7/14/19 Alpine Valley GOAT Status?

Now that we’ve had a few great years to put in the books, I was listening to the Alpine Valley show. Ok, I’m actually going through noteworthy versions from 92-24 and giving it an extra look at 3.0 because it’s by far the era I’m least familiar.

I’ve found 2014 to be a lot better than I remember it and just a steady climb, minus a stutter step, here and there. Same with 11’ but it’s still a lot like early 1.0 Phish with a lot of songs and less jams, just the songs( and Trey’s playing) aren’t as interesting as they were in the early years. It seems like he finally got Mike’s note about playing too many notes,lol.

My personal theory is that part of getting back together was to focus on playing the songs as well as possible and not just playing long, indulgent jams, especially when they aren’t bearing fruit. This would explain why there are a lot of “ripcords” in early 3.0. There are less now but they are still there. One of the most awkward was when Trey bailed from Ghost into Mikes at the Greek in 10’.

Anyway, I was listening to the almost instant classic from Alpine Valley and it has everything from rarities to GOTF and deep jams to crowd banter.

I know this is news to no one but I think I would give a kidney to have been at that show. It’s one of those rare shows that look like setlist porn and then it’s even better than that. From Landlady and IDK to Spock’s Brain and Olivia’s Pool to Pebbles and Marbles and Icculus and Buffalo Bill. With a huge Ruby Waves and About to Run and Timber and a GxBx to end the first set. I know this isn’t a hot take but this might be one of the best shows of the 3.0 era.

What say you, fans? Were you there? Did you couch tour it? Do you have the LP on LP? Any ideas for other shows that are as strong and fun all the way through? I mean, TMWSITY>Avenu Malkenu>TMWSITY and DDHVL, Glide, YEM, Catapult, Vultures, Meatstick? It’s an embarrassment of riches and all played extremely well. A Strange Design, indeed. I don’t know what Trey was thinking but it was a trip from the 80’s to the 90’s and then the second set featuring shows that were new Phish, at its best. I don’t think I can put together a better setlist if I tried. When Twist, Swept Away->Steep is the calm part of the 2nd set, it’s a HOT f’n show!

I know that I’m not saying anything new but if you have a 3.0 show that tops it, I want to hear it. This show has it all + a wedding proposal!! Any 1.0ers remember Roger’s wedding proposal in StL 93?

SET 1: Landlady, Olivia's Pool, TMWSIY > Avenu Malkenu > TMWSIY > Meatstick, Vultures, Spock's Brain, Pebbles and Marbles, Glide, About to Run, Strange Design > Timber Ho > IDK[1], GTBT

SET 2: Mercury > Ruby Waves > Twist > Swept Away > Steep > DDHVL, Icculus, Buffalo Bill, Icculus Reprise, YEM -> Catapult > Contact > YEM

ENCORE: More > Tweeprise