7-3-99 -- Lakewood Amp, Atlanta, GA

Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 02:14:16 EST
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7-3-99 Review

    I hadn't planned on coming to Atlanta at all, but my buddy got me a
ticket for the fourth, so I made the trip. It was only a half hour before
the show on the 3rd that I got my ticket. I was so extremely pumped
because I hadn't planned on getting in. Before I go further, I must say,
Atlanta rocks. Lakewood is in a bad part of town, but it was cool. Little
kids from the projects next door were sneaking in the fences, and they
couldn't believe what they saw. There was also an older, more dead-based
crowd down there, which did my heart good.
    Chalkdust opener, can't go wrong here, this song was made to open
shows. Gumbo, phat jam with baddass Gordon bombs. I really could never see
Sparkle again and it wouldn't bother me. But as always, it is a good song
and nice and fast, besides I know a lot of people really like it. Cavern
is a song that always splits me open, I love it. It is also one of the few
songs were Gordon has room for some big phat flabby fills. It was funny
because the venue is pretty much in a swamp (deduct the carrots from your
pay, you worthless swampy fool!) Taste was very nice because I thought
they all but quit doing it and it is a long-time fave of mine. Circus, as
always, is slow put poignant, it also gives everybody a nice break in the
action. And then here they came, three songs that I never see played in
sequence, but that fit together perfectly Tube-FunkyBitch-NICU.
    For one, Tube is the ultimate dance tune, and is the closest thing
they get to hip-hop. It definitely brought on the disco fever. The crowd
barely caught its breath and then, bam! The opening riff to the Bitch no
shit. They couldn't go down South and not do any blues, they baked this
one out. Then NICU. All those who don't love this song can stop smoking
the rock right now, because it kicks ass, plus I saw it at my first show.
Tempo wise, it is the closest Phish come to Scarlet Begonias (I'm not
comparing for all you purists out there) the songs just remind me of each
other, they don't sound alike. Anyways it was great. Waste felt like a
post-sex cigarette, not exciting, but very nice. Then my highlight of the
night came. It all goes back to a filler from some show in Denmark, that
was on one of my tapes. It sounded like crude rythmic pulsing (like a drum
circle) in the middle of a jam. Trey is chanting "time for the meatstick,
bury the meatstick, ...etc." I always thought it was cool sounding, but
thought it was some random bullshit. So when they came out and recited the
same lyrics to a beautifully composed song, I about lost it. I felt it was
a very personal gift. (p.s. the Denmark show was 6/25/97 if you're
interested) Alas, the first set rocked the house.
    Twist Around is a bad ass, rock 'n roll song, that's all there is to
it. I have come to expect Piper at nearly every show, but I guess that's
OK, high energy. Moma provided the mandatory funk that Tube had not taken
care of. I really needed an Antelope and I got it. Antelope is my road
trip song, at times it has been my sole motivation. Having driven down
from Cincy allnight and not having a ticket for the 3rd, it was good to be
at the show and seeing Antelope. Contact was nice, although I would have
traded it for another rarity, but then, a soaring Little Drummer Boy solo.
    For the encore, Fish sang L.D.B. and it was quaint. Then, Dr. Jack
McConnell sang Bill Bailey, which was so fitting for the moment that you
really had to be there. Honestly, this guy belts it out, it felt like
watching Sinatra or something. Awesome. Then, a 2nd encore!!! Harry Hood
arguably Phish's best song, certainly the best song to end this show with,
stellar as usual.
    Sorry for ranting, but all-told this was probably one of my favorite
single night shows, and the 4th was still to come. Also, I got a ticket
out of the blue and that made it better. It was unique and high energy.


Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 19:18:03 -0400
From: Jeremy Ferguson [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: A Weekend in Hotlanta (part 1, LONG)
 
Well, the last show I saw was NYE 98, arguably the best show I've seen
(July 3 and 4 make 25 total for me:), missed all of trey shows cuz I
couldn't find tix, so needless to say I was pretty fired up to go down
to Georgia for the weekend.  Amidst all of the speculation and
expectations of breakouts and potential American Themed covers, Phish
came out, ignored all our wishes, and blew our heads off their own way,
blatantly doing the opposite of the CoverFilledJukeBoxPhish of last
summer.  The lot scene was great, both days, no hassle whatsoever that I
saw.  Anything and everything was available to those who desire such
things.  :)
 
We got there very early both days (3ish), tho the bus almost overheated
on the way in on the 4th, because the traffic controlling cops didn't
show up until late and we did a lot of sitting in some incredible heat.
If you saw a light blue and white 84 vw vanagon with license plates
DYDREM (daydream for the license plate illiterate;) with the trunk wide
open and engine uncovered, and bubbles streaming from the windows, that
was us!  If you see us merriweather->camden, come say hi, the bubbles
will be in full effect once again at any and all traffic jams and when
I'm bored in the lot.
 
After a HOT day sweating our a$$es off all day, we made our way in
around 7 or so, and took our places halfway up the lawn pretty far to
page's side.  I met up with my older sis, who was attending her first
show!  She was giving me her phone number and stuff when the band came
out on stage for a blistering
 
Chalkdust:  Lots of energy, nothing special, your standard Kickass
Chalkdust Opener.
 
Gumbo:  Excited as always to hear this, my third Gumbo.  Probably better
than the other two I've seen (w-s 98 and lemonwheel).  About 15 minutes
of very tight groovy jamming, got the show off on a good foot.
 
Sparkle:  When this started, I headed down to the pavillion to peep the
view from my seat which were in section 201, off to what-is-now-Trey's
side, pretty far back.  Standard Sparkle, weaving through the between
pavillion and lawn lane during this song was rather fun :).
 
Cavern:  *shrug* it was cavern.  Good to dance to as always.
 
