But, unlike most past Halloween shows, there’s little statement here. No gauntlet has been thrown. The group raised the conceptual bar with the twin nights of new originals in ’13 and ’14 (even if the “Wingsuit” suite had many low moments). This was a retrenchment.

Thank you for expressing this so well!

Not being much of a Bowie fan (my bad) I was nonplussed last night, but not so much by the selection as by them choosing to cover another band's album, 3 years after saying they were done with that; it didn't interest them any more. Of course, Phish has the right to change their (its?) mind, but after witnessing in awe the creative juggernaut of Halloween 2014, I somehow expected every Halloween to be a new, original masterpiece conceived and rehearsed in total secrecy.

Unrealistic I know, and Ziggy is a great album that was played (and sung!) beautifully. I never knew Trey could sing like that; I was nearly in tears! He's been dominant on guitar lately, so I don't think there's any sense to reading the tea leaves about him putting down the guitar for marimba lumina or whatnot, but I guess vets like to worry...