PHISH, TUESDAY 07/21/1998
DESERT SKY PAVILION
Phoenix, AZ

SET 1:

AC/DC Bag: My first impression upon hearing the opening notes is, woah – this sounds as slow as the legendary 12.30.97 – is this a sign of things to come? The slow pace doesn’t seem to last that long though, once into the meat of the lyrics it seems to be a normal pace. Trey definitely gives this a proper ripping in the climax! Awesome way to start the show!!! >

Fluffhead: Well now, this was a statement! Wow! Here is the super crazy stat. The last time they played Fluffhead in the two slot of the first set was 4.20.89 and AC/DC Bag opened that show as well! Woah!!! This one turns out to be a little on the sloppy side. Fantastic end shred though, completely smoked!

Roggae: Not the tightest ever, especially considering how new of a song it was at the time.

Tube[1] - They are really starting to stretch this one out – over the previous ten versions going back to Auburn Hills in 96, this is the third longest version in that span. This has that icky sticky funk. It’s super nasty. Trey sits way back, strumming that pornofunk while Page, Mike, and Fish lay waste to Phoenix. Swear to God, Mike Gordon was in the prime of his career – listen to him in the 4 minute range, Jesus! This one is wrapped at 6:00, or so you think. Nope, total false ending. At 7:30, Trey is aiming for deep space employing multiple loops and Page is collaborating with some loud effects. Released on From the Archives-Superball IX. Easy all timer and highly recommended. >

Sparkle: Standard. >

Cavern: Standard. >

Frankie Says: Standard, it has the tiniest little bit of space at the end in order to get it segued into Antelope >

Run Like an Antelope: Good version. Lots of goofing around leading into the Rye Rye Rocco part. Very elongated. Awesome way to close the set.

SET 2:

Mike's Song: Instead of going into the second jam, instead they keep going and turn this into a funk jam at the 9 minute mark. The last two minutes of this one wind up going back to the core of what Mike’s is – hard rock and roll – all 4 members throwing down very hard – Very strong version, would recommend. ->

Simple: Solid version that never strays too far from its basic structure. Pretty jam. The last 90 seconds wanes as they try and figure out on the fly where they want to go next and then land in Bittersweet ->

Bittersweet Motel[2] -- What an interesting slot to debut this tune. They seemed to really be flying from the seat of their pants when they landed on this >

Weekapaug Groove: The beginning is nice and funky. Trey wrests control though in the late 4’s. Good version but nothing really stands out here.

Brian and Robert: Standard.

Ghost: Nearly 6 straight minutes of raw, intense and in your face rock and roll. Now, that is stamina! From the ten minute mark and on it was just pedal to the medal all the way, Trey letting loose that nasty hell fire. Not much funk to this one, maybe a couple of minutes or so at the beginning of the jam. Would recommend this Ghost. ->

She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride: Enormous bust out, 1,041 show gap. At 0:54 it actually sounds like Chalkdust Reprise from 7.11.00, lol. >

Funky Bitch: Standard.

ENCORE:

Sleeping Monkey: LOL at Trey’s banter talking about the juxtaposition between last night’s encore versus tonight’s encore. Good stuff right there, very funny and witty. >

Rocky Top: Standard.

Summary: First half of the first set crushes the second half. All in all it’s a pretty good set.

4.316/5 (114 ratings)

Replay Value: Tube, Mike's Song, Simple, Ghost

[1] Followed by brief reprise of the jam section.
[2] Debut.

Tube was followed by a brief reprise of the jam section. Bittersweet Motel debuted at this show. Ghost contained San-Ho-Zay teases from Trey. She Caught the Katy was played for the first time since July 30, 1988 (1,041 shows).
SHOW RATING
Your rating:
Overall: 4.316/5 (114 ratings)
JAM CHART VERSIONS
Tube, Mike's Song, Simple, Ghost
TEASES
San-Ho-Zay tease in Ghost