Taste:  Was fairly mellowly jammed, and a wee bit different than usual,
but overall a standard peaking taste.  Glad to see it, hadn't seen it
live for a while.
 
Circus:  Cigarette Break.  Sat down and chilled while trey moved my
soul:)
 
Tube:  Pleasantly surprised to hear this, after seeing it on the list
for the KS show, funky and tight middle groove section, always love to
see this song.  Stopped and then started immediately into..
 
Funky Bitch: This is One of Those Songs that follows me around wherever
I go...my 7th Bitch (thanks zzyzx :).  Nothing special, tho Trey did rip
the shit out of his solos.  Solid Bitch.
 
NICU:  GROAN.  Another One of Those Songs.  Before the show, I
guaranteed my tourmates an nicu, because its played at every show I
see;)  My 8th, nothing different from every other nicu I've seen.  Fun
as always.
 
Waste:  Took this opportunity to make my way back up to where my buddies
were in the lawn, didn't take notice of this song at all really.
 
Meatstick!  The groove in this song is reminiscent of one of the jams on
the siket disc.  I'm at work right now, or I'd tell you which (I know,
because the next night a friend wanted to hear Whats the Use, and I
played it for him, and then later I heard the groove and was like THATS
MEATSTICK...so therefore its after track 3.)  I howled with joy when
they got to the chorus thereby identifying the song to me, but not many
around seemed to recognize anything here.  Loved it!  Phatty dance
groove, kinda mellow and was a strange closer.
 
Was a wee bit disappointed with the first set, having expected much more
(that's what I get;), it was fun, nonetheless, but pretty mellow
overall.  Probably about a 5 if forced into a 1-10 scale.  Average
length setbreak during which we were treated to some good countryish
music..anyone know what it was?  The Band made their way back on the
stage and we got a
 
Twist Around:  Was hoping this song would come back, because it produced
lots of good jams when it was around.  Can't say much for the Song
Proper, but the jam out of it was scorching.  Seemed to be taking off to
some Lovely Realms Unknown when suddenly they came back into the
chorus.  Loved it!  Kind of melted into
 
Piper:  Another surprise having been played in Kansas.  Some Kind Kids
needed to borrow some glassware during the intro, so I don't recall much
other than it seemed extra special beautiful.  I was basically blind
after they were done borrowing, so from here on the set got pretty hazy
;).  Seemed like a powerful Piper, tho they all do in person!
 
Moma Dance:  The funk at the beginning may have been extended, but this
was basically your standard Moma.  Shaked my ass..
 
Mountains in the Mist:  Had to lie down and take a break, this was a
good song to do it to.  Remember absolutely nothing:)
 
Antelope:  Scorching!  Hot Hot Hot!  Nice intro, spacey middle, Powerful
as all hell at the end, stop on a dime to the marco funk...formula for a
great Antelope.  Smiles all around at this point.  Did anyone notice the
sound going in and out during this lope?  It was totally messing with my
head, and seemed like it may have been intentional.
 
Contact:  My first!  Was hoping to catch this song finally this summer!
Was rather pleased, and I knew my sister was lovin it:)  Nice bass solo
and some soulful Car Serenading by Mike and then some Big End of Show
noises that kind of exploded into a nice
 
Little Drummer Boy Jam which had trey laughing and grinning at page who
returned the grins right back.  They jammed this heavy metal style for a
few minutes and then Trey wished us a happy 4th.
 
E1:  Little Drummer Boy:  Fishman came out with just a snare drum and
bared his soul to us, obviously he knew only like 2 lyrics (sang I have
no gifts for you, then I still have no gifts for you, then gifts I have
not for you) Finished off with a I Love To Play For You Pa Rum Pum
Pum!!!  Which got the crowd riled up for the band to come out and
introduced Page's Dad for a rocking:
 
Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey:  Didn't really know what song it was at
the time, but everyone was grinnin ear to ear as page's pops cavorted
and cheesed around the stage, was a great moment to see!  Hugs for
everyone and then they left the stage .. but the lights stayed off!!  My
first ever Real Second Encore was :
 
E2:  Hood:  obvious choice, negligable glowstick war and none even hit
the stage, most stayed in the lawn.  Seemed a little short and I don't
remember the peak impressing me like it usually does....
 
I realize I've gone on way too long, and probably no one's reading
anymore, but I'll give you some more comments regardless.  Overall the
show was about average (read: Great, Rockin, Kicked Ass!), the first set
being around a 5, and the second probably more like 6 or 7.  Lots of fun
and I was worn and ready for bed at the end.
 
We went over to the Brandy House, and two of my friends went in and saw
fish+mike, but me and my gf were plum tuckered and just slept in the
bus.  My buddy said Fishman was introduced as "former quarterback for
the San Fransisco Giants!"  I kinda wish I had gone in, but it was 10
bux a person and only about an hour or so ...
 
I'll type up my fourth review and send it along in a bit.
 
:)
jer
 
obligatory grovel for cds of this show, as it was my sister's first and
would really like to get it for her!  She told me "They were great, and
would really like to get it for her!  She told me "They were great, and
I could definately see myself going again"  Whoever said you can't teach
an old dog new tricks?  (she's 27, I'm 21:)

Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 01:57:36 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: review of 7/03/99 atlanta

I am writing this review about a week after the show, because i wanted to
figure out this show in my head before i added my two cents. I am a long
time listener (6 years, about 50 shows) but a first time reviewer and i
figured that if i was going to write a review i had better think it through.
As a whole, i thought that musically the show's feel and sound were very
similar to the Trey solo shows of earlier this year. I can only discribe
this sound as spacy yet rooted in rythm and blues. Not your normal earlier
phish sound. Which i've heard described as "ice cream for your ears". I
think that the new sound goes well with the whole new set up of the band. It
is phish's ability to morph there sound into something new i think that sets
them apart from other groups.  Musically i always say to my friends that
"it's not fair that they should have this much talent and other bands have
so little". This statement always raises a smile. well i've gotten side
track her's the

review:

