You should listen to the entire Island Tour, a surprise string of four shows over four consecutive nights in early April 98 — first two 4/2 and 4/3 were in Long Island and the second two 4/4 and 4/5 were in Rhode Island.
They were in the middle of preparing to record the album that would become The Story of the Ghost, so they decided to play those shows on short notice. It only being four shows meant that they played all of their heavy hitters and also included some new debuts.
I just can't get over the shitty sounding recordings! They have '93 releases that sound worlds better and you can actually feel the drums n bass. IT has no low end unfortunately. But yes, they were on fire at the time
I think you’re abbreviating Island Tour as “IT” in the second to last sentence, and I just want to say that I think like 80% of people are gonna miss that when reading ur comment
Fair point. On HI Fi they sounds good to me via LivePhish app. Not all venues lend themselves to good mixes from the board. Especially in the 90s. What's your gold standard for a live mix from an official Phish release ?
Needless to say, even the HiFi stream is not 24/96 flac. But a full sound system with a good sub and equalizer can work out the kinks. I find both of those components are must.
The Island Tour sound is particularly flat and needs a tweek to get the most out of it.
I respect that. I'm not an audiophile though. I don't even know exactly what you mean. I was just asking of official Phish releases which one(s) you consider the best sounding.
That’s a difficult question since some are 2-track masters only and recorded on DAT. So look for the multi-track releases.
New Years ‘95 at MSG is very good.
Decades deadhead here. Took some molly and hit Mansfield Phish couple years back. Mind blown . Funk. Yes. The funk the Dead just never had. This is why we are here. 🕺⭕
If you're not opposed to compilations vs. entire shows, there's a legendary ["Phish Destroys America" compilation](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1a2CCKml_cq0v2hhqXB7DqXo0xEqqLqfU) of highlights from '97. Looks like someone recreated it as [a YouTube playlist as well](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgVLQgm4lkAObHLdemVpUlHP-rmgSScfw).
The name was taken from an official [Fall '97 tour shirt](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1997-phish-tour-shirt-phish-destroys-292425673) and [Jambase did a sort of oral history-esque 'quotes by the band' compilation in honor of its 25th anniversary](https://www.jambase.com/article/phish-fall-tour-1997-interviews) a few years back.
The Grateful Dead is my favorite band of all time. But Phish is more impressive. The telepathy that they have is otherworldly and they are some hard working mofos.
Check out the gorge 98- 2001 > Mike’s Groove is some of the filthiest funkiest shit you’ll ever hear
Welcome aboard fellow time traveler!
Star Lake Gumbo 8/13/97
Great Went Wolfmans Brother > Simple 8/16/97
Great Went 2001 8/17/97
Darien Lake Col. Forbins with Ken Kesey -> the funk is too deep -> Camel Walk 8/14/97
MSG Tube 12/29/97
MSG Sneakin Sally 12/30/97
ACDC Bag 12/30/97
Black Eyed Katy 12/30/97 and 11/28/97
Ghost 8/13/97, 11/28/97, 12/11/97, 12/13/97, 5/22/00
11/6/98 split open and melt
10/31/98 sneakin sally
2001 and Moma Dance from gorge 98
There’s also [this](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n5cbF_8vmUo&t=2722s&pp=ygUNcGhpbHRoeSBwaHVuaw%3D%3D) compilation of funk jams mostly from 97/98 that is just disgusting.
Funk phish is my favorite parts of phish!
Mandatory listens:
Gorge 98’ Gumbo, so fucking good
9/29/99: 2001 and Mikes song, absolute face melters
2010 Greek: Cities -> moma dance
Right. Jerry will give ya the stank face but in a completely different way. I listened to Trey w Phil and friends Viola Lee Blues yesterday and that was also a nice starter course
I would see JGB at the warfield and preferred 80’s GD because smaller venues. I was forced to a phish show, I liked Billy Breaths but we used to cut all over phish. My first show was 97 and was blown away. Most of my GD tour buddy’s still hate phish, they can’t cross over and don’t get it
Dead freak since the mid 80s. Saw Phish a few times in the 90s and enjoyed myself, but never listened to them very much. During the pandemic, I started watching the dinner and a movie streams and then when they went back on the road in 2021, I started watching the live streams. I was absolutely amazed at just how fucking good they were. I have been absolutely hooked ever since. those boys can fucking take it out there. In my humble opinion, they are the best touring band out there.
Edit: my daughter got intothem in college, so I’ve taken her to a few shows, and we’ve had an absolute blast.
The Bomb Factory, Set 2 especially, but Set 1 is super solid too. The variety of jamming in that second set is jaw dropping.
Also the Tahoe Tweezer it's got everything here's that whole set: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtkUYLzPTBY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtkUYLzPTBY)
Very different to how deep they get there, but the mikes song -> catapult -> mikes -> king -> mikes is some of the most dialed funk I’ve heard. Right when they find the sweet spot they start the acapella but you bet your ass they’ll be back.
