Coventry Simulcast Reviews
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please review the show, not the other reviews....
Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 00:18:04 -0500
From: Peter Runge
Subject: Phish show review - 8-15-04
Well, I was only able to catch Coventry at the SimulCast in Lincolnshire,
IL (Theater 10); but I would still like to share my opinion on the last
Phish performance. First of all, I am by no means a "veteran phan." I have
only seen the boys 4 times (Alpine Valley 03 and 04) so I can't say that
Phish is something that I've dedicated most of my life to. I can however
say that since I was introduced to Phish in January '03, my life changed
and it has indeed been the best year and a half of my life. I love Phish
almost more than anything and I would have done anything to go to Coventry
(unfortunately, my grandma had to have major surgery that weekend).
On to the review: The energy before the show was incredible, IN THE MOVIE
THEATER. Wow. It still hadn't hit me that this was really the end of Phish
yet. I felt good because I had snuck in about 20 ticketless 'heads on
accident (I opened the backdoor for em). As soon as they stepped onstage
Mr. Anastasio busted into Mike's. Very cool! A fiery old-school style
Mike's. Hydrogen was NAILED; very good sign of things to come. Weekapaug
was hot. Things were looking up. Trey stepped up to the mic and said
something like "I was just talking to Page and well, I've never been
nervous before a show; never. But today I'm a little nervous. So thanks
for all coming out here." I wasn't sure what to think of that so I just
cheered at the screen along with the rest of the theater. Anything was a
very nice breather and I loved watching Trey's solo up close on the
SimulCast. Cool. I turned to my friend Matt and said "has to be Reba." 3
seconds later, bam. Wahoo! Prior to this tune, just about everyone had
been sitting down (much unlike Saturday when the theater was bouncing) and
I was far past antsy so I jumped up and claimed a little territory over to
the left side of the theater and pretty soon lots of people were dancing
with me! Neato. The boys were ON and Reba smoked; very beautiful.
WHISTLING! Haven't done that since IT. A treat. Right after that they
stomped right into Carini! Yeah, it was sloppy, but they really tried to
jam it so I was really happy with it. CDT! Trey was a little wobbly but I
don't mind. Everyone just has to look past these little mistakes and stop
taking Phish for granted. I thought Chalk Dust was really fun. Sure, Trey
skipped a verse and the jam wasn't quite ripping it up, but they got past
that and started getting spacey. Just recently I have begun to LOVE
spacey, exploratory, "spaceship Phish 2004" jams. They really are
spectacular. This one was great! And a wonderful segue into Possum. Your
end is the road, indeed. They all nailed the jam. Wow. Wolfman's started
up and the theater was jumping! FUNKY. Page started getting really cool
sounds so Trey and Mike went out and got their mothers and did the "sexy
bump dance." Hilarious! Then they brought out Paluska and double-teamed
him. Funny stuff. Trey and Mike then had an amazing duet before they all
brought it back to the Wolfman's ending. > into Taste. Trey stumbled a
little on the intro but it wasn't bad. Taste was beautiful; flaming. GREAT
way to close out the set. I had an amazing time!
I don't know if you want to read about my personal mishap during setbreak
so if you don't care, skip to the next paragraph: As soon as I left the
theater I checked to make sure that I had my ticket stub (cause you needed
both your stub and a hand stamp for reentry). Unfortunately, it was gone!
Well, that didn't bug me much because I knew I wouldn't have a really hard
time sneaking back in, but I still complained to the woman at the door to
the theater. She said that I could not reenter even with the stamp.
Luckily, a kind man named d'Phillip (if you ever read this, THANK YOU! And
give me an email ([email protected])) who works at the theater said
that he would get me in once the woman was gone. Once Al, Matt, and I had
gotten some tasty subs at Potbelly's, we returned and we had an easy
little plan to sneak me in, no problem. But when we came in, d'Phillip was
there and he said he would get me my own stub. This WONDERFUL man got me
the other end of a stub and personally told all of the women outside of
BOTH doors that there was a kid with the wrong end of a stub but to let
him in anyways! Thanks man, you're great! Anyhow...
I was REALLY happy at this point and I was pumped for whatever Phish was
going to play. I was predicting a Tweezer set II opener. Mike however had
different plans. He started creating those beautiful psychadelic waves...
DISEASE! I snuck in some more guys through the back so I was feeling
great. Mike pounded out that line we all know and love and the guys all
jumped in beautifully. I was loving this! Everyone was singing along and
jumping around and dancing up a storm. A great moment. The chorus applies
perfectly in this situation. Trey blazed through the ecstasy lick and we
in Coventry a glowstick war erupted. Trey caught two mini glowsticks and
used them to play his guitar for a REALLY cool jam that lasted a while too
before he ripped back into the ecstasy lick for a few go-rounds before
blasting us into outer space. The Disease jam was SPECTACULAR. I
absolutely loved the feeling of exploration and the space. Out of one
final space jam came Wading. Page nailed the opening and everything was
rolling along really well until the verses began. Page tried to sing the
verse but he broke down and cried and Trey had to help him out. I was in
shock. It still hadn't hit me that this is really the end and I was having
such a great time. It really brought me back to Earth when Page got so
emotional. I was just numb. Tears came to my eyes but I really felt no
emotion. Now whenever I have heard a Wading since, I just break down and
cry. This is when it started to hit me. Trey got the solo just right and
Page was sooo determined; tears were pouring down his cheeks. I was kind
of dizzy and lightheaded. I was sort of overcome with emotions so I was
happy when the crowd started a Page chant and he said thanks. Glide was
definitely a good choice. I loved seeing it broken out at Alpine and I
loved seeing it here. Trey flubbed the lick at first and we all had a good
chuckle. I didn't care. During Glide, d'Phillip came into our theater to
watch. I was so glad to see him! I ran up to him and said "Thank you so
much! This is incredible!" And he just smiled and said, "no problem."
After Glide, each member of the band (Trey then Page then Mike and then
Fish) all said their thank you's. It was really touching. Trey took the
mic again and started to talk. Something like "thank you all so much. I
remember when we started to play... way back before we knew this is what
we wanted to do for life. We all thought we knew so much about music...
and, and about life. (Trey started to cry about here) I'm sorry, up here
we're all going through a lot of emotional ups and downs and confusion as
I'm sure you are. What we need to do now is just blow off some fucking
steam." The crowd erupted into cheers and people yelling "we love you!" It
was at this moment that I realized just how big Phish and this music is.
So much bigger than any of us; so powerful. I remember d'Phillip looking
both severely depressed and outrageously happy at the same time. That's
how we all felt. Fish kicked in the SOAMelt groove and we were on our way.
The standard Melt jam raged and was really cool but the boys took it into
Type II mode and we had ourselves an INCREDIBLE jam! Just an emotion
rollercoaster; just blowing off steam. Fish was crying during the jam.
What drive these guys have, eh? Wow this jam just took the cake. And
Trey's feedback jam at the end was amazing. Ghost was exactly the same
way as SOAMelt; an emotional rollercoaster and blowing off more steam. It
was really exploratory too. This 2 song, 45 minute + combination is, to
me, what Phish is really all about. That musical exploration and the highs
and lows and the incredible peaks, the beautiful space, and all the rest.
YOU MUST HEAR THE SECOND SET.
Setbreak everyone was full of emotion; really sad but incredibly excited
at the same time. I forgot what we did, I think just hung out. On our way
back in we saw everyone had glowsticks. Saweeeeeeeet! On Saturday there
had only been 3 glowsticks and the cops had taken em; so much for that.