Chalkdust: a good opener, high energy, this version was well played     

Gumbo: a nice follow up from the energy of chalkdust, everybodies moving

Sparkle: I'm not a big fan, but at least it keeps the energy high, and
smiles on many faces

Cavern: Your standard cavern, energy still up there and everybodies still
moving

Taste: Not your usual taste, trey played around with his solo more then I'd
ever heard him before in this version (during the middle "zen" groove) it
was an interesting version, sound was similar to the sound produced at Trey
solo show

Tube: Great song. got to love the tube. the deep funk that has been added to
this song has added a whole new dimension, played well.....and you guessed
it, everybodies still moving
Funky Bitch: Played well, always played well. energy is still high

NICU: its a standard song like cavern, versions are always similar, played
well Waste: a breather, sat down and enjoyed the song, it was nice to catch
a breather, good version

Meatstick: Had seen that this was played earlier in the tour and was excited
at the possibility of hearing it. Had heard it on the SOTG out-takes album.
its a really cool version with all the voices in the background, freaks
people out the first time they hear it. Its got a nice groove and is full of
energy

First Set: High energy set, good stuff, kept everybody happy and dancing
Now second set:

Twist: Good song, good soloing by trey, but just when it was reaching its
peak it slowed down and was finished, wish it could have been about 5
minutes longer, but hey what are you going to do

Piper: My favourite of the 97 new batch, such a great song, this version
like Taste, was very unusual. Page dropped out for a minute or two and then
kicked back in, the sound on this version also reminded me of the 2nd set
trey solo shows

Moma: Good song, everybodies moving, glad they added words to Black Eyed
Katy

Mountains In The Mist: I heard this on the Trey solo tour, seemed like it
was missing something then, the rest of the boys certainly filled that void.
Harmonies were added, and having someone on the keys; especially page, goes
a long way, thats all that i can really say about this song because it was
only my second time hearing it

Antelope>Drummer Boy: a phish masterpiece, this version had lots of flashing
lights and chaos, not your usual build up then your head being ripped off,
very chaotic for lack of a better phrase, the drummer boy instrumental at
the end caught me off gaurd; i thought that was a christmas song?, high
energy Antelope is a good way to end the second set

Second set: high energy 2nd set (and show)...everybody was waiting to see
what the icing on the cake would be

Little drummer boy: hilarious, smiles on everyones faces, Fish is one of the
funniest people i have ever seen

Bill Bailey: the vibe was set. we had been laughing, dancing having your
normal phish good time, the stage was set for Page's dad. good fun

Hood: Gotta love a doble encore, this like Taste and Piper also had a
different "zen" part, trey really went out of his way to play something
different, it was nice but it seemed a little short            

The show was high energy and lots of fun. Musically, I am going to have to
wait until i get a tape of the show before i can rate it. The sound quality
out on the lawn wasn't that great. If I was going to rate it now it would be
an average show. No matter what though, a Phish show is always fun. I took
my
roomate to the show, he had never been to a Phish show before. He comented
on
how friendly everyone was and also mentioned something to the extent that
"ganja goo balls kick ass". All in all he called the show a "mind boggling
experience". I'm glad he had fun.

                        -peace-

                                shawn   

Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 01:52:54 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: three is the magic number

this show was tight...the mood was right...and the party was out of sight.

seeing as work holds me from touring this summer i was amped to head down to
good ole lakewood for the weekend...there were still plenty of  big songs to
be played so i knew we were in for a good time.

i've stopped agonizing over what i WANT them to play and started being open
to the flow.  this show (parallel to greeville 98) was that type of
experience for me...

chalkdust:  was comin in the door so didn't hear much of it...no
biggie...standard chalk i imagine.

gumbo:  the real opener of the show for myself, although the energy of the
opener was already processed...this was the song that opened me for the show
( if that makes any sense at all).  this was the best gumbo i've ever
seen...topping a few of the others.  something about it;  the length, no
delay loops, crisp sound, creative jamming...made it seem new and familiar
at the same time...gimmie some more.

sparkle:  this song is much fun...one of the ones i may have spoofed at
years ago but now it takes on a rehearsed element of chaos.  i especially
like what tom has to say about writing it and hearing it performed......sad
lyrics, happy effect....went right into

cavern: good funky cavern...i've loved this song live ever since the last
night of the island tour.  a 30 second breather and along came

taste:  i love pages piano intro to this song....what an awkard groove they
catch just before the lyrics come in....page rocked his solo ( as he did
consistently thru the night) and trey's jam seemed new and fresh...he was 
playing with a certain air of confidence this night that was just radiating
all the way to the back of the lawn...i love mike's bouncing bass line in
this one too....overall, taste like i've never heard it before.  things
quieted down for a

circus:  i really enjoy this los lobos tune....an excellent breather before
a funky ass

tube:  was surprised to hear this one repeated so soon...but who's
complaining...this was a great tube...they really got into things ( minus
the delay loop once again).  the jam went up and down as they took turns
leading the pack of heads bopping up and down to the vibrations that hung
from the speakers and tickled our ears.  heard mike messin with some
oblivious fool during the jam....the set was getting longer and then,

funky bitch:  thought this was the obvious closer but i sure was
wrong...finely played bitch ( i just love saying that)..nothing too much out
of the ordinary....page was certainly on.  they stayed on stage and the
strumming of

NICU: hit the speakers....only the third time i've seen this song but was
glad...always a treat. and then began

waste:  things were definitely getting long at this point and they
definitely had to play something after this song..but what?...once
again...lovely time to sit and sway..singing along with trey.  always liked
this one. and of course

meatstick:  not much to say that hasn't been said....my favorite of the
night with two full lyrical sections leading up to the chorus.  lovely
treat.