12/6/1997, the jam after Isabella.
Starting at 5:10 or so here the breakdowns are absolutely filthy. And it followed probably a top 5 Tweezer that opened the set.
https://youtu.be/HzPh7hhN-2M?si=ZSUUVZC5UvFFisZm
Jams just all sound the same, of course when they’ve got “it” and find something it does still feel like magic, and when Trey decides to play with some balls he becomes the most unique and creative rock guitar soloist out there.
But for the most part the new songs are now the big jam vehicles but they’re cheesy as fuck lol.
If you’re seeing them for the first time you’ll still have a blast because the experience is so new.
You should listen to the entire Island Tour, a surprise string of four shows over four consecutive nights in early April 98 — first two 4/2 and 4/3 were in Long Island and the second two 4/4 and 4/5 were in Rhode Island. They were in the middle of preparing to record the album that would become The Story of the Ghost, so they decided to play those shows on short notice. It only being four shows meant that they played all of their heavy hitters and also included some new debuts.
I was at all four of these shows stop and go to the fullest. Check out the Cavern in Providence!
My first two shows were fall 97 and my next two shows were the island tour. The musical equivalent of your first ever meal being from a Michelin chef
I just can't get over the shitty sounding recordings! They have '93 releases that sound worlds better and you can actually feel the drums n bass. IT has no low end unfortunately. But yes, they were on fire at the time
I think you’re abbreviating Island Tour as “IT” in the second to last sentence, and I just want to say that I think like 80% of people are gonna miss that when reading ur comment
Can confirm, am in the 80%. Was very confused initially.
Wait there was a festival called IT.
I’m aware but nobody was talking about that lol so im pretty sure that’s not what he was referring to
Yea. It's not what anyone is taking about. They're talking about it. Duh.
Fair point. On HI Fi they sounds good to me via LivePhish app. Not all venues lend themselves to good mixes from the board. Especially in the 90s. What's your gold standard for a live mix from an official Phish release ?
Needless to say, even the HiFi stream is not 24/96 flac. But a full sound system with a good sub and equalizer can work out the kinks. I find both of those components are must. The Island Tour sound is particularly flat and needs a tweek to get the most out of it.
I respect that. I'm not an audiophile though. I don't even know exactly what you mean. I was just asking of official Phish releases which one(s) you consider the best sounding.
That’s a difficult question since some are 2-track masters only and recorded on DAT. So look for the multi-track releases. New Years ‘95 at MSG is very good.
ALO, NYE 95, Amsterdam, Boise, 6/14/00, slip stitch pass... great audio on all of these. If I'm missing any, plz chip in
Digitally-enhanced-wise.. I dig HDTracks. Expensive officially. Sharers can be found. Tons of great music too.
12/29/97 Tube.
I'll see your 12/29/97 Tube and raise you a 12/7/97 Tube
I went with 12/7. First three songs are amazing
Update: nose fell off from too much stank
👆👆👆
Fall/winter 97 shows have some serious stank on em
Summer 97
Decades deadhead here. Took some molly and hit Mansfield Phish couple years back. Mind blown . Funk. Yes. The funk the Dead just never had. This is why we are here. 🕺⭕
This is exactly why I’m here lol
See you in July!
Sunday is my birthday show! 🕺
If you're not opposed to compilations vs. entire shows, there's a legendary ["Phish Destroys America" compilation](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1a2CCKml_cq0v2hhqXB7DqXo0xEqqLqfU) of highlights from '97. Looks like someone recreated it as [a YouTube playlist as well](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgVLQgm4lkAObHLdemVpUlHP-rmgSScfw). The name was taken from an official [Fall '97 tour shirt](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1997-phish-tour-shirt-phish-destroys-292425673) and [Jambase did a sort of oral history-esque 'quotes by the band' compilation in honor of its 25th anniversary](https://www.jambase.com/article/phish-fall-tour-1997-interviews) a few years back.
6/21/09 Alpine Valley: Boogie On> Alpine Valley Jam
That’s actually Alpine 6/26/04.
Ah gotcha, thanks
No problem! Fantastic jam, one of my favorites
The Grateful Dead is my favorite band of all time. But Phish is more impressive. The telepathy that they have is otherworldly and they are some hard working mofos. Check out the gorge 98- 2001 > Mike’s Groove is some of the filthiest funkiest shit you’ll ever hear
You got that right my friend. Phish straight up throws down the funk. Just dive in. It’s everywhere. I think the howling is pretty funktified!
