Monday 06/17/2013 by sethadam1

REVISITING MERRIWEATHER

Merriweather Post Pavilion. As any Northern Virginian, current or former, would tell you: I love it and I hate it. I went to several shows there, so I loved the proximity, but hated the traffic and the parking. Now, if you narrowed it down to just Phish shows, I'd immediately think of one moment: the 8/8/98 Sabotage encore. There's a great story there, but it's not the one I'm going to tell today.

The July '99 Merriweather show has somehow been forgotten by time. It's got a lovely What's the Use? and a fun Meatstick, which had appeared just the night before, a repeated sequence uncommon by 1999. It also featured a number of songs that were a treat in 1999 that are much more commonplace today: Twist had only been performed twice in 1998, making only its second appearance in 1999 -- it was a big deal! It would go on to become an improv staple in the repertoire. By this time, Llama had already become somewhat of a rarity as well. Sandwiched in between Train Song and Driver, it was an odd change of pace. But it's not the 1999 show I want to discuss either.

Rather, it's the show from September 17, 2000, just before “the hiatus”. On that September night, Phish chose to open with Guyute, a technically complex song generally saved for later in the show. To put that into perspective, Phish has not opened a show in 3.0 with Guyute, and it occurred only once in 2.0. The first set quickly got interesting with Bathtub Gin. We all know Gin as a reliable workhorse, but it wasn't always the rock of the set for jams. Surely, this is a glimpse of what was to come, not because it's the most gorgeous Gin jam, but rather, because it displays the melodic stability common in 3.0 Gin powerhouses. Limb by Limb follows in kind - not a top version, but an admirable one - delivering a one-two punch of bounciness.

After a rousing Fluffhead in the first set - another song much less common in the late 1.0 era - Phish performed The Curtain. Some backstory - one of my "wish list" Phish songs for some time included "The Curtain With." It was a pie-in-the-sky wish, akin to another song on my wish-list, the original slow version arrangement of Rift. Glide II, a beautiful gem that appeared that the Lowell '95 show and was subsequently recorded for Billy Breathes, was permanently (?) shelved when part of the guitar line was transplanted into Guyute. In a similar vein, we all assumed, in our 1.0 minds, that The Curtain With was vivisected into The Curtain and Rift. In that era, there was a concept of "permanently retired", back before crazy bust outs. Other than a few curveballs at Big Cypress, we weren't used to long-shelved songs being raised from the dead.

A few months prior to the Merriweather show, Phish played The Curtain With for the first time in 1,178 shows. And when I found out the next day - yes, back then, often, we wouldn't know the setlist until the next day - I nearly fainted. Suddenly, my dream was in the realm of possibility. In early September, The Curtain emerged again, without the "With." So when the opening notes of The Curtain rung, I expected the more traditional without. At the end of the performance, instead of the rushed finishing "buh-duh-bum buh-duh-bum buh-duh-bum buh-duh-bum, buh-duh-bum buh-duh-bum buh-duh-bum buh-duh-bum, buh-duh-bum...." notes, the notes slowed. I, sitting Fish side under the pavilion, loosed a mighty scream. Along with what seems like just a few knowing souls understood, prior to the introductory notes, that we were about to receive the "With" treatment, only the second audience to do so in over 12 years.

To the modern Phish fan, The Curtain With is a standard part of the Phish repertoire. But at that moment, it was a glimpse into history. A majestic reward for the dedicated, a beautiful interlude for the uninitiated, and a strange Rift-y twist to the casual fan. It's not the best or most beautiful "With" played since its return, but it is gorgeous and must-hear for fans of the appendix section. That, and the fact that it remains one of the biggest surprises. It's impossible to recapture moments like that.