the lights came up on the party and heads were sent on their way with
visions of water and bathrooms dancing thru their heads....they were
nightmares...unfortunately, lakewood is an some random architect's career
flaw....bathrooms and water fountains are right beside each other creating
some unpleasant attempts at linemaking...i abandoned the mission and
returned to the lawn with an empty bottle and a full bladder...the break
went quick and before i knew they came out with..

twist:  took me totally by surprise...have loved this one since 4/2/98 but
hadn't seen it since....pretty much straight ahead rock the house down twist
around...perfect song to set the mood of the evening....after a reasonably
long jam it settled down into

piper:  best version i've seen....this song built from the very
beginning...harnessing all the energy in the place and splattering it again
and again upon the ceiling....after this song i was literally tired....i had
been forced to dance myself to the ground.   catching my breath...it was
obvious the next song would be

moma:  sparse cow-funk.  this song was well played and cast a wonderful glow
on everyones faces.  it must look insane from the stage to watch the bodies
undulate beneath the powerful groove...built itself to its crescendo and
made its way into

mist:  had heard trey do it this spring but sounded quite different and
special in the midst(ha ha) of phish's repetoire.  don't remember too much
except some lovely lyrics from trey and a mellow composed section in the
middle of the song..came to an end quickly to hear the opening notes of

antelope:  once again, best one i've seen.  it just built and built....i got
to thinking about how crazy the jam must seem to the untrained ear....the
noise level was quite high in this version..with fish pounding away at the
set and lots of distortion from the rest of the band...if i had never heard
this song before..i would have been scared and confused..luckily there was

contact: for any disjointed soul in the audience..just sing along...this
song was great...a first for me live, which made all the much more fun...of
course mike lead the arm waving and toward the end some neat vocal fills
like "yes we am".  wonderful reflections of silliness and smiles....the
buildup led into

drummer boy:  to close things out with a ba rumpabumbum.

fish was hilarious in the encore...nuff said.
page's dad sang with tremendous strempff in bill bailey...it was just plain
old funny to see a 70 year old man strut his stuff on stage....i felt the
need for them to close with a phish song (as in g-ville) and my wish was to
be granted...i thought that was it but the lights never came up and it was
soon obvious that a true double encore was in the works.

hood:  i can feel good.  played well with lots of attention.  sometime you
can hear they are not just going thru the motions but creating them as they
move....and those are called e-motions, and they are called phish.  

peas people...lets see what they got in store.

Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 00:01:48 -0700
From: Paul Clark [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: july 3rd phish show
 
helloo! july 3 was also my first phish show! did you ever happen to find a
good dat tapemp3 or whatever? if so please let me knoW! came across your
revu at like 12:01 this morning am tired and sorry for the jumbled mess! :0
please help!
 
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-
                      Paul Clark
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-
Got Some Useful Info Below, PLEASE READ :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[email protected]
GOlePHISH on AOL IM
15890638  on ICQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
steal away before the dawn
and bring us back good news
                ><>
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 04:19:06 PDT
From: Rob Sipsky [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: So stupendous, living in the Atlanta, 7.3.99 Tube!
 
It's so StUpeNdoUS, living in the Atlanta Tube!
7.3.99 Set I - Lakewood Ampitheater - Atlanta, GA
 
I don't know how to preface this - this Groove is insanely
laid back, but totally encompassing. It doesn't have any
of the summer 99 ROCK-GOD Trey (I see he's moved up from
Rock-star in the latest reviews) stylings. This is PAGE in
his finest, most diverse hour. Does he hit every keyboard?
Just about!
Read on... :)
 
Beginning at 0:00 :)  (45:03)
 
Lyrics segment goes very VERy groovily..
Seems flawless!
 
Jam! at 0:51 (didnt realize the lyrics were so short!)
Page is ALL over the organ from the get go,
completely out of control..
at (1:07) Trey has hit some kind of delay in the background to
accompany it.. a wavy sustained chord, and begins to gently
wah and accompany
 
at (1:48) Page trills, and begins also trilling on CLAV!!!
(1:52)Page is all clav now..  That was SNEAKY!
Heavy also on the WAh treatment. Ohhh YEEEeah!
Mike spanks and Page is alternating clav to piano!!!! (2:22)
 
(2:49)Page cools down, and.. OooOoOoh, grOOve Me!
Trey is hitting single notes in a 97 style but..
 
This freaked me out at the show, there's this weird sound,
coming from Page I think... it's this really quiet, kinda
low note, that just riiiiiiiiiiises slowly
just riiiiiiiiiiiiiises Up.
just riiiiiiiiises up.
hmmm (3:15ish) is just nice group layered funk, with some heavy
wahing on the clav from MC Neon Cellgap...  Sheeeit.
This is one of the smoothest jams I have ever put my ears up to!
48:55 (3:50)Trey begins to funkily chord along, providing a
Backdrop for some super FAT Rhodes work courtesy of, again, the
Chairman of the Boards. Hot-Damn!  this Tube is ALL Page. and I
love every second of it.
 
(At the show? I was in groove heaven! Is this Saturday Night Fever?
Are these the BEE GEES? oh YEAH BAYBEE! er.. maybe not :)
 
and at (4:05) Mike steps out to get his groove on. Very nice
lead bass here! Mike is way better than he was even last summer.
Groove me baby! mmm hmm.
 
Trey's clean tone sounds like he's got some chorus effect on.
(atypical) Hm..wait, Page is (4:57) grooving on the Rhodes, so
I think Trey must have started a really subtle delay loop while
Page was bringing the piano down and into Trey's half of the
jam.  I guess I didn't recognize it as a loop because it's
Ascending unlike in '97 and '98.
 
