10-1-00 -- Desert Sky Pavilion, Phoenix, Arizona

Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 22:02:47 -0700
From: The Colfax [email protected]
Subject: Desert Sky Review
 
Having read the previous reviews, I tend to agree that this was a hit and
miss type show.  But it was exactly what Desert Sky needed to be after the
way the boys rocked Vegas.  It was a fundamentally sound show with very
melodic playing and nice long jams - which was in contrast to the relatively
short songs in Vegas.
 
That being said, there were some real highlights in this show that I don't
think the other reviewers necessarily conveyed so I thought I'd add my two
cents to this page.
 
Firstly, Kuroda was once again amazing on this Sunday night. Llama was
musically a really neat journey with Trey introducing the band (Page, Mike
(J)ordan, Bob Weaver and himself as the Skinny Guinea) as well as some
silliness.  All in the middle of the set. Kuroda was especially magical
during this Llama as he sparkled the lights in many different colors just
shooting lasers into my soul.
 
But the real treats to this show came in the second set.  Without a doubt,
the PIPER they played was the BEST PIPER they've EVER played. A truly
inspired jam that just weaved in and out of ups and downs and it just really
felt like the pressures of the atmosphere of Vegas had vanished and they just
settled into a groove.  In fact, they got so comfortable in what they were
doing that they burst into a GUY FORGET!  At the time I was unfamiliar with
this soundcheck song and it seemed like they were just making up a little
rift in the middle of Piper.  They were all smiles and bantering back and
forth as Trey and Fish alternated lyrics.  The arena seemed to have little
energy from the past weekend's events, but this PIPER>GUY FORGET really got
things going.  Get this set on tape.
 
The other major highlight of this show/set was the DAVID BOWIE.  I saw 3
BOWIEs this fall and this was clearly the best of the three.  I wish that I
could describe the various sections, but I saw too many shows and 2 more
Bowies after this one so until I get the tapes, I can't describe the jam.  I
remember just being in awe of it tho.  What really struck me was towards the
end of the jam, Trey really got going.  He was bouncing and grooving and
ready to reach into his bag of tricks.
 
I prefer to just call it his JEDI TRICK machine, rather then learn the
technical name for his machinery, but Trey flipped into Jedi mode towards the
end of the song.  Towards the high triplets section at the end of the song,
Trey would slowly raise his right hand over the Jedi machine creating an
ascending scale.  His hand would be well over his head and he'd slam it back
to his guitar to go back to the triplets.  It seems that they played this
section a few more times than usual as Trey played with the machine and
experimented with the sound. He was truly having a blast.  Finally, he went
for the gusto.  He slipped his guitar off and lowered it to the floor.  He
slowly raised it above his head and I feared he wouldn't get it back on in
time for those wonderful 3 high piercing notes that raise the hair on the
back of my neck.  In fact, while he was fooling around with his guitar off,
Page had to take over and play the triplet part.  But alas, just in the nick
of time, Trey had the guitar back on and nailed and sustained those notes
perfectly.  It was the ultimate build up to a huge BOWIE ending.  I was
gasping for air.
 
Finally, one other moment I remember from Desert Sky struck me as funny. On
9/30 in Vegas, Mike and Trey did that whole stage battle with their guitars
where they were putting them on the ground, waving them around recklessly and
even dropped them at times.  I'd never seen them so fast and loose with their
guitars.  At the end of this Bowie, Trey continued to fool around with the
Jedi machine and ended the song waving his guitar around and eventually
placing his guitar face down on its strings and walking off the stage.  It
made a really neat sound and was just sort of strange.  I wish that I had
been sitting closer for the show so that I could've seen his expressions, but
he seemed to be having the time of his life playing around.
 
So while not the stellar show that some of us had hoped for (considering the
post-Vegas 11-2-98 show), there were some really neat jams in this show and
the PIPER is a must have in your collection.  I was a little disappointed in
the song selection when they started PIPER but it ended up rivalring some of
the best jams I heard this year (Jim on 7/3, Gin on 9/29, Antelope on 10/4,
and Sand on 10/6).  I really think the BOWIE will translate well to tape
also.  I'm very anxious to hear both the BOWIE and the PIPER.
 
