9-16-99 -- Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, California

Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 16:37:30 -0700
From: Charles Dirksen [email protected]
To: Daniel W. Schar [email protected]
Subject: 9/16/99 Shoreline

****
 
DISCLAIMER:  It's ridiculous that I feel I have to disclaim anything,
of course.  But some folks take things so seriously that, to avoid
flamehendge, I feel a context is necessary. Although I think it is
helpful to the reader if the reviewer provides a context for his or
her review by giving details on his or her Phish experience, on the
other hand, if you have a lot of Phish experience, then to some
people, you will come across as an egotistical bastard when you state
your alleged "credentials" no matter what.  Everyone knows that anyone
-- even the person who has heard no Phish on tape and only seen her
first show -- can write a beautiful, thoughtful, challenging, and
enjoyable review.
 
The point, though, is that if claims are made that versions of tunes
are especially good (or bad), wouldn't you like to know whether the
person making the claim has any idea of what they are talking about?
Is this unreasonable? I enjoy thoughtful reviews and try to read every
one that makes the Digest -- whether the reviewer details their
experience or even has any or not.  But I've found that I read reviews
more carefully when I can picture myself in the reviewer's shoes by
knowing more about the reviewer's perspective. I don't think I'm alone
in this view, either. Of course, the irony is that anyone who actually
takes the time to read thorough reviews (or disclaimers) is probably
the sort of fan who will get the tapes of a show NO MATTER WHAT any
moron420 has to say about it! :-)
 
All this said, I'm a jaded oldbie who has heard most of the Helping
Friendly Book, but has seen only around 65-70 shows since 1989, and my
last Phish shows were Vegas last Fall.  If you are an "It's all good"
fan, this review is not for you.  **I LOVE PHISH!!**  And after seeing
these Shoreline shows, I realize that I *REALLY* LOVE PHISH!!  At the
same time, I haven't lost the ability to criticize when my ears hear
sloppy playing.  Phish is an incredible band.  We all know that
already!!  My two cents are primarily for PHISH FANS who like to
distinguish the truly awe-inspiring from the merely great or weak...
on PHISH terms.  We all know that the weakest Phish jam is a hell of a
lot more musically impressive than a lot of the improvisational rock
out there!
 
 
9/16/99 Thursday Night, Shoreline Amphitheater
 
This show featured a pretty cool setlist and a LOT of music, but was,
in my opinion, nevertheless a clearly below average Phish show.  I had
a great seat about 15 rows up in Section 101 (Trey side, formerly
Fishman side).  Thanks very much to Jim Isaac for the unexpected last
minute upgrade!  I was trying not to get too excited about this gig,
even though I hadn't seen Phish live since Vegas last Fall.  But I
couldn't help myself.  I was excited!!!  =^]
 
First set (1:42)(thanks to Adam Braman and Rob Johnson!)
I: Ya Mar, Chalk Dust Torture, Farmhouse, First Tube, Carini, Dirt,
     Vultures, Sparkle, On Your Way Down, Beauty of my Dreams, Stash,
     Trainsong, Billy Breathes, Run Like an Antelope
 
 
Yamar and Chalkdust were, at best, fine.  I enjoy these tunes and
liked these versions, but they were not in the least bit impressive.
If you want to hear some real versions, I'd strongly recommend
listening to (or listening to AGAIN) the Yamar from 7/31/97 Shoreline
or 12/13/97 Albany, and the Chalk Dusts from 6/20/95 Blossom, or
summer 1997 (Dallas, Ventura, Tinley Park).  From afar I saw a friend
first/second row center (Ian) loving 'em, though, and I was inspired
to keep my hopes up and remember that I could still have fun -- even
when a show opens with tame versions of Yamar and Chalk Dust.
 
I enjoyed Farmhouse, but it was light and fluffy, and brought the
crowd vibe down markedly and noticeably.  The "first set lull."
 
I enjoyed First Tube, and have to thank [email protected] for his
excellent description of it in the Digest not that long ago.  It was
easily recognizable based on his description.  Mike in effect repeats
the "Gypsy Queen" bass line over and over and over again, as Trey
plays an ascending, odd melodic theme that is harmonically very
interesting. I really enjoyed it, but it did seem to me that either
the band (except Trey) wasn't really into it, or, well...  It just
didn't go anywhere at all.  It's more of a JAM SEGMENT, frankly, than
a song (see also SAND, WHICH KICKS ASS, and Free Thought, which is
also pretty good IMO).  In fact, I really liked all the Trey solo
tunes that I heard in these two shows, despite their simplicity and
repetitiveness (I have only heard two of Trey's solo tour gigs.. the
first one in February at the Higher Ground, and then the one at the
Bayou in DC, so I really don't have any Trey Solo Tour experience --
for the record).
 
