Earlier today, I got into a discussion with a friend @TheEmu about some of our "weakest" years. He mentioned '99/'00 being his. While those are among my favorite. With some free time today I decided to go through both years and send him a message with must hear shows, jam, moments, etc. to help get him into these years. After putting a good chunk of time into this today, I thought i would post it here for anyone else in a similar situation, looking to dive into the '99/'00 era. It is difficult to be 100% objective with Phish, but I tried. I didn't omit shows or jams just because I didn't really like them. I recognize that some jams (Chula Vista Boogie On) are must hear, regardless of how I feel about it.

There may be a few typos here and there as I did this pretty quickly. And I got pretty tired by fall '00 so my descitptions aren't as in depth as they could have been. But I hope this little run down can help a few of you get into these years. Personally, I love this style of jamming. Pot holes and all.

* denotes must hear

7.3/4.99: The bands first 4th of July show (I believe). Excellant flow in both shows. Pretty standard affair in terms of monster jams but high energy throughout and solid playing. Definitely worth a spin.

*7.7.99: Known for the exceptional Wading->My Left Toe->Wading segmant. Excellent Sally (Mike owns), 20+ 2001 and YEM. Great set list.

7.8.99: Decent show but you'll want to hear this 18 minute Birds. One of the better jams of '99

7.10.99: Known for one of the best, if not the best, Chalkdusts ever. Don't sleep on Gin (awesome groove in the last 5 minutes) and Tweezer from this night too. Very well played show.

*7.12/13.99: Not only two of my favorites from '99 but in my top 25ish shows period (alos, my first Phish GW shows). From the opening electric Foreplay/Longtime to Tuesdays encore, Tuesdays Gone premire Phish all arond. Outstanding DWD, Split, Reba->Carini, Wolfmans, Bowie, Twist, NO2 (with ending). These are must, must hear shows.

7.15.99: Not a greathow but this Ghost is a BEAST. Must hear Ghost. Mike absolutely destroys Ghost this year, and this is no exception.

*Oswego: I'm assuming you've heard all the fesivals. If you haven't, get on this. Doesn't get the love it deserves (probably bc all the other fests have been so damn great). Lots of juicy nuggets here. I won't even start running it down.

7.20.99: Another fantastic Ghost and a meaty 2nd set. Nothing really out there but some great '99 style jamming.

7.21.99: Notable for the debut of Pavements "Gold Soundz". Mikes>Simple>My Left Toe (16:00)>Caspian>Groove is a must hear segment.

*7.23.99: Not a great show all around but Ghost>Free>Birds is Phish at thier best.

*7.24.99: Incredible show. 34 minute Fluffhead (with 15 minute jam tacked on) TMWSIY, Tweezer>Capapult>Tweezer>Happy whip and dung song, Camel Walk, Alumni...this show has it all.

*7.26.99 (you mentioned the 25th already): Really good show. Great flow. AMAZING Wolfmans. Must hear Wolfmans.

7.30.99 Japan (b): Must hear Ghost. Pretty "average" show, but you'll need to hear the Ghost.

7.31.99 Japan: Another "average" show. A 25 minute Bowie is make the cut. Really hard edged and high energy.

*8.1.99 Japan: Probably the best of this little Japan run but still fairly "average". I absolutely LOVE this Tweezer though. Short (12 minutes) but so much power. Definitely one of my favorite Tweezers of all time. Mike kills this jam (as usual).

*9.11.99: It's all about Wolfmans>Sand. Those two songs are must hear. The 18 minute Hood is pretty good too.

*9.12.99: 19 minute Gin and 29 minute Ghost (one of the best ever). Pretty average show otherwise, but has some really great moments aside from these jams.

*9.14.99: The famous Boise Bag show. I'm sure you've heard this. If not, remedy that mistake immediately.

9.17.99: Notable for Phil sitting in at the end of the 2nd set. I don't find much beauty here, but I am not a fan of Phils.

9.18.99: The 22+ minute Chula Vista Boogie On. Personally, I don't think it's that hot. It kind of just wanders around that same Boogie On groove. People love it though. Tweezer opener is hot, but thats where my love for this one begins and ends. Worth hearing for yourself.

9.22.99: Now this is more like it. Great flow, set list, balance. Great show. Monster jams (Gin and Ghost) and the flow in this 2nd set is redic. Super fun sounding show.