Colfax

Date: Tue, 03 Oct 2000 19:54:15 -0700
From: Paul Raia [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Phoenix Review
 
From the opening beats of First Tube the dance was on! The vibe up on the lawn
was very friendly...lots of little kids running around and phamily playing,
twirling glow sticks on strings and juggling glowing balls.  Stars overhead
and cool breeze to relax us. ahhhh!
 
We were treated to lots of funky grooves this evening and some very pretty
ballads...Billy Breathes and Waste sounded great and I swear you could hear a
pin drop when Trey began Driver.  The entire first set had such a nice flow to
it.  I think last year in Tucson was a bit disjointed, even though we heard
some great songs (I didn't know, Carini, Drowned, Reba) This year was smooth
and cohesive in a way that is difficult to describe verbally, sonically it was
heaven .
 
The second set Roses are Free into Piper into Guy Forget was a personal
highlight for me.  The playing was very on tonight..loose, fun and a brilliant
collage of techno sounds, loops and colors.  The vocals were reflective, clear
and harmonious.  I was very excited to hear Camel Walk...the folks up on the
lawn all seemed to enjoy more of the deep funk we were hearing.  I was
thinking Split Open and Melt after Driver, and the band took a little while
before settling into David Bowie.  This was a very fun version, Trey was
having a blast at the end...
 
Then came the must hear Waste.  This is a show I know I will enjoy listening
to again from start to finish. Thanks to everyone who made this hot starry
night one to remember.
 
Peace,
Paul Raia
Mesa, Arizona

Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 01:43:48 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Review of 10.1.00 Phoenix, Az
 
10-1-2000 Desert Sky Pavillion  Phoeniz, Az
Coming in to this show I was pretty worried about how this show might be. I
live in a crappy town in the Southwest where Phish never plays around and I'm
a college student so this was my only show I could possibly go to.  I was
hoping that Vegas didn't wear out the phabulous foursome....I was right and I
was wrong. Onto the show:
Set 1:(out on the lawn for this one)
First Tube: I love this song and I was happy to hear it but did anyone else
just not feel it right away. It sort of sounded like they were tired from
Vegas. They weren't exactly groovin but I did enjoy it anyhow.
 
Wolfman's Brother: Not a personal choice of mind but I love to watch Mike
bust out out which he did. Pretty fun but still just didn't feel it.
 
Back On The Train: Groove started to get going here. I personaly think it's a
fun song live and Trey was experimemting with some tremolo effects here. Kind
of reminded me of "Money", when those first chords are played with that
tremolo effect.
 
Beauty of My Dreams: Yes! I love this song. Probably the only bluegrass song
which I know the words to. Page was going off. Wish he could have gone longer.
 
Vultures: Never really dug this song from the get go and this version surely
didn't help it. It seemed like they had all forgotten how to play the
composed pieces and it affected the jam. Never really went anywhere and it
kind of brought my mood down.
 
Inlaw Josie Wales: Cool song. Love to see Trey play this one.
 
Billy Breathes: Ahhhh! Sing softly. Really dig this song. Gave them some time
to make up for the Vultures by playing a simple little tune with beautiful
Trey soloing. Then.....
 
Llama: Yes! They were back. I love it when Fish starts out the song with the
drumbeat!  They were into this. Page started to jam the first time and I saw
Trey was about to sing the verse again but Page kept on going so they all
started to just jam like hell. Trey introduced the band as Page the same, but
Mike as "Michael Jordon", Fish as "Bob Weaver", and himself as the "Skinny
Ginny." He started to mock the "rock and roll" image by telling people to
clap along and sing, but he was clapping totally off beat and he was just
having fun! Then he told everyone to slap themselves then the person next to
them. I love it!
 
Lawn BoY!: Perfect placement. I love this song. Pgae is da Man! Introduces
Mike as Michael Jordon once agin and Mike has a little fun soloing.
 
