7-15-99 -- PNC Bank Arts Ctr, Holmdel, NJ

review submisions dws@www.phish.net or dws@gadiel.com

Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 23:13:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: j.c.
Subject: 7-15-99
 
This review is a bit late, but being that I am extremely bored and am surfing
some reviews, I have to just spill my beans.  I have been to 41 shows and I
think it's about time to review a show.  I was on tour for a lot of this
summer, and I was very upset with it's outcome.  I enjoyed myself with my
friends, but as far as the shows go, I was very unsatisfied (with the
acception of Tuesday's Gone, Tweezer--> Have Mercy, and Icculus).
 
Why I chose to review PNC is because I felt that it was the lowest point of
the tour.  When I was there I didn't enjoy myself, and I have the tapes and I
cannot listen to them.  THE BAND WAS VERY OFF ON THESE NIGHTS!  I don't get
why people don't understand that the band members are only human, and can be
"OFF". There are too many people who just get wasted and just assume that
every song was the "Best version Ever" I'm not saying that people shouldn't
get fucked up at shows, because it is fun, if your there for the right reason.  
However, maybe people should go ahead and research their topic before they
consider this the best show ever.  The first set was sloppy, and the second
set was horrible.  Sure, KUNG is cool, I was pumped to hear it, but the jams
just sucked.  I couldn't groove, and When I listen to the tapes, my friends
not familiar with phish will ask what is so great about the band.  That's why
I recorded over the tapes.  They're playing could not have been sloppier on
this night, and I definately declare this the worst show I have ever been to.
 
I LOVE phish.  They are my all time favorite.  I'm not doing a review on them.  
What I'm doing this review on is the people who don't know what they are
talking about when they say that this was the greatest show. I know what a
good show is, I've seen plenty.  This surely wasn't near good.  Maybe the
reviews got to me because all of the people who reviewed this show were
probably the people who I saw giving High Fives, and hugs and screaming at the
top of their lungs when bouncin came on like it was a historical moment.  
I've never seen a crowd react to bouncin like that anywhere.
 
If you are going to go see phish because you hear you get really fucked up,
save yourself the 25 to 30 bucks.  There is somebody out in the parking lot
who wants to hear the music who can't because you hear you get fucked up.  Do
that elsewhere.  I'm sorry, but I have a lot of anger to vent.  Let's keep the
scene the way it should be.  Peace

J.


Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 21:55:53 -0400 From: "Kresge, Matthew S." MK201924@wcupa.edu To: "'dws@www.phish.net'" dws@archive.phish.net Subject: 7-15-99 nj I give pnc bank some credit. I experienced NO TRAFFIC either day. I literally drove right into my parking space. I was there by 4:30 each day but still, that's good. No parking fee either (unlike the 10 bucks at camden). I've been waiting for them to play there again for over 5 years so maybe i'm a bit biased, but the Garden State Arts Center(lets try to ignore the corporate jargon) is in my top 3 venues. Anyway, the show: PUNCH: good opener, unexpected. GHOST: not a HUGE fan of this, but it was just what you want early in the set- something with a nice jam to get us all orientated. FARMHOUSE: another dime-a-dozen 3 chord song but it really was jammed nicely. If I liked it, it had to be good, and it was. HORN: always a nice gem. POOR HEART: this song was never that big on my list,but what goes around comes around because i love it now. As usual(but not always) it rocked. They were on. AXILLA: nothin' out of the norm. THEME: i like this one. Nothing too outrageous, but nice I DIDN'T KNOW: i am not a fan of the vacuum(anymore) but i really was enjoying this. Maybe because the set was really good and it was sooo good to have them back in nj. SLOTH: icing on the cake(for me anyway) YEM: it's been in heavy rotation, so this was one of the few predictions i got right. I think they were going to hold off till set two because you could see Trey saying "You want to do IT now?" Get the tapes. Iremember
Date: 21 Jul 1999 08:50:50 -0700 From: tzander@etrademail.com To: dws@archive.phish.net Cc: dws@gadiel.com Subject: 7/15 PNC review These were my 2nd and 3rd shows of the tour after Merriweather. I first must say how impressed I was with the whole venue and environment at Holmdel. Being from the west coast and visiting primarily west coast venues for summer tours, I didn't know what to expect after my disappointing experience at Merriweather. Much to my surprise, PNC is one of the friendliest environments I've ever experienced during summer tours. I kept thinking about how similar PNC is to Shoreline (Mountain View, CA), except Shoreline's lawn is about twice the size. The sound was near impeccable; tough to accomplish at an ampitheatre setting. I also assume there isn't a curfew there, making the scene that much more relaxing while giving the Band more room for experimentation. And maybe most of all, these 2 shows were special to me because of what playing in jersey means to the band. We don't get too much of that out west, so seeing phish at PNC is a lot like when the Dead frequented shoreline. I also like a scene where the majority of phans were just as into it as me, knowing the songs, etc. Sometimes out west people are into the music but not hard-core freakish phans, so that aspect was refreshing. The vibe there was similar to new years runs. And I met many down individuals, restoring my faith in the topsy-turvy phish scene. I think that song-by-song interpretations of live shows can be very subjective; so much depends on where you sit (front row, lawn, "300 section"), who's around you (spinners, loud and drunk frat guys, group of people e-ing, mello people there just to hear the muzic), and your personal level of experimentation, if any. In terms of personal experimentation, some of my favorite shows ever were standard shows in the eyes of the community or on tape. So I like to look back and reflect on shows more generally based on my general feel of the overall experience. 