Carini was magnificent.  If there is a more twisted, more sinister,
more scary version out there, I haven't heard it.  This was the only
"likely best version ever" from this show, in my opinion, even though
"best version" claims are, of course, RIDICULOUS.  We fan boys need to
talk shit, though.  Worth hearing on tape, too, for hard-core Carini
fans.  I couldn't help but reminisce about the 12/30/97 version, which
was so amusing at the time...
 
I love Dirt and Vultures, I really do.  These weren't played well,
however.  Trey was, quite frankly, flubbing all over this show.  They
weren't really nasty flubs, per se, but it was flubbing all the same.
Nevertheless, I always enjoy these tunes, even when they aren't played
too well.  Sparkle was amusing, as always.  I had to look at Ian again
for inspiration!  Oh, to be a truly giddy fan boy at a Phish show
again... [wistful sigh]
 
I thought for certain that we'd get a 20 minute Antelope to close the
set at this point (which would have made the set about 1:10), but I
was THRILLED that Phish proved me to be a FOOLISH jaded oldbie, by
playing ON YOUR WAY DOWN (the Lowell George tune), which of course I
had never seen Phish play.  It was quite a treat!  Trey took a very
Dave Gilmour-esque (Floyd-like) solo, and Page's playing was similarly
quite good.  I'm so glad they chose to play it! Beauty of My Dreams
was well-played (really), but forgettable.  I still like the tune.
 
Stash's opening wasn't too tight, but so what. I love Stash.  The jam
segment went nowhere for awhile, but eventually picked up steam, and
culminated in a jam that featured this amazing Waterfall-like LIGHT
effect.  Kudos to Kuroda for two days of the best lights I have ever
seen at any of the Phish shows I've seen.  Amazing shit!!!!! =^]  All
those colors and light effects, now.. it's unreal.  Fun, great Stash
but nothing unusually impressive IMO.
 
Trainsong and Billy Breathes were pleasant enough, but not o'er the
top or anything. The other "First set lull." Antelope's opening was
kinda weak, and I was concerned for the jam segment.  Fortunately,
though, the Antelope was quite good (you know you are a jaded oldbie
when you call a song, and then are discouraged that they actually play
it -- even when it is a strong version -- because you would have
rather been surprised ...(!)).  Above average 'paug, but not by much.
 
All things considered, I enjoyed myself in this set, but it wasn't
played all that well overall, and was definitely below a "Scott Jordan
Review Poll 5.0 Average-Great" rating, as was this whole show, IMO.
 
Set Two (1:18 or so)
II: Also Sprach Zarathustra > Mike's Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug
     Groove, Mountains in the Mist, Limb by Limb, Prince Caspian, Julius
E: Misty Mountain Hop* (+/- 7 mins)
   * - with Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule)
 
The very opening of Also Sprach was almost identical to a typical DWD
opening, with that weird effect from Mike, but within a second or two
based on what the others played it was clear that this would be Also
Sprach.  The lights were AWE-INSPIRING during this version, which was
fine.  The Mike's Song that followed (I'd guess that this was called
by a few thousand people :-) was frighteningly straightforward, and
even surprisingly so.  Trey was animated and it was tight and strong
and passionate, but it was strange in that there was no "post tramps"
section.  When Trey hit THAT NOTE that starts that segment off (and
which often has led into Simple), the whole groove died down and Fish
led almost immediately (but smoothly) into Hydrogen.  It really
surprised me.  I couldn't tell why Phish had started Hydrogen out so
quickly (Hydrogen's rhythm, I should say.. the others kinda just Fell
Into Hydrogen). Hydrogen frankly wasn't played too well, even though
it had a lot of improvised flourishes here and there.
 
Weekapaug, on the other hand, though it started in Typical Kickass
'Paug fashion, eventually segued into a Machine Gun Trey-Driven jam.
In my opinion it wasn't as impressive as the more collective
Weekapaugian improvisations that have occurred in the past, but it was
still an inspired, clearly above-average, noteworthy version of
Weekapaug!  The highlight of the show, too!
 
It was about 44 or so minutes into the set when Mountains in the Mist
began, relaxing the vibed crowd.  I *love* this new song.  I think it
is GORGEOUS.  At the same time, I don't think Phish should sing this
unless they have (a) rehearsed it; and, (b) really have it in them
when they attempt it.  This is very difficult song to sing.  The
harmonies ain't easy.  Phish ain't the Beatles, and a song this good,
IMO, deserves strong vocals.  It ended well, though..
 
I really enjoyed Limb by Limb.  I was concerned that this, too, would
be sloppily played (like the Vultures and many other things in the
first set), but it was a good version.  Fuckerpants (Caspian) was
delightful.  I wrote years ago in summer 1995 that "I also really like
Prince Caspian, even though it really doesn't do anything at all
(extremely repetitive, but I like what is being repeated.. i hope they
put a jam segment in it)."  As you know, they HAVE put a jam segment
in it, and Fuckerpants has never amused me more.  This was a very good
version!
 