Runaway Jim: Great way to end the set. Nothing special, just a good clean
version. Felt that it was going to end but knew second set was going to be
awesome.
 
Set II (made my way to the front! Ha Ha security!)
 
Roses Are Free: Big fan of this Ween song. Didn't jam it, went straight
into...
 
Piper: And oh what a piper. They started getting into a sick jam and Trey
just starts sing some lines and messes with the keys, long jam into...
 
Guy Forget?: Never heard this before. Didn't know whether it was a song or
just them screwing around. More keys by Trey. Then into.....
 
Circus: What can I say about this song. It has sentimental value for me. I
was at that show with my best friend who I just saw for the first time since
he moved away. It meant something to me.
 
Camel Walk!: Never even heard it before. I had heard of it but never got a
show with it so I was pretty pumped. Trey kept on wailing and the fans around
me loved it.
 
Driver: A good surprise. Wanted to hear it with Trey on electric so I loved
it. Just a prelude to......
 
David Bowie: What a sick David Bowie. My personal highlight of the show. It
got so intense towards the end and when Trey busted out the triplets at the
end I was jumping 35 feet in the air. I swear he looked right at me the first
time he did his triplets. I loved the way Trey was telling them during the
buildups to bring it down and then bring it up. Just totally Trey having a
blast.
 
Then they end the set with Trey raising his guitar in the air and making it
sound like an airplane landing as he lowered it to the stage floor!
 
Encore: (I really wanted a Hood. Mike came out wearing a cardboard box on his
head.)
 
Waste: Surprised me but I loved it. Trey is the man on guitar. Still was
hoping for the Hood after since it was a pretty short show but maybe next
time.
 
Overall I had a blast. The setlist might not look good but it was a fun show.
They were having a blast but you can tell they wanted their couple of days to
relax. A very fun show and I'll talk to you guys later.
 
Peace,
Izzy
"If I could be like Mike!"

Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 19:22:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Johnston Brandon [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 10-1-00 Phoenix Az Review
 
10-1-00  Phoenix Arizona ... Desert Sky Pavillion
 
If you wonder what desert sky is like, think deer creek. Except the pavillion
may be a little bigger and the lawn a little smaller. Same big screens... We
had reserved toward the back straight in the middle. We abandoned them for the
aile in set II however
 
Set I: After getting home and looking at the first set setlist, I thought...
"Wow that looks like a pretty boring first set". However during the show, I
was just loving it. Maybe that is the goal to have at any show, have the music
take you away so you don't notice some of your normal dislikes or negative
thoughts.
 
1st tube: Actually, this is the first time I've ever seen this live. I liked
it, lots of energy at the end. Maybe not more than usual, but it seemed like
it. Maybe it was the fact that it was live
 
Wolfmans: This was pretty good... Had a nice jam, better then some short
standard ones they've played lately. It was still somewhat short and the theme
reprised at the end, but I was happy to hear some funky jamming
 
GBOTT: This song sounds like it's benefitted from many plays. Even though it
didn't really jam out, I think the fact that it has recently affected the jam
somewhat. Trey was using a cool echo effect that I liked... kind of like what
moe. does at the beginning of some jams... It reminds me of a curtain opening
or something....
 
Beauty--- I was in such a good mood I was dancin and singing to this one. And
I usually don't like it much at all... Standard rendition
 
Vultures--- Dark thick jam like usual. Don't remember too much from this.
 
Inlaw Josie Wales --- I liked this it was a nice little breather although the
set was getting to be kind of mellow all ready
 
Billy Breathes --- OK now this wasn't the best selection at this point imho.
Trey sounded great and Rachel really got into this but I don't always like it
when they follow one slow tune with another... I was ready to dance.
 
