Phish’s 54-show Fall 1995 tour opened in Sacramento, CA at the Cal Expo Amphitheater. It was the beginning of a 3 month adventure that zigzagged the country from West to East. We got new songs, odd song placements, and a couple very interesting structural song changes from the norm. Plus, there’s no better way to start a tour than with a 500+ mile drive to the next show the following night

Wolfman’s Brother (1 of 6) was a peculiar opener particularly because it was last played at the Game-Hoist show (88 show gap). It immediately set the vibe that things were going to be different from summer tour. This version stays within the confines of the song per usual for the 10th time played. However, it had never opened a set, or tour, and it was the first time I was hearing the song live.

Like most tour openers this first set is not extraordinary but affords the band some time to get the engine started. Rift was Rift and showed off the band’s overall sound nicely to any uninitiated attendees. Free followed and allowed the band to work on creating a cohesive wall of sound. It’s Ice gets nicely spacey and psychedelic before the ending takes over. I Didn’t Know just made perfect sense for the first of fifty-four shows. Phish being Phish!

The Fog That Surrounds had been reworked and Henrietta was singing new lyrics and Trey’s verses were eliminated, but the song still soared and was one of the highlights of the set. Strange Design was a reminder “to keep the tires off the line” on the drive down to San Diego with our companions. Chalk Dust Torture gets nasty quickly; obviously the band needs to release some pent up energy. The Squirming Coil is the perfect set closer and Page soloed for over 4 minutes. Great way to end the first set of tour. So far, so good! I couldn’t have been happier

Cars Trucks Buses was a fun 2nd set opener, especially since it was a debut. The first few times you hear new Phish is always a fun treat. The band let loose for AC/DC Bag and sent a clear message about their attitude for this Fall tour. Watch Out! David Bowie immediately sealed that feeling with a patient build into a rowdy, high octane version. Tour was on in a big way!! (sidenote: oh, how I miss the extended Bowie intro)

Back to back debuts up next with Billy Breathes and Keyboard Army. The former piqued my interest as a new ballad with a elegantly delicate jam. The latter was Phish being Phish! It was the sequel to Summer Tour’s Acoustic Army. (sidenote: it was nice that they busted Keyboard Army out at Dick’s; last played Binghampton ‘95)

Harry Hood dropped afterward to everyone’s delight. Fun intro as usual, tight middle section, then an incredible jam develops almost immediately. This qualifies as a must hear version! The ending was particularly odd as the song didn’t end proper. There was no ending chorus or a real ending as the jam fizzled into a spacey song ending sound.

And more Phish being Phish happens with the new a capella debut of Hello My Baby. Top notch choice. A Day In The Life to close the second set of the tour opener was a nice touch. Still new to their repertoire from Summer Tour and a full Phish assault on the senses, CK5 included.

Possum was a personally fitting encore as I had made a red/white “I Brake For Possum” sticker to sell on tour among other things. Back then Possum carried a lot more weight and often went deep. This version went the extra distance needed to send us on our way south for tomorrow night’s show, my first birthday show, in San Diego at Summer Pops, Embarcadero Center.

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