All that need be said about Julius is what I've said in past reviews
for years now... When you see Julius at a show, it's almost always
going to be the best version you have ever seen or heard.  It's just
that kind of a song!  This version was just like that -- LOVED it!  A
great set closer! =^]
 
Misty Mountain Hop was a wonderful encore, of course.  I couldn't help
but think of my good friend Syd, who years ago remarked that he hoped
Phish would one day cover this, if only to hear Page screaming "BABY
BAY BABY DO YOU LIIIIKE IT!?!???"  I don't think it was
rehearsed/practiced at all beforehand, because Trey in particular was
laughably sloppy for the first few minutes of it.  But eventually it
THUNDERED like no other version I've ever heard performed by *ANY*
band *live*, and Warren and Trey really complemented each other. This
was an awesome way to close this show!
 
Despite all the words of love and affection above, this show IMO was
still clearly a below average Phish show, about a 4.0 on the Scott
Jordan Concert Review Poll scale (a 5.0 being Average Great).  It
featured very, very strong versions of Caspian and Weekapaug, and good
versions of many songs (Fuckerpants, Limb by Limb), and an exciting
encore, but IMO it is par for the course for an "average great" Phish
show to often have this and MORE -- certainly tighter playing
overall.  I still had a BLAST, as should be clear from the above.  And
once again, kudos to Kuroda for the killer light show!! =^]
 
two cents,
charlie

Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 15:10:49 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 9/16/99 Shoreline Review
 
9/16/99
Shoreline Amphitheatre-Mountainview, CA
 
Thoughts on Shoreline:  This is where Ashley and I saw our first show so it
holds a special place for us.  The vibe here is fantastic, the love is
almost rampant here.  Older Deadheads and younger Phishies unite as one
cosmic beast.  It's really nice and I always feel very welcome here.  After
all I've heard about the summer lots being chaos, I was delightfully
disappointed when I realized just how mellow they are.  Maybe it's fall
tour, maybe it's NorCal, maybe it's the fact that we were just at
Burningman...who knows.
 
I:Ya Mar-A tune I have wanted to hear live and finally have.  Something
about this said..."this is going to be agreat time here".  Leo raged as
usual. Chalkdust Torture-As simple and it is and as much as they play it,
this never disappoints me.  It really raged this night and really got us
moving.  I like how they get this space-rock feel out of their basic sound.
Farmhouse-What did they do to this song?  It sounds great now!!!  The vocals
are much more relaxed...perhaps they moved it down a couple of keys?  I have
to admit, I did go to the bathroom here...but from the bathroom it sounded
fantastic. First Tube-Again?  Okay....no prob.  This is such a cool tune.  
I love Trey's syncopated guitar part.  Really gets people moving too.
Carini-Hardest version I've heard yet.  I remember 12/28/98 as being very
jammy and spacy, this one was very jammy and friggin HARD!!! Dirt-The words
to this song almost bring me to tears.  We heard it once at Ventura last
year, thanks for playing it again, Trey!  Seemed extended this
time...beautiful guitar work by Trey. Vultures-No Way!!!!  I was hoping they
would play this song at one of the shows we saw, but I was convinced that it
was a longshot.  Cool friggin tune!
 
Sparkle-Sensory Overload!!!!!  This Sparkle got so crazy that it actually
reached a point where it became a beautiful swirling cacophony.  Really, it
actually got so fast that it was just beautiful.  Hear it for yourself. On
The Way Down-They haven't played this since 89?  Yikes!  Page busted out on
this tune. Beauty Of My Dreams-The First repeat from last year at Shoreline.  
A great tune and so much fun!!!  Again, Page is the man on this one!
Stash-Not much remembered from this version, it was quite the intense blur!
More intense than Vancouver but not as different from the norm. Train
Song-The gentleness of this song is astounding, but at the end this amazing
crescendo of piano and bass and guitar and drums just rose out of the calm
and lifted us into... Billy Breathes-I'm glad they went with that sound they
had going at the end of Train Song.  I'm also glad we got another BB, this
song lifts me and whips me around in the wind.  The solo on this one seemed
more true to the album version...Damn I love that solo!!! Run Like an
Antelope-I really think they were trying to kill us.  A semi-standard
Antelope, but to me that is merely stellar.  Left me wanting MORE!!!  
MORE!!!
 
