12-8-99 -- Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine

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Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999 21:28:30 EST
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Review

12/08/99 Cumberland County Civic Center - Portland, Maine - Reviews
I: Limb by Limb, Get Back on the Train, Down with Disease, Fast Enough For
You, Ya Mar, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Run Like an Antelope
II: Sand, Dirt, Piper-> Dog Faced Boy, Lizards, You Enjoy Myself -> Tweezer
Reprise Vocal jam
E: Golgi Apparatus, Tweezer Reprise

This was my 11th show and my last show of the year. Great way to finish off
my decade of Phish. I can't write a long review so I'll just give you the
great points that stood out that night.
First set, Limb was a great opener. I looked around (and so did the band) and
all we could see was huge balloons. I loved them. They just gave a great vibe
to the show. Also, being on the floor, kind of 20-30 rows back, I could see
the band, and also the great lights.
DWD was great with a lot of energy.
The night before, after I got back from the first night of CCCC, I listened
to FEFY and Horse and Silent, to put me to sleep. I thought "Wouldn't it be
great to hear them tommarrow.", but I knew that wouldn't happen. They never
play FEFY and hadn't played H/S since the wheel. But oh yes, they did. I was
soo happy. FEFY was so beautiful too. I loved it.
Ya Mar was nice but the jam was very nice. It was so different. It wasn't as
"happy" as the jam usually is. It went somewhere where it's never gone
before. Listen to the tapes!
I had alsways wanted to hear an Antelope in a first set, because every
Antelope that I've seen ends off a second set. My wish came true. It was long
and had so much energy.
Set-2-
My friends and I were now about 4 rows back in the middle of the stage. Very
close. Sand, (which I always thought was one of the Tubes) started off and
was very long.
Piper- I've seen so many of these. This one had another extened jam such as
Oswego which made it very unique.
DOG FACED BOY!- YES, I love this song. I never thought I would hear it. One
thing I love about this show, is that I saw many of my fav. slow songs.
(Dirt, Dog, FEFY, Silent)
Lizards- There we go. Great song to hear. I love the piano solo so much. So
does Trey. He looked at Page the whole time. I was kind of bumed because it
was already 11-15, and they were probably close to done, like last night. I
would of liked to hear a long song.
Then, I was happy to see that the band was not ending. and being so close, I
could see Trey say "You enjoy myself" twice to Fish and Mike. I yelled to my
friend Aaron "YEM!, Trey just said YEM" and oh yes, They played it. I love
this song and it always makes me feel good in concert. In the jam, Mike took
some solo's which were standard YEM bass lines, but it just made the energy
go up. Not too much of a jam after that, but the Vocal Jam was great. It was
long, and fun. Then, Aaron and I heard Tweeprise, and we knew what they were
doing. I wasn't sure if Phish knew it or not though. But then they started
singing "Step into the freezer!" and it was official.
I figured that they would play Cavern and Tweeprise for an Encore, but
instead we got  Golgi and Tweeprise which was even better. In Tweeprise, a
long haired man was grooving and head banging like crazy. I was laughing
hard.
This was Aaron's Birthday and he got a great show.
Thanks PHISH

