188Harry HoodStrong early "Hood" includes a long, slow-tempo intro (to 3:50) with dogs barking in the background, and a soaring and unusually long (for this period) Trey-led jam, prompting Fishman to comment "that's why I'm in the band." · 118 BPM
14:50
163Clod108 BPM
6:09
175The Curtain WithGotta love the dogs, Marley and/or others barking in the background throughout. The Curtain section is very precise, and filled with a sense of energy. Listening along, you can imagine the band had practiced the composed section extensively. The With jam begins with delicate, lofty soloing by Trey, then gradually builds up to a crescendo, before easing back down and fading into the ether. · 126 BPM
15:52
162Light Up Or Leave Me Alone118 BPM
10:43
153Shaggy Dog118 BPM
3:55
184WilsonfunkFirst ever "Wilson" chant from the band in a stretched out intro with nice droning organ and funky Trey comping before reaching the chord changes. When the band takes the volume down, some incredibly well-timed dog barking leads the band into a few lysergic, descending, atonal moments. Signature, briskly-paced, early version.
· 112 BPM
6:49
141Camel Walk118 BPM
5:14
SET 2MAIN13 TRACKS·1:184 CHARTED
2—Mike's SongIIVery improvisational version, for any period. Has "Fluffhead"-like moments, a Grateful Dead vibe at times, and the jamming covers a huge range of exploratory ground. Must-hear early Phish improv.
->INTO
270Hold Your Head Up123 BPM
17:40
2—Harpua
>SEGUE
276Bundle of Joy106 BPM
9:51
>SEGUE
2—Harpua
->INTO
244Golgi Apparatus99 BPM
4:34
>SEGUE
275Sparks136 BPM
6:13
254Flat Fee152 BPM
2:53
254Fee162 BPM
7:49
2—Skin It BackIIReplete with Marley or some other dog's barking, the band launches an exploratory, improvisational take on the Little Feat classic. The driving jam features great Mike and Page, and predictably rapid-fire Trey action. Becoming increasingly abstract after 10:30, the playing begins to settle, and Mike leads the band with a great -> into "Low Rider Jam."
->INTO
283Low RiderIIfunk-> from an improvisational "Skin it Back," this early nod to the War classic works to cool down the fury from the preceding jam, as Trey humorously sings "La Bamba" lyrics over the "Low Rider" melody. Picking up a blues-tinged theme after 4:30, this great and grooving full-band improv rocks on and -> "Back Porch Boogie Blues." · 123 BPM
29:58
->INTO
2—Back Porch Boogie BluesIIfunk-> in from a fun "Low Rider Jam," you may initially hear Grateful Dead-like jamming in this blues-based instrumental. Trey leads the band into increasingly frenetic playing, and Mike and Fish heroically manage to keep up with the torrid pace. Settling down into a more groovy bent, Trey cleverly sets the deck for an unexpected -> to "The Sloth."
->INTO
2—The Sloth
SET 3MAIN7 TRACKS·0:573 CHARTED
360Big Black Furry Creature from Mars129 BPM
5:40
378McGrupp and the Watchful HosemastersThe first version with lyrics sung rather than narrated. The jam follows a similar pattern to others from this period, with Trey strumming quite a bit while Page rocks the keyboard, but this one grows increasingly intense before seeming to veer towards "Possum." Instead, the jam explores more ground, then -> to "Stir It Up Jam" with no return to the typical closing. · 120 BPM
9:42
->INTO
3—Stir It Upbliss-> in from a strong "McGrupp." While all members contribute (Page's early playing is varied and inspiried) Trey dominates, slowly working Marley's "Stir It Up" into its more traditional form, the ensuing jam informed by lines warm and melodic, rich in tone. Beautiful, must-hear material. · 157 BPM
16:59
3—Makisupa PolicemanIIA supremely odd version. "Makisupa" proper begins more than six minutes in, after the "Stir It Up Jam" comes to a full stop. The first few minutes feature Trey ad libbing, lyrics over a loose, playful jam. It's mostly weird, but the last minute of the jam is a long, magnificent segue -> "David Bowie."
This show is mislabeled on many recordings as 8/27/87. Teases were everywhere, including a Trench Town Rock quote from Trey before Hood, a Whipping Post tease from Fish and a Jingle Jangle Jingle tease from Trey after HYHU, a full band Sneakin' Sally tease before Golgi, a Smoke on the Water tease after Sparks, La Bamba lyrics in the Low Rider Jam, as well as a full band HYHU tease and a Slipknot! tease from Trey before McGrupp. Harpua was played by request and was restarted after the opening lyric, which was repeated. The intro to Sparks was extended while Fish relieved himself. McGrupp was introduced as "The Gala Event." The third set was heavy on jamming and light on lyrics. Trey delivered some freestyle reggae rapping before and during the Makisupa Jam that some fans have labeled the “Mouse House Rap.” Mike's included a DEG tease from Trey. David Bowie contained a Tom Sawyer tease and was unfinished. This show contained the first known performance of BBFCFM and the first known Phish performance of HYHU.
By the numbers8 STATS
RUNTIME3h 43mwith break
LONGEST29:58LOW RIDER
SHORTEST2:14SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT
AVG SONG9:18across 24
JAM CHRT10charted
SEGUES110.35 per song
DEBUTS0no firsts
JAM TIME8%of 223 min
SONG DURATIONS · 31 IN ORDER0–30 MIN
LOW RIDER 29:58
● SET 1● SET 2● ENCORE
Fingerprint3D · 0BO
SETLIST · BLOCK = SONG · COLOR = OVERDUEIN ORDER →