Phish Random Show: 4/4/92 Balch Field House, University of Colorado — Boulder, CO
This isn’t so much a show review; this is more of a re-opening of a cold case file. This particular show, one of their stronger shows of spring ’92, brings forth an unbridled energy, a cataplasm of avant-garde music. We take witness to Phish’s progression of show antics to show expressionism during early 92. The only problem is: there’s no recording of the second set! I’ve searched the databases, no recordings whatsoever. If you look at the setlist, see for yourself what the second set produced:
Set 2: Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Glide, My Sweet One, Tweezer, The Squirming Coil, Cold as Ice > Cracklin’ Rosie > Cold as Ice, My Friend, My Friend, Harpua, Cavern
Just take a look for a minute — how could such an unsullied, immaculate set not have any recording? I’m definitely not downgrading the first set by any means, but if you look closely, the sentient possibilities for this set, even at any era, but especially at this era, would be unfounded. So let me go over the first set real quick, and then we’ll pretend what they “played” in this second set.
Set 1: Runaway Jim, Foam, Reba, Uncle Pen, Chalk Dust Torture, Bouncing Around the Room, It’s Ice, Sparkle > The Lizards, I Didn’t Know[1], Run Like an Antelope
[1] — Fish on Trombone
Runaway>Foam — touchstone Phish. Like I’ve said before (even though @mrminer disagrees, and I’m being phacetious) that if they lead with this at every show, I could deal with it. Reba tight, but underdeveloped — still laying the foundation before the twine ties the foundation to the experimental, wavering outro. Faster CDT than usual. Bouncing is Bouncing is Bouncing. It’s Ice’s atypical jam in the middle brought a minutia of freshness to the set, and remember — 92 had inklings of breaking from norms. They were doing it the right way. The recording cuts off in the middle of a tasty mid-jam and goes right to Sparkle. Does Sparkle need any analysis? Goes right to Lizards, a great compliment to the set — more calypso — a favorite Gamehendge dance-tune. Fish came out and played the trombone for IDK, and a ripping, atavistic Antelope to close. Pay attention to the coda of Antelope, Trey doing some Ghost-y things on there (even if the recording is poor.)
Now let’s go back to the second set and imagine what it would’ve been like to hear this set. It has a Mike’s Groove to open. Tweezer, then Squirming Coil? How amazing would that have been — just put that into perspective, especially during this time, where they’re not really focused on song transitions per se, but more into developing an energy. They were the party band pre 92. Bear in mind, this antiquated location gives off a reverb that blots out Trey’s voice, and doesn’t capture the energy as much as the listener would like, so the recording of this second set might not have had the stuff of legend. Still, it would’ve been nice to hear how they pulled off Tweezer — Coil. This also had TWO songs from Henrietta, and a Harpua. Looking at the setlist, Harpua may have just been played, but then, I’m just talking out of my ass. It could’ve been HARPUA — 34:56 for all I know. I scoured the interwebs and tried to find a review of this show, and to no avail, no dice.
Yes, it was weird reviewing “no” music, but it was fun playing pretend. In my recommendations, you can check out this first set half-recorded It’s Ice and a decent Antelope, but keep your eyes pealed for this second set, and see if it ever surfaces. For some reason, Any show out of Colorado will be a top-tier show during any era. The 88 recordings, Ft. Ram ’90 — so it goes. I actually wrote about Phish’s history in Colorado in Surrender to the Flow (SHAMELESS PLUG!!!) When you get a chance, go to these early recordings of Colorado, maybe it’ll bring us some internet good luck, and we can get a chance to hear this gem of a second set.
1992