7/15 was an all out, in your face, pure punk-rock & roll show. It was phish sending a message "although we've changed soo much over the years and have slowed down a bit during our new 'funk period,' we can still kick your ass and play longer and harder than you can dance!" And they busted out some classics in the 1st set: horn, stoth and axilla will be welcomed anytime! Fish can still belt-out the vacuum chords and the tramps will be around forever. This show's continued high-energy level reminded me a lot of the 12/30/97 MSG show, and the punk-hard rock flavor reminded of listening to the 2/97 Cortamaggiore show. I was utterly thrilled to hear one of my fave outdoor tunes, Theme. That's just the perfect song to listen to as I dance on grass and feel the wind blow. I thought the Kung>punk jam (as I call it) was one of the more interesting jams I've ever seen which originated out of nothing. The jam was inventive and rhythmically changing, making me lose my breath from dancing so hard. Just when any song they played hit a minor lull, it was like they consciously picked up the tempo to get people dancing again. Something positive was going on with Trey and some guy/girl in the front row. They wanted to prove how they can play any way they want at any time. For example, I heard the Chalkdust at Camden was a floating and beautiful version with not too much extrapolation. They had to play it again at Holmel on purpose; why would they play 2 Chalkdusts in Jersey? Because they wanted to show us their versatility and how far they've come musically and as a band over the years. Then the encore was a another example of some new phish creative songwriting (brian&robert) coupled with in-your face hard-core jamming (frankenstein). An overall impressive show by my standards, eased my doubts from the very slow-moving summer 97 tour. I used to listen to 92-94 shows and say "man they don't play at this energy level anymore. They're more mature now and they're not into playing crazy-hard anymore." Now I think they enjoy that healthy balance of old and new, being a 'punk-ass' sarcastic group and a respectable group of musicians who collaborate with some of the best in the 'industry'-for lack of a better word 8^) they remembered their roots and the phans who love them for the style they used to play. see 7/16 review page for the continuation...... Todd
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 01:30:30 -0700 From: Scott Sandler sandmich@earthlink.net To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: review of 7/15/99 ok lets get this strai if you haven't been to over 50 shows or if you listened to the Webcast --Please don't comment on this show!!!! PYITE>GHOST>FARMHOUSE---thanks there could not be a better opening---by the way---if anyone was in the GA lawn area and saw two people running during Farmhouse---that was us we saved the lives of 2 kids that took GHP and alcohol---and collapsed---we were running for the paramedics for some help----got them ran back---found them----and the last I know is that these strangers whose lives we saved were now being taken to the hospital---on with the set---Horn I know this is personally one of Trey's favorites-----theme> Ididn't know> SLOTH ----lots of fun up to this p[oint it felt like they were just throwing a big party----they were---YEM-----comparable to 12/9/95(albany) outstanding ending over a 1:35 min set......... 2nd set ok...this was one of the more unique and special sets---once you have seen the band a number of times--you learn to appreciate they're open freeform jams------Meatstick---was fun----we all learned a new dance-----SOAM---I love this song it has such a funky rythm but they kinda left it way early---then found their way to kung---This is so rare One must appreciate when it happens------BATR(one for thew Kiddies)---and then one of the best CDT I have ever heard--live over 20 and who knows how many on tape----I've even heard it since then---it may truly be the best overall CDT---- I new B and R was a set up for the real Encore of Frankenstien-----thanks guys tonight was one unlike any other show---like a typical 2001>mikes>H2O>Weekapaug opening to a 2nd set---piper
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 01:34:17 EDT From: Locoono420@aol.com To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: 7/15/99 review i have never written a review of a show b/f, even though after oswego, i've seen 27 shows. and i'm still not going to comment on the entire show, just the controversial (and soon to be more so once tapes start circulating) SOAM > Kung > Jam (and the Ckalkdust; i feel it needs to be defended). SOAM > Kung > Jam : Fish started out with the 2001 drumbeat, everybody got real excited, and Mike broke in with the SOAM bassline. it was weird, but it went together, and the band continued to play this tweeked version, with fish continuing the 2001 drumbeat. trey was a little sloppy with the composition, but the tempo was right on. in the jam b/f Kung, the band switched seamlessly between the SOAM rhythm and a 4/4 (2001) jam. then the madness that is kung happened with the 4 of them just creating a wall of noise. after kung, they fell back into the seamless tempo changing jam. it was the most awesome i have ever seen the band. the four of them were in a zone where they could do no wrong. Chalkdust: first of all, i am really happy with what Phish has been doing with this song lately; the camden chalkdust, while not as good as this one, was (at the time) far and away the best chalkdust i have ever seen. this version blows it away, with the band creating an enormous amount of tension, almost to the point where you think there can be nothing emerging but ambience, and then coming in at the same time to RAGE chalkdust, and repeating, and repeating, for almost 15 minutes of absolute insanity. This set, IMO, was the best i have ever heard the band. The 4 of them were in a beautiful zone where they were as close to perfect as any 4 men can be. Get the tape, form your own opinion! Peace! -Brendan
Date: 17 Jul 1999 15:06:27 -0700 From: tzander@etrademail.com To: dws@gadiel.com Cc: phish@phish.net Subject: PNC 7/15 & 7/16 Review These were my 2nd and 3rd shows of the tour after Merriweather. I first must say how impressed I was with the whole venue and environment at Holmdel. Being from the west coast and visiting primarily west coast venues for summer tours, I didn't know what to expect after my disappointing experience at Merriweather. Much to my surprise, PNC is one of the friendliest environments I've ever experienced during summer tours. I kept thinking about how similar PNC is to Shoreline (Mountain View, CA), except Shoreline's lawn is about twice the size. The sound was near impeccable; tough to accomplish at an ampitheatre setting. I also assume there isn't a curfew there, making the scene that much more relaxing while giving the Band more room for experimentation. And maybe most of all, these 2 shows were special to me because of what playing in jersey means to the band. We don't get too much of that out west, so seeing phish at PNC is a lot like when the Dead frequented shoreline. I also like a scene where the majority of phans were just as into it as me, knowing the songs, etc. Sometimes out west people are into the music but not hard-core freakish phans, so that aspect was refreshing. The vibe there was similar to new years runs. And I met many down individuals, restoring my faith in the topsy-turvy phish scene. I think that song-by-song interpretations of live shows can be very subjective; so much depends on where you sit (front row, lawn, "300 section"), who's around you (spinners, loud and drunk frat guys, group of people e-ing, mello people there just to hear the muzic), and your personal level of experimentation, if any. In terms of personal experimentation, some of my favorite shows ever were standard shows in the eyes of the community or on tape. So I like to look back and reflect on shows more generally based on my general feel of the overall experience. 