The whole thing is really spacious, with seriously DELICATE Funk
from Page. It's like.. Like "Crystal Cave" funk? I dunno, very
precise, very light, very in the pocket. WOO HOO!
 
Trey changes chords, but never really steps out into the front in
this one, but.. the groove as a whole is insane. I didn't see
anyone standing still at the show (You should have seen the look
on my friend Anne's face. It was her first show! :) The whole
place: one big bobbing, groovin' organism. uuhhh-Huh!
 
at (6:10) Something happens. They all kind of shake their heads out
of Phish-SpaceFunk, and remember that they're playing a concert,
where not EVERYONE loves space funk as much as Rob does :)
 
Trey Pulls us out of this Tube and into a different one at (6:13)
This must be VH-1.. a HISTORY of ROCK HEROES or something :)
Ouuuuuuwwww!!
 
and orange suit(?) is raw inside at (7:00)
It was So FUnkin stupendous living in that tube until (7:43), and
there's a lot of noise which then (7:55) becomes > Funky Bitch.
 
Wow is that ALL? It seemed longer at the show. Huh.
------Well.
 
The last Tube I *witnessed* (only other one, actually) was at Hampton
11.20.98, and, while fun in that   RocknRoll#2> Tube> Quinn run..
It was really nowhere near as groovy as this one on this
blisteringly hot and funky day in Atlanta!
 
    I have to say that this is really close to the level of the
12.7.97 I (now legendary) Dayton Tube, Tube Jam Reprise --> Slave
 
The only reason I would suggest Dayton over this one is for the segue
into Slave..  Page is ON FIRE in Atlanta!!!
All you need to do is listen to the first 10 seconds of the jam.
 
Too bad this MP3 is all Phase-weird, otherwise I'd tape it and dub it
for people.  I am looking for tapes of this show - PLEASE help me out.
(besides this MP3 ends after NICU (I messed up the 8 hour download)
 
Any responses or comments are welcomed, actually Desired, so I can
decide whether to review anything else.
Thanks for reading this meaninglessly subjective, and far too lengthy
"review"
Oh.. A grade?
 
Groovaliscious. On a scale of 1 - 10 I give it a
 
Dance TiLL it HuRTs!  Seek it out, once tapes get circulating. The
whole 4th of July weekend was really something special! Very SOLID
jamming.  (I'm still Phish-high from it, and it's 3 weeks past!)
 
 
Rob Sipsky
Florida State University School of Music
[email protected]


Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 23:53:47 -0400
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: I shook Mike's hand!!

The July third show was sweet!!  I just want to say THANKS to the angel that
slipped me her Aftershow pass through the fence!!!  I had to stand on an
airconditioner for 30 minutes to get it, but it was worth it.  Thanks also
to the dude that informed me that MIKE was standing about 5 feet behind me!!  
I got to shake his hand and still can't believe it!!
 
Also, props to the guy who made my grill cheese on the 4th.  It was
bombz!
 
Travis Williams
[email protected]

Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 13:16:34 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7/3 atlanta, georgia
 
nice venue. nice town. last show i saw was 12/30/98.
spent the show in the pathway between the second and third tiers of pavilion
seats.
met the maker of my favorite purple tshirt. don is the shizat.
hopes: twist around, tweezer> meatstick, gumbo, jiboo
set one.
chalkdust. pure opener chalkdust. a quick "rocker".
gumbo. was fantastic. full-bodied. stretched and robust in a way that removes
all doubt or worries about what the night might hold. pulse groove that
lowered into bass heartbeat slowdown.
sparkle. was half-finished by the time i pulled myself out of the gumbo.
sparkle. what can i say? it's easy to enjoy yourself three songs into a two
night stand.
cavern. surprised the hell out of me. the seacow had forgotten it was a phish
song. meaning, it's just not the kind of song we think about driving to a
show. great funky standard cavern. mike is particularly on top of things.
taste. i didn't really care for. kind of loud and lost to me. unfamiliar
almost.
tube. was a fucking shocker. and incredibly great. driving funky jazz that
stretched. really really good stuff.
long pause before what we guessed would be bowie to close the set.
bitch. after tube? goddamn. rocking nonsetending funky bitch. micheal gordon
in the house.
nicu. mellow summer night goodness. i think trey might have fooled around on
the little keyboard a bit during this.
waste. reminds me of summers past. spread out on a long and feeling
sentimental. this set was getting long.
and then and THEN the fucking meatstick.
jesus. how long have i been wondering talking about this. 6.25 lille.. a tape
i have worn thin.
but at first, i we had no clue what it was. was reminded of hearing roses are
free for the first time. thinking ween? funky full verses (and an opening
instrumentation that reminded many of the "franklin towers" gumbo jam from
pittsburgh 97... i.e. sick) before that meatstick beat began and the moment
it did, the seacow and i lost it. full on mitesh-style ceiling height check
bounding about. time for the fucking meatstick people, the latest greatest
(phish) song ever.
the place basically went bonkers a la the moma debut in europe.
 