Before the set Al, Matt, and I talked to d'Phillip some more and also a
kind girl who wanted a red Skittle. It turned out d'Phillip was a former
deadhead and he told us how lucky we were to have Phish ending like this.
d'Phillip's first Phish show was in '87. Wow! He said he remembers seeing
Peaches En Regalia and thinking how much potential these guys had. He also
told us that he had brought one of the kids in the theater to his first
Phish show when he was just a toddler and how he had held the kid above
his head during Divided Sky and how big of a moment that was. What a cool
dude!
As my 4 favorite people in the whole wide world (except for God and one
other person) took the stage for what would be the second last time EVER,
a wave of emotion swept over me. All of a sudden, they just started up
Fast Enough. It caught me completely off-guard and I loved it. It was like
they were talking to us. "It's what I was afraid of, I stumbled into view.
But it isn't nearly fast enough for you." It was emotional. Then the broke
into 7Below. Just recently (after the phenomenal Alpine '04 version) I
have become a huge fan of this song. Everyone (at least, the ones who were
standing, about 1/2 of the theater) was jumping around and dancing. At
this point, everyone who had brought glowsticks let 'em loose. It was
CRAZY! So much fun!!!! I never thought I would ever see a glowstick war in
a movie theater, but here it was! The cops tried to stop us, but there
were too many. It was incredible! There were lots of the glowsticks too!
And when d'Phillip (who works at the theater, remember) threw 'em back at
us, we all went nuts! I don't even remember what the music was like in
7Below, I just remember it being ambient and spacey nice with Trey yelling
"SEVEN BELOW!" Incredibly fun in the theater! When the jam landed in
Simple, the theater erupted. Everyone was jumping and singing along. Sure,
the boys flubbed the lyrics pretty badly, but they put their hearts into
it and we LOVED it. The jam was beautiful and quiet. Just how I like my
Simple's. When this jam wound down, Trey started up Piper. I LOVE Piper.
Riding the worm! The verses came and went quickly and Trey just SMOKED the
jam. I mean, he ripped it up. This worm was groovin'! They got into a
really cool groove and stuck with it. Trey started talking about the sound
guy no one knows about... BRUNO! The Bruno dance was really funny;
turning the knobs. I loved it! Trey thanked the rest of the crew and then
started the Dickie Scotland song. MAN this was great! The crowd loved it.
Once the jam wound to a close, Trey made a comment and kicked in Wilson.
THE THEATER WENT WILD! They really played as hard as they could. It was
incredible. > into... SLAVE. Hose. That's all I have to say. And the boys
took a big bow out front and left the stage.
Fireworks. Very cool.
As they entered the stage for the VERY LAST TIME, I was numb. I couldn't
feel any emotion. I had predicted either Fluffhead or The Curtain With as
a closer (on the contest) but at that point it really didn't matter. Trey
made a great speech. Turns out the last song ever is.... The Curtain With!
I was still numb. It was a beautiful version. And then they left. I was
still numb. There was no postshow music. Just cheering. Thousands upon
thousands of people who had placed this band at the top of their
priorities for years. We were all confused, lost, sad. But what an
incredible way to go out.
THANK YOU PHISH
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 08:08:33 -0400
From: Christopher Kelley
Subject: Coventry Simulcast Review
I have seen Phish about twenty times over the years. I'm no "expert" like
some of you here, but I can give a fairly objective report on a band I've
enjoyed for fiftteen years.The first time I saw them was in a tiny
nightclub. The last time I saw them was at Big Cypress. They were always
one of my favorite live bands, consistently delivering the high-wire
compositions and telepathic jams for which they were so well-known. I went
to the simulcast with high expectations...
Firts, let me say that the production values of the simulcast were
incredible. Multiple split-screens, swooping camera shots of the crowd,
perfect surround sound mix, etc. That was where the fun ended, though.
I had to work both days, and only caught the last set of the last show.
For the first few minutes, I was really digging it. The sound, the crowd,
and the excitement combined to convince me that I was in for a good time.
Then I started to notice how off Trey was. Flubbing vocals, playing
weakly, stubling around. I suggested to my friend that if Trey could keep
his hands off his nose for a few minutes, he might actually be able to
play a solo. Sadly, he just got worse and worse. By the time he came back
for the encore, he was trashed. Itchy, heavy-lidded, rubbing his nose, and
babbling like an idiot. I stayed until the end, but I don't know why I
bothered. It was a sad end for the once mighty Phish.
For those of you who think that Trey's behavior was fueled by "emotion,"
all I can say is that you're naive, or stupid, or both. Trey obviously has
a very serious substance abuse problem. I thought it was incredibly
selfish and insulting to his bandmates and his fans that he made such a
fool of himself and ruined the last show. What a missed opportunity to go
out on top.
Thanks for the chance to let me be heard
lovecraft
p.s.- Trey, for the sake of your family, please get the help you need.
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 13:24:02 -0700
From: Tom Smare
Subject: 8/18/04
�
I've been a fan of Phish since 1993, seeing all my shows on the West
Coast over the years. I've never written a review before, but after
seeing the final show from a movie theater 3000 miles away and reading
the early reviews, I am compelled to write one now.�
�
As a long time fan of the Grateful Dead I watched that amazing group
wither from their true greatness of the late 60s�& 70s into the bloated,
drug�addled "Grateful Dead Show" they became the last 10 years of their
career. After seeing 8 post-hiatus Phish shows it was obvious to me that
something was not right and I was certain that the same thing�that
happened to the Dead was going to happen to Phish, so even though I was
sad when Trey announced the breakup, I�was also�proud that this band I
love had the foresight to see what was happening and the balls to do
something about it.
�
As for the final show, I thought the first set was mostly the band I have
seen the past two years. They looked and sounded tired, with slips and
mistakes throughout the set. With the pressure the boys must have been
feeling this was understandable and was what I expected. It did seem that
during Carrini Trey relaxed and I thought Chalkdust Torture was fine, but
everything else was just there.
�
I thought the second set was where it happened. The band hit the stage
with a fire and intensity that showed they were now face to face with the
bands mortality, and the Down With Disease opener was a ripping reminder
of what this band could be at their best. But when Page was overcome by
his emotions and couldn't sing the words to Velvet Sea, this show became
a classic. This is a song that for me has always represented the worst of
Phish, a sappy ballad with silly words that I have always made jokes
about or used to refresh myself at shows. On this night however it was an
amazing example of how true emotion can take people to their highest. Now
I will always love this song because of the was it was played that night.
�
After the band made their individual good-byes and Trey fumbled through
an emotional attempt to explain 21 years in 30 seconds, he said, "Let us
blow off some steam" and the band put their heads down and showed us all
one more time what made Phish the awesome, truly serious musical group
they were. There were no trampolines or vacuum cleaners, no silly
choreography or nuttiness. Split Open & Melt and then Ghost were played
in the best tradition of Phish. I've seen them play this well and much
better in the past, but with all the baggage attached to this performance
and the emotion of the moment it became some of the�greatest Phish I've
ever seen. When the set was over there were 300 people in a generic movie
theater in Dublin, CA on their feet cheering and applauding the band we
all love.
�
I thought the third set was well played, and the final song was performed
with the total class these boys have always shown, but for me the second
set of the final show is what I'll remember.
�
For those of you who were there it sounds like�the event�was a major
hassle, and your reviews seem to show unrealistic expectations. We always
want to make our heroes into Icons that will come through perfectly for
us�every time, but there is a reason this band is breaking up, and to
expect them to suddenly put on a show that would live up to "THE LAST
SHOW OF ALL TIME!!!"�isn't really fair. These could not have been easy
shows for them to play and I thought that considering the pressure,
intense emotions and distractions they must have indured they played
better that I expected.�
�
To all Phishheads, let's not be sad for what we've lost, but be happy and
eternally grateful for what we had. These kinds of bands don't come along
very often, how lucky are we who got to experience this phenomenon called
Phish? Thank you Jon, Page, Mike & Trey, it has been truly great. And a
personal thanks to my friend Randy for�working hard to turn me on to
these guys 11 years ago. I'm much the better for the experience.
