This show was O.K overall but this on not a review of the show. This is a review of a very tight tight Down with Disease. It's the first indication of what Phish and Trey had in mind for 1997. Coming out of 1996 and listening to each show from that year. It was a nice change from the "normal" Phish. I knew Phish would destroy America in 1997 but it begins here. Take a 12-13 mins of your life and give it a listen. It will not disappoint you. Trust me!!

The second show of the winter '97 Europe tour find the band seeking (but not yet finding) a new, more democratic sound. The audience is particulary quiet at this show, which may have inspired the uniquely-placed Sweet Adeline in the first set.

The opening trio of tunes have plenty of energy, and the YEM is particularly exciting. The jam isn't long, but the drum and bass section is outstanding. Mike uses a unique effect to drive a patient jam that slowly builds in momentum and his "laser" sound gives the D&B section a very unique flavor.

The Bag to open the second set sounds like the whole band's just taken some Valium for the first five minutes or so before they all sort of wake up.

Reba is played at a very fast pace, especially the lyric section. The bass kind of disappears at the end, not sure what happened here. The novelty of Walfredo is introduced amusingly by Trey.

“To make sure you don’t get confused with the sauce, this song is not called Alfredo. It’s called Walfredo. We hope you like it.”

Of historic interest, following Walfredo with Rock-A-William marks the only time these two songs were paired back-to-back. So you get a solid block of time with band members playing each other's instruments in the middle of the second set. The rest of the show is completely standard.

Definitely worth hearing this YEM. It's a gem in an otherwise overlooked Europe tour show.

Rating: 6/10 Belgian Francs

This is a very up and down show. Nothing in it that reaches the levels of London, and some off placement on some of the songs. Standouts are YEM, Disease, and Reba.

Jim is a nice start to this show, and a well-played version. Jim openers are always nice! Some good playing from all parties. Bodes well!

NICU is the perfect placement. Great flow to this set so far.

YEM: great version! The section following tramps gets really quiet with some lovely playing from Trey. Not what I would call typical YEM at all. Really cool. Mike has some weird effect going for Drums And Bass, but it works. Vocal jam is nothing too extraordinary and just kind of dies out.

Sweet Adeline mid first set is an interesting placement. It kind of works though.

Axilla: the energy is back! Trey’s tone is Perfect and Fishman is a beast.

It’s Ice: Trey doesn’t exactly nail the composition here, but it’s mostly fine. The break down section is just Page providing a mostly classical sounding solo (playing all alone) before taking it slightly atonal with some Mike in the mix into the end of ice. I like this version!

Billy Breathes: not really ready for a down song here. This set is very up and down so far in terms of energy. I mean, I love BB, but this is maybe not the best spot for it. Still, nice soloing from Trey.

Uncle Penn puts us back on track with some energy followed up by a great Antelope! Let’s say this about ‘lope: if I had to choose one song to end every first set it would be Antelope. Even an average Antelope is awesome. This one gets interesting in the middle with some cacophonous jamming leading into the stop, which sees Fish continue to whale on the drums for another few measures. Then it comes on home, followed up by the infamous “see you in 15 minutes.”

Set 2

Bag struts its stuff. Some really good jamming in here, and it takes its time. Bodes well.

Ya Mar stretches it’s legs a bit with some nice playing, and a little bit of vocal silliness.

Disease feels like the first song of this tour to sniff true type 2. It’s another round of cacophonous jamming and then a return to the song proper to end it. Very nice.

Funky Bitch really stars Page who just tears up the keyboard.

Reba! Very nice Reba jam. Who doesn’t love a Reba jam? They can suck it. This one gets messy a couple of times but still soars. From about 11:30 on is really excellent. No whistling.

Intro to next song: “to make sure you don’t confuse this next song with the sauce, this song is called Walfredo, not Alfredo.

I guess Walfredo is growing on me a little bit, but I still don’t think it’s very good. RAW on the other hand—I love this song. It kind of rules.

Mule has a great extended piano solo from Page, and then is unfinished > A Day In The Life. Well played version to end the set.

Encore:
Zero. Yeah, okay.

Another fine but skippable show. Highlights are definitely the YEM and DWD, both of which are better than anything played the previous night. The DWD in particular is as fine of a Type I version as you'll find. The segue from Scent to ADITL is also unexpected but nothing crazy, and not the most exciting way to send a second set.

PHISH, FRIDAY 02/14/1997
LE BOTANIQUE
Brussels, Belgium

SET 1:

Runaway Jim: Standard. >

NICU: Standard.

You Enjoy Myself: Fairly tame YEM save for the crazy Cactus jam in the B&D section. What is that effect he uses here? It’s nuts!

Sweet Adeline[1] - Standard.

Axilla: Standard. >

It's Ice: Standard. >

Billy Breathes: Standard.

Uncle Pen: Standard.

Run Like an Antelope: Standard.

SET 2:

AC/DC Bag: Standard. >

Ya Mar: Standard. >

Down with Disease: Standard. >

Funky Bitch: Standard. >

Reba[2] Standard.

Walfredo: Standard.

Rock A William: Standard.

Scent of a Mule[3] Standard >

A Day in the Life: Standard.

ENCORE:

Character Zero: Standard.

Summary: Bland. So bland! This show is as vanilla as Phish gets for the era. 2.5/5

Replay Value: None.

[1] Without microphones.
[2] No whistling.
[3] Unfinished.

Sweet Adeline was performed without microphones. Reba did not have the whistling ending. Mule was unfinished.