So we had been listening to the copy of a copy of a copy of a copy of a partial tape of Junta for a couple of months, when word came down that Phish was going to be at the Bayou. Finally, a chance to see this amazing music played live...SWEET!

It was hard to get a crew together in those days when most of those around me had never heard any Phish. I dragged Ray down to the Bayou, and saw only one or two familiar faces inside...the floor inside the small club was empty, and there were still open tables on the wraparound balcony above when the boys hit the stage. The lights didn't even go down!

What's this? A Capella? I think I knew "Carolina" best from an old Bugs Bunny cartoon...and was immediately impressed with the boldness of such an opening, unamplified over a few catcalls to GET ROCKIN'! Then, the opening notes of "You Enjoy Myself" and we're OFF...

Standing in the middle of the nearly empty floor in front of the stage as the coda to "Esther" plays, thinking to myself, "but...but...but, SHE DIED!"

Cracking up at "Possum" and marveling at the deftness of "A-Train", losing it again over "Fee" ("slice you on the nipple"? Ah-hahaha!)

Page's beautiful outro to "Squirming Coil", him bent over a tiny Fender Rhoades keyboard tickling the most heavenly strains from the keys.

Ray's bemused face during their rollicking "La Grange" - I don't think he ever saw them again after that...oh well, not for everybody I guess! More for me!

The utter silliness of "Bathtub Gin" and "Contact", the punchy "Lizards" and tremendous "Cavern" beseeching us to TAKE CARE OF YOUR SHOES, whatever you do. OK! I was hooked...the first of many nights of fun, Fun, FUN!

I finally, in 2002, found *1* person who had a copy of a partial soundboard of this show in his collection, tracked him down and set up a trade. It never shows up even today, and I may never hear it again in its entirety, but I'll never forget that night!