twist around. even more highly anticipated than the stick was twist, due to
the slightly higher chance of being played and the 4/2 nassau twist headfuck.
wow. that's three f-bombs already. this twist was more like big summer twist
along the lines of a free than the dark insanity of nassau. the kind of
thing
you want to hear again because you're so damn excited and moving during that
amnesia settles in.
piper. made for a great combination and made me think of michigan from two
years ago. the 97 songs that didn't make the album (see also vultures, i saw
it again).
moma. twist piper moma. moma was big and slow bassfunk. the vocals changed
somehow. no fishman maybe? either way, moma seemed to be given the full
treatment. very satisfying.
mountains in the mist. a song i recognized from a trey tape but was really
unfamiliar with. kinda drifted through its fairytale nature. a seeming
favorite of my friends from santa cruz who were visibly psyched.
antelope.  powerful, full antelope that grew to large intensity before flat
out dropping into the marcos bit where mike was just rumbling away.  good stuff.
contact. another reminder of summers past. what can you say? it warms the
heart to hear. out if the endnoise rose
a dark thick little drummer boy jam. i really liked this.
e: little drummer boy. fishman with old school snare slung across body. a
definite must hear. think monty python.
bill bailey. my friend elizabeth was telling me earlier in the day about
becoming friends with dr. mcconnell , who refuses to show a video of his last
bill bailey appearance to guests, unless of course they bring a fresh baked
chocalate cake. apparently, he has no idea he might be making an appearance
until someone shows up mid-show to bring him backstage.
i, personally, can't stand the bill bailey song but, the doctors dance moves
and kazoo jam were not to be denied.
 
e2: e f-ing 2! the crowd was rather insistent that it happen.
a really passionate hood. trey pushed through the usual glowstick
accompanient and put more emotion into this hood than i have heard in quite a
while.
 
a pretty phenomenal show. in the lot after, beneath the whine and pop and
general ground shudder of endless bottle rockets and small bombs, the crowd
was mumbling..
 
time for the meatstick.. burying the meatstick.. take out the meatstick TIME.
ohhh.. shocks my brain.
 
anyway, the ankle needs re-icing.
the story on that and july four later.
patrick donahue.
 

Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 12:42:19 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7/3 review
 
well when i tell you it was meant to be, it was to be!!!!
i original only had tix for 7/4 and met this Atlanta native on gadiel.com
ticketboard for 7/3 tix. we spoke frequently until the time of the show. i
flew in from NY and met this dude (jack)who hooked my friend Murphy and i up
with Coors light box seats for some CDs a little glass piece and a few bucks.
my whole flight down was anticipation. he really came through!! but once
chalkdust began i knew i was in for a ride!!! it jammed, great opener>to
gumbo which is by far one of my favorites eversince the 97 gorge show. the
sparkle, cavern, taste, circus, were all excellent!! the girl from Ole Miss
next to be gave us some homemade molly (and boy did i love that roll !!!) the
music was only superperfect from there.tube took me away into the funk but
when i returned mike was screaming that same scream from the hampton shows
11/98 and i realized i was in the midst of an outrageous funky bitch!! after
that my friend Murphy was falling over himself and this dude Taylor we met
jamming to nicu. waste >meatstick was a great closer for the first seat. i
felt like i was in a fire on the mountain trance.
secondset boy that's a different story altogether. the whole set was on fire
twist around>piper and moma was a beautiful trio!! great lights or so i
thought until antelope blasted out holy cow!! what great lights thank you Mr.
kuroda!!! it was my friends first time seeing antelope what a great one for
him to have rolled to.!!! the contact was completely to let the fans know
"hey we love you guys" such great participation from the fans and the band.
the encores were also perfect.
overall by far one of my favorite shows i can only thank everyone who make
the show as great as they are!! i hope everyone has great tour this
summer!!!!

Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 10:59:33 PDT
From: poster fukerpants [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7-3-99 review
 
7-3-99
 
We got to the venue around six o'clock and the back lot was already closed,
so we decided to park in a gypsy lot around front.   Some friends of ours
had tickets to trade and business to attend to, so we didn't even get inside
until after 7:30.  There wasn't much space left on the lawn but we found a
decent spot towards the center and almost all the way in the back.  The boys
were later than usual tonight, but before I knew it they were out on stage
and playing
Chalkdust-  not really what I expected to open the show, and I was a little
disappointed because I've seen this one about a thousand times. During the
solo however something came over me and all I could think about was how good
it was to be back.  Pretty standard version that built up nicely to
Gumbo-  I had been begging for this tune and was really psyched to hear it.
The solo melted into a nice, funky little excursion that eventually broke
itself down into nothing.
Sparkle-  this one caught me off guard (consider the predecessor) but I had
come prepared to hear it this weekend, seeing how it is the 4th and all.  A
nice version, always fun to dance to.
Cavern-  Mike, mike, mike is all I can say about this one.  He was blowin'
shit up and slapping down grooves like nobody's business.  High energy funk.
Taste-  I was happy to hear the first notes of this and remember turning to
my girlfriend and telling her it would no doubt be phat.  On the overall,
however, I was a little disappointed.  The jam seemed a bit disjointed and
didn't really go anywhere.  An interesting version, no less.  I love to hear
mike's beacon-like bassline live.  It vibrates you.
Circus-  time to have a seat and a smoke.  I seem to remember them singing
only one verse.  Is this correct?  Anyhow, just when I decided to stand up
they break out the
Tube!-  Now we're talkin!  This one didn't disappoint.  Possibly the
funkiest ever next to the Dayton 97 tube.  I was dancing harder than ever at
this point and I didn't get a chance to take a breather because here came
Funky Bitch-  Ultra high-energy.  The best version I've ever seen.  Couldn't
get enough of Mike.
NICU-  I've always liked this tune a lot, but my mind seemed to wander.
Could be that they've played it at lakewood for like the last four years in
a row.  Loads of fun, no less.
Waste-  always enjoyable.  Knew that there was probably only going to be one
more song.
Meatstick-  Awwwww yeah.  Talk about your funk, it ran deep.  An excellent
set-closer and the beginning of what would become a theme of sorts for the
weekend.
An excellent first set with lots of pure funk to satiate the
neurofunktransmitters in my head.  Woah, it shocked my brain.
 
I pretty much stayed put and kicked it on the lawn during setbreak.  It's
amazing that over the course of the weekend I managed to avoid using both
the port-a-potties and the restrooms inside the venue.  Must have been all
the sweating.
 
