This show has been mercifully released in the stellar Amsterdam '97 box set. All the shows are classics, with the February set II and Stash wormtown madness representing sublime Phish.

The question becomes is this the best top to bottom show of the release? Well you be the judge, because you really cant go wrong.

Ghost opens the show and this version is fantastic. It features a fine melodic back on the worm jam. Plenty of shredding to be found here, and also plenty of awesome '97 funk! This beast clocks in around 20 minutes and is more than worth a listen or two.

Horn serves as a cooldown after that monster opener.

Ya Mar features another nod to the Worm, and also some great jamming! Very good version.

Limb By Limb is up next and is also a great listen. This song was pretty new, but they nailed this one for sure. Great jam -> A'int Love Funny.

The -> is immaculate and quiet and you can really feel the power, even through the playback on the box set. It's a pretty awesome moment and A'int Love Funny is nice.

Saw It Again is cool and has another Worm mention.

Dirt is a nice cooldown - well - placed.

Reba is a slop fest, but the jam proper is actually quite good and very interesting. It's absolutely worth a listen, although you have to get through a poorly played composed section. That said, I'll take this all day!

Dogs Stole Things is sort of an odd closer, but it caps off a great set.

Overall: A fantastic set I, probably the best first set of the release, although the Mike's Groove first set the following night is also great. Definitely grab Ghost, Limb->Aint Love Funny, Reba and throw in the Ya Mar.

Set II opens with the Fishman keyboard jam, which is more akin the the Jam that opened SBIX day I set II - which is to say it's cool, but not particularly musical, until they kick into Timber.

Timber is phenomenal. It's not overly ambitious at under ten minutes, but it's one of my favorite versions of the song. Just great playing, and an absolutely killer jam. Must Hear.

>Bathtub Gin is up next and it's another monster. This one covers a on of ground and hits some really cool segments, including a dark jam that is a personal favorite moment. There's a nice funky ending jam that slides perfectly ->Cities.

Cities is slooowww and funky. They plod along into an extremely patient jam and explore tons of space. There's some teasing if that's your thing and some more worm banter, but generally this is good stuff indeed. The opening three tunes are rightly considered great great Phish.

Loving Cup fills the "song" slot of this show and is appropriately fun and rocking.

Slave is the perfect closer and this version is strong, if not a true seminole version. It's still very very satisfying, particularly after the darkness theme of the rest of the set.

Encore is Circus, which I love. Reminds me of the scene from Bittersweet Motel when they are playing it in the small club. (even though that version was from Barcelona). It's a powerful moment.

Overall: easy 5/5 - from the box set my favorite jams are Stash the next night and the DWD->Carini from February, but this might be my favorite all around show! So much incredible music. It's all very interesting and unique to my ears as well.