If The Curtain With was the surprise of the night, it was a jam in the second set that stands as the moment you should hear IINS. Set 2 opened with a powerful Rock and Roll, a 3.0 staple rager, wasn't always the vehicle is has since become. Witness this, one of the first times RnR really took off and cemented its role as a powerhouse. In fact, at about the 11:00 mark, Trey drops a Llama-like riff, and the song ignites. We get a Digital Delay Loop and some exploration. It was a good time to be a Phish fan, folks; in spite of leading up to the hiatus, the late summer tour was often times reported to be exhausting.

It wasn't just Rock and Roll putting smiles on faces, though, it slid into Theme From the Bottom. Now, I've got my issues with Theme. These days, the core part of the song - the post-second-chorus bridge that features Trey's grunge sound just grinding perfectly - it's often eliminated or, I'm sorry to say, just bungled entirely. This is a "pretty good" version - all of the emotion, if not all of the notes. When the bridge is properly executed, it makes the whole song worth it.

But what makes this Theme worth it isn't the bridge. It's the effortless bleeding into... what's this? It's Dog Log! Some sort of jazzy, off-time, high-hat heavy version. Dog Log was already somewhat of a rarity at the time, so it was extra special to see a unique version. It's fun and unlike any other Dog Log version, and definitely worth a listen for all fans.

The beautiful version of The Mango Song that follows is perfectly placed and equally capable of continuing the energy flow of the set. By now, we all know we're seeing one to remember. The jam that follows is Gordon-propelled. It's fearless in its use of space. This is the Phish that I love at its best. For me, it isn't screaming rapid-fire guitar that gets me - it's subtracting notes and connecting to heart strings. While this isn't a melody-rich jam, and it's not particularly dance-able, it's certainly bold in that it uses only a little participation from each instrument to construct a texture.

That texture smoothly transforms into Free, a ferocious, if overplayed, rock song. It was just the answer to the light jam that preceded it. As the end piece to a well-directioned set, it was just right. A rousing Contact > Rocky Top encore delivered a taste of Phishiness and a shot of zaniness, capping off my last pre-hiatus show perfectly.

Sure, there's a story about the insanity of the 1998 Sabotage. There's a story about the oft-forgotten 1999 showing. But there's a solid, multi-highlight show in the fall of 2000 that should not be ignored. If nothing else, check out the Theme > Dog Log > Mango. You won't be sorry.

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Comments

, comment by lumpblockclod
lumpblockclod So true about the Sabotage encore. Quite possibly the most insane three minutes I've ever experienced at a Phish show. Just an unimaginable release of energy, unlike anything else I can remember and, in an instant, it was done and all that was left were 18,000 open-mouthed fans staring at each other, speechless.

How could they ever top that?!? Of course the very next night they went out and encored with Terrapin Station....
, comment by whatstheuse324
whatstheuse324 Great post. I was able to make it to Hershey Park for the show before, 9/15/00, but couldn't make it down to Maryland. The first time I heard The Curtain With was on a tape from the late 80's, I don't remember which show, but I was blown away. Like the middle part of Divided Sky, I just feel like Trey is pouring his heart out through his guitar during the With. I was really happy that it made it to the Live in Vegas DVD that came out during the first hiatus.

My personal favorite Merriweather show was 6/27/10, aka the "I Saw It Again Show." It remains in my top ten favorite shows of all time, unbelievable song selection, high energy playing, it felt like a 90's show. It even had the Walfredo opener that my wife predicted! Great times.
, comment by HarborSeal
HarborSeal So where do we get the Sabotage story?

Great review! I loved the 9/17/00 show was great, especially the sequence you highlighted. That might be the greatest Mango that Phish has ever performed.

, comment by IamHIGHdrogen
IamHIGHdrogen My 16th bday!!! (I wasn't at the show though). Great write-up seemed like a magical night. I let out a similar scream of pure excitement/triumph for the Purple Rain bust-out last year!
, comment by bertoletdown
bertoletdown Translation: this venue is an armpit so here are some happy armpit memories.