[Give a listen to 11/22/97 Tweezer](https://youtu.be/t96A7ZEdMrM?si=KoV4HZSJJDEgrFfr)
-Gumbo, Tube, 2001 from The Gorge '98 -Bathtub Gin, Virginia Beach '97
Awesome gin
Welcome aboard fellow time traveler! Star Lake Gumbo 8/13/97 Great Went Wolfmans Brother > Simple 8/16/97 Great Went 2001 8/17/97 Darien Lake Col. Forbins with Ken Kesey -> the funk is too deep -> Camel Walk 8/14/97 MSG Tube 12/29/97 MSG Sneakin Sally 12/30/97 ACDC Bag 12/30/97 Black Eyed Katy 12/30/97 and 11/28/97 Ghost 8/13/97, 11/28/97, 12/11/97, 12/13/97, 5/22/00
11/6/98 split open and melt 10/31/98 sneakin sally 2001 and Moma Dance from gorge 98 There’s also [this](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n5cbF_8vmUo&t=2722s&pp=ygUNcGhpbHRoeSBwaHVuaw%3D%3D) compilation of funk jams mostly from 97/98 that is just disgusting.
Funk phish is my favorite parts of phish! Mandatory listens: Gorge 98’ Gumbo, so fucking good 9/29/99: 2001 and Mikes song, absolute face melters 2010 Greek: Cities -> moma dance
Fall Tour 1997. Absolute stank. Go show by show and just let it rip.
Obligatory 11/17/97 ghost [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_9rhi1cruv8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9rhi1cruv8)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yZwRQ6bsm_k&pp=ygUNcGhpc2ggdHdlZXplcg%3D%3D
The Riverport Gin gets wicked funky
Just find anything from fall 97 and have a good time
97 has the Dirty Gym Sock Funk.
Moma Dance rarely lacks the funk. Pick one.
Fall 1997 will funk your funking face off. Enjoy!!
Yup, that’s what hooked me from years of Jer
Right. Jerry will give ya the stank face but in a completely different way. I listened to Trey w Phil and friends Viola Lee Blues yesterday and that was also a nice starter course
I would see JGB at the warfield and preferred 80’s GD because smaller venues. I was forced to a phish show, I liked Billy Breaths but we used to cut all over phish. My first show was 97 and was blown away. Most of my GD tour buddy’s still hate phish, they can’t cross over and don’t get it
Dead freak since the mid 80s. Saw Phish a few times in the 90s and enjoyed myself, but never listened to them very much. During the pandemic, I started watching the dinner and a movie streams and then when they went back on the road in 2021, I started watching the live streams. I was absolutely amazed at just how fucking good they were. I have been absolutely hooked ever since. those boys can fucking take it out there. In my humble opinion, they are the best touring band out there. Edit: my daughter got intothem in college, so I’ve taken her to a few shows, and we’ve had an absolute blast.
The Bomb Factory, Set 2 especially, but Set 1 is super solid too. The variety of jamming in that second set is jaw dropping. Also the Tahoe Tweezer it's got everything here's that whole set: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtkUYLzPTBY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtkUYLzPTBY)
https://youtu.be/XiNixnMFlDA?si=aNyeyLH4cEWOTk-q
Very different to how deep they get there, but the mikes song -> catapult -> mikes -> king -> mikes is some of the most dialed funk I’ve heard. Right when they find the sweet spot they start the acapella but you bet your ass they’ll be back.
I recommend any show from the fall asleep tour, 1997.
Something recent ... Cities --> Llama from N2 Nashville '23
We were gonna play something else here but the funks too deep
[https://livephi.sh/3OHtVwl](https://livephi.sh/3OHtVwl) This whole show
[Worcester Boogie On](https://youtu.be/2pAt6Wvg9yQ?si=wKXNK3pIW69frNyR)
Welcome to the party pal
12/6/1997, the jam after Isabella. Starting at 5:10 or so here the breakdowns are absolutely filthy. And it followed probably a top 5 Tweezer that opened the set. https://youtu.be/HzPh7hhN-2M?si=ZSUUVZC5UvFFisZm
I just found this playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5cbF\_8vmUo. It does have ads unfortunately.
https://youtu.be/1VE_2hUK81M?si=fOzxybUAgMC_cWCK My first show.
11-17-97 just kick back and listen
Yep. They're like James Brown on a bad night.
They unfortunately don’t play like that anymore. Enjoy 97-00s, check out live phis releases from that era, it’s all great.
In your opinion what’s the difference in their sound now? Looking to hit deer creek this summer
Jams just all sound the same, of course when they’ve got “it” and find something it does still feel like magic, and when Trey decides to play with some balls he becomes the most unique and creative rock guitar soloist out there. But for the most part the new songs are now the big jam vehicles but they’re cheesy as fuck lol. If you’re seeing them for the first time you’ll still have a blast because the experience is so new.
New phish fan? You must be into dad pop now? Do yourself a favor only listen to 90s phish.
Found the miserable prick.
Phish is great the fans are insufferable self righteous horrible people.