�
So now there's just one question remaining... who's next?
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 12:38:18 -0400
From: "Cameny, Joshua"
Subject: Phish show review Coventry Simulcast
I attended the simulcast in Marlborough Mass and I would like to say that
the sound and video quality was excellent.� This was my first phish show
ever after years of attempting to make time to see one and I was
splendidly impressed.�
On another note I would like to say the horrible reviews that I have read
are a disgrace and an insult to the Phish community.� We should be happy
for the years of everlasting music that this great band has given us.� I
now truly understand why Phish is breaking up and congratulate them on a
great career and wish them happiness in every aspect of life.
~Josh~
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 06:31:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Chris Peterson
Subject: 8/12 Camden & 8/14 Coventry Simulcast
I never thought I would ever write a review here, but
after reading the crap some of these spoiled, angry,
and selfish people have written about Trey and Phish
in general I can't help myself. The fact remains that
Phish has given it's fans more in the last 20+ years
than any band ever did or will, ever. PERIOD. Because
of a few flubs (or even many flubs) people are writing
that Trey has a substance-abuse problem? Are you
kidding me? Honestly? I was at the Camden show and I
thought it rocked. Sure, they didn't hit every note,
but the overall energy was amazing, and I just don't
see where people can complain about the quality of
this show. As far as Coventry goes, I was at
Saturday's simulcast and yes, the 3rd set was
definetly lacking as far as hitting every note in the
composed sections of the songs, but the energy and
emoition was there big time. To say that you feel
cheated by Phish, and by Trey in particular just
sounds wrong to me. Everyone has their own opinion,
and I respect that people's thoughts and feelings are
all different, but to attack Trey personally is just
plain wrong. Who are any of you to judge him and say
he needs help? I'm sorry, but after reading some of
these attacks on Trey I just had to write. Did any of
you who went on and on about how Trey ripped you off
and blah blah blah even stop to consider that maybe he
wasn't drunk, or high, or anything like that? Have any
of you ever been in his position? Perhaps he was just
exhausted and nervous for the first time in 20 years.
No, that never crossed your minds did it? All I know
is that IF (and I know that's a BIG if) they do ever
come back, I hope all of you who are so ready to say
fuck you to Trey and accuse him of all these reasons
why he didn't hit every note will stay home and save
all of us from listening to your whining. Thank you
Trey, Jon, Mike, and Page for all you've ever given to
us. The world truly is a darker place now that you're
gone.
-Chris Peterson
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 12:32:16 -0400
From: Kevin Ginsberg
Subject: Phish show review
Twenty-somethingth show (this one simulcast from Garner, NC), first
attempt at review. I always have the context for any show that whatever
they do is perfect and I don^�t have the musical background to give much
technical critique anyway. They can hum on a kazoo or burp the alphabet
and I love it. That said, I^�ve never seen but minor errors before, and
this show was filled with major flubs. And THAT said, I didn^�t and
don^�t care, whether it was my first show, or their last. Jerry flubbed
up much worse and much more frequently in his last couple of decades and
still breathed out brilliance.
I have remarked to some that my grieving process with this has been more
difficult than with lost grandparents or my dog, Stogie, who died two
weeks ago today (lost a dog and Phish within 10 days). Those I told that
to all told me not to tell too many people that. So I^�m posting a
review. The reason though is that they (grandparents and dog) were all
real old and it was their time. And they are actually dead. It^�s hard to
get past the denial stage when our foursome are barely 40 and still
kicking. THAT said, I continue to create the context that it is all
perfect, and, as Mike says, to give up resisting and let be what will be,
and I love the new sounds they are coming up with in their own respective
endeavors. Trey particularly has some great songs and I like Vida Blue^�s
and Oysterhead^�s sound, too.
Set 1
Mike's Song -> A predictible opener. Mike seemed to be repressing his
emotions and in need of a cry early, but that might just be me. He^�s
always got a freed up stoicness to him, but this time it wasn^�t
freed up. I wanted to see him cry like a baby. Maybe that^�s just
what I needed to do.
I am Hydrogen -> I am glad they returned to this the last however
many times they played Mikes-whatever-Weeakapaug. One of their
beautiful melodies that along with YEM, Divided Sky, FEFY, Guyute
(already done by Trey) and many, many others would make a great
purely orchestral CD.
Weekapaug Groove -> I^�ve always rooted for an entire show sandwiched
by Mikes opener and Weekapaug encore or final set closer, maybe with
a Tweezer second song and Tweezer reprise second to last song, and a
gamehendge set in between, but nothing wrong with this Weekapuag
groove or placement.
Anything But Me -> One of the nice newer songs that will never see
it^�s full potential.
Reba -> Didn^�t expect this in last show. This one became more
special after they shelved it for about a year. My friend/cousin who
had only been to one show before (New Orleans Jazzfest) didn^�t
really like this one but couldn^�t believe it was the same song when
they started to whistle!
Carini -> Another one not expected in last show, but one of their
ways of playing tribute.
Chalkdust Torture -> Some word flubbing in here. There are so many
freaking words in so many songs for them to remember.
Possum -> Just such a brilliant song.
Wolfman's Brother* -> Fun introduction by Trey, explaining that Fishman
was the Wolfman^�s brother and saying who Liz was!
jam (the sexy bump)** -> Fun.
Wolfman's Brother ->
Taste -> Nice set ending.
Set 2
Down With Disease*** -> "Waiting for the time when I can finally say,
^�This has all been wonderful but now I^�m on my way^�" took on new
meaning.
Wading in the Velvet Sea**** -> All of a sudden, I love this song
after seeing Page choke up in emotion over his solo. This is a great
song that a lot of phans including me didn^�t love at first. Am glad
they kept playing it if they liked it even if some phans didn^�t.
Glide -> Fun.
[band speech]
Split Open and Melt -> Hate that I just had to go to bathroom during
some of this. One of the best songs to get down and dirty with.
jam (blowing off steam) ->
Ghost -> Whatever happened to Dogs Stole? I thought that was a great
song from this album that they never play.
Set 3
Fast Enough for You -> Great rendition. I play this on my newborn
son^�s digital photo album.
Seven Below -> Another great newer song that would still be growing
and evolving.
Simple -> One of the ones I picked for a final ever song. Major lyric
flubbing and some musical flubbing, too.
Piper -> No slow build-up on this one, but great jam in end.
Bruno***** -> Very fun spontaneous seeming song creation as tribute
to crew.
Dickie Scotland****** -> See Bruno.
Wilson - You knew this was coming next. Awesome. Again, "Can you
still have fun" took on new meaning.
Slave to the Traffic Light - Technique-wise, the best song of the
night. My cousin had never heard it before and was very impressed.
[fireworks]
Encore
[Trey speech]
The Curtain With - More flubbing with Trey stopping the band to get
in right key. Great finale. Didn^�t/wouldn^�t have guessed it but in
retrospect the right choice with the "have no regrets" lyrics. I
figured at that time based on songs played the last two nights that
Squirming Coil or Divided Sky was the last song. Had Sanity or
something crazy like that as the dark horse possibility, but The
Curtain With was right choice.
By guys, and thanks for a great ride. You taught me how to be in the
moment and how to move my body to the groove.
�
�
�
�
Kevin Ginsberg
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 01:30:51 +0000 (GMT)
From: tbincali
Subject: Phish show review - Aug 14
-----------------------------------------------------------
I couldn't make it to the show and the simulcast theaters were sold out so
I got myself a portable XM radio. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a warm
Saturday afternoon (and into the evening), I sat down by myself and
listened to my favorite band say good bye. Musically, the show was poor.