II-Also Sprach Zarathustra-We were waiting for some friends by Jerry, but
they didn't seem to show up.  So we heard the screams, saw the lights go
down, and heard the EVILNESS rise from the murky mire.  As they continued
this evil ambience for a while, I shoved a glowstick in the babyhead and
made disturbing sounds through it.  But the groove quickly pushed the evil
babyhead back into funky oblivion!  A tight, but short 2001..maybe an
omen... Mike's->-A great vibe on this tune...we knew they were holding out
on us for this chunk of songs, and man was it incredible!  The jam took a
while to get going, but it just went out there and raged!!!  A long jam that
finally settled into a beautiful, light wisp of melody... I Am
Hydrogen->-This song is beauty incarnate...they really nailed it and they
built it right up until... Weekapaug-We knew it was coming, but it didn't
hit the way it normally does. Instead, Jon just kind of faded up the drums
until Mike pulled out the massive artillery...MIKE!!!!!!!  Slap happy
craziness.  This weekapaug went on for a long time...Trey was ripping it up,
Mike was dropping bombs everywhere and Fishman started up this really cool
rhythm that totally changed the direction of the jam.  My favorite Weekapaug
yet. Mountains In the Mist-A nice cool down from that Mike's Groove
craziness.  A tune I know from the Trey solo tapes.  Translates well from
acoustic to electro-Phish.  I can't wait to see what develops with this
song.  So far, all the Trey tunes meld well with Phish.  Diggin the new Trey
songs. Limb By Limb-The next repeat from last year.  Despite what I said
about the Gorge, this always makes me smile.  A standard Limb, but beautiful
jamming nonetheless. Caspian-Much tighter than the Gorge...still awkward on
the outro, but it rages anyway.  Sparkling jams on this Caspian. Julius-Oh
My God!!!!!  Rock and friggin ROLL!!!!  Great set closer, went on for a long
time and really kicked our asses!!! e:Misty Mountain Hop w/Warren
Haynes-Again, Page sounded great, better than Robert Plant!!!  I've seen
Warren twice with Phil and he's a fun guitar player.  His slide work was
fantastic, but he seemed like he was going on for a little too long.  Trey
kicked back in with the main riff to try to get him to stop, but he just
kept on soloing.  So then Mike tried something completely out of control to
throw Warren off.  Success!!  They wrapped it up and rocked our souls.  
What a great night, and a loooooooong first set...I think I heard an hour
and 50 minutes.

-John Pett

Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 13:00:22 -0700
From: Raphael Aglietti [email protected]
To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected]
Subject: Review of 9-16 show


Well I have to say for my 13th show this one was pretty weird. Nonetheless
It was a fine show. Certainly I will break it down song by song and drop a
few of my insights.

Set I

Ya Mar- I have seen this open a show one other time 8-2-96. I wasn't a big
fan of the song then and I am not a big fan of the song now. However,
people seem to tune out the jams on songs they don't like so I will listen
to the tapes to see how inspired the jamming was here.

Chalkdust- One of my favorite songs without a doubt even when they cut the
jamming short or even flub a verse or two this song still is great. This
version was decent but nothing out of the ordinary like ventura 7-30-97 or
several other shows I could name. Chalkdust i think is a better set closer
and IMO the ultimate encore song.

Farmhouse-First time I have heard this tune. Hrmm the jury is still out.

First Tube- A new Jam section it was very enjoyable and had amazing energy
which brought us to ......

Carini- I ain't gonna be bashful here. Carini is the tweezer of the new
millenium. I could easily see this song bend and twist in all sorts of
directions. The possibilities seem boundless for this song. Especially
enjoy the dark overtones which led me to believe that they might go into
Brother but alas I was mistaken.

Dirt- Seen this one a few times. I really don't like this song. I really
can't comment on this version although I would say this was a strange
placement in the set. Carini to Dirt doesn't really seem like a likely
combination. Oh well

Vultures- Again not sure how this one snuck in here. I have no opinion
here except to say, "Next Song Plz!"

Sparkle- Ughh This song seems to follow me around like the plague. This
song does nothing except act as filler for 3-4 mins of time. I think
seeing this song 4 times in a week in 96 ruined it for me.

On Your Way Down- Huh? Probably 99% of the crowd was thinking, "Is this a
new song?" While I was thinking, "are you kidding me?" I knew it had been
a long time since the had played this song, but 10 years, damn. Hard to
pass judgement since it hasn't been done in ten years.

Beauty of my dreams- Er um  ....(gasps)  Really not sure how this
fit into the set but after realizing they played 14 songs in the first set
looking back it seems they sorta just crammed this one in there.

Stash- again one of my favorites. This was a really sweet jammed intense
version. Very solid and excellent. I am thinking that this is the first
set closer. I guess my antelope guess was wrong before the show until I
realize Trey isn't saying we'll be back in 15 min. Which prompts me to
think what is next.......

Train Song- Ack!!! Next Please!

Billy Breathes- At this point I have counted i believe 4 ballads. 4
ballads in a set unheard of however I had this feeling that my antelope
call was going to come true.
                   

Antelope- Woo hoo! Possibly my favorite song. This version got to the
point and got to it quickly. They didn't screw around with the first
section at all they just went to the straight meat and potatoes. Damn
skippy this middle section rocked. They were just hammering it out like
mad. Trey was playing what I like to callk speed guitar where it sounds
like a billion notes are just flying out of his guitar. This antelope kept
just building and building until it exploded. One of the best ones I have
seen and even heard. Although I like my antelopes to have a little more
time spent on the first section. (A la 12-03-92 Bogart's).


