Here is mine: (gotta love all the gramitical mistakes. I guess I really learned nothing in 5 years :P )
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Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 12:04:32 -0700
From: Andrew Tritz
[email protected]Subject: Fw: My 10/7/00 Phish review (long)
Preface: This was my 10th phish show, and I first listened to phish in the
7th grade. It was filler on a dead tape and it was Mikes Groove. Even if I
complain about a show, I always have a great time (see Irvine last year :)
Well getting to this show was stressful enough. My friend who I was staying
with Oakland got stuck in traffic coming home and did not get their till
around 5:30, then she needed to get ready so we did not leave till a little
after 6. To make matters worse, I left my sat night ticket in my friends
van and was supposed to meet him at will call around 6. Well to make a long
story short, we got stuck in traffic and did not make it there till 7:10. I
went straight to will call, no friend. At this point I started panicking
but within a few minutes I had a phat reserved seat ticket in my hands. I
met back up with my friends who drove me and we went into the show. On to
the
music...
First Tube: What a way to open to the show. This version (like most I've
heard) just smoked start to finish. This version also seemed to be extended
longer than most I have heard. The band nailed this one on all cylinders.
This was the perfect opener IMO and just as effective as the Carini and
Chalkdust from the two previous nights.
Mikes Groove: YESSSSS. This was my second mikes ever, and my first mikes
groove proper ever. I called this with the H20 before the show and this
version did not disappoint. Though not as long as other versions I've heard
on tape (the mikes is quite standard, meaning AWESOME :). What really stood
out for me in the groove was the Hydrogen. I've since listened to on mp3
(thanks nugs.net!) and its just stunningly beautiful (except for one trey
glitch--not a big deal). Maybe most Hydrogens are this good, but I was
really impressed and almost brought a tear to my that's for sure. Weekapaug
turned out to be a dance fest for me. Though this version was not quite as
hair raising as my first weeka from Halloween Vegas, I enjoyed it
nonetheless. Only 4 songs into the set, and I really did not care what they
would play after this point.
Fee: Man o` man I thought, this set just keeps getting better. Fee was a
total treat and the jam at the end was quite nice. The jam just built a
little, then slowly faded away--really pretty stuff. I was getting really
stoked at this point. Also this got me pumped because its a favorite of my
friend Iain who was at the show.
Bathtub Gin: Another song for Iain. 2 of his favorite Phish songs played
back to back. This is also another favorite of mine as well. This version
was sick, and easily one of the most melodic and beautiful moments these
ears have heard at a phish show. Trey was very strong throughout this
version. His playing blew my mind near the end. Actually the whole band
was on during this gin and this whole set. For me its really hard to
pinpoint who played the best at a particular moment, because it seemed phish
was playing as one. But Treys guitar seems to jump out at me :)
Glide: Played standard, but what a sick song to play. First Glide, and put
Glide: Played standard, but what a sick song to play. First Glide, and put
a huge grin on this newbies face.
My Soul: I let out a little groan when this started, but I was proven
wrong. This shows it is not necessarily what phish plays but how they play
it that makes it special. They played this like the best blues bar band
could :) This was very tight and a rocking way to send us to set break.
After the set one I was totally stoked. Overall this set was VERY tight and
well played. The jams were very well jammed and felt improvised, and seemed
to lack the trey is masturbating on his guitar that I noticed at my 99
shows. Another thing about this set, was the balance. Jam songs were mixed
well with non jam songs, and no where in this set was there a slump. Easily
one of the best first sets I've seen phish play.
Twist: Ok, so I wasn't that thrilled to hear them open with it. Well, it
was a decent version, and hit a nice jam. This song, is still not hitting
the jams and level of improvisation that I'd like it reach. With that said,
I still enjoy this song (as I do most phish songs). Had a nice jam that
seemed to wind down into a funky space....
2001: Even though this was played at Chula Vista, I was still excited to
hear it. This is one of those pieces I never really get tired of. When
fishman kicked out the beat I started jumping up and down and screaming.
This version kick the Chula vista version on the ass into the thrash can.
Pretty early into to trey went to his keyboard and noodled a bit. Nothing
to spectacular in the opening minutes, but the combination of the lights,
crowd, and peak at the end of this song just seemed so huge. In some ways
it was a moment of transcendence--everyone around me was just dancing hard
and seemed so excited, as was I. Too me, this was the proper opening of the
second set, and after this song, there was not a dull moment until after
everyone left the venue.
Tweezer: Ahhhhhh tweezer. Another favorite or mine (and just about most
people I know too :) After the lyrics, this jam found a sick little groove,
that all the members seemed to explore with abandon. Page really stood out
later in the groove, adding some nice fills on the piano, even leading the
jam for a while. This version also featured some eerie sound effects and
like some of the other jams of the evening, it just melted into nothing.
Very, very satisfy tweezer.
Velveeta: After that monster tweezer I really didn't mind hearing this.
Also it was played magnificently taboot! This song can just kill a second
set (see Irvine last year), but this version was a perfect lullaby and fit
the somber mood of the occasion. Damn fine singing from Mike and the
harmonies are just so sweet. Treys solo at the end like the Hydrogen nearly
had me in tears. Soulful and melodic--finally a version that gives justice
to this usually cheesy sounding composition.
Meatstick: I've loved this song since I first heard it at Chula Vista last
year. This version seems pretty identical to most others meatsticks, except
for the cool Japanese lyrics. This makes the song like 10X cooler. Also
Trey and Mike were totally N'sync on the meatstick dance :) Funny thing
about this song, this older lady sitting next to me said "is this fire on
the mountain????" No real jam or anything else special to note about this
version, but I danced my ass off and attempted to meatstick.
David Bowie: I was really surprised when this started up, considering they
played 2 nights earlier in Irvine. This version was very tight, not as
drawn out as the Irvine version, but a nice contrast. Basically this
version is note perfect. No wasted moments and nothing really needs to be
added. This Bowie was another highlight of the set.
Tweezer Reprise: Tight as always, kept me dancing. nuff said. (I love
this song!)
YEM: I called this as the encore, and it was my first YEM ever. Even
though this may be phishs most commonly played song, it has always alluded
me. Well I finally got it. I guess this was just an average version, but I
was so pumped to hear it. The tramps were brought out and I was impressed
how N'sync Trey and Mike were again. Listening to the mp3s of it, nothing
that special in the jam section. Just your average YEM, but dammit it was
my first. The vocal jam is what really stood out imo. Very spooky sound
and the lights were just amazing. Very uplifting and scary all at the same
time. Well maybe not scary, but it seemed like the band was trying to tell
us something.
Final thoughts: After the lights went up, everybody just stayed where they
were and gave a big standing ovation. It was really moving thing to see and
hear. Also I must give props to Kudora. His lighting is just amazing, and
it seemed to be the most consistent thing during all 4 California shows :)
Even though none of the rumors about the third set or special guests turned
out to be true, I had a blast and will rank this easily in my top 3 shows
that I've been to or listened to. If you just judge this show on the
setlist (which is hot), you are selling yourself and the band short. Listen
to the tapes and see for yourself, and the energy of the shows translates to
tapes :) Given the lack of harpua or any other super special song, makes
this show stronger because it has to rely strictly on its musical merits and
not just the fact that a rare song was played. Good job boys, you sent
yourself off to break in high style and I'm glad I was apart of it.
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