@exburt said:

I was at the Forum show, but I didn't realize until I read this learned review that I shouldn't have had the great time that I did. So many posters seem to be nodding sagely and agreeing with the learned reviewer, that I figure that I must revisit my impression that Phish played their little asses off and blew the doors off the Forum. Phish was so disengaged that they only saw fit to deliver about 3.5 hours of utter mediocrity. We should have thrown tomatoes at the stage.

Or I could give some weight to the concept that there is always somebody in our social universe determined to inform us that the wonderful experience we just had was just, well, actually crap. Kind of like the Republican convention's take on the current state of the USA. My take of the reviewer's preference is that Phish hit their peak in the mid-1990's, and have been on an irreversible decline since. Why bother going to see 'em anymore?

I am not familiar with Philip Zerbo or his credentials, but I suspect there's about 19,000+ folks who were in attendance who don't have a clue what the hell his reasons are for pooping on the wonderful show we saw. And don't give a shit. If he's really an editor of the Phish Companion, it's a great reason for not buying the book.

Hey, Mortician's Wife. I had a great time, too. Along with the folks I went with and EVERYBODY within visual range of our seats.

My credentials? I saw the Dead in 1970 in New Orleans at the Warehouse, the night they got "busted, down in New Orleans..." Take that, Zamboni. I mean, Zerbo...

I liked the RNC's take on the state of the country. I felt it was accurate. I also liked this review's take on the state of Phish. It was also accurate.

I didn't feel either was negative, hopeless or moribund. I felt both were hopeful, realistic and honest.

Your honest assessment does not invalidate others. I respect you as an older Head, but this reviewer, no doubt, has plenty of credentials to write this review and I will be buying the book.