Listen: Phish Preview New Live Release ‘The Spectrum ’97,’ with “Ghost” and “Divided Sky” Pairing

Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz

Phish have outlined the first-time live release of The Spectrum ‘97. The six-CD box set captures a pair of pertinent concerts that took place on Dec. 2 and 3, 1997, at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, during the Vermont foursome’s Fall Tour. Comprised of over 33 songs and a sound check rendition of “Funky Bitch,” the set is due on March 15. 

In chronological order, Phish’s ‘97 Philly Spectrum run and, in turn, the live set starts with a nonstop run of “Buried Alive” into “Down With Disease” and “Makisupa Policeman,” clocking in just under 20 minutes. Next, the band runs through “Chalk Dust Torture,” only to pop out on the fall tour’s one-time pairing with an electro-funk dance party, “Ghost,” and the only “Divided Sky,” performed during said tour leg. 

The second set continues to offer band highlights, including an extended hour-plus sequence of “Mike’s Song” > “Simple” > “Dog Faced Boy” > “Ya Mar” > “Weekapaug Groove.” Apart from Dec. 2’s set, the latter performance commences with a pairing of “Punch You In The Eye” > “My Soul,” eventually closing on “Gumbo” > “2001” > “You Enjoy Myself.” Inevitably, the night is capped off with the final frame of non-stop musical exploration: “David Bowie” > “Possum” > “Philly ’97 Jam” > “Prince Caspian” > “Frankenstein,” followed by “Harry Hood” and a “Crossroads” encore.

During the “Bowie” intro, Phish references the Spectrum’s sports tie and mecca status in the City of Brotherly Love. Also of note, the group’s “Philly ‘97 Jam” was birthed from “Possum” and served as a standalone jam complete with siren effects and fire bells that poked at Phish’s impending “Dayton Jam” which derived from “Tube” days after the Spectrum performances. 

The Spectrum ’97 was recorded by Paul Languedoc to multitrack, mixed by Jon Altschiller, and mastered by Fred Kevorkian. Pre-order the impending live collection now.

The Spectrum 97 Tracklisting

CD 1

1. Buried Alive > (3:41)

2. Down With Disease > (10:25)

3. Makisupa Policeman (6:05)

4. Chalk Dust Torture (7:59)

5. Ghost > (12:48)

6. Divided Sky (15:33)

7. Dirt > (4:18)

8. Taste (9:33)

9. The Star Spangled Banner (1:36)

CD 2

1. Mike’s Song > (20:54)

2. Simple > (11:00)

3. Dog Faced Boy > (4:42)

4. Ya Mar > (13:59)

5. Weekapaug Groove (15:35)

CD 3

1. Bouncing Around The Room > (4:00)

2. Character Zero (10:01)

3. Ginseng Sullivan > (3:46)

4. Sample In A Jar (5:56)

5. Funky Bitch Soundcheck (7:30)

CD 4

1. Punch You In The Eye > (10:15)

2. My Soul (7:18)

3. Drowned (16:35)

4. Old Home Place (3:43)

5. Gumbo > (8:21)

6. 2001 > (11:18)

7. You Enjoy Myself (21:10)

CD 5

1. David Bowie > (27:39)

2. Possum > (11:53)

3. Philly ‘97 Jam > (9:23)

CD 6

1. Prince Caspian > (10:06)

2. Frankenstein > (5:10)

3. Harry Hood (16:24)

4. Crossroads (5:49)