*9.24.99: Again, great flow, set list and balance. DWD is a scorcher. And Wolfmans carrys this gig on it's back. Must hear for the Wolfmans

*9.28.99: Wolfmans, Sally, Tube openers. Done. Cooked. 15 minute Tweezer and 26 minute YEM, all funked the f*** out. Must hear show. (starts one of my favorite weeks in Phishtory)

*9.29.99: The famous Pyramid show. One of the best 2001 around. Crazy 2nd set. Too much going on to type. You gotta see that set list. From what I hear and pics I've seen, could be the coolest indoor venue the boys have played.

*10.1.99: Set list may not look like much, but solid playing, and just enopugh risk taking. Gin is fantastic

*10.2.99: WOW! What. A. Show. Incredible 2nd set. Tweezer>On Your Way Down>Piper>YEM. Yup. I love the Phish.

10.4.99: Skip straight to Ghost. Another fantastic '99 Ghost.

10.8.99: Halleys>Tweezer! That is all.

*10.9.99: Sick show in Albany. Ghost>My Left Toe, LxL and 2001 all worth the price of admission alone. But together, and with nice flow and balance makes this a must hear '99 show.

*10.10.99: Stash>jam. Absolutley gorgeous Stash. Reminds me of the Paradiso gem. In that same vein, very melodic at times.

*Dec. tour. Personally, in my top 3 fave tours (fall '97, Dec. '99 and summer '00/Dec. '95). I recommend every show.

12.2.99: Gin>2011>YEM (LDB jam).

12.3.99: This show freaked a lot of people out bc the band jammed every song basically the same. All Layering and textues. Very unique show with one of the best LxL ever.

12.4.99: I dig this Split (it's actually my favorite) but it's like licorace.

12.5.99: probably the weakest of this tour.

12.7/8.99: One of my favorite stands I have ever seen. 27 minute Halleys and a top 3 Gin for me. Such a gorgeous jam in Gin. The next night has one of my favorite Sands, type II Ya Mar and a rocking DWD.

12.10/11.99: Another classic stand this tour. First night is a little more tame but the Bowie>Have Mercy is incredible. The next night: instant classic. Look at the set list (if you don't know it already). One of the best shows the band has played. Period.

12.12.99: Not much to see hear other then a 30 minute Drowned

12.15.99: Another instant classic. DWD, Wolfmans, Gin, YEM and Free are all must hear top notch versions. Amazing show.

12.16.99: Tweezer and Sand are must, must hears. Such an underrated show because of the previous night and the Hampton stand the next couple of nights. You gotta hear this Tweezer though.

12.17/18.99: Hampton. The 18th is widely considered one of the best snapshots of the band at this time. I have to agree. Sick show.

5.21/22.00: First shows at Radio City. Whille night 1 isn't really anything special, night 2 has the monster Ghost, Gin and a really good Bowie. If you haven't heard the Ghost yet, get on that. That is the only must hear moment from this stand.

*6.9.00 Japan: After their short run through Japan in '99, they came back and played more jam friendly shows in clubs. The 31 minute Tweezer from this gig shows how serious they really were. Tweezer is about all thats special in this show though.

*6.10.00 Japan: Nasty. Sick, Incredible. HUGE DWD and Piper in the first 3 songs. Sand and Gin>jam round out a nice show.

6.14.00 Japan: If you haven't heard this show yet, drop everything you're doing and get on that. I'm sure you have by now though.

6.15.00 Japan: Redic Ghost and DWD. Other then those 2 jams, not a whole lot going on here. But worth checking out for these jams.

*6.16.00 Japan: LxL. That is all.

*6.22.00: Must hear for the Hood>Dog Faced Boy>Hood (with bluegrass guests). Not much of a peak, but the fiddles, mandolins and banjos give the soft jamming a beautiful touch.

*6.23/24.00: First night is packed with jams. Type II Ya Mar, Gin and DWD all worth the show in itself. Night two is all about Tweezer.

*6.25.00: Split! Really a different Split then we're used to. Goes into a beautiful melodic sound towards in the middle before crashing back into the Split theme.

*6.28/29.00: Starts one of my favorite 4 show runs ever. Incredible 1st set Gin and deep 2nd set. Night 2 is jamming city, Drowned, Sand, Birds and Antelope all bring the house down.

*6.30 and 7.1.00: Night 1 is my all time fave show attended. A perfect show top to bottom. All thinck meaty jams and a great, great set list. Night 2 is a little more "relaxed" but has possibly the jam of the run in Ghost. Exactly what Phish is all about.

*7.3/4.00: Another 4th stand. Again, out of the park. Solid show throughout but it's the 34 minute Jim that stands out. Without Jim, night 1 would still be a nice show. Night 2 is probably one of the best shows of this era. Flawless playing. Risk taking. A great set list. High energy. Sick show. Probably the best Jibboo ever.

