12-07-1995 Niagara Falls Convention Center, Niagara Falls, NY
Old Home Place - Lets the stragglers make their way in.
Curtain - Show time, aud seems really into it and Page giving a little extra on his organ push. Flawless jump into >
DC Bag - Slightly laid back on the intro. Solo has a real nice natural build to it before a raging finish.
Demand - I've never been into this one really but it sets up this next one nicely >
Rift - Gets the energy back up. I've always been a fan because of Page's piano work and that it was the first Phish song I heard.
Slave- Cool placement and definitely unexpected. Trey's tone is gorgeous. Very quiet start to the overall build. Not quite a second set beefy closer but bridges the old school feel of the set with Guyute beautifully.
Guyute - I used to enjoy this song a lot more. Sounds effortless on all fronts especially Trey where it matters most. Not a perfect version but close enough. The tornado finish is just how I like. Only thing missing is the darker vocals of Guyute's to come.
Bouncin - Yep
Possum - Trey brings back the slave tone for a brief moment and Fish seems poised to do some damage here as his maturity shows with his restraint. Slight tension and Page really pushing Trey to push it further! Mike and Fish super tight on the finish, really solid here and they keep coming back for more!!
Hello My Baby - yessir
SOAM - Nasty way to come out for set two, Fish is on it tonight and this one starts off on solid ground. Just seventeen years ago and the music was the band. Not cringe worthy in the slightest with an emerging theme early. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida tease?? Crushing it around 8+ just tight as hell, Fish back and forth in tempo, then typical split madness. Sounds like they will finish off as per usual but it was not meant to be! A little extra sugar thank you very much, sweet way to finish.
Strange Design- Page sounds great!
Taste - Really dig the concise version, Trey seems to not waste a single note.
Reba - is on crack. Composed seems right to me, Fish working his dress off with some fine work. Page having a hard time linking up in early in the composed. Jam takes us back to where Reba dreams are made. Love the distortion and frenzy at 12:30 then it just does not stop! Complete bomb drop holy $hit and another surprise ending finish.
Julius - After the previous intensity a dance filled Julius is like the icing.
Monkey - I often ask myself these same questions.
Sparkle - Not the placement I'm looking for really but it does roll right into >
Mike's - Has not been the same since 95. No longer filler, this beast you better beware. Love the slow in tempo after the fiery start and bringing it back down to the Mike's theme before the jam ensues. Mini kit and this guy is happy, gimme gimme moooore. Cool effects and work from Page / Mike during the kit. Trey finds his footing extremely quick and then they finish in style, man I wish I could see the look on Trey's face. >
Weekapaug - Not a perfect transition but far from a train wreck. Extremely feel good Phish here with Trey in absolute control. Smokestacks at 5:15 that is how you make the most of a limited amount of time. Whole band noodling thereafter then the roof is torn open, what was that?! Sounds like they could get bowied, then some serious channeling and now Maze but not meant to be! Chaos
Amazing Grace - They must be feeling it.
Penn - With all the previous beef, I would not necessarily be looking for more, interesting choice no less.
Overall this second set is pure money, I will be keeping it in the rotation. Any excuse to listen to December 95 is fine by me.