2003-02-28 is overrated

Phish Live Shows
#21

I don’t care what anyone says, this show is teh_shit. Folks I have IT, Gorge 03, and SPAC 04 and I still listen to this show a lot. IMO it’s got everything that makes a Phish show great: great setlists, good segues, bust-outs, rarities, and fantastic jamming. Here are a few solid reasons why I love it so:

  1. The Destiny Unbound bust-out. Granted I don’t think it’s a spectacular song, but let’s say the band kept going and in 10 years they finally played Fluffhead. That’s why this bustout is so historic.
  2. A great first set Bathtub Gin. Many great shows have great first set Gins (7/10/99 and some others I can’t think of)
  3. Back On The Train is arguably as good if not better than the 6/14/00 Train, which is the best Train ever.
  4. The Post Hiatus Tweezer. Name a better post-hiatus Tweezer. That’s right, you can’t!
  5. Soul Shakedown Party -> Bowie. Maybe neither of these songs is spectacularly played, but the spacey segue between the two is fucking GOLD.
  6. Round Room and Contact. I love you, Mike Gordon.
  7. A Mexican Cousin that is well placed. I used to hate this song, but this show shows that if placed well, it will work. I mean it’s the encore, people! Unless you’re listening on tape, you’re fucked up and crazy at this point. It’s the perfect song to crash into Tweeprise.
  8. I’m a huge fan of Sleep, and the fact that it was snuck into the first set is like a tiny gift directly to me.
    2/28/03 may not be my favorite post-hiatus show (haven’t heard enough to decide) but it’s hardly overrated.
#22

THANK YOU GREG!!

#23

I’m going to have to agree. I think overall post-hiatus Phish is overrated… I miss Trey’s delay loops, rack, and compressor SO much…

#24

Yea, I think this show is actaully underrated. It is definetly top 3 post hiatus in my opinion.

#25

If you really think post-hiatus Phish is overrated then you need to listen to 2.22, 2.26, 3.01, 7.15, 7.18, 7.29, both nights at Camden, and IT. There are definitely other highlight shows but those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head.

I agree that '03 Phish is definitely much different then that of pre-hiatus but I loved how the fused all their old styles and were able to nail perfect jams.

#26

the more i think about it the more i agree with Will - booz you got some cajones. this show is LAUDED on this board, primarily among the newbs (along with some oldies, too), and you spoke out against it.

well done.

#27

I like it, but it doesn’t have anything that can compare to a tour like Fall '97 or Summer '98.

#28

Newb! You’re the newb ghost!!
how many shows did you see?
How many shows do you own?
HaHa jk
There, my masculine outburst is over

#29

all right, put the crack pipe down and chill out…

i was simply saying i appreciate someone going against the grain. for the record, i DONT think 2-28-03 is “overrrated” but i do love the fact booz said so.

#30

definitely, opposing viewpoints are necessary sometimes.

#31

:sunglasses:

;D

now about that Burgettstown “CE+P”…

#32

I shoudl listen to that again…I bet I’ve only listened to it all the way through twice…OH MY GOD I am a newb!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

#33

haha, thanks ghost and willb. my cajones appreciate it.

its fun to break down shows that people feel differently about just to gain a different percpective of that show.

i few other folks mentioned they would take 2-26 over 2-28 too. so, fans of 2-28, tell me why the worcester show isn’t as good!

is it the amazing YEM-> clone opener?
the fantastic moma dance or the ripping maze set closer?
how about the jammed out stash followed by the ghost -> low rider jam-> maiksupa -> ya mar?

i would like to also hear some other top 5 or 10 post-hiatus shows too just to see where everyone stands.

rose, thanks again for the island tour. damn 4-04 set II is smokin.

#34

I don’t know if I’d say overrated, but I lean more towards booz on this thread. There are alot of other post hiatus shows I like better.

I need to hear a good copy of it though to make a better decison.

#35

^ agreed, it’s up there, and i think i like 2-28 a little more than booz…but i will take 2-26 over it (top 5 p/h maze and stash, i LOVE that maze), amongst a handfull of other post-hiatus shows. (i.e. NYE run '03, a couple summer '04 shows)

#36

I agree that this show may not be in the top 5 post hiat, but it was still a fun ass show! I still get chills thinking about being there (maybe it was the L and molly) but it was a fun show. I’m happy to see 7/29 getting some attention, I thought everyone forgot that crazy night

#37

I think the overratedness come from the fact that it has a few bust-outs. People get all in a tizzy when such things happen, which is cool but doesn’t make it the best show ever. I was at a Sugarbush 95 show where they busted out Timber for the first time in a few years. I thought I was so cool for having been there. Actually give that Timber a listen… I’ve yet to hear one match it. Anyway there are some really strong points to this show but personally I find the second set to fall off a bit after three-quarters thru the Tweezer. The end of Tweezer drags and then I fall asleep to the reggae, cool but a bit boring really. The Bowie is great tho, love the dark, heavy jam but I don’t really find it to be spectacular. Round Room eh. Hood is very well done and rocks but I need to be in the right mood or the Hood bores me as well. Encore is fine.

For me this show is about the Birds, Destiny… love it. The Gin and most of the Tweezer. Other than that it is just a good show imo. Still I think this show delivers the goods and definitely deserves its place next to Miss California in the big boob pagent.

Now if the Cinnci Gin blows this one out of the water then I must hear.

#38

no way man, that’s an experience I’ll NEVER forget.

i remember the lot scene was in FULL force! too bad you had to walk over large rocks/boulders to get to the venue.

#39

Star Lake is one of my favorite outdoor venues. The locals are always so nice and easy going and the police force never bothered us much. Long live star lake!

#40

03’ is kind of a wierd year…a lot of people think it is amazing and it does have its moments…2-28 is a bit overrated with a few songs that just sparkle…2-22 was my first show and i loved it but this also has some rough spots but with a lot more that sparkle…to me the best post hiatus stuff is IT by far…playing is so tight and they were really feeling the whole atmosphere and energy of the first fest since the hiatus…i also went to the alpine run in 04’ and in my opinion the playing in those two shows beats out 2-22 or 2-28 but just my opinion…every show post hiatus had its moments of greatness and its moments of weakness…still great shit and i cannot wait for post hiatus part duex…this time it will be for real