respectfully, i disagree with most of the points in this recap, though i appreciate j_d_g for his depth in timeline understanding and memory reference, as well as his professionalism with writing style.

to my ears - set two, this halloween -
'the rise and fall of ziggy stardust and the spiders from mars" said something knew and the cover choice at this juncture in time could not have been more perfectly selected and executed.

i confess that i heard rumors of this choice and hoped with all my heart that this albumn would appear on the playbill as a halloween treat. many phans intuitively dressed in costume as a nod to ziggy stardust/david bowie.
i selected a costume of of a glittered makeup mask and couture hat with a matching cape jacket as a nod to david bowie, phish, and new york city style. and when i saw the playbill posted by @bizarchive ( ever the industrious early bird of documentation ) i was happily satisfied as i enjoyed a pre-show dinner at the mgm.

phish played something new because they have obviously never played for us this record in entirely.

it was new to my ears, though i have known this record by heart since high school. to younger phans, this record in entirety might be somewhat unfamiliar. the fact that phish played this record very straightforwardly without extending into jam improvasation seems to me a very respectful salute to the late david bowie. the record itself is so good, it requires no additonal dramatic embellishments. phish performed as a collective version of the character ziggy stardust rather than as phish playing the cover of the album - 'the rise and fall of ziggy stardust and the spiders from mars'. is that not what a convincing halloween costume is about? - taking on the persona of another for the night.
and phish did ziggy. they nailed it collectively. after all, no one man other than david bowie himself could be such a one as ziggy.

i heard the poetry of bowie's words in new light. parts of the set brought me to tears i held back as i did not want to smear the glitter about my eyes.

inside the venue, it was almost a religious experience of phan unity with the band, particularly at the moment trey sang out, "give me your hands" during 'rock and roll suicide' - the entire arena was a unified force of love with all hands waving in the air back at trey. the power of bowie's words coming to life in an arena of 17,000 united phriends could not have been more heartfelt as trey embellished love to the phans "you are wonderful - give me your hands". the room was electric. trey meant those words - to us - as he sang them with the genuine force of sincerity.
i disagree with j_d_g about the assessment that the band has a weakness without guitar presence or that try cannot carry the arena with vocals and stage presence alone. i was there - this song and moment is sheer magic between trey and us all.

i was close enough with my seating page side to view the orchestra and backup singers closely. it was evident that all artists involved felt the love of the phish audience. it occurred to me in that moment, phish has a phan base of superlative followers, beautiful and intelligent and so respectfully present for these special moments in time.

the record, 'the rise and fall of ziggy stardust and the spiders from mars' is in itself the poetry of light and love in the midst of world chaos and misery, a narrative of light prevailing over that chaos most absolutely with magic and authentic love.
hearing this record in entirety at this juncture, aside from being a perfect nod to david bowie himself, reflected the difficulties of the times we live in and the perfection of music and poetry as an escape from dismal reality into hope and reflection.

now home after a most glorious vegas retreat with all my dear phriends, i am so happy. i feel so satisfied and recharged. i am so looking forward to msg and what unique experiences lie eminently ahead. i am so happy that one of my favorite records will yield the replay of any of the contained covers in future phish concerts.
and i hope that one day again, trey sets down his guitar and embraces us with the earnest sincererity of his voice, singing emphatically "you are wonderful" / "give me your hands" with bowie's cahtartic 'rock and roll suicide'

Oh no love! You're not alone
No matter what or where you've been
No matter when or what you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone

Just turn on with me and you're not alone
Let's turn on with me and you're not alone
Gimme your hands 'cause you're wonderful
Gimme your hands 'cause you're wonderful
Oh gimme your hands

- ziggy stardust

dear dear phish from vermont, i love you most emphatically.
happiest halloween again...

moSTgHost