Live Trax Vol. 39

What can be said about the Fall 1998 tour that hasn’t been said before? There were no clunkers in the sets. This continued to be true through the Fall 2000 tour, but unlike in 2000, the sets were also heavy on BTCS (although interestingly this show is fairly light on it). Dave’s voice was reaching its best point (I’d argue Spring/Summer 2002). And the band was firing on all cylinders. Anyway, I love pretty much everything about this show, but there are some very clear highlights. DON’T DRINK is an amazing opener. DREAMING TREE is an absolute delight, a peak 1998 performance. BACK YOU UP may be the single most beautiful performance of the song ever, a la CRASH from LT7 with Paul McCandless. And HALLOWEEN is an absolutely rocking performance, probably bested only by the one from LT40. This may be my most-listened-to LT… it just always delivers. Take me to your leader indeed. P.S. The Almanac needs an editor's note on this release's page correcting the promotional claim that this is the only Halloween show ever played by the band (1992). P.P.S. What a coincidence that this release and Halloween are in the same week!