Love it.
, comment by newbornelph
newbornelph Great read! MMP '00 was an excellent cap to a phenomenal year of Phish for me. We did Darien, Hershey, & MMP that "Fall"! This night was a blast!!!
, comment by Doctor_Smarty
Doctor_Smarty Wasn't there a particularly strong version of "Loving Cup" at this venue?
, comment by Dundun
Dundun Great writeup!

My third show; first impromptu one. Had no luck scoring tix for hours; found a pair from a scalper just as I was giving up. Real tickets at face; lucky for a bunch of inexperienced high schoolers; we made it in during the end of Guyute.

First time I saw Page do Lawn Boy; hahaha, he's a regular crooner. I'd heard Fluffhead before, but not like this. Crowd was mental. I was hooked.

Didn't comprehend the history of Curtain WITH but loved every second. The second set was awesome through and through. Dog Log. Mango. This ain't no regular rock 'n roll band.

The TIP!
, comment by MDosque
MDosque Thanks so much for that. I caught Hershey and MPP that year and really had a great time at this show. Funny little sidenote - for years I had this on CD and I wrote all the songs on the front. I put three huge stars next to the Moma Dance from set 1. Why? I don't really know as it's not a particularly standout version. I was personally feeling something kick in at that moment and I wanted to remember to note that. Hilarious. All in all, this was a GREAT show. I love the sequence from Theme on.

Also, why no love for the 3.0 shows there? The Saw It Again set was smoking and I'm actually a huge proponent of 6/12/11, as well.
, comment by tweezer
tweezer @Doctor_Smarty said:
Wasn't there a particularly strong version of "Loving Cup" at this venue?
I've still never listened to the fabled MPP Loving Cup on principle. Seriously. I will continue my holdout until further notice.
, comment by chefbrett
chefbrett What principle?
, comment by timbermike
timbermike Thank you so much for giving this show the proper treatment. I've played that Theme> DogLog> Mango for many good friends, who are surprised they've never heard it. As a veteran of MPP, appreciate & agree with love/hate. Looking forward to more love this summer.
, comment by Ravinus
Ravinus Great article. Thanks for giving Merriweather its much deserved and oft disregarded props. I've hit merriweather every year, starting with 98. It seems like a lot of the other venues get the hype sometimes. But merriweather shows are never ones to miss. 2000 was such a spectacular show beginning to end. Set 2 of 99 is a must listen too, loved that sweet emotion.
, comment by Ravinus
Ravinus And the sexual healing in 98...pure Fishman showmanship. ;)
, comment by Fikus
Fikus This post makes me want to immediately revisit early Fall '00.
, comment by FACTSAREUSELESS
FACTSAREUSELESS
Great writeup. I don't think Merriweather is an armpit at all, but it's a matter of perspective. I vividly remember seeing the Dead there in '85 perform the most electrifying version of Shakedown Street I've heard to this day. I remember all the hay and grass puffing into the air like dragon smoke as everyone danced and gyrated in bliss.

Phish's Merriweather shows in '11 were outstanding. Just saying.
, comment by finch460
finch460 @FACTSAREUSELESS said:
Phish's Merriweather shows in '11 were outstanding. Just saying.
THIS.
, comment by PinzYouInTheEye
PinzYouInTheEye I was just listening to this show again today. That first set was so jam packed that I had no idea what to expect for the second set. I can still feel the energy of the crowd that night when I listen to that segue into Dog Log. One of my favorite live moments I've witnessed.
, comment by TheEmu
TheEmu @tweezer said:
@Doctor_Smarty said:
Wasn't there a particularly strong version of "Loving Cup" at this venue?
I've still never listened to the fabled MPP Loving Cup on principle. Seriously. I will continue my holdout until further notice.
It's really quite good.

Great writeup, Adam!
, comment by johnnyd
johnnyd Great writeup, @sethadam1. Never listened to this one; giving it a spin now.

