Wow.  Best god damn MikeS Groove I've reviewed to
date, and perhaps the best I've ever heard (even
better than many of the extended, wild versions of
1994).  A public thanks to both Ethan Hein (whose
band -- Witch Blind Willie is very, very good!) and
Craig DeLucia for leading me to this Groove. I was
warned by both of them that this was an amazing MikeS
Groove, so I can't say that I was surprised;  what
was surprising about this set (I just have set two),
IS THE MANGO JAM!!  For christ's sake, this must be
the most interesting jam in Mango that I've ever
heard!  Anyway, enough about Mango..  Mike is very
upbeat and strong in His Song, and the whole groove
is unusually solid.  The jam segment has an energy
that is typical of 1992 versions, but it actually
"jams" for a change;  i.e., there is more improv than
usual (and it is good and doesn't just sound like
screwing around).  Trey is very, very active, and
doesn't really do the eerie, off-key sustain work
that he often does in MikeS.  There's a lot of
repetitive chordwork from him for much of the jam.
This version really isn't at all typical, outside of
the dark and spooky character of the progression;
everyone is just wailing away, and working well
together.  This is an Excellent version of MikeS.  It
doesn't even BEGIN to let up by the 6 and a half min
point, which is when most of those reviewed thus far
have quit!  The jam is forcefully carried on, and
doesn't end until 8:09 or so, when H2 leaps in.  It
is a standard beautiful H2.

Weekapaug, however, is not standard.  It kicks in at
11:12 or so, and, well, Mike's opening solo is not
auspicious of the greatness to come.  He does the
usual quick and snappy and tight licks, then gives it
a little slower, more unusual sort of twist at the
end (around the 25 sec point of his opening solo).
It ain't more impressive than usual.  The Weekapaug
jam gets going really quickly, which of course bodes
well for the soundness of this version. Trey takes
off with a lot of fantastic support from everyone
(Page is prominent!).  This Weekapaug has to be one
of the most melodic, together, gorgeous grooves that
I've ever heard -- this is Phish improv at its most
incredible, folks.  Everything Works.  Trey is
playing magnificently o'er top glorious accompaniment
from Page, Mike (and sortof) Henrietta, and this
version is breathtaking.  I'm reminded during this
jam of the interplay that the Dead often exhibit
during versions of Playing or Dark Star (versions
that don't drag).  The band is playing off one
another really well in this jam.  It almost sounds
rehearsed -- it's soooo good!  At around 16 and a
half mins, the jam chills, and Page and Trey mimic
each other for a little while as Mike and Tubbs stick
their two cents in where appropriate.  Trey squawks
at around 17 and a half for a little bit (that's
right.. he squawks..).

The jam then begins climbing back into a killer
Weekapaug finale jam.  This is the sort of Phish that
makes people see God, if not do everything in their
power to get more and more of their shows on tape
(and/or just see more and more of their shows).  This
is without a doubt one of the best MikeSGrooves I've
ever heard.  There's some vocal jamming from the boyz
to close out this great version, but it is against a
rhythm and a jam (they don't drop their instruments,
and Fish stays put at the kit).  After vocal jamming
on "Sharin in the Weekapaug Groove" more/less, this
astounding version ends rather anti-climactically at
21:06 or so.  Given the solidness of this whole
groove, I should probably give it a perfect 10.0
rating, but I hesitate since that would skewer the
average (!), and because this ending could have been
a lot better (they were probably exhausted!)
(A-/B+).  I think that some 1994 MikeS combinations
that might not have a H2 might top this.. (6/22/94
perhaps..12/28/94).. but as far as a straight no
bullshit MikeSGroove (defined traditionally as
MikeS->H2->Week), this has to be one of the best.
8.0 rating. No teases, no bullshit; a profoundly
synergistic groove.