7/15 was an all out, in your face, pure punk-rock & roll show. It was phish sending a message "although we've changed soo much over the years and have slowed down a bit during our new 'funk period,' we can still kick your ass and play longer and harder than you can dance!" And they busted out some classics in the 1st set: horn, stoth and axilla will be welcomed anytime! Fish can still belt-out the vacuum chords and the tramps will be around forever. This show's continued high-energy level reminded me a lot of the 12/30/97 MSG show, and the punk-hard rock flavor reminded of listening to the 2/97 Cortamaggiore show. I was utterly thrilled to hear one of my fave outdoor tunes, Theme. That's just the perfect song to listen to as I dance on grass and feel the wind blow. I thought the Kung>punk jam (as I call it) was one of the more interesting jams I've ever seen which originated out of nothing. The jam was inventive and rhythmically changing, making me lose my breath from dancing so hard. Just when any song they played hit a minor lull, it was like they consciously picked up the tempo to get people dancing again. Something positive was going on with Trey and some guy/girl in the front row. They wanted to prove how they can play any way they want at any time. For example, I heard the Chalkdust at Camden was a floating and beautiful version with not too much extrapolation. They had to play it again at Holmel on purpose; why would they play 2 Chalkdusts in Jersey? Because they wanted to show us their versatility and how far they've come musically and as a band over the years. Then the encore was a another example of some new phish creative songwriting (brian&robert) coupled with in-your face hard-core jamming (frankenstein). An overall impressive show by my standards, eased my doubts from the very slow-moving summer '97 tour. I used to listen to 92-94 shows and say "man they don't play at this energy level anymore. They're more mature now and they're not into playing crazy-hard anymore." Now I think they enjoy that healthy balance of old and new, being a 'punk-ass' sarcastic group and a respectable group of musicians who collaborate with some of the best in the 'industry'-for lack of a better word 8^) they remembered their roots and the phans who love them for the style they used to play.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 21:54:37 -0400 From: "Kresge, Matthew S." MK201924@wcupa.edu To: "'dws@www.phish.net'" dws@archive.phish.net Subject: 7-15-99 nj I must give the Arts Center (lets keep away from that corporate jargon) credit. I experienced NO TRAFFIC!! I did arrive by 4:30 each day but that is still good. No parking fee either, plenty of shade. Maybe it's because I've been waiting for them to come back for over 5 years and I'm biased,but the GSAC is in my top 5. Anyway, the show: PUNCH: good energetic opener, unexpected for me GHOST: not a big fan of this one, but this is exactly what i was hoping for- a nice jam to set the mood and get us all orientated. It was good FARMHOUSE: not a big fan of this dime-a-dozen 3 chord song, but that was then. They jammed it soooo nicely, i am ready to hear it again. HORN: i always like this gem POOR HEART: this one has grown old for me over the years, but has now resurfaced as a favorite. This was HOT. AXILLA: nothin' out of the norm THEME: ditto, but nice I DIDN'T KNOW: the vacuum doesn't do it for me anymore, but for some reason, I was lovin' it this night. Maybe because the set was turning out very nicely(one of my favs) or because they were back in Holmdel. It always entertains the new fans. Just remember, we were all newbies at one point. SLOTH: icing on the cake YEM: with it's heavy rotation, i actually called this one and got it right(I'm not very good at that, especially with all the songs they have now). I think they were going to save it for set 2, because you could see Trey say "do you want to do IT now?". Get the tapes. I remember it being very good. Overall, one of my favorite sets to date. I felt a good vibe my way, so for those of you who thought different, maybe that's why. SET 2: MEATSTICK: ridicule me(if not only for my spelling), but i thing this whole meatstick thing is kinda goofy. From the respose of the crowd, there must be many who agree because not too many people around me were doing it. I got a laugh out of it, but that's about it. The song is kinda catchy though, although i am REALLY growing tired of these 2 and 3 chord simple new songs (read my camden review and feel free to email me. I'm always up for some debate) SAOM: now here is where i differ from most of the reviews and a lot of my fellow fans. There is NO DOUBT that fish and trey were ready for 2001, but suddenly mike busts in with the fat soam baseline. As noted in a few reviews, this DEFINATLEY threw trey off, as he flubbed his opening guitar part. I feel the band NEVER recovered after this. Let me tell you why- Trey was sloppy through the whole composed part of the song (listen to the tapes if you don't agree...you'll see). During the "we breathe..." part, Trey started chugging in with his guitar ready to bust into the "melt, split open and melt" BEFORE the "between beams" part. THEN, when they entered the jam, which usually contains that odd time, Fish just did a plain ond 4/4 time. Has that EVER happened? Trust me, they never hit it this performance. I don't know what the other reviewers were thinking, but the band was surely lost. To back up my theory, during CHALKDUST, Fishman started speeding up and slowing down the beat like someone playing with the speeds on a record player. Then after the very incoherant jam, when they bust back into the "who can unlearn.." part, the beat was SOOOOOOO fast (you have no idea if you were not there which is why i am telling you) that the whole band stopped playing except for Trey. No drums, bass, or piano. They really did lose it after the flubbed 2001(which was great the next night. Gee, i wonder why they played it?!) Anyway, the 1st set rocked, the 2nd set (except for the FRANKENSTEIN) left a lot for me to be desired, But, hey, everyone is different. Get the tapes and judge for yourself. I know these reviews can be boring so thanks for sitting through mine.