I had a vision of Trey as Marty McFly playing at the Enchantment Under The
Sea Dance. I felt like he was literally fading from the stage. The other
three seemed to play very well and it sounded as if Fishman was working
extra hard to keep things going. At times, even he couldn^�t keep the
show together. That being said, I was very glad to be a part of the last
show. Without any images of the show to look at, my mind wandered over
the last 10 years of my life as a fan and as a person. I revisited long
road trips with a barely audible Phish cassettes crackling through my
car^�s speakers. I went back to Vegas and was engulfed, with a euphoric
grin wiped across my face, by the best arena
^�wave^� ever performed. I went back to Limestone and watched a fire
orange sky accented by a white glider looping through the foreground. As
time passes, I won^�t remember Saturday^�s show musically, but I will
remember the emotion Phish evoked in my mind^�s eye that day and the
thousands of hours they have in the past. That feeling will never end.
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 08:43:30 -0500
From: Peter Vickerman
Subject: Phish show review
Coventry 8-15-04
�
I watched the last show via simulcast and like most was disappointed in
much of the way Trey played and sang (worst Glide and Simple ever).� At
times he was unbelievable though and his work with the glowsticks on his
guitar was one of the most amazing things I've seen.� Most of the jam was
played with glowsticks, at times sliding them around, other times
picking, and other times rhythmically hitting his guitar (like they were
drum sticks).� It may have been hard to see at the show itself, but in
the theater it was truly one of the most outstanding moments Phish
moments I have ever experienced.
�
Peter Vickerman
Hopkins, Minnesota
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:23:27 EDT
From: VivianSmare
Subject: Phish show review
I've been a fan since 1993, seeing all my shows on the West Coast over
the years. I've never written a review before, but after seeing the final
show from a theater 3000 miles away, I am compelled to write one now. As
a long time fan of the Grateful Dead I watched that amazing group wither
from their true greatness of the 70s into the bloated, drug riddled
"Grateful Dead Show" they became the last 10 years of their career. After
seeing 8 post-hiatus Phish shows it was obvious to me that something was
not right and I was certain that the same thing was going to happen to
Phish, so when Trey announced the breakup I was sad, but proud that this
band I love had the foresight to see what was happening and the balls to
do something about it. As for the final show, I thought that the first
set was mostly the band I have seen the past two years. They looked and
sounded tired, with slips and mistakes throughout the set. With the
pressure the boys must have been feeling this was understandable. It did
seem that during Carrini Trey relaxed and I thought Chalkdust Torture was
fine, everything else was just there. The second set was where it ALL
happened. They hit the stage with a fire and intensity that showed they
were now face to face with the bands mortality, and the Down With Desease
opener was a ripping reminder of what this band could be at their best.
But when Page was overcome by his emotions and couldn't sing the words to
Velvet Sea, this event became a classic. This is a song that for me has
always represented the worst of Phish, a sappy ballad with silly words
that I have always made jokes about or used to refresh myself. On this
night however it was an amazing example of how true emotion can take
people to their highest. Now I will always love this song because of the
way it was played that night. After the band made their individual
good-byes and Trey fumbled through an emotional attempt to explain 21
years in 30 seconds, he said, "Let us work some things out" and the band
put their heads down and showed us all what made Phish the truly awesome,
serious musical group they were. There were no trampolines or vacuum
cleaners, no silly choreography or nuttiness. Split Open And Melt and
then Ghost were played in the best tradition of Phish. I've seen them
play this well in the past, but with all the baggage attached to this
performance and the emotion of the moment it became some of the greatest
music I've ever seen. It left me physically and emotionally drained, and
when the set was over 300 people in a generic movie theater in Dublin, CA
were on their feet, cheering and applauding the band we all love. I
thought the third set was excellent as well, and the final song was
played with the total class these boys have always shown, but for me the
second set of the final show is what I'll remember. For those of you who
were there, way to go. To all Phishheads, let's not be sad for what we've
lost, but be happy and eternally grateful for what we had. These kinds of
bands don't come along very often, how lucky are we who got to experience
this phenomenon called Phish? Thank you Jon, Page, Mike & Trey, it has
been truly great. And a personal thanks to my friend Randy for turning me
on to these guys 11 years ago. I'm much the better for the experience. So
now there's just one question remaining ... who's next?
Lance Newberry
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 14:57:10 -0400
From: "Jost, Lane"
Subject: Phish show review - 8.15.04
8.15.04
Coventry, VT
(via Union Sq. Theaters, NYC)
�
We all felt ambivalent, but fortunate to be seeing the last show from a
movie theater.� After expecting there to be somewhat of a scene outside
the theater near Union Square, we were all left a little bit
disappointed, as there was just one sole hippie chick (more on that
later) perusing Broadway.� Once in the theater, the vibe was a little
lackluster-people munching on popcorn as if preparing to see some painful
Hollywood film (I just suffered through Collateral).
�
The video feed was on as I walked in, with the familiar sight of the
stage, the burning candles, and of course Trey's vintage Languedoc guitar
hanging next to his rig.� Very shortly after we arrived, the lights
dimmed and the camera panned to the band walking towards the back of the
stage.� This is where the benefit of the close camera angles became
apparent.� Before the band even stepped on the stage, you could get a
sense of their mood as they strode nonchalantly towards the stage.� Trey
was rapping with Fish, Page was sucking on a Bud, and Mike was straggling
behind.� He actually had to jog to catch up with everyone else, which
elicited applause in the theater.� Once onstage, it was almost like any
other opening set moment-Trey methodically picked up his guitar and
dropped the opening lick to Mike's Song, without as much as a word or a
gesture to his band mates.
Set 1
�
Mike's Song > I am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Anything But Me, Reba,
Carini > Chalkdust > "Evil Trey Jam 1" > Possum, Wolfman's Brother > "The
Sexy Bump"> Taste
�
After a rousing Mike's Groove, replete with a smooth "Hydrogen" and a
very melodic "Weekapaug," the band started up a very slow, almost
motown-like number, which ended up being "Anything But Me" - a song much
deplored by headies.� This was the first moment of the night when you
knew it wasn't just any other show.� Before singing, Trey acknowledged to
the crowd how nervous he felt walking out onstage, and how it had been a
long time since he had ever felt that way at a Phish concert.� Fighting
off the tears and the butterflies, he made his way through the thoughtful
ditty.� Putting the requisite contemplative number behind him, Trey then
led he band through some more familiar prog-rock territory, with "Reba,"
"Carini," "Chalkdust," before settling in for one final pass at the
southern fried boogie of "Possum."� As with many of the band's more
composed pieces on Sunday night, "Reba" suffered from multiple missed
notes and just plain botched phrases.� Many "phans" have probably already
weighed in heavily with their righteous criticism and disdain, but I just
don't feel the same motivation to rail on band for missing changes.�
Sure, it's sad to see this happen, but just all the more confirming that
it's time for them to hang it up.� If they wanted to keep playing, then
they could go back and work through the many intricate phrases of "Reba,"
but since that drive no longer exists, let them play it one more time
with heart.� The jam was its usual pulsing self, with Page laying down
some smooth tones on his Rhodes.�
�
After working through some more composed material, the run from "Carini"
through "Possum" gave the band the chance to play some straight-ahead
rock and roll over some more traditional changes.� There was a palpable
collective sigh of relief from the band when they launched into the
Zeppelin-tinged metal of "Carini" and segued into a very explorative
"Chalkdust."� After one verse, Trey abandoned the structure for some just
plain odd ideas, complete with all of the effects in his arsenal.� My
buddies and I were talking last night about when we began withdrawing our
interest in Phish in 1997, when Trey began dedicating so much time to his
delay loops.� Well, this jam was not without its reliance on odd
electronic sounds.� However, given this was the LAST ever Chalk, you had
to admire them for pushing it to the limit, and not merely settling for a
standard run through one of their only conventional rock songs (which no
one would have minded!).� "Possum" was solid and "Wolfman's Brother" was
very heartfelt as Trey announced that Fish was the Wolfman.
