Phish - Billy Breathes October 19, 1996 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette By Ed Masley Album Review - Billy Breathes As much as their latest release, `'Billy Breathes," would appear to suggest a significant shift to a leaner, more song-oriented approach, the marathon jamming last night at the Civic Arena was more than enough to erase any fears and/or hopes that the members of Phish had suddenly gone all short and to-the-point. Even the new songs a the organ-fueled `'Cars Trucks Buses," `'Billy Breathes," an anthemic `'Taste" a essentially served as a framework for improvisational rambling. The reason it works? Well, you could credit the quirky arrangements, the humorous touches (including a trampoline act) or the heartfelt singing of Trey Anastasio on `'Billy Breathes" and other tender moments. But mostly, the secret of Phish comes down to the way the musicians play off one another's strengths to take the jam where it needs to go. And they always seem to hold back just enough so that there's always room to take the intensity higher. Article © 1996 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette