(Published on the legacy Phish.net site many years ago...)

Well there it is.If you have made it through the set list then you've already noticed Harpua,But hold on. The roads were way bad to make the 3 hour drive took bout 5 and w/out tix all the longer.We arrived at bout 4:30 and a few people were hanging out also w/out sticks.The number got larger and hopes were dwindling when one of the security big boys("say he musta' weighed 210") came out and said "I got just two tickets.."and by the time he uttered the G my hand was raised and eye contact was made and he made way for my friend and I.The crowd was real dumbfounded for a couple of seconds then some one said "Yea.they've been here all afternoon."and get this THE CROWD CHEERED!for a second I thought oh shit now I've pissed of some people, but instead they actually cheered.That was the most amazing thing and I will Always have faith in the Phish "scene".I wanted to give part of my tix to every person there.We all should be proud.(damn cool) Well that's the end of the tix story to the show.There was a lot of people w/out sticks but I saw almost all of those people stubed in by intermission which wasn't quite the crime since I believe there was quite a few people not able to make it due to the weather.The show opened w/ bubble blowing by the crowd and Wilson,Jim and a cool Foam.But then the first whammy out of the bag O' tricks.They broke into Col. Forbins with Trey Narrating some thing similiar toGamehendge with plenty of poetic liscence.He was working real hard to involve in the whole transformation

from the hall to Gamehendge to see the Col. climb the Mt.Talk of clouds, lightning,rock falls and eye sockets where the story line.Mike did a cool bass in the Mockingbird part.(Mike was definately back in the swing of things this night compared to two weeks ago.a good thing.)After the mind expanding experience of Col.came Sweet 1 wher the bass always sounds like Jug band,and then into Stash where Trey was doing this thing I'm going to deam Guitar Farts,and it probably goes w/out explination.The rest of the set finished w/Curtain,Caverns,Mango Song,Run like an Antelope. IInd set started with Trey doing a Merry X-mass Guitar line which he then proceeded to incorperate into Burried Alive,which last new years they played old anxine(sp)in.The next was Rebawhich outroTrey was playing on the offbeats while the rest of them were playing normal.(well don't take that literally)Chalkdust to the new pair of Sparkle and Brother.Are they saying "Somebody is jumping in the tub with brother."during the chorus?(chris was doing some fancy foot(hand)work on lights)Lizards went into Henry-etta(sp)thing w/ O-man saying"well haven't learned any new Sid Barret tunes yet then came the mellow Love You.Band intro's happened in the bluesy jam insuing and Fishman used the hose while Mike placed the out take of the vac in his mike.Then a miracle struck,"Happy Birthday.."so&so and then came Harpua!When was the last time this was played?got me,but I've been waiting for it for a couple of years and whammy close to 15min. dog lovin,cat eating,bliss.Trey started out talking bout' old worn master being gone for a long time(think he was suggesting something?)and to find old Harpua.He moved to Poster Nutbag who he was petting and making cooing sounds then Fishman got in and started screeching the whole thing got a bit out of hand to the point you had to wonder what Jimmy was really doing the cat.(they were lovin it)(opps dbl. meaning) When the enchore started the band got into the holiday spirit by giving away the trampolines(YES,Believe it)The crowd had bout' 5 people claiming each tramp,when Fish say's"kill,kill,KILLL,I knew we should of raffled em' of".Trey was feeling so giving that he gave Fishman to the crowd also.Then Memories(sweet adaline) and a very appropriate Golgi Appuratus.(let me not forget the huge snowball fight during intermission, the cops were trying to keep in check but fat chance.) Met a two netters by pinning the word to my forhead.(Hi Bill T.)a wee bit silly but effective.(Ps.I wasn't recording but there was quite a few decks going so there out there.)Nuff said.