Llama--- While the band was tuning up someone yelled "Play something fast
dammit!!!!!" I guess this satisfied that guy. Really crazy high tempo jam (as
usual) when Trey started talking to the crowd. Now usually Trey will wait for
a quiet part but not this time, he just started talking over the fast llama
jam .. He introduced the band.. Micheal Jordon on bass, Bob Weaver on drums...
I can't remember what he said about himself... He then told everybody to clap
along with him but instead of clapping at some even tempo, he was speeding up,
slowing down, and starting to clap and then stopping.  He was trying to screw
with the crowd big time. He then said "Now everybody smack yourself like this"
and he proceeded to smack himself on the face. Then he said "Now everyone
smack your neighbor" and I think he might have pretended to smack Mike or
something. Not much crowd reaction... Then he said "Now everybody make
passionate love to the person next to you". That was pretty funny, although no
one I saw took him up on that. Then they ended the song and Trey said
something like " I guess we weren't ready for the passionate lovemaking part
yet...Maybe later in the show"
 
Lawn Boy --- Don't remember too much from this one. It was pretty standard I
believe
 
Runaway Jim --- Kind of short with a nice climax at the end. Then instead of
ending the song like normal, trey led them off into another uptempo jam. Trey
explored some nice themes and was pretty much wailing by the end. It was only
about an extra 3 minutes or so and it made you feel like the band was just
giving you a taste of what it had to offer... I was psyched for set II
 
INTERMISSION: On the way back from the bathroom I saw some guy with a sign
that said something like "The Helping Phrendly book is the bible" (something
like that) and on the other side it said "Phish is God!". I overheard him
talking to some girl saying "...it's this really cool book y'know...and it's
Friendly!!!" He sounded like some new age preacher or something, hilarious!!
 
Set II:

Roses Are Free---Cool song to open with. I don't think it was too jammed out
but I was enjoying it
 
Piper---Nice mellow jam into piper. They really did a good job building this
one up. THe jam rocked along for a while before they even sang the lyrics. I
could tell really early that this was going to be a really cool jam. After
some quality jamming I was starting to think that this might be the best jam
of my 3 show minitour when they started singing... At first it was just like
"whoaaa" "whooaaa" type sounds, no decipherable lyrics. I thought it was just
part of the jam but after quite a while, trey began to sing more lyrics and I
knew we had a new song...
 
Guy Forget--- This, along with the preceeding piper jam, was definitely the
highlight of the show.I recognized it and most of all I recognized that
name... I couldn't figure out from where. I guess it had kind of been played
during recent catapults so maybe that is where I heard it. I guess Guy Forget
is some tennis player... Anyway, Trey was on Keys for some of the jamming and
guitar some of the time too. We were all dancing and staring in amazement of
what the band would do next. Really groovy jam, great dancing music. When trey
went to keys he started making sounds like that video game "Arkanoid" if you
know what I'm talking about. At some points it was rather rapid and really
tripped out. I guess you'll just have to hear it for yourselves, it's already
starting to fade from memory but I know that I was just loving it. It
eventually segued perfectly into circus after a nice jam...
 
Circus---More mellowness. Lots of mellow interludes at this show, I have a
feeling some people will probably bitch about that. Still I liked it...
 
Camel Walk---NIIICCCEE!! More tight funky jamming, I was thinking about how
they are so together during the starts and stops in this, even though they
don't play it very often. This one was kept very breif, just a standard
version
 
Driver --- Yet another mellow interlude. I like this song but was starting to
feel some energy dip out of the crowd. No problem though because next was...
 
Bowie --- Great song and I really got into this more then I have lately. I'm
not sure if it was THAT tremendous of a version, but I'd definitely say it was
above average. I was really enjoying it anyway... At the end trey was working
hard to get crazy feedback on his guitar.
 
I was sad to see the set was over already. I guess one hour second sets are
the norm this tour. Nevertheless, I was confident a good encore was coming
 
Waste--- The first thing I thought was that we had to pay a penance for the
great jamming that just occured. It was a wonderful rendition but it left us
wanting more. I guess the band was just in the mood for slow tunes tonight....
 
