Night 2 was comparable to Night 1 in that almost half of the previous night’s played songs were originally performed in the 1980s. Going forward, the 1980s would still periodically be represented, but not to the degree they were on the first two nights.
Set 1
‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ (Lennon/McCartney)
Phish open their second night ofThe Baker’s Dozen with an a cappella version of 1967’s ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, the first of three Beatles songs they performed during the run. Originally rush-released by The Beatles in the spring of 1967, it was originally intended for theirRevolver follow-up,Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Considered byRolling Stone (in 2021) to be the seventh greatest song of all time, the hipper members of the audience seem to immediately recognize the song. The remainder of the audience start to cheer when the lyrics begin, but it is the cheers that erupt when the first verse ends that always make me smile. It is a happy moment and one that is beloved by all who have heard it. The band would only return to ‘Strawberry Fields’ once more, on 2 August 2022. But that still gives them two more in- concert performances of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ than The Beatles had.
‘Halley’s Comet’ (Wright)> ‘The Moma Dance’ (Anastasio/Fishman/ Gordon/Marshall/McConnell)> ‘Breath And Burning’ (Anastasio)> ‘Funky Bitch’ (Seals)
After disbursing from their shared microphones, the band pick up their instruments before beginning the extended vocal introduction to ‘Haley’s Comet’. Fishman’s drums then kick in and the band start up a spirited version of this 1980s warhorse. Although not taken to the same length as other versions of the song – it has hit the 20-minute mark on several occasions – the Night 2 version is slightly longer than the version played three nights earlier in Pittsburgh. Of course, the biggest difference between this version and the Pittsburgh performance is the cheer that accompanied the line, ‘How would you like to have your thick strawberry goo?’ The song has yet to make an appearance on a studio album and, at this point, it remains unrecorded, such is also the case with the opening night’s ‘Reba’. If the band do decide to record it, they will have to decide if they are going to use original guest vocalist Richard ‘Nancy’ Wright or if Mike, Page and Trey will continue their lead vocal duties as they have done since the 14 March 1993 performance.
The band then move into one of their longest versions of ‘The Moma Dance’ (and their second longest song of Night 2). This iteration of theStory Of The Ghost classic features Type II jamming and some of Mike and Page’s finest playing. Not to be outdone, Trey and Fishman contribute atmospheric vocals throughout the song’s structured sections. The 16 October 2021 version from San Francisco is worth checking out, as is the 29 September 2000 performance in Las Vegas (and you will be forgiven for bailing on the second set after ‘Fluffhead’ to ensure you d