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 22:30:52 EDT From: GoalieBoy3@aol.com To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: 7/15/99 Review Hey...first of all I'd like to say that veteran phans after this show were saying Set I was one of the greatest first sets they've ever heard, and many a-fan were saying that Chalkdust was the best ever. Also, Mike's base at times was sooooooo soupy like it is at the intro of DWD. it sounded so phat like that. Anyway...here are Dave Salvo's thoughts about the show. PYITE: not expecting it at all so I thought it was chill. The boys seemed to be having a grand old time especially Trey who was playing so close to home. Out of the Digital Delay came a segue into -> Ghost: I was very happy to hear this. I was also thinking that this sounded a lot like the beginning of a sweet Set 2. This Ghost never really climaxed, but started out funky, then built into a kind of heavy jam which ended on Trey sitting on a D Power Chord. A fine Ghost, although I know many will say it wasn't one to remember. I liked it. Farmhouse: Man, I had a feeling they'd play lots of Merriweather tonight. 2 out of 3. This Farmhouse was better...the jamming was longer. I still like the old version better. Horn: Man, this was beginnning to be a really really good set. The beginning sounded a little bit different then usual, but probably not considering it's a composed piece. Poor Heart: Probably in the top 5 of Phish songs I like least, but NOTHING was bringing me down now. I actually enjoyed the shit out of this song, Page was nuts, and they seemed into it. They were into it the whole night... Axilla: What a great time to liven things up, see some idiot get booted for getting up on stage, watch Trey give us the head bang signal, and go nuts. Stretched out Axilla II ending and out came the opening drum beat of... Theme!!!!!!! As soon as Fish started playing the beat, I screamed Theme over and over. My section (101...Row T Seat 12) looked at me like I was crazy..finally the caught on and went crazy too. The first of the tour, and a sweet one at that. I Didn't Know: My friend wanted to hear this more than anything in the world, and I told him they wouldn't do it twice in one tour. Ok, I was wrong. This was fun. I love being close to the stage and watching Fish take a vacuum solo. The Sloth: Another tour first. This started out slow and funky! I enjoyed it, this song is definitely a rocker. Looked at my watch and thought "man, the Sloth as a set closer???" YEM.....................oh boy, oh boy. This was it. The icing on the cake to one of the best first sets to date. A little sloppiness by Trey on the intro, but then it got tight. The jam started out funky and thought it would be a cool mellow jam like 12/29/97. Then out of nowhere it began to get heavy, and Trey just started wailing so bad my ears hurt. I mean, I've never heard a jam climax so many times. It was a giant multiple orgasm. RAGING.UNRELENTING. NUTS. My adjectives of the night. The vocal jam sounded composed even, with CK5 rotating the lights in time with the boys. I give this set a 10 hands down...my first time I've ever given a set a 10. Looking forward to a sweet as Set 2.. I wasn't disapointed. Set 2 reminded me of a Fall 97 show with lots of jamming and 4 or 5 songs. SWEET! Meatstick: Didn't expect this; thought we were getting it later in the set. Trey tells the crowd about world record, Oswego, Dance, etc. and Sofi (who is damn good looking) come on stage again (see Merriweather). The jam out of Meatstick was chill. A tight little jam, pretty spacey. Just when Fish kicks the beat to 2001 and I go nuts, out comes. SOAMelt: Which I didn't mind! It didn't drag on, and during the jam (in which Fish kept switching the drum beats from double time to funky), Trey started to sit on a G Power Chord. I felt it in my chest. Out of it comes what could be a once in a lifetime experience.... KUNG!!!!!!!! STAND UP!!! Oh yes, we all did. This was out of the blue, and made my night. Out of Kung come a 97-esque jam with tons of space (Phish net says Shine and Meatstick teases but I didn't catch on). Anyway, the crowd sucked. Most just sat down. The boys probably realized this and played Bouncing: Which I didn't mind at all. I know many of you probably think "THIS RUINED THE SHOW!" but not me. I liked it. Chalkdust: Holy shit! Again, another exploratory Chalkdust with a fast fast fast, loud loud loud, wailing jam (a la Antelope)> It got even disjointed in the end, but it was so loud it didn't matter. Not the typical jam ending of course and Trey stops and sings the chorus by himself. What a way to end the set. I give the set an 8. Encore" Brian and Robert: I was too mesmerized to dance. I stood shaking my head thinking "they better play another song." How is this an encore? I don't get it. I was gonna cry if they left such a great show hanging in the balance with this. But I knew they were gonna do something kick ass and heavy after this. (BTW, glowstick war in this song) the tour's first... FRANKENSTEIN: Go out with a bang.. the way I like it. What a night. That's all I can say. Set 1 was my favorite set of the shows I've seen so far. Great stuff. 7/16 was chill too. I'll review that later. Peace, Dave Salvo
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 16:33:06 -0400 From: Richard Burke Richard.Burke.B@us.agfa.com To: dws@www.phish.net" dws@archive.phish.net Subject: Phish at PNC Bank Center I don't normally write reviews but had to comment on this. I am 54 years old and went to my first Phish concert last night. I have seen everybody play; Hendrix at the Whiskey A-Go-Go, Allman Brothers (when they were all alive), Dead (mucho times), Bella Fleck, Stones, Zappa, Clapton, Little Feat (when Lowell George was still alive), Santana, etc. etc. The concert last night ranks with all the great ones I have seen. I expected these guys to be good, I have been buying their CDs and listening to them for years, but they blew me away. It was the best jamming I have ever heard from a four piece band. Each one is a true master of their instrument and they can sing, but more importantly they really seem to be having fun and it is contagious. They feed off the crowd and the crowd off of them, what fun. It was also fun to be in the crowd. I saw Dave Mathews earlier this year and the crowd really pissed me off. I really thought, maybe I was "too old to rock and roll" anymore and I certainly don't own any Abercrombie and Fitch clothes. The Phish crowd just felt like home. When Fishman played the vacuum cleaner, I just cracked up. I didn't feel self conscious at all about being one of the "old rockers". The light show was also incredible and totally in synch with the music so it added to the experience. I read the other reviews and smile, I certainly can't comment on how good or bad they where (I couldn't even do that for the dead) and you know it really doesn't matter, they were great and the crowd was great and the music was incredible. There was one other "old rocker" sitting behind me with his daughter. He was wearing his Grateful Dead shirt (like me) and talking about how much better the "old" bands were. I was polite but couldn't help but feel sorry for him. I was just happy that the current generations have "music weavers" like we did and have the opportunity to get together in peace and get lost in it. I was also glad that I can still be a part of it and filled with hope and gladness that the music never stops.
