Excellent review. From the great storytelling at the beginning to set the stage and context for Walfredo, to the much-appreciated detailed analysis of this most-unusual Ghost, you really nailed it.

I especially appreciated your take on Ghost. At the time I kept thinking that "Trey must be reading the reviews on Phish.net". I know he probably isn't but doesn't it seem that in many cases the band musically responds to the vibe and thought process of its fans?

Regardless, I was thinking at the time that Trey was intentionally mixing things up and taking a new tack on the old standard. However, I prefer your analysis. The idea, which you described beautifully, that he actually screwed up and then sort of poked fun at himself during the remainder is way too Phishy to be denied. It's easy to speculate and misread the expressions on the guys' faces during songs, and misappropriate the meaning of glances to and fro, yet I will take your word on this one since the music lines up with your description.

In either case, as you described well, it led into the most interesting sequence of the night and this sequence alone made the show worthwhile. I think the song selection the last few nights has been fabulous.

BTW, Birds ALWAYS feels ripchorded when Trey hits those final bars. It always feels like hitting the emergency brake at 100mph.