat
standard.  and i know they rock and rolled the Vegas Weekapaug hard so
iwas expecting something more standard.  But this version also smoked.
SO much interaction, and jam switching.  Page started funkin it down so
hard and SO FAST i couldn't believe it.  I had to dance doubletime!!
Trey got in there well, as well as Mike and Fish.  But that was pretty
much the story of the night.  Good Interaction from each band member,
and tight, tight jammin throughout.  The Whole Show was much tighter and
smoother than Cincinatti.
Rocky Top  - I was hoping for a bigger encore. It was 11:00 when they
left the stage after set 2 and i was expecting a double.  or a Coil. But
when they came on i knew it was rocky top because i could hear the blue
grass gearing up in trey's guitar (i always recognize Phish blue
grass).  It was good, but i heard them do this as a single encore in
knoxville in 96.  That had a good set 2 mike's groove as well. I don't
care though, i live in Tennessee so it's Ok with me.

Highlights for me were the My Friend, Ghost opener, Scent, Limb By Limb,
Stash, and The entire Mike's groove.   Driver was nice to hear for the
first time also.

"Something" in Cincinnati was Awesome, but the rest was standard, Good,
but standard.  Cincy didn't jam too much, and most of the songs i've
heard MANY times before.  On a Whole, Murfreesboro was a better show
than Cincy.   Murfreesboro had more jams, no doubt.  cicny seemed to
float from song to song, but never really reached out and connected to
anything.  The Mike's Groove In Murfreesboro DID...

I had a great time at both though.  I hope they play more shows next
year.  Maybe even a short Spring Tour...


Let me hear watch you think of my Review
justinm@mem.net

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peace to you all
justin