Ah, Denison University, one of Ohio's oldest schools, this private college is nestled in beautiful Licking County and was host to Phish's first foray in the Buckeye State. The band was playing at a fraternity party celebrating the end of the intramural hockey season; Trey notes several times the "sad end to the season today" and that he loves them "like brothers". There is various stage banter to this effect in between a number of songs, and boy is this show smoking.
1990 was a year in which Phish was touring heavily, and this show's setlist features the debut of several songs that would enter regular rotation and never look back- Tweezer, Runaway Jim, and Cavern. Every song in this show is incredibly tight-the band is clearly trying to impress and they are having a good night. God knows what the frat guys were thinking during this long YEM vocal jam...this Ya Mar featured especially blissful soloing from Page and Trey and the show as a whole was comprised of above average versions.

This review goes out to the Beta Intramural Hockey Team. Sorry to be a broken record, but I think this another standard early-90's show. High on sharp and tight, low on exploration and creativity. Of course, a fun listen, but little that I found remarkable. Interesting to hear the first versions of Tweezer (fast pace, jam just dies fades without a slow down, even), Jim, and Cavern. The Melt is wonky, though, and Cavern is pretty bad (yes, I know, first version and all). On the other hand, I thought the JJLC was pretty nice, and it was funny to hear Fishman shooshing the audience during the "nice part" of Contact. Oh, and the end of the first Sweet Adeline is pretty hilariously awful, with Fish declaring "Yeah! Rock and fucking Roll!!" Would have been interesting to hear where the Whipping Post went, but it was cut. So that's about it. 5 Stars to the Beta Intramural Hockey Team: better luck next year, chaps! But three stars for the show.