I came across this show while looking for a show in early '92 of the archived setlist section to listen to. Scrolled down and saw that the "first" show of the year, 3/6/92 was the debut of the "Fast Rift". To that I said, there's a slow Rift? I chose 4/28/90 out of the handful of shows that premiered Rift in it's "original" slow version. And wound up giving this one a listen.

I really only gave it a listen to find out what this "Slow Rift" was all about. Although it generally has the same structure, with the same lyrics, and same vocal melodies, the feel is completely different. The tempo is not only slow, but without the meoldy, you wouldn't recognize the song as Rift. It's dark, which mimics most of the rest of this show, or at least the first set which I was able to listen to. The second half picks up with Trey leading the push towards the end with a few long note solos, which then abruptley stops for a verse of lyrics which is one of the creepiest verses I've heard to date. Super dark, very interesting, ealry Phish stuff going on in this show!

I'd give the top three highlights (of the first set), to Possum, YEM, and Antelope, in no order. Possum has some really cool stop/start riff playing in the mid section and build up, without actually stopping for a pause, but you can hear the riff's alternating. YEM, starts with a very heavy organ sound and a different intro structure by Page. It's almost like it's flat but its in key. The rising and falling is left out in his part, is the best way I can explain it. It's a slower tempo which falls in with the rest of the show. The rising parts that build to a peak all have this really heavy organ sound that makes it almost sound like they are playing in an empty church. It takes over the song and is very different. The vocal jam leads right into "Slow Rift". Antelope is solid and has an awesome build.

Time to listen to 3/6/92, and get a bunch of early debuts.

The recording of this show was pretty good, but it was only the first set.

Weirdly, this first set contained only one song that wasn't played on 4/26, and the song was that early, horrible version of Rift. Yeesh. I'm still going to go 2.5/5 stars on this one, though, because the recording is solid (better than the previous show, incidentally) and the Antelope is (once again) worthy of your ear time.

This was one of the earliest theater shows which in my opinion were where they played their best. Just listen to Mike on YEM. I recall people dancing in the orchestra pit.......

Great audience recording available for this show! I wish every old Phish show sounded this good! God bless the tapers!

Pretty straightforward set until we get to YEM. Incredible version! This pairs beautifully with Rift. Foam offers a nice breather before the set highlight!Antelope is absolutely bonkers! Wow! Must hear early version! Like the last show in Oberlin they cool things off again with a Lawn Boy closer.

Set 2 begins with Fish asking the audience not to smoke in the theater. Trey suggests smoking in the lobby instead! lol A nice Cavern, Hood pairing opens the second set. Fantastic Hood! The tape fades out after Hood for some reason? Luckily no music is lost. Caravan continues a nice setlist flow. Lovely version! Tonight Fryer Tuck pulls out his Bone for I Didn’t Know. Beautiful Reba with a super chill “chill section”! Mike’s Groove closes out the evening. The BBFCFM encore has a fun Simple Gifts tease with a Star Spangled quote from Fish. Solid show. Listening to this show on headphones really puts you there. Good stuff!

The recording of this show was pretty good, but it was only the first set.

Weirdly, this first set contained only one song that wasn't played on 4/26, and the song was that early, horrible version of Rift. Yeesh. I'm still going to go 2.5/5 stars on this one, though, because the recording is solid (better than the previous show, incidentally) and the Antelope is (once again) worthy of your ear time.