Well I hope you enjoyed my review...I certainly enjoyed seeing this, my 38th
show in my hometown. Although I'm sure that vegas will overshadow this show, I
think I enjoyed the piper->guy forget as much as anything I heard in all 3
shows. It's fun to hear new tunes, especially when they come out of a jam and
have a nice jam of their own. The segue from piper to guy was unnoticeable. By
the time they started singing I realized that they had been playing it for
quite a few minutes..All in all a great run of shows, I hope it's not too long
before I can see phish again
 
peace,
Brandon

Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2000 11:12:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: Thomas Wayne [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Review 10/1/00
 
I read your review of the Dessert Sky pavilion show on 10/1. I just wanted to
let you know that I agree with you regarding your opinion on "Piper". It came
out of the gates as strongly as I ever heard it. I believe that, as this song
develops, Fishman has shifted his focus off of the high hats and has been
delivering more meat through his snare attack. He is more agressive on the
beginning of the song thus creating a heartier expression and stronger
platform from which Mike, Trey and Page can build from. The result is
staggering.
 
cheers,
 
-Phoenix

Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 17:26:50 -0700
From: huong pulvino [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Review of Oct 1, '00 show.
 
Ah well, decided I'd add my impressions of the show to the growing list.  As
this was only my second show I'll keep my impressions pretty general.  In
general, I'd agree with the first review, the first two songs really didn't
captivate me, the band felt tired and not quited fired up about playing, was
almost predictable to me at that point.  But then just as soon as I started
thinking, oh no, I hope this show doesn't stay too predictable, we took a
turn.  Third song starts rolling it was more or less surprise after surprise,
with a lot of songs I hadn't heard (which I guess isn't that hard considering
my show going experience).  For me, the show was really intruguing, and well,
introspective.  Found myself really impressed with the range of styles the
band was able to pull off with such aplomb, especially in the face of
thinking I had somewhat of an understanding of their music, I guess that's
part of what keeps people coming back for more.  Rock, bluegrass, loungy
stuff (lawn boy cracked me up), fusion jazz esque, well it was all there.
 
Specifically, Beauty of my Dreams, ya real nice solos by both Page and
Trey; Page was all over the place and couldn't hit a wrong note, while Trey
was flying too and fro with just the right touch, emphasizing only so many
notes in each run, just the right ones ya know; really liked the Roses are
free song; and David Bowie was spectacular, really liked the multiple turned
off record player style endings.  Not to say that I didn't like the other
songs, just these ones stick out more in my mind.
 
In general, I thought this show was more about the band as a whole, not so
much a guitar fronted engagement; heard a lot of guitar solo kind of stuff,
but maybe it was the mix, as the guitar level was not really out front, and
the guitar lines were more a part of the blend than the flavor over the
top.  Really noted how good everybody in the band was, and how well the
band knows/plays with one another.  Another random idea was picturing Trey
not as a guitar player, but a musician who has decided to pick up the guitar
to express with (a subtlety I guess).  So, ya I'll probably look for the
tape, but more so I can continue to get a better handle on the music and
shows Phish can do than anything.  In closing, the show was enjoyable, this
show just resonated with me in a different way than the previous and only
other show I'd seen (9-11-99, at the gorge).  To more good times, salud!
 
Peace and chicken grease.
 
Derek


Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 17:23:27 -0700
From: eli [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Phoenix
 
I have been catching Phish since they graced us with their presence on the
West Coast in 1992. I love the mix of the old and the new on this tour, and I
was quite pleased with my Vegas viewing of the band. In fact I am surprised
at the level of griping over minutia in the previous reviews, but I guess
that is why we listen so closely. The fact that he flubbed the end of Esther
or missed a segment of "Mockingbird" is irrelevant. The guys are not Cyborgs,
man! It's live music!!!!!!!
 
Well, we made the drive across the desert heat, and being hung over after
Vegas, in a hurry and none too happy to get stuck in readicculus traffic at
Hoover Dam...
 
And the question the whole time was, "Will it be worth it, or will the band
be spent after raging in Vegas?"
 
The answer: Mixed bag.
 
Though I am generally a big fan of indoor shows, I was excited to get the
outdoors vibe after being trapped in thick, stale cigarette smoke for three
days in Vegas. (I live in Cali and we don't have to deal with second hand
smoke anymore...)
 