Set II- I was hoping for a maze here (a la 12-08-94 Possibly the greatest
maze ever I mean damn if trey is screaming during the song it has to be
good!) but here is what we got

2001- I have seen this song enought times to know that this was a
lackluster version. However I did appreciate its presence.

Mike's song- A good version but not great. This version seemed a bit
rushed which took away from my enjoyment. A solid version though but
nothing ground breaking like 11-19-92.

Hydrogen- Haven't ever heard this so it was nice to hear. Not very long
version but very nice.

Weekapaug. A great version. turning up mike's volume was a great thing and
nothing better demonstrates this than this weekapaug.

Mountains of Mist- New for me and ..... Ick

Limb by Limb- This song has potential but seems to always fall short. I'd
like to see this on one of those nights where Phish is doing 45 min
tweezer.

Prince Caspian- By far the song I hate the most. I don't know where the
animosity comes from but I just can't stand this song. I wish they would
just retire it.

Julius- Another great song. This version was smokin'. Probably not as hot
as Vegas 12-6-96 but I'll take this level of enthusiasm any time I can get
it.

Encore:
 Misty Mountain Hop-Really cool to hear and defintely not expected. I was
think more along the lines of possum or even the dreaded BATR encore.

Set 1 Rating (Out of 10) 6.5
Set 2 rating (Out of 10) 6.0
Show rating 6.5

This was a wacky show but was better than average show. It fits somewhere
in the middle of my 13 shows. I defintely thought this was a much better
show than friday's show which was about 3 or 3.5

Thanks,



Raphael G. Aglietti 

Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 21:09:29 PDT
From: Ryan Vandenbroeck [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 9-16-99 review

Oh yeah- I wrote a show review for 9-16....

============================================

Soundcheck- It^�s Ice- As we walked to the Amphitheatre at around 5:15
(which is by far, the earliest I have ever been to a Phish show or any
show at Shoreline, for that matter) we could hear the band soundchecking
It^�s Ice. Interesting song for a soundcheck- I always thought that they
would soundcheck with stuff that^�s a bit more easy to play.  Regardless,
it was fun to hear as we were walking in and made me think that they had
big plans awaiting!

Pre-Show- We got there as the doors opened and got great lawn seats- we
had our pick and got the best seats I^�ve ever had on that lawn.  
Surprisingly to me, the lawn did not fill up at all until only a few
minutes before the show began- probably beacause it was a Thursday.  Very
relaxed atmosphere- plenty of room to move around and some great groups of
people sitting around us. There were some spouts of tortilla and
marshmellow wars.  These were kind of funny to watch, but please don^�t
bring marshmellows because after a while you get a bunch of sticky goo all
over- the floor, your shoes, or even your hair- and that^�s no fun!

Set I: Ya Mar- About the last thing that I expected to hear for an opener.  
As far as I knew, they rarely, if ever, played this as a show or set
opener (ZZYZX, however, showed me that it's not too uncommon at all,
though).  Started OK but picked up with the jam.


Chalkdust- Another song I really did not expect to hear as I had seen it
on the Boise setlist.  The song seemed sloppy as it began.  The same went
for the jam but, like Ya Mar, it picked up as it progressed and Trey
slowly moved into one of the best Chalkdust solos I have ever heard- lots
of band cohesion for a wailing guitar solo.

Farmhouse- I had to go to the bathroom during this song so I didn^�t hear
much.  It^�s a pretty cool song, though.

First Tube- REALLY grooved- heavier and harder than much of anything I had
heard before!  I noticed a couple small flubs, however.  At one point,
Trey slowed the guitar theme, sped it up, and finally brought it back in
sync with the rest of the band.  Very impressive to watch!

Carini- Yet another song I really did not expect to hear.  The composed
section was as dark and spooky as ever and the jam just brought this mood
to new levels.  Real hard, hard groove and I liked it!

Dirt- I was never much of a fan of this tune, but I played it with a band
the other day and have enjoyed it more since.  Played well and it was nice
to hear knowing that the guys I played it with were in attendance, too. 

Vultures- I really like this song, but the composed part didn^�t have as
much energy as it sometimes does.  The jam picked it up very well, though.

Sparkle- I know that most people don^�t like this song, but I do and I
really enjoyed this version- great build-up at the end.

On Your Way Down- Even another song that I didn^�t expect.  I
understandably didn^�t recognize the song until about halfway through the
first verse. The song was played pretty well- not stellar, but you can^�t
complain as it was the first time in 10 years that they had performed this
one.

Beauty of my Dreams- I expected a set closer here but got Beauty instead.
Good song performed well.  Nothing special as far as I can remember.

