While Phish’s sound moved heavily into funk realms in 1997, the band never really hit it old-school style until last night at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. There, midway through the second set, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars took the stage during ‘Makisupa Policeman’ for ‘Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)’ and ‘P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up).’
Speaking of musical icons jailed in Florida (a subset that includes Clinton, following drug charges earlier this month), prior to ‘Makisupa,’ Phish debuted its version of ‘L.A. Woman’ a tribute to Jim Morrison who was arrested on March 1, 1969 by area authorities after he allegedly exposed himself to an audience at the Dinner Key Auditorium (Morrison was convicted of an indecent exposure misdemeanor although due to appeals he never served his sentence prior to his death on July 3, 1971). While Phish drummer Jon Fishman has popped out of his dress on numerous occasions over the years (for instance on 10/31/94, consult the A Live One photo booklet for a well placed H) there were no such reports from last night’s show.