�
Closing this very solid set with "Taste" was an interesting move, given
the band's struggles earlier in the set with some of their more
complicated material.� However, this was one of the musical peaks of the
show, as Trey and Page really shined during their respective solos.� The
climax back to the outtro jam was powerful. It reminded me of the epic
"Taste" from Raleigh in 1997 during a frightening lightning storm, when
the band was really clicking on all cylinders.� Trey thanked the crowd
and promised a lot more music to come.� I don't think any of us were left
wanting after this 90 minute plus first set.
�
We grabbed a few brews at Heartland Brewery, did a Cuervo shot for the
band, and scored a quick smoke from the aformentioned hippie chick.� All
in all, an efficiently orchestrated setbreak, which had us all in a
celebratory mood for set 2.
�
Set 2
�
Down With Disease > Wading in a Velvet Sea, Glide, Band Speech, Split
Open & Melt > "Evil Trey Jam 2" > Ghost > "Evil Trey Jam 3"
�
�
One thing I always admired about Phish, was how they could almost always
fool you right when thought you could call an opener.� With the exception
of opening the second set with "DWD," this show fooled most of us.
�
The powerful opening rock-funk proved to be a worthy choice, and the band
grooved ferociously through the outtro with Trey's familiar riff leading
the way.� Lots of smiles here, especially from Page, who presence was
really brought into focus by the cameras.� Again, as much as we were
aching to be there, the video shots were thrilling.� An impressive
glowstick war began during the beginning of the jam and Trey actually
began using one as a pick and another as a slide.� As a virtuoso and a
performer, it was fun to see him indulge in some guitar hero antics.� So,
he played what amounted to 10 minute glowstick tap solo, that probably
went on for about 5 minutes too long, but hey, it's his band.� After the
distorted fog of the glowstick jam waned, Trey brought the band back the
DWD finale before settled �into a smooth blues funk groove.� This was
raging and radical departure from the usual DWD jam.� This was an `ol
fashioned face melting guitar session, where you could really see the
Santana influence on Phish.�
�
The subsequent ebb into "Velvet Sea," was very reminiscient of the shift
from "`Paug" to "Anything But Me" in the first set-a powerful rager
followed by a heartfelt ballad.� I have read so many reviews over the
years that have ridiculed the band for shifting moods, suggesting that it
kills the set's momentum.� I wish people would realize that this is
another one of Phish's subtle talents. The peaks and valleys in the song
selection are emblematic of the band's personality.� I won't lie and say
that I have been listening Phish to hear "Velvet Sea," but you have to
appreciate the diversity in repertoire.� Like the "Velvet Sea" at the
last show before the hiatus, this was very appropriate.� However, it was
here when the entire band just completely lost it.
�
When Page began to sing the vocal line, his chin began to quiver and he
erupted into tears.� Those of us in the theater had a very close portal
into a man bursting apart.� Page just looked at his band mates and shook
his head.� This was an astonishingly powerful moment and the turning
point of the evening.� Shaken and exhausted, Page clawed his way through
the song and Trey played a very touching solo over the outtro.� The crowd
erupted into cheers for Page, who was still struggling to keep back the
tears. Fish then began the drumbeat to "Glide," which was perfectly
placed, as a an appropriate salvo for the fans.� Trey struggled mightily
through all the sections, but it was clear that it was not simply out of
rust, but just raw� and unresolved emotion.� After "Glide," Page chimed
in and thanked the crowd before Trey piped in just as Page began to lose
it for the 3rd or 4th time.� Trey explained in an almost desperate
whimper that they were having some very strong up and down moments on the
stage, just as the crowd probably was.� He spoke about his three friends
and how much he had leaned on them for 21 years.� Then he cried some
more. Mike then chimed in (in a rare instance!) saying very calmly that
it had been "a wild ride" and thanked everyone from the bottom of his
heart. Fish jumped in and thanked all those fans who abandoned their cars
to walk, saying it was "the highest compliment" before literally trailing
off.� It was at this point where I really thought the who was over.� The
band was just appeared to be physically and� emotionally finished.� It
really didn't look like they could go on.�
�
Somehow, Trey pulled himself together and explained that what they had to
do now was "blow off some steam."� So, after a couple more moments, of
what had been an unusual and stunning interlude, Fish began the drumbeat
to "Split Open & Melt."� The rest of the set was really just one jam even
though they did run through Ghost.� The music they created, which all
derived from the odd minor key pulses of "Split," had a furious edge to
it.� It was another fitting choice, as it was clear the band wouldn't
have been able to slip into the silly bombast of "Cavern" or "Bouncin."�
They just had to explore and play their little hearts out through a
series of eerie passages and smooth dark funk grooves.� By the end of
Ghost, Trey was in full guitar effect rock star mode, his body twitching
as he channeled the tones and emotions through his guitar.� The
set-closing crescendo was a series of digital loops with a rock-solid
bass foundation established by Mike.� I would say that some of the
playing is this set certainly matched some of Phish's very boldest
moments.� It was a lot of good and ugly, but it wasn't short of power.�
Epic set-probably the peak of the night.
�
We had to collect ourselves a little bit during intermission, and we
headed out for some air.� Knowing that this wasn't going to be a long
break (though it turned out to be about an hour), we headed back in early
not wanting to miss a second of the last set.
�
Set 3
�
Fast Enough For You, Seven Below > Simple > Piper > "Bruno" > "Dickie
Scotland" > Wilson > Slave to the Traffic Light
�
Encore: Trey speech, The Curtain (with)
�
�
Just as methodically as in set 1, the band strode and Trey began
strumming the opening chord to FEFY.� This was yet another unpredictable
choice for set opener, but continued the dark and pensive mood from set
2.� It wasn't until the band began "Simple"(my only criticism of the
night was playing 7 Below here-didn't quite work), that the joyful mood
of the first set returned.� The band had at that point worked out all the
bad air, and triumphantly returned with some of their zany happy music.�
"Simple" was a near vocal disaster.� No after the saxophone verse, no one
could remember the lyrics and the band strugggled through the ending
making several passes at "skyscrapers/beebop/saxophones are grand."� It
didn't matter though---I think most were just pleased to see Page smiling
again!� Piper was scorching---just straight ahead tension and release.�
Musically, this was tight and maybe another part of the show that will be
remembered.� I was never a huge fan, but they it was played was
inspiring.� Great last set call!
�
Now, I suspect the latter half of the set will prove to be the most
controversial, with all the band musings on "Bruno" and "Dickie" two funk
vamps spontaneously performed for the monitor engineer Bruno and for the
tour accountant Richard Glasgow (who someone got the nickname "Dickie".)�
But, this was very lighthearted and Trey was gushing about who great
these guys are and how no one knows how much they have contributed.�
Actually, "Bruno" sounded like a pretty deep James Brown groove.� Anyway,
see unheralded people get there due is nice, not to mention seeing the
band play a round a bit.� It was basically like band practice, as Trey
kept directing them to switch keys from C to Eb to C minor, etc.� Trey
then asks the crowd to help them song another one for the last time, and
we knew it had to be "Wilson."� The last "Wilson" did not fail to reach
all its peaks and Trey was yelling emphatically at the end about how "you
can still have fun" (presumably without Phish).� The raucous "Wilson"
flowed into a very quiet intro to "Slave."� This was another excellent
decision in a long night of difficult ones.� "Slave" has the gorgeous
ascending progression that, like Harry, stays the same but still allows
the band with a lot of ideas.� This was a beautiful, tear-jerking version
that was played with so much spirit and precision you couldn't stand it.�
After some very deep bows and even a group bow hands held, I thought this
was going to be it.� Trey looked spent.