Stash- Whoa!  I expected this to close the set, especially when they
really got down with it.  Like just about all of the songs they jammed on
tonight, when the jam started, it didn^�t seem to be going anywhere.
Furthermore, it got sloppy and I noticed a few flubs.  It really picked up
after a while, however and turned out to showcase a VERY heavy groove.  
It turned out to be one of the best jams of the night (a seemingly
rediculous thought early in the jam).

Train Song- OK?  Are they going to close the set with this?  Not one of my
favorites, but I suppose it was played well.

Billy Breathes- I^�m not a big fan of the back-to-back slow songs but I
have always really like this one.  Played very well (though I think they
played it better last year at Bridge School).

Antelope- This is what I was expecting for the set closer.  I noticed that
it hadn^�t been played all tour and knew they would play it sometime at
the Shoreline shows.  Regardless, this Antelope rocked start-to-finish.
Unlike most of the other jams at the show this one never let up.  The jam
hit many peaks and finished the set with a kick- get this one, Antelope
fans!

Overall, set I was great.  14 songs, in total- more songs than you really
ever see these days.  Highlights included the Chalkdust jam, the Carini
jam, the Stash jam, and Antelope.  Sparkle was also very fun and it was
great to hear them perform On Your Way Down for the first time since 1989.

Set II:
2001- Played well but didn^�t really seem that special.  It definately was
not expected as it was also played at Boise.

Mike^�s- I kind of expected it but really wanted to hear something else as
I seem to catch Mike^�s Groove at almost every show I go to.  Anyway, I
have really been getting into the jam section of this song lately so I was
hoping for a good one.  The jam started fairly slow and almost forced but
when they started getting loose, the jam got very, very heavy.  It wasn^�t
a raging jam like you often hear in Mike^�s, but rather very heavy and
groove-oriented- quite well done.

I am Hydrogen- I was really hoping for another song because every Mike^�s
Groove that I^�ve heard has had a Hydrogen.  Regardless, it was played
well. The segue was seemingly flawless, though it seemed longer than other
Mike^�s>H2 segues I^�ve heard.  Other than that, the song was pretty
standard as far as I remember.

Weekapaug Groove- The intro was good.  The whole band played for a couple
measures while building up to the bass solo- I^�ve never heard this before
but it sounded pretty good, though Trey might have been turned up a bit
too loud.  Again, the jam didn^�t pick up right away, but when it did, it
never let up.  It really raged for quite a while and this was one of the
better Weekapaugs IMO.

Mountains in the Mist- I guess they needed to slow things down.  I didn^�t
get too into this one but perhaps that^�s because I had never heard it
before.

Limb by Limb- I really like this song and was excited that they were
playing it.  I thought that the composed section was not played as well as
it sometimes is.  The jam built itself up quite well, though.

Prince Caspian- Another really unexpected song- I heard they played it at
the Gorge.  I like Caspian (and Sparkle too- how many people say that
these days!) but the song didn^�t pick up for a while.  When it did pick
up I remember it being very heavy.

Julius- Yeah!  I really was happy when Trey started playing the opening
riff.  It^�s one of my favorite Phish songs and I^�ve never seen them play
it live before.  Like most of the other jams, this one had its slow
moments but when it picked up, it got real heavy.  An interesting pick for
a set closer, but it worked very well.

Encore:  Encore: Misty Mountain Hop- I had no idea that Phish did this
tune and figured it was a "first time played" (though I saw later that
they played it in Toronto last summer) so it was one hell of a surprise
for me when they started playing it.  Warren Haynes (Allman Bros. Band,
Gov^�t Mule) made a performance, though many expected someone else to make
a guest appearance (need I say who?).  This is the third time I^�ve seen
Warren (though never with his own band- Blues Traveler ^�97 at the Greek
in Berkeley and Phil & Friends last August at the Greek) and I never got
that into his stuff, but things change!  The performance of this song,
IMHO, was truly great.  From start to stop this one raged.  The composed
sections were excellent- Page can really do justice to Robert Plant!  If I
remember correctly, there were two jam segments in this song that were
more or less just guitar solos until they were brought to new hights.  
Trey can really play well with other guitarists and he and Warren tore the
place down.  The two of them were able to interweave their playing
excellently and they brought the jams to multiple crescendos- one of the
best single song performances I have ever heard.

Set II/Encore highlights- Misty Mountain Hop takes the cake as the
highlight.  Weekapaug was another real bright point.

As far as the entire show is concerned, I guess I would give it a 8.5/10.
All of the jams, except Misty Mountain Hop and Antelope, were
groove-oriented and were VERY HEAVY.  Another theme of these jams, perhaps
more notable, was something like "begin the jam, let the jam lose
direction, then pick up the jam and let it rage."  I noticed this theme
over and over again and though there were some low points, it may have
been for the better: low points make you appreciate the high points all
the more, and, what^�s more, maybe those high points would have been
unreachable without the slow, exploratory segments.  And like always, the
positive aspects far outshined the negative ones!