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 9:42:25 -0700 From: erik.swain@cancom.com To: dws@archive.phish.net, dan@netspace.org, rmp@archive.phish.net Cc: carl_lindberg@blacksmith.com, dave.hull@erols.com Subject: REVIEW: 7/15/99 Holmdel This was my 8th show, and probably the most intense one I have seen. It was on the verge of becoming one of the all-time greats before fading at the end. Still, Trey remarked during Meatstick that this was a "special show" for him and Page, who grew up in NJ, and special it was indeed. Traffic was much better than expected. I breezed into the lots at 4:30 and walked around until showtime. Set 1 - band emerges at 8:03, after a few idle chugs on the guitar Trey starts... Punch You in the Eye - Excellent. Been dying to hear this one again since my first show, 5/2/93. This is a song that I never get tired of. Standard version, which is to say outstanding. Instead of slamming to a stop as usual, they go into a feedback jam, and then Trey starts the digital delay loops and segues into... Ghost - YES! I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it on 12/2/97, and I've been pining for another one ever since. This Ghost, like the best ones, was all about Mike (except 11/19/98, which was all about Page). He laid down the bass lines thick and fat, and paced the song part of the tune with urgency and insistence. Then for the jam, they locked in sync and kept grinding, grinding, grinding, taking the tempo up a notch every few minutes - a perfect syngery between funk, rock and noise. The band kept setting up Trey to take a big classic-rock solo, but he kept responding with "What's the Use"-like feedback noise instead. Finally, when they just couldn't get any faster, he did take a solo, but he pulled back pretty quickly. It was pretty apparent why - he wanted Mike, who had been the star of the jam, to take a solo. Mike did, and then the jam faded out into... Farmhouse - excellent song, excellent placement. The new intro was very brief but sweet. Trey played a pretty long solo, full of Clapton-like grace. Horn - By this point I think they're reading my mind. Four of my 20 or so favorite Phish songs already. This version seemed heavy (in the guitar and organ) but light and flexible (in the bass and drums) at the same time. Another beautiful solo from Trey. Poor Heart - enough of the mind reading, I hate this song. But this was a particularly manic version, taken to another level by Page during his frenzied piano solo. If they have to play this, this is how I want it played. Another example of how much extra effort they seem to be putting into the "routine" songs this tour. Axilla - Yet another favorite of mine - this is getting creepy. This was a no-holds barred BIG RAWK blast, which is what this song has always deserved. (Another example of their newfound ease with arena rock.) One of the best versions I've heard. The "don't shine that light in my face" jam faded into... Theme from the Bottom - another personal favorite I've been dying for. Standard at the beginning, more bubbly than usual at the end thanks to Page, sweet as always. I Didn't Know - another one I haven't seen since my first show. Fishman's vacuum solo was quite flatulent - the first two-thirds of it were essentially one long note, then he actually tried to play a melody before retreating. The post-vacuum vocal gymnastics were particularly impressive. I figured we'd get one more big blast, so I was surprised when they started... The Sloth - my first. Appropriately heavy (EVERYTHING in this set was heavy), but not fast or raucous enough to be a set closer. They can't end with this, I thought, they just can't. They stopped, and Trey took a few steps back. I was afraid he was going to leave the stage, but apparently he was just telling Fish to go into... YEM - Wow! I won't attempt a minute-by-minute review, but suffice it to say this version was simply mindblowing. Better than most I heard last year. After the tramps part was when the real action started. Each of them were playing lightning runs, sometimes in unison, sometimes chasing each other, never losing the groove, going faster and faster. Imagine a family of bunnies who dart around a field, in and out of holes, jumping over each other, but always knowing what the others are doing and always sticking together. That's the vision I had from this jam. Rarely have I heard them build this kind of momentum. It got so frenzied that they skipped the final "washa uffizi" before the vocal jam and just went right into it. I have never heard a more seamless transition into a vocal jam, nor a vocal jam that so closely resembled the instrumental jam that preceded it. They continued with the relentless momentum, only now they sounded like trains on a track. Then the vocal jam took a more moaning tone, and a series of thin white lights were revolving in time to each bleat. It looked like something out of "2001: A Space Odyssey." At 9:37 they left the stage. They had to. There was no topping that. This was by far the best 1st set I have seen. Not only were 8 of the 10 songs among my most personal favorites, but the intensity and syncopation were unmatched. This was the kind of set that only a band who has been together for 15 years can pull off. It clocked in at an incredible 94 minutes - we'll need a 100 min. tape for it! As with Camden, setbreak was extremely long, 48 min. Which was just as well, considering the line for the men's room. Set II - back out at 10:25 to lay out a thick groove called... Meatstick - I figured we would get this on the 16th instead, as they'll want to keep the dance fresh in our minds for Oswego. The sheet they passed out before the show did me no good. I can do the clapping and the "shock my brain" part, but I'm just hopeless at the rest. Nonetheless, I was dying to hear this. When I first heard it on the SOTG outtakes, I thought - they have another Tweezer on their hands, and they don't seem to know it. I'm glad this is getting good exposure now. The groove was tight and funky, even after Trey and Mike put down their instruments to do the silly demonstration with Sofi. Then they got some very tight and thick ambient jamming out of it. Very satisfying. As it wound down into space, it sounded like Trey and Page wanted to start up 2001. Fish's picked up a drumbeat that sort of sounded like it, but it was hard to tell. But I was very surprised when Mike started playing the bass line to... Split Open and Melt - still, this was fantastic. I've never heard a version remotely like it. It veered away from the usual lead-guitar runs and wa built around funky rhythm guitar playing from Trey and atmospheric coloring from Page. Then it started to get real spooky, like the middle part of the Mike's Groove on Slip Stitch & Pass where it sounds like they're about to go into "The End". Then, what's this, a chant? Kung - This was possessed. It is indeed a very special show when they break this out. I've never heard them so emphatic with it. Then, instead of stopping or fading away, a jammed Kung? Well, just a... Jam - in case you were wondering whether they still do "Type II" jamming, well, here it was. This was as intense as anything I've heard from fall '97, when they were at their most intense. Words cannot describe what they did here. It got so far out into the stratosphere, and so far away from conventional music as we know it, that people stopped dancing and stared at the