It seems that all of this conversation serves to illustrate the point that one cannot divorce the music from the context. Much like historicism in literary theory, context matters, big time. The feeling around the Clifford Ball was unprecedented. Nothing on that scale had happened in the Phish universe prior to 8/16-17/96.

Then, a year later, they up the ante with the same festival vibe, but adding all time great versions of songs.

Then, two years later, Big Cypress goes down. Three totally transcendent moments for Phish fans at the time.

IT had some amazing music, but would I rate it higher than Clifford, Went, or Cypress? Not a chance, because contextually it wasn't a watershed moment in the big picture.

Now, MagnaBall could be a different animal. The consistency of the jams, combined with where the band is in their career, may qualify as a watershed moment, i.e. the moment that even the most jaded of vets has to admit that Phish 3.0 has some serious shit to offer, and likely will for some time to come. And that is a great feeling!