Date: 07 Oct 99 18:23:36 -0800
From:Delilah Weeks [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: september 16th shoreline
 
I just wanted to say that september 16th show at shoreline was
phenominal...although both nights were incredible, this show gave me tour
fever like i haven't ever had.Phish did some amazing things that night, they
healed me on multi-demensional levels.  I'm still bieng affected by these
shows.....they took me to a new level.....if anyone has a tape of this night
I would be eternally grateful.  Phish is getting better and better, this is
just the beginning I know they're going to take music and reality to a new
level. I just wanted to say thank you to Phish and everyone else and to say
it's our responsibility to uphold the music scene as much as the bands.  We
are going to be the people who will change the world ....the music and
us.......
               keep the vibes [email protected]

Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 02:38:21 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 9/16 Shoreline Reviw
 
    Of all the venues on the West Coast, and perhaps I am slightly biased
because it is where I first saw Phish back in 1995, Shoreline appears to be
the one place where they consistently go off.  9/30/95 was above average,
7/31/97 remains one of the greatest shows I have ever seen, 7/19/98 is IMO
among the most underrated shows of 1998.
    9/16/99 was no exception.  It raged, and was definetly up there with
best in recent memory, and the highlight of Summer 99 thus far, with the
notable exception being set 2 in Boise.  I've recently been transplanted to
San Diego and being back at Shoreline was a wonderful experience in itself.  
The show was even better.
    I won't go through the show song by song, but here are a few of my
personal highlights:
-Ya Mar opener, always great for bringing out the good vibes, though it was
not  an exceptionaly strong version.
-the Chalkdust jam ripped, one of the best I've seen or heard, really long
version of the song.
-Carini was a bit on the darkside, but obviously no complaints here
-the fact that On Your Way Down hasn'y been played in like 800 shows alone
made it a specil treat.
-Antelope jam smoked and the ending build was incredible
H2>Groove my first Hydrogen since Shoreline in 97 and a beautiful one at
that led into my favorite Weekapaugs EVER
-The Misty Mt Hop with Warren Haynes speaks for itself
 
To be perfectly honest, and a few of my buddies agree, that this was one of
the best shows ever. Period. a bold of a statementit and one that seems to
conflict with the majority's opinion that it was simply a good show.  Just
my humble thoughts.  Save travels to all.
 
comments/cristicisms welcome-->

Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 16:16:00 PDT
From: Leighton D'Antoni [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Shoreline Review Thursday Show
 
 
     You all know by now what went down at Shoreline and I can attest that
after at least 40+ shows, Phil coming out during YEM(the best jam ever) was
the highlight of my Phish career...so far!  That was sick, but its funny b/c
the night before was a whole different story for me.
     Having just graduated college, I no longer have the time and freedom to
catch the shows I want to.  The last show I had seen was NYE in NY, so I was
a little out of the loop.  Came in with absolutly no expectations and was
more curious than anything.  I've seen them progress from the crazy jam band
that used to pack em in at the Avalon and Paradise in Boston(hometown), to
the spectacle that they are today.  Grew up with these guys(not literally),
so I was excited.
Alright lets get too it.
First set:  Great start with Ya Mar and Chalkdust.  Classic tunes that
brought me home real fast, I was back in the loop and felt like this was
going to rock.  Then the Farmhouse slowed it down a bit and it was a typical
farmhouse, nothing special.  Then came what i really wanted to hear live,
had hear the Trey show tapes, but finally a First Tube live, and to be
honest I liked it, but not as much as everyone else i had been talking to.
Its heavy and does a cool little creschendo rhythym, but its no 2001, and
maybe i need a little more exposure.  Still not a bad begginging to a show,
then I think the wheels fell off.  Carini's is a cool tune, but it just
seemed a little out a place in this set, and for that matter the next bunch
of songs seemed like they never really fit in that well.  I felt that it was
very choppy and didn't have a great flow, then again Sparkle is a good bet
to throw the wheels off any set.  The Stash was nice, but it was surrounded
by a bunch of songs without much substance.  The Antelope was refreshing to
hear as a closer as I love to run like an antelope.  Overall though,
everyone was talking about how much they liked the 14 song first set and how
cool that was, but to me I would much rather hear half as many songs, as
long as they are played out and jammed to a little more.  I mean, can we
even count Sparkle as a song?
Second Set:
Nice to hear a 2001 opener, but hey we all know that song belongs in an
arena that can give the light show its proper home, but still love to hear
it, especially when i had told my buddy that First Tube has nothing on a
solid 2001.  After studing all the set list from Vancouver on i knew we'd
get the Mike's sooner or later, and it came sooner.  I really used to love
this jam and the whole I am Hydrogen and Weekapaug thing, but I really think
they over play it.  It was great to hear, and honestly the Weekapaug really
got going pretty sick and jammed out to a solid state.  So after an initial
sigh, I ended up being glad they played it, but lets not bring this one out
so much, hey boys!  The rest of the set was decent.  I thought the Limb was
played well, but they never seemed to settle on a lasting grove that we are
accustomed to.  Finally the encore, and it was no doubt the highlight of the
show.  Warren can play some serious licks and he fit in well with Trey's
work and they did justice to Misty Mountain Hop. For me it saved the show,
and gave us a great vibe to carry out to the lot and bring in on friday.
Overall i thought it was one of the weaker shows i had ever seen.  I know
everyone gots their own opinion, but I was dissapointed in my first show in
awhile. Actually, I was a little worried.  But wouldn't you know it just 24
hours later my worries were replaced by the best show I had seen in over ten
years!!!!  Wow, these guys really know how to play a man's emotions.  Its
been back to work for a few days, but I can't wait to hop a plane for the
weekend run that ends with a night in New Orleans.  Hold on, the ride is
ready to take off!!!!!!!!


Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 20:40:28 -0500
From: Erica Gentry [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: phunky 9-16
 
It's funny to read the reviews- it's the first time I've done it, and
now I have to share some of mine.....
 
Thursday's show ROCKED-
I don't want to hear from anyone..."well, I didn't expect to hear this
song, or I don't really like this song, but...dude...every song was part
of the cosmic vibe that we were in store for- it didn't even really
matter what songs they played it was the energy of how they were carried
out-
OK so everyone wasn't on three drops of Owsley and wearing a white
jumpsuit with FUNK ADDICTION across the back, jumping and yelping around
the whole venue...
Basically, there was some intense magic at this show and the next night
(PHIL)- The boys pulled out the psychedelic slop and funk that makes me
and my funk addict phriends get off....
If you missed this show, you're bummed
If you made it, I'm glad to share that special moment with all of you
I've gone to a hell of a lot of Phish shows and trust me the music just
keeps getting better all the time (~Dead 1978)
Please, Heads keep up the good vibes and lets go teach the world how to
have PHUN....
(big phat smiley phace)

From: Matt Pomeroy 
To: [email protected]
Subject: Shoreline
 
After hearing the reviews from friends about the first shows from the fall
tour i went into this one not really knowing what to expect.  Was it going
to be a tight rocking jam session like the Boise and Portland shows or
slower and more experimental like the Gorge this year? Shoreline was empty.
 We got in around 7 and the grass was only 25% full. And it was filled with
Newbies and Silicon Valley wanna be deadheads of old. Ahhh shit i was
thinking the boys were going have no crowed to feed off. That couldn't have
been farther from the truth. In a nutshell; this show fucking ripped!!! The
first set was the longest I've ever heard over 1:45 minutes of tight
jamming. Highlights were the best Chalkdust I've heard in a long time, and a
fly Antelope with a sick psychedelics jam towards the beginning only to
intensify as it continued. Ya mar opener.....nice!!! A perfect song to get
you in the groove as the sun was setting from behind the green. I was pumped
on finally catching a Carini, this one was not the best I've heard but still
hard with those punk like Trey riffs. The crowed was going fucking nuts!! I
keep thinking the set was going to end after a long intense stash (although
the boys were a bit off pulling it back together after a spacey jam that
seemed to go on forever). Second set was much more insane!!!! After such a
long first set i assumed the would come back and hit cruise control until
the Mountain View policy made them pull the plug at 11pm. Sorry for doubting
you!!! 2001 was short but sweet followed by a phenomenal Mikes. This song
seems to follow me everywhere i go (Gorge and Vegas 98) but this one was
sick!! Slow breakdown with Page's funky effects only to be taken over by the
"Trey show" he blew me away with this one!!! Im Hydro??? Nice to hear the
old school come out once in a while although all the Newbies didn't quite
understand that this was indeed a treat!!! Then Limb by Limb, not one of my
favorites but a sick jam followed. OK i thought, end of show. Nope, Trey
came right back with a cool Caspian, a new intro and outro with a lot of
Page melodies. OK then shows over now. Psych!! Trey came right back with the
ever so great Julius, one of my all time favs and this one didn't
disappoint!!! Trey took this show to another level once again......So Sorry
for second guessing you guys. You rock. Encore? Warren Haynes? what the hell
is he doing here? I thought? Misty Mountain Hop? Damm what a treat!! In
conclusion....get the tapes!!!!!!


Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 11:27:56 -0700
From: Joel S. White [email protected]
To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected]
Subject: Phish 9/16/99

Unfreakin believeable first set of music...the word epic comes to mind. At
about song 13 I was lulled into a comfortable state of bliss with the
lovely "Billy Breathes" then the boys tore me to pieces with "Antelope."
Youch!!!!!!!!

I am quite the cynic whan it comes to live music and I see alot of shows
but I can not find a low point of this three hour musical journey.  
Ending with "Misty Mnt. Hop" was the coup de gras.  Now that my head is
swimming, Im gonna go back and get seconds tonite!!!

Thanks guys, I would have paid double the $26.00 dollars for the show...



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