First Tube was cool, I kept thinking about that crazy animated short video!
Good and funky and Gordon brought in the funk, which he continued with
Wolfman's - Gordo was the highlight of that tune!  Get Back on the Train was
a fun little butt shaker, and then Beauty was a welcomed change of vibe - the
first bluegrassy tune on this run of shows.
 
I like Vultures alot, so there.
Acoustic tune was fine, and Billy Breathes was gorgeous - really magical
little ballad there, well placed and augmented by Kuroda! Then Llama - never
seen that tune get so dark and tripped out! Killer jam, great swirling and
mayhem - then the lounge tune, and a great closer with Runaway Jim, which
sent the dancers among us into a frenzy.
 
Phish is definitely taking some healthy setbreaks on this tour!
 
Second set was good fun! I was psyched to hear all of these songs! Been
seeing Camel Walk on setlists for years and never heard it live, so that was
a treat. And from all the music played at Big Cypress, Piper has been the
most haunting tune for me, so it was  fantastic to see them shred it again
(in the desert this time)! When the Circus Comes was well played and
emotional - I love the ballads, man. This tune reminds me of Jerry singing
"All Over Now Baby Blue" - great, goosebumps kind of stuff. And the encore
was sufficient, though I prefer the upbeat endings...
Probably not a recording to look all over the place for, but I was glad to
see it.
 - Fleethound

Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 20:18:42 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: review of PHX
 
Desert Sky was my 16th show, this makes my first review.
 
The first set was very solid.  There is nothing too special to report about
the first few songs, they were great as always.  Beauty of my Dreams was an
excellent choice, with its country/blues feel.  Vultures was incredible, the
vocals work at the end of the song was particularly awesome, with Mike and
Trey singing the chorus and Page crooning along the word "in" at the
"circling in" phrase. It's the little things like that about Phish I love.
The Inlaw Josie Wales was beautiful and a little longer than I remembered it.
 Trey did some very intricate picking on that number. A very beautiful
version of Billy Breathes followed, than Llama kicked in. Llama definitely
took the energy level up a few notches.  During the song Trey clapped his
hands over his head twice to get the audience to clap along, then he started
clapping intermittently and out of time with the song.  Some people up in
front tried to clap along with him, and looked silly trying to do it.  Then
Trey took his hand and faked a slap across his face, then he urged everybody
to slap the person next to them.  He was laughing by the time he finished the
statement.  Either Trey's busting out a wicked sense of humor for his last
few shows before the hiatus or he's testing his influence over his phans.
Up next was a Lawn Boy, perhaps the band missed Las Vegas and all its cheesy
glitz.  Page played the role of lounge lizard very well.  Vegas will beckon
come his golden years.  The set closed with Runaway Jim, with a wicked,
wicked jam at the end.  The band really kicked it in and funked it up, I
thought the were going to segue into another tune, but they stayed home and
finished the set in about an hour and a quarter.
The second set opened up with Roses Are Free, which featured much sing along
from the audience, and got everybody fired up again.  Next came Piper, which
I've seen quite a lot recently, but the segue into Guy Forget was unlike
anything else I've seen, at least in terms of Piper.  The band cut a very
funky, danceable tempo, and then Trey started  doing some "ooo-oooohs" so I
new something was up.  Unfortunately, I really couldn't hear the lyrics
except for Trey's "gi FOR-zhay" line, but that's okay, the music was the
important thing.  I would like to see that one again sometime, I think it had
a good reception from the crowd.  When The Circus Comes To Town was beautiful
as always, then Trey dropped the opening chords of Camel Walk on the crowd,
much to everyone's delight.  This was my first Camel Walk, to be honest, I
had heard it on tape and didn't care for it much.  Hearing it live is a whole
different dimension.  What a treat that was, the band cutting funk of
incredible quality.  Driver was a fun tune to hear, then the band closed with
Bowie, which made the crowd go nuts.  They did multiple false endings before
returning to the end jam each time.  Bowie isn't one of my favorite tunes,
but I really got into it.
The band closed with a very touching Waste.  It was actually a great choice,
Trey seemed to be in a deep state of introspection.  Definitly seemed like a
message to the crowd that break time is at hand.
All in all, it was a great, great, show, despite the absence of any big phan
faves (you know, the songs some people are just praying to hear).  Phish
mixed a delightful blend of old and new,  a really wonderful show.  To be
honest, I liked this one much better than the second Vegas show, but that's a
different story.
Enjoy your year, folks.  I'm getting my teaching certificate so I can do this
every summer.
Peace,
BR


Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 00:59:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jon Stine [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Review of Phoenix Show
 
Well I just got back from the show and would like to
write my review while the stuff is fresh in my head.
Got my tickets day of sale, front row Trey side,
needless to say I was stoked. The lot was kind of
boring today, not very much food and only a tiny drum
circle. The thing that was nice was the presence of no
uniformed police officers strolling the grounds,
although you could sure tell the undercovers that were
out there. Had some big cocktails and beers in the lot
and then made our way in pretty quickly, no pat downs
either this year, a nice touch.
First Set (1:12)  First Tube> Wolfman's Brother, Back
on the Train, Beauty of my Dreams, Vultures, The Inlaw
Josie Wales,Billy Breathes(not Prince Caspian), Llama,
Lawn Boy, Runaway Jim
 
First Tube- Very nice opener, they came out smilin and
talked a little bit before starting this one, a little
funkier than normal, got us dancin
Wolfman's Brother- This was played tight with Page
really sounding good, he got off to a very nice start.
Back on The Train- A repeat from Tucson last year,
really short and uninspired.
Beauty of my Dreams- I liked this tonight, was quick
though
Vultures- Another repeat from Tucson last year, not
nearly as cool, but maybe it's because I wasn't dosing
this year Inlaw Josie Wales-wanted Albequerque oh
well.
Billy Breathes- Funny moment from my stand point
during this one. I'm not a very big fan of this song
so I was a little bummed. Guy to the right of me said
it was his favorite song and thenyelled Billy Beathes
only to have this jerk in the front say "Dude this
song sucks..." keep your opinions to yourself.
Llama- not a big fan of this one before I saw it live,
no I like it. Very good energy, the only crowd
interaction of the night came during this one. Trey
said to slap your self, the slap the person next to
you the he said to make love to the person next to
you(I would've), fun stuff.
Lawn Boy - very pleased to see this.. Page deserved to
have this one, he sounded great tonight
Runaway Jim- not a very big fan of this one although
the really ripped the hell out of it, you just knew
intermission was coming after this one.
First Set overall about 5 out of ten, got us thinking
the 2nd set would kick ass though
2nd Set (0:58) Roses are Free, Piper, Guy Forget, When
the circus comes>Camel Walk, Driver David Bowie.. E:
 
(0:06) Waste
Roses are Free- surprised to see this open the 2ns set
although it was a nice, standard version.
Piper- This might of been the highlight of the show to
me, very high energy Trey was just absolutley going
off during this.
Guy Forget- had no idea what they were playing but I
loved it. Trey was playing his little keyboard and The
only thing I can say was that they sounded a hell of a
lot like Tortoise during this one. Very spacey and
just reall a kick ass tune, would like to hear it
again.
When the Circus Comes- Boring, should have kept the
energy up was hoping for a 2001 that never came...
Camel Walk- not familiar with this tune, ok I guess.
Driver- thought he would pull out the acoustic for
this one but instead was played plugged in, nice a
short
David Bowie- Just about one of the fattest versions of
this song I have heard, the last part was played over
and over again more than usual, you could tell the
whole band was enjoying this one, very good crowd
feedback as well.
E:Waste- definately not my first choice but my friend
was happy. Over all the 2ndset had it's moments, would
have liked another song or two and would rate it a 6
just because that song Guy Forget was sweet.
Overall, not one of the better shows I have seen, not
as good as last years Tuscon show or Phoenix the year
before that but still fun. Being that close was an
amazing experience itself. Can't wait to see what
direction they go in after the break.. To all the
Phans, hope the rest of the tour is sweet, be nice to
each other, and will see you hopefully by next
summer.. JON


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