Yet another armpit that I really hope to visit someday. Admittedly, behind the armpit of Camden on the list, but still...
, comment by Icculus
Icculus Thank you Adam! Merriweather has a mixed rep, but it is largely because of the traffic in and out. I missed most of 8/8/98's first set because of the traffic and bailed on the second largely because of the mood that traffic (and a Cavern second set opener) put me in.

For the last few MPP shows I've attended, I stayed at one of the hotels that are a pleasant walk away. Very worth the coin. Really makes a difference in the overall experience of the show/venue/scene.

I'm still looking for a Saturday MPP 7/13 pit ticket for myself... yes, I know, "Good luck." Thank you.
, comment by phunky58
phunky58 MPP is one of my favorite venues on the east coast along with the mann center in philly, bethel, and Canandaigua. The only negative about merriweather is that security can be an absolute bitch. That being said I plan on being there with bells on. p.s. I also love the "armpit" that is Camden. but for reasons that don't need to be discussed on here. In the end anywhere that phish plays I consider a just fine venue. can't wait for tour
, comment by Kodiakfloyd
Kodiakfloyd Great write-up. Im can picture the excitement when the first few notes of "With" start up. Such a beautiful melodic ending which would have been a proud moment for anyone there waiting to be embraced "With" it.
, comment by MiguelSanchez
MiguelSanchez Good write up. Merriweather '00 is easily my favorite show of that tour. Merriweather is high up on my list of venues I've never been to that I need to get to. They play such awesome weird odd ball shows there. '98, '00, and '10 are some of my favorite shows in their respective year.
, comment by bertoletdown
bertoletdown @FACTSAREUSELESS said:
Great writeup. I don't think Merriweather is an armpit at all, but it's a matter of perspective. I vividly remember seeing the Dead there in '85 perform the most electrifying version of Shakedown Street I've heard to this day. I remember all the hay and grass puffing into the air like dragon smoke as everyone danced and gyrated in bliss.

Phish's Merriweather shows in '11 were outstanding. Just saying.
Saw a bunch of great shows there. Lawn even. Holds many memories. It probably takes more guff than it deserves, but it deserves some, no?
, comment by bertoletdown
bertoletdown @MiguelSanchez said:
Good write up. Merriweather '00 is easily my favorite show of that tour. Merriweather is high up on my list of venues I've never been to that I need to get to. They play such awesome weird odd ball shows there. '98, '00, and '10 are some of my favorite shows in their respective year.
Yeah, this is a super important point. Phish always gets really strange at Merriweather. That's never a bad thing.
, comment by FACTSAREUSELESS
FACTSAREUSELESS
Saw a bunch of great shows there. Lawn even. Holds many memories. It probably takes more guff than it deserves, but it deserves some, no?[/quote]

Yeah, it does in so many practical, common-sense ways. Sort of the same way as the old Boston Garden. But the memories....
, comment by dscott
dscott Much love for Merriweather from this former denizen of Bawlmer, Merlin! Much easier to navigate the traffic & parking from that side, as opposed to coming from DC. (My go-to option is to park in the Columbia Mall lot, chill there, and then wander in a venuewardly direction when I'm good & ready.) Law enfarcement can be on the enthusiastic side in the venue lots, swooping in on golf carts to haul adults away for sitting near an open bottle of beer. If you plan on making merry despite the weather (i.e. the heat), then be discreet, and use restraint that you've needed less of before!

The 9/17/00, 6/26+27/10, and 8/8/98 MPP shows were plenty good, as others have mentioned. You can't go wrong with any of those - well, unless you have the bizarre opinion that a certain one-off cover from 6/26/10 was anything less than a heartfelt, cathartic masterpiece. My favorite show from this venue is 7/9/99 - an underrated gem which features spirited jamming (Mike's Song!), soulful guitar accents on Trey's part, and some nutty hijinks (Macarena teases in Weekapaug).