�
My concerns over the lack of encore persisted when the fireworks began.�
Kudos to the movie crew for giving us amazing shots of the crowd with the
fireworks.� The fireworks were nice, but anticlimactic from a movie
theater in Manhattan.� I was still hearing the ending to "Slave" ringing
in my ears, so I was hoping for one more.
�
Well, after the fireworks ended, the band returned and Trey starting
talking about meeting Page, getting kicked out of UVM, etc.� He then
explained that one summer right when the band "was just a germ of an
idea" he rented a cabin near Coventry with his then puppy Marley to write
music.� It was there where he first wrote this "next song" and we though
it would be appropriate to end close to where it all began.� So, after a
few more thank yous, the band began "The Curtain."� We knew it had to be
something off of Junta, and there had been the speculation about a
Fluffhead encore.� However, I gotta say, that even though this may have
seemed like a quirky choice, I think it was brilliant.� "The Curtain" has
all the elements that make Phish Phish---tightly composed interlocking
melody and countermelody, key changes, and of course, room to improvise.
Of course, the "please we have no regrets" chorus as well as the "as he
saw his life run away from him, thousands ran along" verse are additional
vocal elements that make it fitting, but Phish was never about lyrics.
�
Trey actually interrupted the song before the jam, saying he wanted to
play it in its original key of Eb for the sake of purity.� The band
obliged one more time.� So, there it ended after a long a drawn out jam
that just gorgeously mellowed before Trey held the last chord and slowly
switched off his volume pedal.� The shots of Trey's pedals in the theater
were remarkable.
�
The band bowed, and Trey went over and gave Mike a huge bear hug, before
the two of them crawled off the stage together.� Fish and Page drifted
off on their own.�
�
If you left this show without feeling like the band gave everything they
had, you somehow didn't get it.
�
Bravo Phish.
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 14:58:14 -0400
From: Kevin Garvey
Subject: Phish show review
Well let me start off by saying that I was not able to be at Coventry, and
that i had to see the phinal shows in the MOVIES....TOO WEIRD!!! All in
all though not bad....this will be hard for people to believe that didn't
get a chance to see brookyn or coventry in the movies...but the sound was
GREAT...i mean really true listening almost better than being there live.
I mean the surround sound was unbelievable, it was like hearing the the
music with head phones...i was truly impressed. As far as the vibe of
being at a Phish show....SUCKED!!! There is just an energy that you feed
off of from the crowd when you are at the show...well that was
non-existent....SUCKED!!!!
Anyways on to the show for the people who could not be at either...cause
if you are like me...i was pounding the refresh button non stop to get
reviews for the first few shows.
Set 1
TREY WAS TORE UP FROM THE FLO UP :-)!!!
Walls of the cave - was alright...thought the version in Deer Creek with
the DWD teases was better, and also wierd way to start.
Runaway Jim - Great song, was dying to hear it...tell you what
though...have no idea what happened at the end...they just went to unknown
places....Trey just seemed to be WAY out there by the end, kind of set the
tone for the night.
Gotta Jibboo - Saw this song so many times in 2000...but it had been
awhile...nice version.
YEM - what can i say...it was a YEM...nothing special..just YEM. Tramps
were given to the crowd, which were torn apart in about 30 seconds...nice
touch.
Sample - Loved it..love the old tunes...just had the ring of phish to it.
Axilla - rocking..not real long...was nice to hear.
Poor Heart - YEAH...i guess...set philler if you ask me...i do like the
tune though.
Antelope - Was fun...high energy, TOM came out and did his thing.
Fire - Was good...love the blowing off steam comment.
Good first set....TREY WAS TORE UP!!!
Set 2
AC/DC - Really good song. They just rocked it out. Seemed like the first
song of every set was this epic jam...went like this all weekend.
46 Days - I have gone both ways with this song...good and bad...thought it
was great tonight...not to crazy long...just right.
Halleys - had everyone smiling...pretty damn good jam too.
Ya Mar - Great great tune...MIKE IS THE MAN...he was on fire...he just
could do no wrong, which may let have shadowed Trey's buzz.
David Bowie - Trey stumbling over his own words as he tells a story about
this song. Really was excited about playing it...good version...nothing
special.
Character Zero - WOW!!!! I mean WOW!!! i mean they have played this song
sooooo many times, but damn they killed it....was soooooo
good...rocking..had everyone going nuts....WOW!!!
Set 3
Twist - on with the never ending set opener jam...was good but they could
have cut it a bit short.
Wedge - the wedge
Stash - hmmm...how do i say this...trey was tore up!!! went to crazy
places...i really don't have much else to say...get the tape!!!
Free - WOW!!! another great tune...once again probably one of the
highlights...mike tearing it up again...trey and mike kinda duel in this
one...one of the best phish moments ever...loved it...best free for me
since the deer creek free in 2000.
Guyute - now we would like to play the ugly pig for you...great
song...trey still seemed a bit off though...and he should know this song
in and out.
Drowned - this song was good, but it didn't even compare to the great jam
that followed....this was really one of the best jams i have heard them
play...really stemmed out of no where...had nothing to do with drowned
i'll tell you that.
Friday - pfft...for the birds!!!! all this ten year olds knew this song
really well...more like nevermind instead of undermind...hate to sound
like an old timer that is not accepting of change...i like undermind.. its
growing on me...but there is just no real time to really fall in love with
this song...its the last show ever...you wanna give me a waste or billy
please!!!!
ENCORE:
Harry Hood - was a good version, not the best was interrupted by trey and
mike climbing on front of these rocks in front of the stage so that they
could be closer to the crowd...something about the rain making them move
the stage so they couldn't see the front row that well...so trey went on
and on about wanting to see if them being 15 ft closer if that would make
a difference.
Good Show....hard to believe only one more at this point....!!!!
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:46:09 +0000
From: Phil Jackson
Subject: 8/15/04 Simulcast Review
my phinal show...wow. wow, fucking, wow!
it's still hard to believe that it's over, although there were parts of
last night that made it clear it's time.
i was shut out of saturday's simulcast due to lost charge record, so i
consoled myself by picking up the gd's closing of winterland dvd, which
although primitive visually was something musically (i have the fm show on
vinyl, but it ain't even close!). however, i wasn't prepared for how much
of an interesting comparision piece it would make...
the show in arlington, va started off with an unplanned return to the
"silent jam," as the sound failed at the outset and the first few minutes
of mike's were missed. in comparison to the dead simulcast i'd watched
the night before, this was like night and day. the intimacy of the camera
work made it seem like we were there, although i wish they could have done
more daytime shots of the venue to take it in. i also think more split
screens of all four members hands would have added to the effect, although
getting to see the eye contact between members was very cool.
for three sets, i felt like i was at a private show and the sound was
worlds better than thursday at camden. plus, no slithery pit to the
port-a-potties!
so many of the songs just soared, and the jams were flat out ridiculous -
the second set in particular. the only clunker of the night was the
anything but me, but everything else went above and beyond. they were
absolutely on fire, particularly when trey decided to blow off some steam!
the parallels between jerry 12/31/78 and trey last night were disturbing
to me. despite gorgeous and often inspired playing, it's clear that
garcia was beginning the turn into that decades long slide of substance
abuse, which slowly cost him his playing ability and ultimately his life.
his hair was a mess and he is clearly just wasted. unfortunately, that
was true with trey last night - his playing was inspired (what was that
ridiculous ending to ghost?) but he was clearly fucked up, and not because
he was having a good time it seemed to me. he seemed like such a shell
whenever he wasn't playing.
it's clear that the end of phish is his choice, and perhaps a drug-induced
one. i hope that trey finds what he's looking for and that it doesn't cost
him any more than it already has. whatever demons he thinks he has to
confront, i hope he does it sooner rather than later.