stage, either in amazement or in confusion. This jam is for the serious musicologists. It is not for the happy-time folks. Some will love it, some will hate it. All the pieces were in place to cement this show as one of their best achievements. All they needed was to deliver a knockout punch - Antelope? Bowie? Mike's? Instead we get... Bouncin' - ARGH! I understand they had lost the dancers and the party-atmosphere people with the last jam, and needed to bring them back with a popular uptempo song. And with Bouncin', they did - the crowd went nuts. It was a huge buzzkill for me. I don't mind it usually, but not when a show is on the verge of greatness. After the show, one guy says to me "that was the best-placed Bouncin' ever!" I held my tongue, and mentioned how they used it in a similar way on 12/2/97. But in truth this may have been the worst-placed Bouncin' ever. Still, I figured Bouncin' was a setup for the big knockout blow. Trey looks off to the side and motions to someone. Is he bringing on a guest? No, it appears he's taking a request, and... Chalkdust - ARGH! Don't get me wrong, I figured this would be pretty good because of what they did with it in Camden. And it was. They smoked the shit out of it, even though they didn't take it to the stratosphere like they did in Camden. Trey went wild, jamming it far longer than a usual Chalkdust. (Although I think the boys are about to redefine what a "usual Chalkdust" is.) It was a fine set closer. But it was not what was needed to take this show from "above average" to "all-time classic." They left the stage at 11:31, after a too-short 66 minutes. This was certainly the strangest second set I've seen, maybe even the strangest I've heard. It would almost make more sense reversed - Chalkdust, Bouncin', SOAMelt > Kung > Jam, Meatstick. One kid next to me said to his friend: "I don't believe it! The first set was amazing but the second set sucked!" The second set did not suck. It was, for the most part, quite good. But it was held to a very high standard after the first set, perhaps impossibly high, and it could not measure up. At 11:35, they returned for the encore. Who knew what to expect, after the madness that had come so far? Brian & Robert - not that. "Oh Shit," I said audibly. Again, not a bad song, but not appropriate as an encore for a show vying for historical significance. Oddly, a big glowring (not glowstick) war broke out, perhaps because people realized we wouldn't be getting "Hood." There had to be one more adrenaline pumper, and we got Frankenstein - this was more like it. This was a slam dunk of a version. Emphatic and forceful, with a bit of pizzaz. The crowd went nuts, and we left on a high note. On this night, Phish pushed the envelope. In fact, they pushed it too far. Sometimes an extreme reaction one way produces an extreme reaction the other way. That's what I think happened with this show in the 2nd set and encore. They got so far out there - probably the kind of jamming they save for rehearsals with no audience - in the post-Kung madness, that they felt they had to compensate for those who were put off by its complexity and weirdness. So they reacted with two popular favorites, a ballad, and a famous cover. Still, you have to admire them for taking the chances they did. And you come to appreciate even more a show like 11/27/98 or 2/20/93 where they really do deliver that knockout punch. Even with the downer at the end, I still would rank this as one of the 3 best shows I've seen, along with 12/2/97 and 12/29/96. The tapes are a must-have. It will be very hard for them to top it tonight. But I hope they at least try. Erik Swain please send any questions or comments to eswain@bellatlantic.net ***************************************************** Erik Swain Canon Communications LLC Tel: 310-392-5509 Fax: 310-392-4920 Internet Address: erik.swain@cancom.com Home Page: http://www.devicelink.com *****************************************************
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 10:41:03 EDT From: Harleyyork@aol.com To: dws@archive.phish.net, dws@gadiel.com Subject: PNC 7/15/99 as down as I was on Camden, I enjoyed the 1st night at Holmdel immensely the 1st set was one of the longest that they played in quite some time & it was excellent -- I loved the PYITE opener, I dig Farmhouse a lot, same goes for Axilla Uno, Bottom, Didn't Know w/vacuum, and a set closing Yemmer 2nd set started off with the gimmicky Meatstick but to be honest I love the tune even if I cannot do the little dance; Melt kicked ass, the Kung was totally unexpected, the Chalk Dust at the end was played faster than usual which was cool the crowd I thought was very good & security featured 10 guys from Rutgers baseball doing a few shows at PNC to raise money for their program which meant that they were not the typical venue staff see ya tonite
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 10:11:53 -0400 From: Nectar79@aol.com To: dws@gadiel.com Cc: talisman99@aol.com Subject: PNC 7/15 REVIEW hello all-- this is my first review in a while so please bear with me. As far as my personal stats go (not that this should matter), it's was my 54th show, 2nd of this tour (camden was the other one). I left work from New York right at 5, took the train to the Matawan stop. Got a shuttle from there right to the venue. I was really nervous about this, figured that I would get slammed in traffic and not make the show. But, much to my surprise there was NO traffic, we cruised right in. Anyone coming from New York this is a great way to go to the show (of course the last shuttle leaves at 11:30 so it might not be the best way to leave the show). the venue is great. Much better then the sterile, ampitheatres springing up around the country (ecentre et al). Small lawn, REALLY clean, cool security. Overall a cool place to see a show........ Set I: 7:59 Punch: Can you go wrong with this as an opener?? Your "typical" punch you. Typically kicking your ass. "Fanfare ending" and when the dust settled they were looping it up for... Ghost: Good Ghost. Really good actually. It was probably close to 20 minutes (I think someone said 15) and while it never peaked, it touched on some really pretty themes. If anything, it touched on too many themes and never really settled down. Farmhouse: Hadn't heard the new beginning yet....very pretty. I love this song and I think that the outtro Trey plays now is just beautiful. Horn: This is always great to hear. Note for note off rift but who cares Poor Heart: Another fun 'un Bottom: Slower than ones I have previously heard but that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has heard anything Phish have done this tour. I Didn't Know: Very funny. Had Mike hitting his "bell" and trey adding percussion on the keyboard. Sloth: Timing was f-ed up but that's ok. Once they setttled down it rocked. --at this point let it be known that I figured one more and out. Maybe slave, stash, or two shorter tunes. Wow was I wrong. YEM!!!: This YEM was just sick. They took there time with the composed section and then the improv began... first off, when they were on the tramps page was watching them and "playing their turns." I know he usually does this but you have to hear the tapes to understand what I mean. Eg: trey/mike turn and page flares out the organ...bubbles under while they bounce...then busts out again Once they get off the tramps mike goes out of his