Phish, true to form, hits high note June 22, 2004 - Times Union (Albany) By Danielle T. Furfaro SARATOGA SPRINGS -- In the first night of what Phish says will be its final run at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the first time it has been back at this venue since the mid-1990s, the band played a near-perfect show for fans to remember it by. The band, which announced last month it is quitting for good at the end of this tour, started off the show with the fail-safe "Reba," which tells the tale of an eccentric woman brewing up a strange concoction. The song, one of the band's most classic, started out upbeat, goofy and infinitely danceable, setting the tone for the entire show. In classic Phish style, the tune soon descended into a well-crafted jazz interlude with plenty of open space. The band then pulled one of its trademark teasers, leaving "Reba" unfinished before its climax and abruptly jumping into "Runaway Jim," a song that moves at a trotting pace and allowed band members to improvise at a faster tempo. Over the course of several minutes, guitarist Trey Anastasio, bassist Mike Gordon, keyboardist Page McConnell and drummer Jon Fishman whipped the song into a frenetic pace as light swirled at breakneck speed. Once again, the band ended the song prematurely. Without losing a step, the band segued into "N.I.C.U.," which incorporates a splash of reggae into Phish's sound. This song includes the line "Forgive me if I don't see you again," a sentiment that could be interpreted as a message from the band to the millions of fans lamenting the impending breakup. Next, the tried-and-true gave way to new songs as the band broke out "Sense and Subtle Sounds," a track off their new album, "Undermind," released last week. The song starts out rollicking and swiftly becomes a ruminating pop tune. Phish played the song accurately and passionately and did not sound like a band performing its swan song. But according to Anastasio, part of the thinking behind the breakup was to go out on a high note, which they certainly are. Another surefire crowd-pleaser was "David Bowie," which leaps intricately between gregarious rock song and tightly composed jazz melody. The song once again gave the band members a chance to do the improvising that fits them like a second skin. Phish has proven itself to be one of the finest rock and roll establishments of the past 20 years, and this show was no exception. If Saturday night was any indication, there will not be a dry eye among Phish fans when the band hangs it up at the end of the summer. Article Copyright © 2004 Times Union (Albany)