, attached to 1998-11-29

Review by waxbanks

waxbanks The only Phish show I've attended that ever left me unsatisfied, i.e. maybe you can't trust this largely negative review.

In retrospect the abrasive Limb > etc. > Maze is worth hearing, but the Yacovone guest shot just illustrates the principle that guest musicians generally don't improve Phish shows. Empathetic and generous as the band is, they just practice a unique communicative musical art that most guest players, however well-intentioned or beloved of the boys themselves, don't quite nail down. (There are exceptions: MMW, Bela Fleck, a few others.) And there's a desultory quality to the Wipe Out reprise, like repeating the punchline of a joke hours later to wring another laugh from the group. On the other hand, if you loved hearing it on the 27th you'll probably love it on the 29th.

Well, 1998 was another even-numbered plateau/transitional year for the band, and if you're into what they were into back then, you'll like this show just as much as the rest of fall '98. But the growth and crystallization of 1999 is probably more *interesting* than anything here, regardless of the pleasure this outing is able to give. The standout shows of the year are the Island and NYE runs and Lemonwheel, though; start there.


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