7.6.00: Nice show in Toronto. Great, great flow of songs. Not too boggy or seemingly too thought out. This 2nd set flows like butter.

*7.7.00: The Ghost->Jibboo here is becoming one of my favorite jams from this time. Really captures what this sound was all about. Layering, textures and thick meaty grooves. Mike owns Ghost.

*7.10/11/12.00: 3 nights at DC, this feels and looks like a festival. I can't get into every jam or set, but they are all different. Having their own identity and a great mix of jams and songs. The 12th 2nd set might be my favorite of the run.

7.14/15.00: Holy 2nd set in night 1. 16 minute Mikes to open and they never look back. Awesome, awesome encore too. The second night is notable for this HUGE DWD and a super fun bouncy 1st set. nice balanced show. Good stand.

9.8/9.00: Nice start to the fall hiatus tour (which by this point everyone knew about). Ghost, Bowie and Gin>jam highlight the first night. Second night is anchored by a monster Sand and short but super funky Gumbo.

*9.11/12.00: I can't talk about these shwos enough. No one ever really gives these a real shot. Piper from night 1 has one of the thickest, juiciest grooves I have ever heard from Phish. night 2 is held down by a similar DWD, but with more raw power. At this point, set lists are starting to look a little too familer, with a ton of songs being repeated. But they are settling into a groove of delivering monster, soul stirring jams every night. Which softens that blow.

9.15.00: Nice show. Some rarities and big jams here. Piper rages until the last 5 or so minutes and a 17 minutes Tube is always welcome in my world. Must hear for the Tube.

*9.24.00: Cities! Must, must hear Cities. Almost 20 minutes of groove and ambient soundscapes.

*9.29/30.00: The first night is pretty unremarkable. Night 2 is a beast. Trey's bday and a great, great set list. Tight playing. One of my fave "With"s. Whole show just flows so well. Not a HUGE jam so to speak, but the entire show feels like a big jam. Top notvh Phish.

*10.1.00: Piper>Guy Forget!

10.5.00: I prefer this show then to the 10.6 show. Lots more "Phish" here then the next night. Nice even set list, groove orientated show. 2nd set si almost all "segued" save for a pause or two. Feels like the boys are having a great time with a hiatus on the horizon.

*10.6/7.00: I don't think I've listened to night 1 all that much, but the real beuaty lies in the 7th. The "final" show. It's a LP release, so I'm assuming you're heard it. If not, put it the list.

This awesome Ron! Thanks for putting this together and sharing it.

I must second everything said about 6/28/00 -> 7/1/00. Just an amazing run. If you haven't heard it get on it now! It'll change your life. One huge highlight for me was the Mikes in Holmdel. It has this amazing otherworldly jam that just stops dead... then starts again only to stop dead after a bit and the Trey starts in sooooo soft on Albuquerque. Just awesome.

I have a very hard time getting into these years. The quiet, spacier jamming from this era just doesn't do it for me. But, I've only heard a chunk of what they've played from this era, so I'll use this as a guide to explore more shows from these years.

@patper said:

I have a very hard time getting into these years. The quiet, spacier jamming from this era just doesn't do it for me. But, I've only heard a chunk of what they've played from this era, so I'll use this as a guide to explore more shows from these years.

Give 7.24.99, 9.14.99, 9.28.99, 10.2.99, Stash from 10.10.99, 6.28.00, 6.29.00, 6.30.00 and Ghost from 7.1.00 a spin. But if you only listen to one of these, make it 7.24.99

EDIT: and the Ghost>Jibboo from 7.7.00. This Ghost is super high energy.

@Jimmymac03 said:

@patper said:

I have a very hard time getting into these years. The quiet, spacier jamming from this era just doesn't do it for me. But, I've only heard a chunk of what they've played from this era, so I'll use this as a guide to explore more shows from these years.

Check out the run I mentioned above. Good good stuff.

Which show in particular should I listen to? I'm not quite a listens-to-Phish-all-day-every-day kind of fan, but I do like to check out news shows on a regular basis. I like too much different music to just listen to Phish all the time!

@patper the mikes groove from 6/28/00 really gets me off. And @bostonron would steer you to the hally's from 6/30/00. The whole run is amazing though.