Second set opens with:
Twist Around-  This one I had been dying to see and let me tell you it
raged.  Nice jam at the end and then the first few notes of
Piper-  after playing the first few notes trey backs off and things build a
bit before he starts again.  An excellent version that had everyone worked
into an absolute frenzy.  After this it's no suprise that the boys wanted to
kick back with a little
Moma-  funkafuckinlicious baby.  That's all I can say.
Antelope-  Frenzied and furious, trey was shredding the holy hell out of
this tune.  No doubt the best antelope I've ever heard.  Very funky end
segment.
Contact-  a funky first for me, very enjoyable.  at the end they jam into
Little Drummer Boy-  No words, just jamming.  Trey wishes everyone a happy
fourth and then they're done.
 
E1:  Little Drummer Boy- Fishman comes out with his snare drum and sings the
first couple of lines of the song.  He switches the lyrics around a bit,
which is funny.
Bill Bailey-  An excellent treat to see Pages father join the band, and the
old guy candance!
 
E2:  Harry Hood-  Yes!  I knew there had to be more!  Tight and concise.
Wow.  I left this show wondering how in the hell they were going to top this
tomorrow night.

Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1999 17:19:11 -0400
From: april [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7/3/99 THE real atlanta review of the show.

just got back.
im NOT sorry to say that the boys are now arena rock.
songs played just 7 months ago have an ENTIRE NEW FEELING TO THEM.
i dont think this is just because it sounds great in lakewood, but rather
the new approach they have taken. the new setup is pure rock and roll
looking, the video screens were excellent, and guess what???? MIKE is
totally taking over and it was all very serious.
 
set one....
chalkdust: super mike from the get go , moreso than i've ever heard. not
sloppy at all as some reported.
gumbo: been waiting a LONG TIME and they played their hearts out on this
one.
very long hot jam at the end.
sparkle: again?
cavern: mo mike... nice to see them dancing on different sides this time.
taste: quite different , harder approach, very arena rock.
circus: was worried i might hear this, but was very well done, lovely solo,
but appeared finished in all cases i could tell. if it can be longer than
that's crazy...
tube: WOW!!! wasnt 12/7/97, but was amazed that it was goona be played
again. i guess they like it a lot, so they are gonna make sure you are
gonna like it.!
Funky bitch: thought it would open.... this DID seque btw...blistering hot
mike and trey solos.
nicu: no scarlet, just nicu
waste: excellent song!
MEATSTICK: this IS IT! the song we have been waiting for! its our number
one hit! :*) excellent vocals, page's keyboard line is very spooky/funky,
the lyrics to the chorus will stick to your skull... very much sounding
like FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN. (hmm....) best thing i have seen or heard phish
do.
 
set 2
twist: i guess phish knew i was in the audience because i was waiting for
this all last year. very different than 4/2/98, but equally hot.
piper: hoping for a glowstick war......faster faster faster!!!
moma: thought this would open set 2 .... trey started getting really into
it in the middle for awile and then got quiet so fishman could start the
"faulty cap" part..
trey knida lost it on the last chorus section (page actually looked scared
for a little bit; wasnt pedal problems either..:*(  ) but nailed the solo
section, but hit it early to maybe makeup for it....fishman didnt sing all
over the solo either.
kissed by mist: kinda weak, dunno about this one. i want to like it. seemed
to go on way too  long...
antelope: right on the money, did seem very arena rock styled. lots of
mike.
contact: more mike!!! got to solo spot (arena rock) at the end, and they
did they arm wave thing at the end ... incredible version...
drummer boy: came outta left field, didnt do it enough.
 
encores:
drummer boy: eased everybody about tomarrow.... super funny.
bill bailey: just ok , more novelty, than "hot"
harry hood: actually seemed forced, but wanted it anyway... small glowstick
war, (also seemed forced) finished harry also....
 
incredible scene.
incredible vibes.
 [email protected]

Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 21:06:53 -0700
From: Bob R [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Atlanta 7/3 Review
 
Just got home a little while ago and will share my thoughts.  Generally, this is
a fine show.  No real surprises or breakouts, except for Dr. McConnell in the
encore (though I saw them do same song at Township SC '94) there's a lot to dig
here.  Some song comments...
 
Set I:
Chalkdust - Very disjointed at times, or maybe it just sounded that way from the
lawn.  Heard a lot of trying to find the groove (monitor mix prob?) and a review
of the tape should prove me out on this.
Gumbo - Excellent groove as it moved along.  Any doubts about the band connecting
left my mind at this point.
Sparkle - This was nice, but again the guys sped up too fast near the end and
lost their focus in the blitz of notes.
Cavern - Don't remember anything special except for a fine funk that Mike owned.
Try & Mike did a little "Rockettes" dance bit at the end that reminded me of an
old show at the Variety in Atlanta.
Taste - An interesting, different sounding jam after the vocals leads to Page
beating this song to death at the end.  Played almost violently, it nearly falls
apart from the passion.
When Circus Comes To Town - New song for me.  Good Trey singing, works for
me.
Good slow number to pace themselves with.
Tube - Hell yeah!!  Another first, and excellently grooved.  Look forward to
hearing this one again anytime.
Funky Bitch - I seem to remember Tube sequeing into this but I may be wrong.
Another fine funk-out that Mike dominates.
NICU - I thought I heard the "Scarlet Begonias" intro from Trey as this started
and a few folks registered this as well with yipes.  This ended up being a nicely
played song that I welcome again (another first).
Waste - This was sung well but it's just a ballad that doesn't ring with me
yet.
Need a few more listens.
Meatstick - This was EXCELLENT and tightly played. Page plays with a cool synth
during a nice Trey groove.  Near the end I swear it felt like a "Fire on The
Mountain" (to match the "Scarlet" from earlier?) and Trey said they were going to
take a break as it progressed.
 