head. He is laying down the "bubbly bass" that is traditionally reserved for select moments. He played like this for over 5 minutes. The rest of the band couldnt help but follow his lead...it was great. When trey did take over it was nuts. I felt like it was Decemeber 95. He laid some great grooves and then just started peaking the YEM. He peaked it more times than I have EVER heard. It just never ended. Similar in style to the antelope from 11/2/96. You just wonder when he is going to stop. Just when you think he has reached the top, you realize it is merely another plateau....... Set 1: 94 minutes!!! Setbreak music: i have been collecting/tracking Phish's setbreak music for a while. So, it was pretty funny when they actually played an album I bought last year! It was Stanton Moore's All Kooked Out. For those of you who don't have it pick it up...it's great Set II: Meatstick: Hadn't heard this one yet. I like the verses, and yes....the catchy chorus :) I won't talk about all the trey jargon but if you haven't heard about it check out gadiel's page for an explanation of "what to do" for oswego. The jam out of meatstick was dense, lots of stuff going on here. I'm going to have to get the tapes to listen to this again. VERY good, but also very loose. When this died down page was on the clavinet and trey had some loops running....it was the perfect setup for 2001. Trey stepped aside to let Fishman start it up, Toph was ready on the lights and Fish started up..... Melt????: Trey's confusion was VERY apparent. Kind of fumbling his solos and the lyrics to the song. Every break he got was going back and talking to (yelling at?) Fishman. So, the jam starts and Fishman starts going nuts...changing times DRASTICALLY...triple time, half time...taking the rest of the band by his coattails. This jam was also good....but thick. Lots of themes were run through here, although none overly groovy. Then it got loud and out of the muck... Kung: This was great...Trey must have said "stand up" 12 times..he was screaming it. All this overtop a really sick groove. The groove died down from here and suddenly it was just mike playing the bassline again to melt...now 25 minutes removed. Trey didn't follow but it was really cool to hear mike playing this over and over. The jam noodled around some more and eventually just petered out Bouncing: Trey had no voice from screaming during Kung...other than that standard. Chalkdust: Not the ethereal beauty of the Camden Chalkkdust...this one was more like the end of Antelope. Definetely the most intense "standard" chalkdust I have ever heard. Peaked like crazy.....it really felt like an antelope or maze....Trey came back in to the lyrics and sang them alone...really fast. Set II: 10:22-11:27 65 Minutes E: Brian and Robert: Slightly Reworked (?) but still nothing to impressive Frankenstein: Cool! This song always rocks you out the door. 11:33-11:44 (12 Minutes) Overall this was a great show. The second set really felt like the exploratory shows from fall 97. While the jams produced may not be the greatest...I think so long as they take the extreme chances they took last night during the 50 minutes of "jam" they will eventually end up pleasing everyone. Add this onto a SICK first set (reminiscent of pittsburgh last year) and it was a wonderful show. Comments etc. please send to Nectar79@aol.com
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 03:10:25 -0400 From: Jeanne & Brian jeannebri@netzero.net To: dws@archive.phish.net Subject: review of 7/15/99 First of all, I have never seen a show at the PNC Arts Center. It's a beautiful venue and security seemed very easy on those selling there what-nots. Glad to see there are still at least a few places you can have a good time without being hassled. My seats were in the first row af the last section right behind the taper's section. The sound was crystal clear, which we got a taste of about 20 minutes before the band came on. They BLARED the star spangled banner over the PA (thought for sure the boys would have done it acapella). The PYITE opener was pleasant, but at this point expected as a set opener. You can really hear Mike is up in the mix. He really stands out, but I fear that Page is being left behind, I can barely hear him anymore.This segued into a very nice Ghost. Nothing that was blowing any minds...that was later. Farmhouse was next a good tune, always makes me think of fall/winter, though. Weird to hear in the summer. Horn, Poor Heart & Axilla were pretty standard. Trey was really rockin' toward the end of Axilla. Theme was good to hear but they really don't explore this song out enough. Theme segued into I Didn't Know, I like the vaccuum in the first set, get it out of the way. I thought this was the set closer, but The Sloth chords rang out. There goes my hopes of a gamehendge set 2 (you gotta wish everytime, right?). The YEM set closer was incredible. Nice jamming and wild vocal jam. Set Two is where all the action was. First Phish breaks out Meatstick. Good, fun new tune. during the chorus Trey explains that the band has been trying to get into the guinness book of world records for some time now (naked photo @ The Great Went), and they found the answer, have the most people ever doing one dance...The Meatstick Dance. Which is basically a bad ripoff of the Macarena (to better music!). Trey & Mike take off the guitars and along with Page's wife they instruct the audience how to do the dance. That's all fun and good, but what happens next made me shit my pants. Meatstick goes into this really groovy little jam and then BAM Split Open & Melt. I've Melts and I've heard MELTS. This one was sick, sick sickity sick. The communication between the band is ridiculous. They were changing tempos and styles every few minutes and they hit everyone. as they switch the tempos around they sneak in with Kung. Never heard this Live and let me tell you, it's wonderful, very full of energy. Kung slips into a jam that has the faint smell of Melt but it's somehting very different. This jam finally winds down and next comes....Bouncing. An alright song I guess, I know people bitch and complain when they play it, but after what they just put us all throuhg, we needed the break. Chalkdust was next and this was one of the best chalkdusts I think I've seen, really climactic. Whew! They exit the stage and we're all ready to hear something rocking for the Encore. But alas we get Brian & Robert, and not just any B&R, but an exrusiatingly slow version. I almost opened my wrists, all I could hope for was a 2 song encore. Wish granted! They finish Brian and rip into Frankenstein...much more like it! That's the way to end a show... So to sum up, Set I highlights include Ghost and YEM I'd give it a 7.0, Set II highlights Meatstick->Split Open->Kung->Jam and Chalkdust (you can keep bouncing). Extremely well played set, I'd give it a 9.0. The Encore was bitter-sweet. Brian was a bad choice but the Frankenstein made up for it, next time just give us the latter. I'd give it a 5.0. So I'd give the show a 7.5 maybe an 8.0. Let's hope Oswego is off the hook! See Ya'll there... Brian