I'm completely with you on this one @bostonron. These are easily some of my favorite Phish years. I know it's a pretty unpopular opinion (although I've been seeing more '99 love recently) but something about the jamming style of those years really works for me. The only things I would add to your list are the 7/8/99 Fee, the entire 7/25/99 show, 9/21/99 Antelope, 12/13/99 Sand, the 5/21/00 Disease, the 6/16/00 Jim -> Theme and the 9/27/00 Piper > Gumbo > Ghost

Love 99/00

I need to add a way under the radar show nobody ever mentions it and is a pretty solid show one of my fav Stashes.

This show was a nice way to end a great run for me being very mellow and chilled

September 19, 1999

Irvine Meadows, Irvine, CA

Set 1: NICU > Funky Bitch, First Tube, Gotta Jibboo, Heavy Things, Farmhouse, Stash, Hello My Baby

Set 2: Twist > Sand, Wading in the Velvet Sea > The Squirming Coil, Loving Cup > Down with Disease

Encore: Guyute, Character Zero

Yup!! this is right up my alley. Many shows/jams listed above I haven't heard so THANK YOU!

My first show was Vernon Downs '98, and then I went to Oswego (born and raised) and vividly remember my 'AHa!/WTF/Whoa!" moment during Piper.

'99 and '00 are great phish years..and some of my favorite shows that I got to see were from these years...

not to be overlooked:

9/22/99 Gin
7/15/99 second set Meatstick, Melt, Kung
7/16/99 second set 2001, Mike's Groove

Also this:

December 11, 1999

First Union Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA

Set 1: Harry Hood > Mike's Song > Simple > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, When the Circus Comes, Scent of a Mule, Cavern

Set 2: Boogie On Reggae Woman, Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley^[1] -> Ghost -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > Down with Disease

Encore: Possum^[2]

[1] Began with an AC/DC Bag tease. No vocal jam.
[2] All Fall Down signal.

Notes: Sneakin’ Sally began with an AC/DC Bag tease and did not contain a vocal jam. Possum included an All Fall Down signal.

I would add me an astro-disc to these shows:

*7/1/99 - Storm-shortened 2nd set is a powerhouse trio of DWD > Caspian > YEM which brings the delicate rain and heavy thunder. Zero is a climactic encore. Wolfman's Brother is a treat in set 1, augmented by blues-grassy dobro from Jerry Douglass.

*7/31/99 - Some people don't think this show was all that. I think those people's opinions are kinda strange. The entire 2nd set + encore is one big, atmospheric mind-ferk that ranges from raging to contemplative, to poignant, to ecstatic, and more. Bowie is one of the very best post-'95 versions. Wading, Caspian, Coil, and Brian & Robert are great in ways that differentiate the humans from the robots.

*6/15/00 - Unique little up-tweak to Trey's NICU solo highlights a fiery version. Ghost and DWD go very, very deep. YEM vocal jam is quietly bizarre, culminating in an homage to puppies. Soundcheck is outstanding - "Who Let the Lemmings In?"

I pity anyone who thinks that 99/00 were weak...

What great years IMO...

Yeah 99-00 are some of my favourite years, for sure. there are just too many highlights to mention. All of summer tour 99 is worth hearing. A good chunk of September 99, and while December 99 isn't supr consistent, it's highs are very, very significant (hello 12/31/99 SOAM). June 2000 is also top-notch, and you can find big jams peppered through the rest of the year as well. These are some of my favourite overall shows:

7/10/99
7/15/99
9/14/99
9/18/99
12/7/99
12/31/99
6/14/00
6/24/00

Love, love, love this thread.

'99-'00 were great years for me, personally, with 1999.7.10, 1999.12.11, and the 4th of July stand in Camden in '00.

I'll add a little emphasis on the 2001> Sand from the 2d night in Hampton '99

December 18, 1999

Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA

Set 1: Harry Hood, Back at the Chicken Shack, Dog Log, Tube, Heavy Things, Back on the Train, First Tube, The Inlaw Josie Wales^[1], You Enjoy Myself

Set 2: Also Sprach Zarathustra^[2] > Sand, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Possum, Mike's Song > Simple, Weekapaug Groove -> Buffalo Bill > Weekapaug Groove^[3]

Encore: Ya Mar, Sleeping Monkey

[1] Trey on acoustic guitar.
[2] Do You Feel Like We Do tease.
[3] Norwegian Wood and Buffalo Bill teases.

Notes: Dog Log was dedicated to Paul Languedoc. Afterwards, the band reprised the song for a few seconds after Trey remarked how much he liked it. Inlaw Josie Wales featured Trey on acoustic guitar. 2001 included Do You Feel Like We Do (Peter Frampton) teases; Trey also introduced Fishman as ‘Bob Mayonnaise’, likely a reference to Bob Mayo, who played keys on Frampton Comes Alive. Weekapaug included Norwegian Wood and Buffalo Bill teases.

