I am a total noob when it comes to '96 Phish, despite loving 10/31/96 and the Crosseyed and Painless -> Antelope from 11/2/96. So I’m curious to hear the vet’s thoughts on the forthcoming Vegas '96 release as well as '96 as a whole.
It’s a year that gets a mixed rating from most fans, but I often hear some of you folks bolstering various shows and song versions from the year, too. I still need to check out that Amsterdam show just out of morbid curiosity…
Vegas is a great choice.
The only part that I didn’t like was the encore, mainly because the tapes didn’t do it justice.
There has been video of the encore for a bit and the new vids should be sweet.
I would think that you have heard Clifford Ball, because it is a must have if you haven’t.
Summer (US) was pretty solid all around with 08-14 Hershey being my favorite after the Ball.
08-05 Red Rocks is ridiculous, as well.
As for the Fall, 11-16 Omaha is by far my favorite.
A lot of these shows fall under the radar, but it was a solid Tour despite being heavy on the BB material.
Check out these shows…
10-19-1996 Buffalo
11-06-1996 > 11-08-1996 Knoxville, Lex, Champaign
11-13-1996 Minni has the first Post Suzy Jam. Real funky.
11-15-1996 St. LOuis The “M” Show
11-19-1996 KC Set II is one of the best of the tour
11-23-1996 Vancouver
11-27-1996 Seattle Dizeezer
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Don’t worry, Greggers. I don’t listen to a lot of '96 either.
But I wouldn’t doubt there’s a shit-ton of good Phishiness in 1996.
Check out 7-12-96 for its all-around, um, strangeness.
But fo’ real, listen to Aug and check out 11/27/96. On top of the second set, the first set “Free -> Theme” is really good.
Lexington thru Champagne is definitely the shit!
I’ll suggest Grand Rapids as a choice cut!
im a n00b when it comes to 96 as well but do thoroughly enoy 8/14-17, and 12/6
You don’t like 8/13?
That’s the first 1996 Phish show I ever done heard.
I think 08-12 is a much tighter show and would have been a better release.
08-13 is one of the rare nights when Fish was off.
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Overall it’s not as good as 8/12, true.
But there are some great moments like “Sky,” “Slave,” and the “Mike’s Song.” One of my favorite versions.
Actually, the “Bag” through “Weekapaug” is pretty good IMO.
i’d have to disagree with 8/12 being better than 8/13. imho 8/13 was by far the best show of the tour. not only did it have a killer setlist, but some great playing as well. after that 8/5 would be my second choice. the ball is pretty good too. 
imo the europe tour was pretty lame overall. 7/23 was pretty much the only memorable show.
i really enjoyed the fall tour for the most part.
10/18 - standard 1st set with a raging 2nd!
10/22 - this one seems to be pretty underrated, solid show.
10/23 - the gullotti set was pretty wild.
10/31 - well you know
11/2 - one of my favorites from the tour
11/7 - another favorite from the tour, incredible 2nd set!
11/11 - this is another underrated show, both sets are solid.
11/15 - classic 2nd set
11/16 - another favorite from the tour, outstanding 2nd set.
11/18 - first extended 2001! other than that this one’s pretty tame.
11/19 - another favorite. both sets are great, but the 2nd set is where it’s at.
11/27 - smokin’ 2nd set w/ an incredible theme in the 1st.
11/29 - this one seems to be pretty underrated as well, both sets are solid.
11/30 - great show! best setlist of the tour imo.
12/1 - probably the most underrated show of the tour. the first set is average at best, but the 2nd set KILLS!
12/4 - solid 2nd set
12/6 - my favorite 2 set show of the tour next to 11/16.
um yeah…dont know i didnt mention that…that was one of my firt shows also
I always enjoyed 10-25-96 w/ HA HA HA as the show opener and 4-26-96 is a nice show too.
I haven’t seen the Third Ball mentioned yet.
Not really a spectacular show or anything, but I do love the SOAMule and Chalkdust.
Third Ball does absolutely nothing for me.
It sounds like a sloppy bar show to me.
Oh I know.
But there are parts of it I enjoy.
Usually someone mentions some off the wall show maligned show.
I guess this time it was me.
I noticed that nobody talks about the summer tour that much. Was it just an “off” tour, or are there just that few tapes that circulate??
All of US circulates.
It’s very solid all the way through.
The only dud IMO, is the first night of RR.
EDIT:
That ain’t no dud…Forgot about the Bag > Reba.
Real nice.
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