this is a good solid show. technical difficulties abound, but there are some real serious highlights.

the first set starts witha pretty standard run away jim that works nicely into the first axilla part 1 in about a year and a half. although, trey's guitar problems were really starting to pick up here. this pairs, quite uniquely, with all things reconsidered. it had been quite some time since this song poked its head out either. then they work right into mound. if it weren't for the guitar rig problems, this would have been an absolutely killer opening sequence, but alas, trey's frustration could be sinced a bit. down with disease takes off nicely, especially for the first set. this fall tour really marked the era when they were routinely jamming out down with disease. prince caspian provides a nice chance to take a leak. reba was alright, but trey seemed to be playing a touch hesitantly- maybe the rig problems were a concern. golgi was standard, and then, the boys really seemed to pick up some steam in the antelope. the whole band syncs up and fire on all cylindars for the first time in this show. basically, the playing was pretty solid, the technical difficulties sucked, but the song selection was seemed very inspired.

a quicky '96 2001 opens this set up in fine fashion, getting everyone in the groove. then there is this red hot maze. there are some really hot mazes and simples in 96, this show is case and point. page is really given room to take off here, and he does just that. great, intense maze. batr is good for the college/newbie crowd, and it seperated the 2 big jams of the night. this simple, guitar problems and all, is a real keeper. trey does his best hendrix impression on this version. there is no tweedley/peter out/space out jam here; this one is a complete barn burner. fishman and gordon build a rediculous rock groove and trey and page just come over the top like maniacs. maybe a top 3 version. loving cup works here-given the guitar problems, but despite the problems, trey is still feeling ambitious. unfortunately, this mike's song does not take off like some of the other ones played in 96. mike's song does its thing for a little bit, but just never seems to catch fire. as they start to space this one out, they move up front for the star spangled banner. there wasn't much momentum to kill, but this move to kill whatever there was. as they try to bring weekapaugh up, gordon feels the effects of technical difficulties. he was a little in and out, but this time trey stepped up to lead the way. pretty good weekapaugh closer. i really like the theme from the bottom encore. nice introspective way to end the show, while not playing waste.

overall, this is a good show. the big jams make this one worth checking out, but the technical difficulties make you wonder what could've been if the band were able to focus on just the music and not whether or not there instruments were being heard.

highlights:

set 1: axilla 1 (welcome back!)>atr>mound, dwd, antelope

set 2: 2001>maze, simple (gotta hear this one!)