This is a solid show that feels a bit uneven -- there are some lulls in the action, but the high points are very high. In the first set, Gumbo is one for the ages, and in fact is the first ever jammed out Gumbo that was a sign of things to come (8/13/97, 8/3/98, 8/15/98). Ghost is huge too, and has an almost Crosseyed feel to it, before (setlist is mislabeled) > Swept Away > Steep > Loving Cup takes us into the break in unusual fashion. The second set has a rip-roaring extended Antelope early in the set (see what I mean about unusual?), and after Wading, we get one last peak (Twist -> Taste) before a victory lap takes us home. This is a top 10, maybe top 5 ever Twist, that goes full Type II, gets dark as hell, and somehow pulls itself out of the underworld for an uplifting -> Taste. If you only have 30 minutes to spend on this show, go for Twist -> Taste, but if you've got more time on your hands, check out Gumbo, Ghost, and Antelope too.

also check out the ghost and twist->taste

some people might not realize, given how it has become more regular since, but twist was one of the lesser played songs from the 97 ghost-era batch of songs, however the band consistently took the jam for type II jaunts when they did play it

this is the first jammed out gumbo and is essential listening

the desert environment does interesting things to the mood of phish as displayed in antelope. check out 9.21 and 9.22.99 to hear more of this sort of thing

7.29 is a strong date for phish with excellent shows in 98 and 03 as well

This show contains my all-time favorite Gumbo. So funky, with Page destroying the organ and Fish keeping it interesting throughout.

First jammed and funked out version of a song that I hope makes its return this year as the BEAST it should be.

Get this show simply for the 14 min funked-out Gumbo, 20 min out-there, atypical Antelope. Both reaaal nice!

Average 1997 is still good.

The show starts out with a typically Theme for 1997 which means a great Theme. Dirt is a very strong version for a song still deep in it's infancy. Ghost (another baby at the time) gets a really nice jam that is nice despite covering common ground of jams before.

A new (and soon to be rearranged) Olivia's Pool takes the experimental freshman set 2 opener spot. It rips quick and goes into a very non traditional Antelope. This freak Antelope veers away from it's typical mid section into deep space. It quickly simmers and builds to an ending that holds more weight because of the build, amazing Antelope. Twist moves into a nice evil jam before drifting into mellow space, fantastic early version (see a theme here?). Smokin Taste (what else is new?). Coil is fantastic and has a very inspired and long piano solo at the end.

Possum is a great encore, enough said.

Overall a pretty average show and definitely doesn't reach the same heights as some of the more well-known Summer '97 shows. That said, it still has some groovy moments and some good jamming. The Gumbo and Antelope are not to be missed, and the Twist delivers some weird sounds late in the second set.

First set highlights are definitely Gumbo and Ghost. Gumbo brings the out that distinctive 97 funk sound early in the show and paves the way for the rest of the jams. Ghost is solid, but not nearly on the same level as the Lakewood or Denver Ghost.

Second set opens with the now rare Olivia's Pool before dropping into an extended and frantic Antelope. About 20 minutes in length, the buildup in this Antelope is wild and frenetic. It dissolves in a pleasant Wading before the final big jam of the night in Twist. Weird and dissonant, this Twist is very unique sounding. A solid -> Taste as the jam meanders and then some standards to close out the show. Page's solo in Coil has some cool and haunting moments. Overall good show, but overshadowed by the next night for sure!

It feels like the reviews and the ratings for this show don’t jive. I loved this show, if I could do 4.5 stars, I would. Gumbo, that Antelope, Twist, a Squirming Coil with hands down one of the best Page solos I’ve heard, and they weren’t in any hurry to leave in the encore. Glad they’re coming back to Phoenix in 2021.