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2004 10:54:49 -0400
From: michael e stritz
Subject: Phish show review
I didnt get to go to the Coventry however i did see it on screen and it
was still awesome. The first night was a little shakey but the second
night was awesome as they kicked it off with Mikes Song to Hydrogen. All
night as i watched i had cold chills running up and down my spine. The
whole time i watched them i thought to myself how sad it is that i wont
ever hear my favorite songs live again and how i wont ever get to
experience such a moving activity again. Sure there are other bands but
no one compares to Phish. Seeing them go is like losing a best friend.
As the last set was played i found tears running down my face as i was
going through all the wonderful memories from past shows in my mind. I
dont think I can ever be moved in such a deep way by anyone else. Not
only are these four brilliant guys musicians, they are also leaders with
great strategy and leadership and most of all unity. Phish will always
be with me in my mind and my heart. I guess i just want to say Thank You
to them for everything they (and the fans) made me realize. What a
wonderful time it was while it lasted! Once again thank you and I love
you all forever!
Keep Smiling :)
Rachel
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 10:57:54 -0400
From: Jim Houck
Subject: Phish show review: Coventry Simulcast Columbia, MD
During a summer stretch in which I�was uncertain which encore would be my
last live (brooklyn?, spac?, hampton?, camden?), one thing was for
certain...On this night, the 15th of August, I would see my last encore,
one way or another...
�
The theatre at Columbia, MD was nearly sold out, but there was still
comfort room throughout...Glowsticks, balloons, and dancing were the
raison d'etre of the crowd...the music was the raison d'etre of the
band...Having missed set one due to a prior engagement,�i rolled into the
theatre's parking lot during first setbreak and enjoyed�a couple beers
amidst a very mellow and looseknit crowd...Then, it was onward ho' to set
two...and the party loosened up with the first notes of "Disease"...The
crowd�was able to fully enjoy themselves...Security was where?...There
was none, save a couple officers hanging outside the theatre...The
"Velvet Sea" that followed was a heartbreaker with Page unable to
sing--he was so damn choked up...So was "Glide," as Trey visibly couldn't
pull it together...The "Split>Ghost" had us in awe...And this is why
Phish is one of the best...During an obviously very emotional time, they
were able to compose themselves and create some very intense music...
�
Set three was an all around blast musically..."Fast Enough For You" and
"The Curtain With"...Wow, what a bookend to a great last set of music
from these guys...I'm tellin' ya, anyone who got to see this show live or
simulcast will have those last 5 minutes of�the slow-tempo�"Rift/With"
section�in your head for a very long time...And the midset hysterics of
improvised nods to both the sound and fiscal members gave us some good
laughs...Also got one last laugh from Trey who joked that the Boston
Symphony and Chorus (or something like that) was backstage preparing to
perform a full symphonic rendition of Gamehenge with the band (this being
joked about�just prior to encore)...Getting to see the band close�up�on
the thier final performance via excellent camerawork was, perhaps, a
godsend to those of us who�missed the boat on Coventry tickets...A great
time no doubt (and yes I do know what I'm talking about)...
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:38:49 +0000
From: Abe Philip
Subject: coventry simulcast review both nights
OK, these here are just thoughts and a song by song review. i will tell
you my highlights. thanks for reading. my girlfriend and i bought tickets
for the festival and then realized we could not afford to go so we gave
our tickets to another friend who went and she had a blast. we, in turn,
went to the movies to see phish. and im glad for the fact of seeing
everything up close and being dry and not stuck in mud and close
bathrooms, yet i actually was not there. and i know we had a strong vibe
in the community in the theaters but i cannot imagine what it must of been
like there. san diego (the first night) was great. great theater, great
theater manager. they even roped of a section outside for smokers so they
didnt have to keep running in and out and show there ticket stubs. they
let us bring water (from outside) in and even though it was not full,
almost everyone was dancing. the second night in nazi germany, er... i
mean irvine, so different. very very strict. no outside waters but "we are
free to purchase them inside for $4.00." as they told us. the theater had
less dancing room. they had cops standing in the theaters at all times.
theater managment walk up the aisles and just stand there like bouncers
looking at us freaks. oh well. in irvine, everyone was sitting. weird,
until the end of set three that is.
ok, they opened saturday with
WALLS OF THE CAVE: now i dont usually like this song that much, but i
welcomed it and it
formulated into a very nice jam. then onto
RUNAWAY JIM: nice, not stopping the excitement and energy. i really was
grooving at this
time, and to prove their point went into
GOTTA JIBOO: this song was such a great jam, i just wished they had
GCHorns
play. i love the
horn arrangements.
YOU ENJOY MYSELF: nice version, weird knowing that this was the last time
i'd witness this miracle
of a song. everyone should know, trey looped his guitar at the end of the
tramps segment and
gave them to the crowd. nice gesture. um, the vocal jam was good but by
far
from the best ive
heard. thought they might include references to the last shows or goodbye
type things but, hey
it was still PHISH. then no stop and into
SAMPLE IN A JAR: good song and weird placement but it fit.
AXILLA: good energy.
POOR HEART: now i love this and it was great to see mike sing. and
fishman's
yells. standard though.
i dont remember ( i have yet to re listen to this show) but i think only
page had a solo, skipped
the guitar solo and back into verse.
ANTELOPE: great version. high energy. at that point i was thinking wow,
YEM
and ANTELOPE
first set first day. tom marshall came out and did his bit in the song.
FIRE: what a jam.
set two
AC/DC BAG: mixed feelings at the time. why? soon as i heard it i knew it
meant NO GAMEHENDGE.
but it had a wild jam, very long and intense.
46 DAYS: very very short version.
HALLEY"S COMET: Always welcome and a good solid version.
YA MAR: excellent. no PLAY IT LEO! but a PLAY IT CACTUS. and did he ever.
oh
mike is wonderful
in this bass solo.
DAVID BOWIE: smoking version. intense and dark and jamming.
CHARACHTER ZERO: solid version.
set three
TWIST: another nice version. great themes in the jam, i like how this song
had become a better jam
song than when it started.
THE WEDGE: very welcomed. absolutely love this song.
STASH: UNFORTUNETLY, the live feed cut right, and this is true, right when
i
felt the jam was taking off. killed all of us. and the feed cut in perfect
timing right at the beginning of
FREE: great version. excellent mike jamming. trey and mike are locked in.
GUYUTE: standard version
DROWNED: very good. mike does the vocals beautifully.
JAM: started very slow and choppy. didnt know what to think of it. but it
started raging at the end.
but then they instantly finished with
FRIDAY:
encore:HOOOOOOOOOOOOOD.
not the best version but nice. lots of crowd interaction. lots of banter
on
stage and speeches
which i wont go into.
8-15-04
MIKE'S: intense jamming at the end. they seemed a little nervous
HYDROGEN: beautiful
WEEKAPAUG: groove!!!!
then trey said that he was nervous.
ANYTHING BUT ME: great song, really poignant. weird placement though.
REBA: awesome, nice composed sections and a great jam
CARINI: lots of energy
CHALKDUST: high high high energy. intense jam that never stopped (to my
recollection) to go back into the last chorus. instead wound the jam up a
little and into
POSSUM: very nice, just reminded me no gamehendge. But none the less,
great version.
WOLFMANS:nice jam and trey said mid song that the wolfmans bro was fish.
weird, i used to be
called the wolfmans bro, (if you saw my old liscence, youd know why.) then
mike and trey brought
their moms out for the sexy bump. high phish humor. nice to see the smiles
(huge on the screen) on their faces.
