There is a really cool effect on Page's synthesizer in this version. It sounds like it cuts out for a microsecond with some kind of portamento effect. And Trey's vocal-jamming after his "Boy, Man" is inspired (the crowd loves it!)

I still say that as far as quantity of quality YEM jams goes, 1995 is the winner. But that doesn't mean that there are no other noteworthy YEMs from years past 1995. I actually hold the 12/6/96 YEM in the same esteem than the famous YEM from NYE 1995 (though I love both), but as for the YEM that, to my ears, is the most melodic and musical, this is a tie between the Albany YEM (12/9/95) and this YEM from Phish's European '97 tour.

This one is a keeper for sure. The guest musicians, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones help Phish craft a masterful jam full of textural melodies. Typically, when I think of a YEM I always think of Page's keyboard solo, then Trey's ripping guitar, then the B+D segment. But this one keeps the keyboard solo while Trey takes a back seat playing some cool chord progressions. All throughout, when Trey introduces the guests he keeps referring to a "Pierre" in the audience. Not sure if it's a "you had to be there" thing or not, but it's pretty funny. Also, I'd like to address something; in the description it says this jam doesn't have a B+D section, but I think there actually is, it's just in an odd placement. In the middle (around the 18 minute mark) Jon ("Greasy Troll" plays a raging drum solo, and I think I vaguely hear Mike (or Victor Wooten) playing the bass too. Well, it's probably just me wanting to hear a B+D section. But there is definitely a kick-ass drum solo and an eventual segue back into the jam proper.

It's jams like this YEM that really showcase the band's talent during one of their most surreal tours. In some aspects, Summer '97 is probably one of the band's most experimental moments on stage. They weren't quite at the funk level that would become Fall '97, but at the same time they weren't playing like 1995 or even 1996 anymore. In short, Summer '97 is a special tour. And this YEM couldn't have happened anytime else. Please listen!