Fresh Release Day

Ah yes, finally after weeks of waiting for some new Phish...my email finally got notification that I was free to download the newest installment in the Live Phish series. That'd be Walnut Creek from the summer of 1997. To be honest, I've only been this excited for one other release (the Island Tour). Most of the other shows I just grab out of craving, rather than necessity. However, anticipation was certainly mounting for this release, as I recall the infinite memories from the old Maxell XL-II's of this show that always found their way into the rotation unitl I finally burnt it out completely.

Relax, I'm not about to rehash some canned review you'd have much better luck finding on the Live Phish comments board. I'll just leave it to you to decide for yourself. It's well worth 2 hours and in short....the show fucking rips. What might appear to be a bland setlist on the surface just packs on the energy. The Runaway Jim>My Soul opening stanza would certainly never grab my attention on paper. However, upon initial listen it gears up a few of the more rousing versions of each song. I need not even divulge into the 2nd set, which pours it on from top to bottom. Ah yes, DWD>Mikes>Simple>Weekapaug...enough said. Here's a clip from the rip...that is "Mikes Song."

What show should they release next? Feel free to comment if you care. Me? I'm pulling for the Hampton '99 run or why not just the whole Winter '99 tour. Why not?