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 02:19:20 EDT From: KewlBean57@aol.com To: dws@archive.phish.net, dws@gadiel.com Subject: REview of 7-15-99 WoW! That is the first word that came to my mind when I sat down after an evening of fun and activities. A Phish show at one of the most beautiful ampitheaters on the east coast. Fully remodeled and ready for some good 'ol rock 'n' rock! The day started out with only a small drive from my home in New Jersey down the parkway to the Arts Center. Meeting a few people along the way, we managed to get a great parking spot very close to the entrance and had a great pre-show. During that time I met the person who inspired me to actually sit down and write this thing at 1:35 AM. His name was Chad, a.k.a. "Chadwick," and we sat down with him and his friend Adam and had a great session with excellent conversations. He told me all about the tour and how it's been goin so far. Then we got into a great discussion about the internet and I told him about this review that someone wrote on the internet. We both discovered that it was him that actually wrote that post on Gadiel's site. It was great once we all figured it out that it was him, and we sat there and laughed. He eventually passed on along his way and ventured on into the night. I, on the other hand, was getting ready for another great night from Phish. But before I could start getting ready to go in, at about 6:15, the people surround me in the parking lot were all buzzing about something. I look up and only to my suprise I find Mike Gordon driving by me on his gold cart. A pleasant site, oh yes it was. 7:15 eventually rolled around and we went into the venue. So, here is my review of tonight's concert: Set I - Punch You in the Eye: One of my favorite show opening songs. It has a great twist that is so musically intriguing that it just makes you wanna dance like there's no tomorrow. Ghost: I liked Ghost when it came out last year and I love it even more when I hear it in concert. Very incredible jam at the end that led straight in this song.... Farmhouse: I had a moment during this song. Not a serious moment, but a moment. I just thought to myself of how great of a time I was having and that I was in for a really good concert. It's a great tune with a really cool ending jam. I liked the new intro that they added. Horn: Last time I heard this song was at the Garden during last year's holiday run. A great guitar solo sent chills down my spine, and probably into the guy next to me as well. Poor Heart: Now this is a song that I haven't heard in ages. I'd consider it one of Phish's "closet songs" that they bring out ocassionally and put back. Short song with that little western twist. Axilla: I love this song. It always reminds me of summer time while driving down the boulevard on Long Beach Island. I always loved blasting this song (Axilla Part II) while driving in the wee hours of the morning. With the smell of the beach and the sound of Phish, nothing beats it. (Too bad that guy ran on stage and got cuffed away) Theme From the Bottom: Once again, another great song. That's one thing that I don't hear much at Phish shows, or at least the shows that I've been to. Songs from Billy Breathes I hardly hear, but when I do, they just send chills down my spine beacause that whole album just one great "dance." I Didn't Know: I've never heard that vacuum before at a concert. I though that it was probably the most comical thing about the whole show. Wierd sounds and cool funky bass beat from Gordon. After that song, I thought they'd pack it in, but to my suprise, Trey just opened his guitar once again.... The Sloth: I heard this song at my second Phish show and to this date, I haven't seen it since. 12/31/95. (PYITE opener into this) A great tune that tells yet another great story. Short, sweet and to the point. I thought for sure that the set would be over, but no, the band played on......... You Enjoy Myself: Probably one of the most insane jams with and incredible light show at the end. Nothing more said. I do it myself. Then I sat down in awe and didn't say a word for about ten mintues. I then proceeded to smoke a very long cigarette until I finally opened my mouth and started mingling with the people around me. Probably one the best sets I've ever seen. I was completely blown away. Set II - Meatstick: For a song that's been hyped up so much, I figured that it would be kinda cheezy hearing it for the first time.....but no way.. To my suprise, it was a very catchy tune with a cute little dance attached. I loved Trey's inspiration to break the Guiness world record. (He told a small story how Phish tried to break a world record of having the most people naked in one picture, I think.....) Anyways, I liked the dance and I'm very proud/honored to be part of Phish's history when "we" all break it up in Oswego. Split Open and Melt: I like Trey's little flub during the beginning. Hey, no one's perfect, and I'm sure no one really noticed it either. One of Lawn Boy's greatest songs, SOAM is an intense jam that's gets every bone in my body shakin' Kung Chant: This is something that I haven't heard since 1995 either. (12/30/95 - It's Ice > Kung Chant > It's Ice) I love it when they all scream "stand up" because it gets everyone back involved into the concert and just brings the whole dancing atmosphere back into play. They, the band brought us all into one long and sweet jam that lasted a good 15-20 minutes. Bouncing Around the Room: I've never heard this song live. I know it's one of Phish's "famous" songs, but I really enjoyed it. It's a fun song that everyone knows and the crowd sings. Chalkdust Torture: Now I thought that last Saturday's, Camden, Chalkdus was amazing, but I was wrong. Tonight's absolutely put me right back in my chair. I love Trey's antics when he stresses a note and does some little hip movements to it. It's a crowd pleaser and it definately got me excited. A great song to end a perfect little second set. Short, and right to the point. e: Brian and Robert: Sweet song. Soft and just makes you want to sit back, and relax while the band takes you on a small ride with their voices. Frankenstein: One of Phish's great cover songs. (Edgar Winter Group) Done exactly to their liking but with their little added flavoring. One of my greatest, if not, the best show I've seen yet out of all of my 15 or so shows (over a 5 year period). Second show on the tour and so far the best one yet. I have three more consecutive nights on tour, and then I go back to civilization and that terrible office job that I'm holding for the summer. I can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow night. Well, it is now approxamately 2:30 AM and I'm off to bed. Chad, I hope you enjoyed this show, and post, as much as I did. To everyone else, enjoy tomorrow night, I'll see you all there! Goodnight.
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 01:47:52 -0400 From: Paul Crutchfield To: dws@gadiel.com Subject: 07-15-99 PNC Bank Review This was my first Phish concert ever, so this may be a bit biased review, but it was the best concert I've ever been too. The band fed off the energy of the audience, which was constantly there. I don't know how security is at other venues, but I didn't like seeing people get kicked out every 30 minutes. They played some of my favorite songs, including "Farmhouse" and "Poor Heart" which made me happy. They didn't play "Wading in the Velvet Sea", which I would have liked, but their good performance made up for it. They were very entertaining and you could tell they put alot into the show, teaching us the "Meat Stick" dance as well. I can't wait to get this concert on tape :)
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