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Dec
13
97

Phish - 1997

Pepsi Arena
Albany, NY, US

Set List

Show Notes

This was Phish’s third show at the Knickerbocker – known at this time as Pepsi Arena. It was the second show of a 2-night stand, tickets cost $25.00 and the show was sold out. J. Willis Pratt & We’re Bionic (with Fish on drums) opened. Fish introduced Willis (who has written over 60 songs and recorded over 30 of them) as “one of the greatest and most prolific songwriters in the world” This was something of an album release party for the J. Willis Pratt & We’re Bionic Bleeding In A Shark’s Tank album which includes Drew Gotta (Phil Abair) on keyboards, Aaron Hersey on bass, Fish on drums, plus guest musicians including Dan Archer, John Neville, Big Red (Trey) and Cactus (Mike). The show opened with a huge Ya Mar, which ended unfinished with a long jam into Axilla. Axilla contained the Axilla (Part II) ending without the ‘Hoist’ lyrics. Tube was the new version with the funk jam in the middle ala 12/7/97. Mike’s song included some alternative lyrics – Trey sang “Brad no are no nice guy” – teases of Funkytown and Foxy Lady, and a “Bring In The Dude” jam. This was the only Weekapaug > Catapult > Weekapaug sandwich to-date. During Harry Hood, Trey asked Chris to turn off the lights for a Blackout Jam which turned into a band/audience glowstick war. This was the last show of fall tour. After this show the band and crew traveled home for the holidays. During the break, Fish went down to Atlanta to play with the Zambiland Orchestra – sharing the stage with as many as 64 people – directed by Colonel Bruce Hampton holding cue cards indicating “faster” or “slower” etc. driving the musicians into a frenzy. Zambiland Orchestra musicians included: Col. Bruce Hampton, Joe Zambi, Gary “El Buho” Gazaway, Jon Fishman, Ricky Keller (aka Lincoln Metcalf), Jimmy Herring, Kofi Burbidge, Count Mbutu, Michael Ray, JoJo Hermann, Todd Nance, T Lavitz, Derek Trucks Band, and members of Leftover Salmon and String Cheese Incident.