Here's the thing about the first set - 97-04 spoiled the hell out of us. Those are, in my estimation, the only years in which Phish really went *deep* in their first sets, to the point where some of them (11/17/97, 6/28/00, 8/9/04) are indistinguishable from what we all consider to be second set constructions. That's obviously not to say that first sets from other eras aren't worthwhile - first sets from the early-90s are either fun, energetic, or both (be honest - how many first sets from 1995 are *you* listening to over second sets?) and first sets from 3.0 are also fun and energetic, if not quite deep - but the idea that first sets are anything other than the band getting ready for Set 2 is only based on those 6 years. Once the genie's in the bottle, etc.

I think that perception negatively colors 3.0 first sets, basically because how do you go back to the farm after you jam for 40 minutes in the first frame? To me, you can always find something to appreciate in 3.0 first sets, especially this year - either a song you don't hear much of these days, or (if you're lucky) a jam like the MPP Stash or Dick's Gin. There's a good deal of worth about that, even if you don't end up saving those sets.

To the question at hand - I think all 3 Dick's first sets are worth hearing, but I'd say the 8/31 Gin makes that the first set of the run. MPP2 is the clear winner if you base it on improv; Gorge1 is the best constructed and ends with a quite nice Melt.