It was 20 Years Ago Today: Phish, Live at the Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, November 24th, 1995

      Hello everyone. Just kicking back this rather chilly weekend before the holiday season gets under way with Thanksgiving. One thing about Thanksgiving, I have seen a lot of shows. Phish, Panic, and Devolver always threw down over the holiday weekend. But my first Thanksgiving run was back in 1995 when I was blessed enough to see the Wednesday before and the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was also the first time I saw shows on 2 consecutive nights in 2 different cities. But I really don't remember any Black Friday sales in the Lot..... So without further ado, here is another installment in my award hoping for series, It Was 20 Years Ago Today: Phish, Live at the Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, November 24^th, 1995.
      After a jam filled show at the Cap Centre, and the following day with turkey and football, we headed out early for the long drive across the western highlands that are Pennsylvania. Don't remember where we stayed or any of that stuff.

Friday, 11/24/1995
Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Soundcheck: Oye Como Va Jam > Dog Log, Rift, Funky Bitch (half-speed)
Set 1: The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > AC/DC Bag > The Curtain > Sparkle > Stash, Tela, I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome^[1], Maze, Suzy Greenberg
Set 2: Chalk Dust Torture, Theme From the Bottom > Reba^[2], Catapult, Scent of a Mule, Bathtub Gin, Acoustic Army, Hold Your Head Up > Bike > Hold Your Head Up, Fee^[3] > Julius
Encore: Life on Mars?, Rocky Top
[1] Acoustic.
[2] No whistling.
[3] Trey sang verses through megaphone.
Notes: I’m Blue I’m Lonesome was performed acoustic and, along with Maze, was dedicated to Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. Reba did not have the whistling ending. Before Bike, Fish introduced himself as Forrest Gump. Trey sang the verses of Fee through a megaphone.

You can stream it here

http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/1995-11-24

      Of all the shows I've attended, this might be the closest to an “average “ Phish show. Definitely no down points, but outside of Gin, no real jams. It was a great show with all the composed parts nailed but otherwise, nothing really stands out. First time for a few songs for myself. Still not sure what to make of Bike. Favorite part of the show was the double encore. I really like Life on Mars? and I feel a band should leave the last song as a high energy peak.

      While there is no Devolver show this year, Andy will be playing with the Winter House Band at the Miscreation Brewing Company this Wednesday November 25^th, starting around 7ish. And next week I will have one of my favorite shows of all time to write about, Phish's first trip to the Land of Chocolate in Hershey, PA.

Dave Kemp

BA American Studies

PhD Rock and Roll