If nothing else, you must absolutely hear the Mike's Song from this show, an astonishing hybrid of the crazed noisiness of 1995 (and, frankly, 1996) and the laser-focused tight grooves of 1997, with Karl Perazzo riding shotgun and providing a funky backdrop in that beloved Karl Perazzo way of his, a thread in Phish's jamming tapestry that heretofore had not existed. The supreme confidence of this jam, mellifluous at times like so many jams 13 and 14 months later, cannot be overstated - such is the confidence that Trey makes the ill-advised decision to head back into the usual Mike's closing stage, which the band stumbles through pretty badly. Still, the 17 preceding minutes are as good as the band gets (definitely as good ad 1996 gets),, and (if you want to get poetic about it) a remarkable literal transformation from old Phish to new Phish. The rest of the show is fine - Perazzo is Perazzo, and both Weekapaug and Slave are quite nice - but that Mike's is nothing less than a statement of intent and cannot be recommended enough.

I lost my cherry here. My first Phish concert. Mesmerizing!!!! The music was so compelling - when I heard the jams, I was hooked. I was really excited to see everyone having such a great vibe and the guest percussionist really complimented the sound. Unfortunately for me, it is the only Phish concert I have attended, but absolutely love Phish and have been a phan ever since. I am going to see them in Wisconsin in August! I can hardly wait. Anyone have tape of this concert? Let me know.

This is one of the true turning points for Phish in 1996 as many of stated before Karl Perazzo's presence did so much for Phish and I believe pointed them in the right direction for the upcoming events of 1997.

Front to back this show is excellent. And call me crazy, but I think I like this show more than Halloween!

So much is enhanced by the percussion (especially Guelah, Taste, Stash, David Bowie, RIFT, Weekapaug, & The Wedge). And the playing and Trey's awesome '96 tone is the icing on the cake.

Billy Breathes is excellent as is a triumphant and excellent Bowie. The intro to Rift is unique and quite perfect, it drives the song in a way I would have never anticipated. Of course the obvious champ of this show is Mikes Song. It is likely a top 5 (or 3) version EVER! Yes ever! And it's one of Phish's most played songs! The execution is fantastic and the roaring jam that transformed in a perfectly played groovey funk jam. It's just the best listen for yourself. Weekapaug is excellent, as is The Wedge. Slave delivers as always.

Average encore but who is really going to complain at this point?

Almost a 5 star rating from me but just falling short. Do not skip this on the way to 10/31/96!

The Weekapuag here is great. It just goes to show that there are jams aplenty that don't get the "Recommended" tag but are still fantastic. That's what you have people in the comments like us for. Karl Perazzo is fantastic. The whole show is fantastic. But you already know that.

This Rift makes is played at a blistering pace. Feels like they are going to run out of the arena! Fish's ride is playing nici with parrazo. This sets aup a disgusting dark deep layered mike that Parrazzo rips apart.
Itsl like some Washington hieght, UrbanHippyrockfunk with drums coming from everywhere. Trey is just literally wailing his guitarcontent to just pierce throughthie sound animal they created .The first jam is heavier and more hardcore than anything I heard them play in up until that point in the states. The second starts like simple a little than on tape sounds alot like trey is on his drum kit lol but parazzo kills it though

Love this Mike's they played at this show! A good solid show before Halloween

Whole show with Karl Perazzo!

SET 1: Chalk Dust Torture: Ripped hard. Very hard.

Guelah Papyrus, Cars Trucks Buses, Taste: All pretty standard, CTB sounds cool with Karl. After this Trey announces that Karl will be playing the next few shows with them. And thanks to the people that hung out with us last night at Waterworks, you have a cool little town here, ok I am going to shup now and we will play more music.

Bouncing Around the Room: Standard.

Stash: Solid jam.

Train Song: Billy Breathes, Poor Heart > Nothing says holding it back for Halloween than this segment late in the first set.

David Bowie: Lengthy intro as Karl shows off his wares. This jam is not very cohesive to my ears. I basically cannot hear Page or Mike. Tough getting on the same page I guess with the special guest. It’s actually peaked pretty hard too…

First set summary: I would relisten to that Chalkdust again and nothing else. Karl definitely adds a very cool element to everything. But they are still all feeling each other out in the live environment.

SET 2: Rift: Nicely ripped coming out of the break > Mike's Song: Aww yeah, it’s on now! Karl really adds a nice touch to the beginning here, sounds absolutely rehearsed and fits perfectly! This thing gets so grimy and edgy around the ten-minute mark. Pure evil. Page goes to town right after this, completely funking it up. The theme that they latch onto around 12 and half is just burned into my memory banks. This is literally perfect Phish, doesn’t get any better. 15:15 is another watershed moment in this jam, it’s so good that it sounds rehearsed. Trey goes on from here about 45 seconds later to burn the house down with that perfect 96 tone of his. The re-entry is admittedly rough but after what came before it – who cares? That was an all-timer, one of the best Mike’s they have every played!!! >

The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Weekapaug Groove, The Wedge, Character Zero, Suspicious Minds > Hold Your Head Up: Banging segment right here.

Slave to the Traffic Light: Love, love, love this Slave. Should be jamcharts worthy. That 96 Trey tone is just amazing, and Karl really adds texture here that is tasteful. Highly recommend this version!

Hello My Baby: Standard.

ENCORE: Good Times Bad Times – Crushed. Raged the hell out of this!

Second set summary: Have listened to this set many, many times and it never gets old. Mike’s is obviously the anchor and the only tune that gets out there. But with so many amazing versions over the years for this one to be held in such high esteem is testimony to the greatness of the 10.29.96 Mike’s. Slave also has a ton of replay value. I would rate this show as a 4.1 of 5. Pittsburgh, MSG2 and Hartford all have a heads up on 10.29 but not by much.