TASTE: good version jam at the end was very nice.
set two
DWD: powerful version, waiting for the time.......lyrically and the jam,
powerful
VELVET SEA: now, i was about to leave, cause ive seen this song so much
and
blah blah blah, but
page couldnt sing and i ran back to my seat. it was so emotionally
intense.
he literally couldnt sing
the verses and to see his face close up was so sad.
GLIDE: very nice tribute to us. they all said their piece after this and
it
got highly emotional.
but then they brought out
SOAMELT: ripped us in two. then they decided they were not done pummeling
us, so
GHOST: and let me say, at the end of this ghost, i was floored. dark,
long,
fire breathing version.
with, trey as a jedi, using his guitar like a saber to produce those
screaming feedback noises at the end. everyone left for setbreak from
another state of mind.
set three
FEFY: nice, weird opener.
SEVEN BELOW: love this song, heard it go many places before. this one was
fairly nice, loved how
it went into
SIMPLE: hugged my beautiful girl. we were dancing and grooving. by this
time
everyone in the theater was grooving. simple has such a nice outro.
PIPER: standard version then into impromptu phish jam and humor
BRUNO>DICKIE SCOTLAND
WILSON: standard version, but very much enjoyed.
SLAVE: thank you. such and emotional jam. really, very intense. nothing to
do at the end but
give them our full attention. shed a tear.
ENCORE, THE CURTAIN WITH: please we have no regrets.
overall: what can i say, that was it, the last time for these four guys
who took me to other places and beyond. selfishly, i can say, i hoped for
more bust outs and crowd favs like FLUFFHEAD, and MOUND. but, i am just so
happy to have seen them and to have been there with the love of my life,
and to have shared PHISH together with her and everyone we ever met at any
show. years after they are gone, we are all still out there and must
continue to musically explore and be kind people to one another. be good.
thanks to daniel schar who let us all air our beliefs for different shows
all this time. thanks to all the people who dance and shake their bones,
and know what we are going to be missing. thanks to my girl who loves and
understands me and shares this life with me. and thanks to page, trey,
fish, and mike for doing what they do. and doing what they did. much
love. AandD
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:08:47 -0400
From: Ted Kupchik
Subject: Phish show review 8-14&15
Dear Phans,
�
XM RADIO REVIEW
�
I was not able to get up to Coventry for the last show.� I was very sad,
but I was able to listen to the show on XM Satellite radio.�
�
I don't know about Trey playing like crap, or being drunk, or anything
like that.� All I know is they were great.� Yeah, they flubbed a few
lines, and Trey messed up a little but all in all, it was awesome.� It
sounded so good coming through my speakers too.� I thought the emotion
was incredible, and the Ghost jam was nasty.� The Split Open and Melt was
off the hook, and actually the last 2 sets of the last day were very
special.� Do yourself a favor and listen to the downloads of them.� But
now that it is all over......
�
There are 3 types I will not miss now that it is all said and done:
�
1)Comic Book Guys.�
Shut your mouths.� Go watch your shit bands and hold them to the
standards you hold Phish.� If you weren't happy with how the boys play,
you will obviously be completely boycotting every other live act out
there.
The worst Phish show is better then anything else out there, period!��If
many of you did not feel that way, then why the hell did you go see them
so many damm times?�
�
2)Deadhead Vendors
You pieces of shit.� Sell your fucking tye-dye Jerry crap at Dead shows!�
Why do you follow Phish?� Why must you insist on playing exclusively Dead
music in the lot?� It is not a Dead show!� Jerry was amazing, but this
again was not, and never was a Dead show.
�
3)Heroin Junkies
Fuck You
�
�
Now that is said and done, I invite anyone who ever did a review good or
bad to email me in 6 months when they have seen all these bands that
can't hold the guitar pick of Trey, can't sit on Page's chair, can't
ride� Mike's go-cart, can't hold Fish's sticks.� Then maybe people will
re-think how they heard these shows.
�
Till we get to hear the Fish Vaccum�Solo again,
�
TK1
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 11:23:53 -0400
From: Philip Marion
Subject: Phish show review 8/14-15
Coventry Simulcast. Scalpers wanted too much $$, so I went to the movies.
I loved every second of the show. Every tear, every flub, every joke,
every jam. This was MY PHISH doing THEIR LAST SHOW.
I will keep this short and simple, as I believe my sentiments are shared
by many.
PHISH is not a machine, they are 4 hard working people, actually playing
music live (with great passion) for a passionate audience.
For all of those who have nit-picked the flubs and accused Trey of being
high - I ask you this: Is it THAT hard to believe that when emotions run
high mistakes will happen? The raw emotion of Page and Trey's tears (and
Trey's admission that he was nervous for the 1st time) should have been
MORE than enough to satisfy the critical fans.
I must admit that I am disgusted that people who apparently love PHISH so
much would choose to project their own pain, fear, and frustration upon
Trey and PHISH. The insults I have read on the two review pages and truly
saddening.
It makes me think that PHISH may be breaking up just to shake off
fair-weather fans like yourselves.
Do you really wish you just hadn't gone at all? After reading your
reviews, I wish you hadn't. Go listen to your favorite show from the past
on a cold, dead CD, and leave the passionate living fans to enjoy the
trials and tribulations of other humans. Then look at yourself on the
mirrored side and ask yourself: could I have done better in their
position?....
-Jake The Prophet
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 07:50:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: Ash Patel
Subject: Phish show review 8-15
Let me preface this by saying I was not at Coventry and saw the show at a
simulcast down here in Houston. Also, the sound in a small theatre was
very crisp and clear. I'm not saying that it was any good, but you could
hear the actual music very well.
�
I've been to 87 shows. My last show was Shoreline before the hiatus so I
have never been to a post hiatus show. I am now beginning to think that's
a good thing. This whole weekend was a debacle in evey way.
�
Let me say that I do love Phish. Their long, trippy, spaced out jams were
one of the reasons�I traveled clear across the country or to another
continent to see them. But these shows were at times just "good",
sometimes tolerable, and by and large hideous. That 3rd set from
saturday?? The Twist, Stash, Free & Drowned jams were as loose, wayward
and�generally "bbllaaahh" as�ever seen or heard. Trey�spent more time
muddling around, playing with his pedals, creating feed back than he did
in say 97. Half the time Mike, Page and Fish were just staring at him
with that -"Where you going with this Trey look." Is this really how they
wanted to go out.
�
For him to go and get obliterated and make�an ass out of himself on stage
was pathetic. I would rather that they not say�a word about disbanding
and just go out there and rip it. Like they did 10-7-00. After every jam
the�crowd stood in�awe at the energy and cohesiveness of the jams. You
can easily listen to any jam and say that it has to be 1 of the top ten
versions ever. No messing around, strictly business. Just solid grooving
and the there gone. We don't need the good-byes cuz we know its
happening. Take a look at new years 98.�Three sets of pure ripped up
energy. Start to finish. �Is a half way decent show too much to expect
now a days? If so, its a good thing they're calling it quits.
�
I could go on...and on...but what's the point, its over -right?�
�
Dan Carter
Houston, TX
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 09:48:58 -0400
From: Geoffrey Frost
Subject: Phish show review 8-15
I was at the simulcast and have to say that I left because the show was
so bad.
�
I felt especially sorry for the staff at the theater. They had to be
wondering why all these people came to see this terrible band. I'm not
sure they were in key for more than a couple seconds. It sounded like the
bad audition shows of American Idol.
�
Trey needs to detox. He has been blasted out of his mind at the last 5
shows I saw and they all were average at best.
�
It was time for this to end. Now go get jobs hippies.
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