Set II
Twist Around - This was so hot I thought a gasket was going to get blown. People
went nuts as it got stronger and stronger.  They turned a corner from white-hot
jamming to near quiet (in about 5 seconds) where Trey started strumming Piper
chords.
Piper - After the little strumming, Trey seemed to abandon the idea and they
spaced some with Mike playing a high appregio part.  It was a nice lush
soundscape to hang in until Trey started up those Piper chords again, egging Mike
on to start booming it out, and then they were off.  Once again they got it hot
like in Twist but kept taking it higher and higher.  Crowd loses its mind as they
keep going faster and higher.  They almost stop on a dime (again!! making it
sound so natural!) and leave us breathless.
Moma Dance - Don't remember much about this one.  Had some neighborhood problems
where I was sitting (more later).
Kissed By Mist - This had great harmonies and some lyrics that I got a chuckle
from.  Fairyland type stuff, very different.
Antelope - Great played out beginning leads to another intense jam.  The jam goes
futuristic and totally psychedelic before downshifting INSTANTLY to the vocal.
Unreal and the reason I go to these things!
Contact - Mike was on this night and this was icing on the cake.  Got the whole
places singing along.  I haven't seen this one in a LONG time (Antioch, TN '93)
and welcome it anytime.  Funky jam leads Mike to profess his undying love for a
vehicle.
Little Drummer Boy - I think the idea was for Bob Weaver to come out with a song
(another intro tune?)but it just got over-the-top and almost metallic.  Trey
thanked us and they broke it down.
 
1st Encore:
Little Drummer Boy - Here he comes, with his snare drum.  Fishman sings it well
telling us first that he has "many gifts for you" and then at the end "but I have
no gifts for you".  However, his last line says it all...."How I love to play for
you, ba rump pa bum bum bum"
Bill Bailey - Saw this a long time ago, and they nailed it again.  Pops does a
couple of nice dance moves at the end that I got a great Grandpa Simpson vibe
from for some reason.  Very cool!!
 
2nd Encore:
Harry Hood - After more intense crowd response, the guys come out again and play
a shortened but intense Hood.  Jam after vocals spaces for some time (with
glowstix as Chris turned down the lights) and then gets as intense as the earlier
Twist and Antelope.  Mike lets out his last boom of the night as they hit the
final vocals ending a fine show.
 
Some other comments....crowd was fairly civil except for the folks who just do
too much, too fast.  I saw a number of guys who appeared to have drank beer all
day and then dosed right before coming in (they looked at everything strange AND
fell down or stumbled A LOT!) and it led us to seek some other places to sit.
During the Moma Dance a guy behind us started to wig out and yell about the
"knowledge in the soup" and how "this is it, this is everything we need to start
over".  His friends laughed at him for a while but it started getting really
annoying after a while.  His friends calmed him down but what if they weren't
there?I hope folks take care of themselves (or others) when getting that far out
there.  Security wasn't a hassle, and everyone looked like they were having
fun.
Wish I could go tonite but work awaits.  Excellent little summer break!!
 
Bob R

Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 12:41:37 -0400
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: july 3 lakewood

i'm writing this from another persons email account. mine is
[email protected].

this was a great show in my opinion.  not the best, but really solid and
tons of fun.

chalkdust - always a fun opener.  not jammed out super long but strong
nonetheless.
gumbo - deep slow funk/space for about 10 minutes in the jam. pretty
much all mike.
sparkle - standard sparkle.  lights at the end didn't have much effect
since the sun was still out
cavern - good high energy version of this song. once again, all mike on
this one                                                                
taste - i really like this song.  i'm not sure if the band was on or the
jam just got real disjointed and hard to follow.   it was interesting
anyway but never really built up to a big bang like some tastes do. trey
teased dueling banjos about 4 times in the middle of this jam.
circus - standard circus / water break
tube - yes! my first one in 45 shows.  fast funk with a lot of page on
the hammond and clavicord (or whater that funky keyboard is called) and
directly into ...
funky bitch - very high energy, the crowd was just going nuts.  this is
where trey just let it rip.  tube>bitch was the highlight of this set
for me.  i thought it would end but then came
nicu - standard well played.  i've seen this a lot lateley so didn't get
real exited.
waste - i really like trey's tela-esque solo at the end of this.
meatstick - great, incredibly funky tune with comical lyrics.
interesting set closer since there's no real climax to this one, but i
was real impressed with this song.               

first set - lots of songs, nice variety, great energy, and my first
tube. very solid and tons o fun.

twist - the most focused twist i've seen or heard.  usually the jam
turns mellow and funky.  this one turned into a raging funk, with trey
just killing it.
piper - pretty long intro, before they even got to the chord
progression.  great, huge build that i thought wouldn't end.  the crowd
really resonded well to this .
moma - very funky, got everyone moving. nothing out of control though.
kissed by mist - slow, long, intricate trey song.  i didn't really dig
this one too much though tere were some really nice harmonies in the
end.
antelope - standard intro followed by kind of mellow beginning of the
jam followed by absolute madness in the middle and end of jam.  the
crowd really resonded to this.  it was phish at full speed, completely 
out of control.  thanks for the lights chris. highlight of the set for me
contact - fun, funky contact into
little drummer boy - no singing, trey playing the harmony on the doc.
trey wishes everyone a happy fourth.

a very entertaining second set, with plenty of funk and a huge antelope.

encore -
little drummer boy - fishman center stage with a snare drum under his
arm.  very funny as he obviously knew the first two lines of this song
and pretty much made up the rest. his last line was "i love to play for
you ba rumpapumpum"
bill bailey - seen it twice already. fun anyway
encore 2 -
hood - god damn is all i can say
i really liked this show and had a blast      
--  

click here to return to the 1999 reviews page


hits since 7-5-99 5pm pacific(many)