Yes, I'm down with MPP!
, comment by westbrook
westbrook First of all, MPP is my hometown venue, so I definitely enjoy shows there. Secondly, I've never had a problem with traffic getting into the venue. Maybe it's because I get in relatively early? I also drive in Rt. 175/Little Patuxent Parkway. If you have traffic issues on Rt.29, you may want to use Rt.175/Little Patuxent Parkway instead.
, comment by FACTSAREUSELESS
FACTSAREUSELESS Don't think the citizens of Prague were complaining about the venue when the boys played there in '98. Once the music starts, it's all just parking lot chatter.
, comment by Runaway_Jeff
Runaway_Jeff Aside from lot security, I love mpp. The second 2010 show was a highlight of the tour. Maybe of 3.0
, comment by Just_Ivy
Just_Ivy How many other sheds have been immortalized by Phish in song like MPP? For some reason, they seem to love playing there. I heard that it's been somewhat remodeled but haven't seen it firsthand yet. HoCo cops can bring the vibe down, but walking through the little wooded pathway back into the venue from the lot has always served to separate the show from the rest of life/time/the universe for me which is always welcome.

See you guys there!
, comment by nichobert
nichobert I love how MPP 98 inexplicably got a lot of love afterwards..Then MPP 2000 which was almost twice as long and 10 times as good kinda flew under the radar.

Even weirder since MPP slaughtered that last American run and Summer 98 was strong.

Maybe i'm misremembering?

I'm really curious to see if the last MPP shows were a fluke occurence, or if it's really going to be that relaxed again going forward. They didn't even check my ticket going in. Everyone nice as can be at the venue, no police problems for once.

2 more shows like that and i'll start forgetting about the time some wook threw a bottle at a horse cop that was standing right next to me.
, comment by nichobert
nichobert My favorite strange thing from MPP..

When they opened with Crowd Control one year, and everyone just biiiiitched and biiiitched.

And then the next year..They opened with it again. And all these "old school heads" chose to be all "I'm fucking done with this band, why would they open with this piece of shit song again?!" instead of the seemingly obvious "hahaha Phish is great!"

What makes it weirder is that I didn't realize how many people were mad about the Crowd Control thing until AFTER the 2nd night when they apparently had to drive home the point with a whole set built around I Saw It Again.

I kinda hope none of those people ever came back. More room for 18 year old kids who'd have more fun than the vets would any day. Phish could play a 6 hour Gamehenge with jams that split the fucking earth in two and poke at the gooey candy center and I'm pretty certain the "Fuck Crowd Control" crowd would be on their phones txting their heady friends about how lame people are. "These kids haven't even changed the way they're dancing since Gamehenge started! WTF BRO. I miss the old days bro. I'm gonna tweet about this, then post about it on facebook, then take an instagram of how these kids aren't even GETTING IT. It's amateur hour around here. Well shit, let me go get some beers first. Always gotta get beers if I'm going to talk and txt through the whole show and somehow act like the mere fact that i've seen Phish a bunch and know the words makes me better than people having a zillion times more fun than me and not even knowing what the band's name is"
, comment by nichobert
nichobert Also.. that 9/17/00 Guyute is tits on a dolphin weird too. Doesn't the "Bouncing Like A Newborn Elf" thing get a little weirder and a minute or 2 longer than usual?

It's my home venue. Portsmouth might be just as close.. I really wish that Portsmouth was as weird as it could be. With the battleships on the horizon and the overall small size of it. It always felt like a place where Phish would dig in and get nasty too.

I've always wanted to go to Blossom. That seems like a kindred spirit with MPP as far as the kind of shows they play there. The Blossom Possum / Steam debut set couldn't feel more MPP if it tried!

Oh, and I made a dozen "40 Minute Bouncin" signs at MPP last time.. i really need to make some more this time, but go overkill to the point where people absolutely hate me.

It's weird that the signs have caught on..but not like REALLY caught on to where the crowd is trolling the band. I have vivid fantasies of the crowd holding up a whole setlist, and if Phish deviates in any manner, we just fucking guillotine them. I mean. Jesus. Here we are now. Entertain us.
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