Does everyone else agree that Antelope peaked in 95? Because I think it peaked in 97, and 11/22, 12/29, and 12/6 are my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd arguments for this.
You can say that the Piper was flat ONLY when compared to the Pipers that came after it. Up until that point, the second set had been almost entirely funk and space. Piper is a good transition in theme leading up to that devastating Antelope (see: supra).
This second set is basically flawless in my mind and one of the very few I listen to from beginning to end anymore. No, it didn't hurt that I was there, but most of my favorite sets are ones I didn't attend, so that's a pretty good attendance bias buttress.
12/2 best 2001? Really? 12/29/98, 4/4/98.