The 1997 fall tour will always be remembered by fans as the funky era of Phish, during which the band de-emphasized their often technical approach in favor of more ambient, groove-based jams and extended space improvisations. Some of this was predicated on their transition from a club band, then to medium theaters, and finally to arena rock which required a change in the band's approach and overall sound.[1] This show from Denver was instantly a band and fan favorite, and Phish had plans to release the show as an album long before the Live Phish Series was conceived.
The concert is considered to be one of the best of Phish's career by the band's fans. On the website Phish.net, the largest Phish fan community on the internet, the show is rated the band's seventh best out of the nearly 1500 concerts they have played since 1983.[2]
Bonus tracks include two songs from the concert at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Illinois on November 19, 1997, featuring a 28-minute version of "Wolfman's Brother".
'The Helping Phriendly Book' (HPB) is a detailed setlist archive maintained by fans at phish.net.
Set 1: Tweezer, Reba[1], Train Song, Ghost > Fire
Set 2: Down with Disease[2] -> Olivia's Pool > Johnny B. Goode -> Jesus Just Left Chicago, When the Circus Comes, You Enjoy Myself
Encore: Character Zero [1] No whistling. [2] Unfinished.
Teases: · Super Bad tease in Ghost · Dave's Energy Guide tease in Johnny B. Goode
Noteworthy Jams: Tweezer, Ghost (highly recommended), Johnny B. Goode (highly recommended), Jesus Just Left Chicago (highly recommended), You Enjoy Myself
Average Song Gap: 8
Performers: Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon
Notes: Reba did not have the whistling ending and Disease was unfinished. Ghost included a Super Bad (James Brown) tease and Johnny B. Goode contained DEG teases. This show was officially released as Live Phish 11.