I have never heard 12.3.99 this going to give it a go today.

12.3.99: This show freaked a lot of people out bc the band jammed every song basically the same. All Layering and textues. Very unique show with one of the best LxL ever

@MiguelSanchez said:

@bostonron
You plug 7/26/99, possibly the worst phish show I've been to, but no mention of 7/25/99, one of the top shows of the summer?

I mentioned this was originally for a friend who wanted to get into '99. In talking with him he told me he heard 7.25 the other day. There was no reason to mention the show. At almost 11pm last night, after being at this off and on all day, I missed adding the 7.25 gig.

As far as 7.26, different strokes. That Wolfmans is a beast. If you can't get into that Wolfmans, I don't know what to tell you.

@MiguelSanchez said:

@bostonron
You plug 7/26/99, possibly the worst phish show I've been to, but no mention of 7/25/99, one of the top shows of the summer?

I was thinking about this earlier. If the 26th is one of the worst shows you have seen, then you must have seen some great shows. After cruising your shows, this is indeed true. You have seen some incredible shows.

I still maintain the 26th is a good show. Definitely a must hear for anyone trying to get into these years. At first glance though, your Chicago 2010 show is, IMO, not even close to as strong as 7.26.99. But like I said, different strokes. You obviously didn't like the 26th, and that's ok.

December 13, 1999

Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI

Set 1: Tube, Cars Trucks Buses, Gumbo, The Moma Dance > Piper^[1] > Theme From the Bottom

Set 2: Gotta Jibboo > NICU, Sand^[2], The Inlaw Josie Wales^[3], Mountains in the Mist, Limb By Limb, Golgi Apparatus > Slave to the Traffic Light

Encore: Silent in the Morning, Heavy Things

[1] Part of the Piper jam featured Trey on his keyboard set.
[2] Jibboo baseline tease.
[3] Trey on acoustic guitar.

Notes: Part of the Piper jam featured Trey on his keyboard set and Inlaw Josie Wales featured Trey on acoustic guitar. Sand included a tease of the Jibboo bass line. Silent was played without The Horse for the first time since June 23, 1994 (421 shows).

That Sand is a top 5 jam for me of all time. Amazing.

The band is in another dimension during that Sand.

@phishtastcivoyage said:

Trey's tone in 99 is my favorite year for his guitar tone. It's so soaring and beautiful and has a quality to it that other years don't for some reason.

I agree. I love how the tone works with the main guitar theme in "Free".

September 18, 2000

Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Set 1: Carini > Sparkle > The Sloth, Maze, Guelah Papyrus, My Mind's Got a Mind of its Own > Sample in a Jar > Rift, Sleep > Prince Caspian

Set 2: Boogie On Reggae Woman -> Twist, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Halley's Comet

Encore: Axilla > Taste

@bostonron said:

@MiguelSanchez said:

@bostonron
You plug 7/26/99, possibly the worst phish show I've been to, but no mention of 7/25/99, one of the top shows of the summer?

I was thinking about this earlier. If the 26th is one of the worst shows you have seen, then you must have seen some great shows. After cruising your shows, this is indeed true. You have seen some incredible shows.

I still maintain the 26th is a good show. Definitely a must hear for anyone trying to get into these years. At first glance though, your Chicago 2010 show is, IMO, not even close to as strong as 7.26.99. But like I said, different strokes. You obviously didn't like the 26th, and that's ok.

the wolfman's was very very strong. i thought the first set was subpar. everything after the piper in the 2nd set seemed INCREDIBLY off.

this is one of the best two set shows i have seen
@Suhockness said:

This cannot be overlooked:
2000-09-17

This is one of my favorite quotes pertaining to that 9/19/99 Stash

"People who think Phish declined in 1999 should be punched in the face."

thank you @Dog_Faced_Boy if your the commenter

@Blackeydsloth said:

This is one of my favorite quotes pertaining to that 9/19/99 Stash

"People who think Phish declined in 1999 should be punched in the face."

thank you @Dog_Faced_Boy if your the commenter

It's pretty damn easy to see why one would say that. Phish had been evolving at a speed of light since late 96 and things started to slow down as far as creativity and new style. The jamming was still good, no one said the years sucked, but you would have to be deaf to not notice the drop-off.

Being a fan of Phish is sort of like being a fine wine connoisseur. If you don't understand the small intricacies you might as well give up.