The big jamming takes over as the band kicks into high-gear with “Run Like An Antelope”, which features an amazing rope-dancing lady who dances above the band. Trey completely melts faces with his guitar on this performance. The band closes the set with a perfect “Slave To the Traffic Light”. Stellar.
• Day 7: Disc 6 (Final Set). The boys come out with an absolutely rockin’ “Wilson” complete with Trey and Mike head-banging in unison. Trey is completely rock-starring it. The “Possum” in this set is, once again, another perfect example of why people follow Phish. It is sublime. It’s always sad when something this good come to an end.
There you have it, from a dorky Phish fan perspective. Then there is Disc 7, which is a bonus disc filled with all kinds of goodies like the Flatbed Jam, in which Phish rode around on the back of a flatbed truck through the campgrounds, jamming ambiently on the first night of the festival. Then there’s a sound check and interviews: all kinds of stuff that you will want if you’re a phan. I didn’t even mention the postcards and stamps and amazing book of pictures and liner notes.
Rhino has done a superb job with packaging once again and the quality of the video and audio throughout is top-notch. For Phish fans, there is absolutely nothing to dislike about this Clifford Ball DVD set and nothing that seems to be missing. The tightness is there, the jams are there, the songs are there, the spectacle is there. This is Phish at one of the many peaks of their powers and it is pure elation. Play this for your Phish-phobe friends and you just might get some converts. Don’t you feel blessed that you get it? And that they’re back? Now I’ve got to wrap up this review so I can strategize how to win my music credibility back.
Welcome back, Phish! I’ll see you at Jones Beach, and Bonnaroo, and beyond…
Article comments
1 - Scott
Just watched it this weekend. And you are correct...it's ALL there. It's a perfect specimen of the band in it's prime.
I was lucky enough to be at The Great Went, Oswego, Big Cypress, It, and Coventry...and after watching this, I think I'd trade them all to have been at The Clifford Ball.