 - - - - - Taylor - - - - -
My Page

Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 12:29:11 PST From: Andrew Rose [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/8/99 Review 12/8/99 CCCC, Portland, ME I (8:10-9:30) LimbxLimb, Get Back on the Train*, DWD^->FEFY, YaMar** Horse->Silent, Antelope *extended jam/tease(?) that ended the song - really cool ^mind blowing, much different than typical DWD **best jam of the night, techno space funk (the Dec 99 sound ...) II (10:15-11:35) Sand^^ Dirt, Piper#->Dog Faced Boy, Lizards, YEM## E: Golgi, Tweezer Rep. ^^20 min, out there and back again #w/ ambient like jam after 14 min ##w/ Tweezer Rep. vocal jam The first set of this show was perfect from start to finish. I can't remember the last time I heard Trey so damn tight. The setlist doesn't tell the story hear, trust me. Then again, I've heard reviews that don't tell the story either. Sigh ... if the Ya Mar was "flat" then the fall 97 tour was boring. The second set had weak spots, that's certain, but the potential that these shows exuded has me so excited for Florida I can't express it. LimbxLimb was a fantastic opener. I've grown to dislike it since 97, usually Trey just fucks around a bit, a comes back to the theme. This was tight and really intricate. Get Back on the Train I LOVE. It's so funky and danceable ... this version was perfect, and I don't know if it was a tease or just a really sweet little jam, but if not, this song looks like it might get an addition to it ... or at least a segue partner. Disease was absolutely smoking. Again, this tune doesn't excite me NEARLY as much as it used to. Pretty much every 98-99 version I've heard is the same long jam, which can be great when you're dancing, but on tape (there's a expression that's dying ...) it just doesn';t do it for me. I think this one will stand the test. I don't know how to convey how this was different than your typical, rocking DWD - just hear it. Ya Mar was the highlight of the night for me. They played the compose verses and stuff and out of nowhere were in this layer of sound tempo altering out there jam last lasted for a good 12 minutes. This has to be the techno space funk that came out of that Bathtub to start the tour. Can't wait to hear more. Antelope was the best I've heard since 12/29/97. That should say enough I think. Energy ernergy energy. Sand turned out to be a 20 minute jam fest, which is always good to open the second set. I got really out there, really spacy and then rockin ... Trey was going off everywhere throughout the whole show, but it was intricate soloing, not just loud noodling. And finally Piper was gorgeous as always. They seem to be extended it all the time now, and I like the fact that on this night after the Dwd like jamming that tends to emerge, the boys turned on the ambient stuff again. Really nice. They were amazing shows. Weak spots are inevitable ... I don't know how many of you listen to entire sets anymore - but I don't. I tend to lay out my mp3's with my favorite gems from numerous shows when I'm listening to stuff ... I'm sure the rest of the tour will be sprinkled with setliosts with one too many new songs that don't go anywhere, or an old tune you just wish they would replace with It's Ice (arggh! I was sure we were gonna get itb after that Wolfman's on 12/7 ... two year anniversary of Dayton) but for every moment like that there's gonna be a sick jam that more than redeems it. Watch out for those Philly's, those Hampton's and hell, everything in between. There's gonna be some beautiful gems, and maybe even a couple perfect sets here or there (like 12/8 I). Oh, and watch out for Florida ... hmmm Gamehendge pt. II - they're writing it right now. Andrew
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 09:58:11 PST From: Carsten Sorensen [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12-8 review The Portland C.C. is a great small venue. The smallest I've been to since Glenns Falls. The sound board and tapers were all the way in the back of the floor so there was plenty or room in front and it was a GA show which is always a plus. Traffic and security were both nice and relaxed. It was my first time in Portland, I wish I had gotten there a bit earlier to check out more of the city. set 1: Limb by limb- Good opener, pretty standard version that got everyone going. Get back on the train- I really like this song. I thought it fit in well after limb. Trey eased back a few times toward the end to let Mike drop some nice bass lines which kind of foreshadowed the next song. Down w/ Disease- Great bass intro to lead into a nice Dw/D. Not extra funked out as some are, but a solid jam with extra credit for Mike. Fast Enouph... I didnt mind the slow down and although its never been a favorite, it is a well written, heartfelt song. Ya Mar- Always good to hear. Good pick me up. Trey really seemed to be in an excellent mood last night. smiling and being silly all night. Everyone was right on on this one Horse>Silent- A few smooth songs. Ive heard some choppy Silents, but last nights was crisp with good harmony. Seemed like more of a happy version rather than extra serious, but maybe i was just having a good time. Antelope- Good end to a solid first set. This Antelope wasn't extra special ,imo, but rocking as always. set 2: Sand- Not too vivid i my mind. I think I was busy preping for the second set. Piper- Seems like every Piper is a treat lately and this was another Tasty one. Trey got funky out with all those trippy effects and paige was messing with us on a whole other level. They definitely had me lost on that one. >Dog Faced Boy- Perfect contrast to Piper. Almost all vocals with very soft instrumentation. Not your average uptempo Dog Faced Boy at all. Lizards- One of my favorites at the moment. After looking at the last few set lists I was hoping to hear it last night and was thrilled to fish my wish. Relatively standard version with notable mention to Chris Kuroda for his great lighting here and all night. Lizards really got the second set into full swing, if piper hadn't already. YEM- As far as im concerned, you gotta be happy with any set with Piper, Lizards and YEM. Great jam segment with more psychodelics. Complete with trampolines and acappella segue it was a full YEM with all the bells and whistles. I kept catching myself smiling too hard and thinking the only one having a better time than me is Trey. My only complaint about the night was that when they were slowing down YEM going into the acappella part the audience was too loud and clapping along. It seemed like they wanted to get into a quieter funky acappella but couldn't. don't get me wrong they did a sweet acappella but they never brought it way down to the point were its just a few seemingly random sounds that come together to lead back into YEM. Tweezer- the end of YEM eventually lead into an acappella Tweezer. Again the lights were excellent here. I was trying all trough this one to figure out what they were doing and i must confess i didn't call it until just before the chorus. But that just goes to show you how different this one was. Im actually a bit tired of tweezer so it was great to see it done so atypically. encore: Golgi- Very average. A big contrast from the spacy YEM and Tweezer, though I think just about any song would have pulled me back to reality a bit after the nights ride. I was wondering if there would be a tweeprise but my question was answered when Golgi ended in normal length. Tweezer Reprise- I dont think I have to say anything about Tweezer Reprise. Its a good way to end with a lot of energy. overall I thought it was a great show and I hope they visit Portland again soon for another small-venue performance. I hope this is sign of things to come in hartford and prov. see you all there.---carsten
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 10:56:02 EST From: bill witts [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/8/98 Review Getting to this show turned into quite a production, but when doesn't it. Lets just say we were trying to get through Boston in Rushour traffic around 5:00 when the show started at 7:30, enough said. Some how we made it their just in time for the opener so that was great. We missed the lot scene but ya know life will go on. This was one of the best venues I have ever seen Phish at. It should be this way every night. I have never seen them with this amount of people. Something like 8,000 it was amazing, not a bad seat in the house. Their was plenty of room to dance and the floor wasn't even that jammed. Nothing beats a good New England show. Best of all everyone was cool, no complaining or Glowsticks flying everywhere. Well on to the music: Limb- Normally this song doesn't do too much for me but this night it was the perfect opener. It got everyone going Get Back on the Train- I love this song. I thought the handled it particular well this night Down with Disease- The highlight of the show as far as I'm concerned. Always makes a show for me. Fast enough into Yamar into Horse into Silent- a perfect happy assortment. Antelope- I've become a little to accustom to hearing this one live, but hay I'm not complaining. Sand into Dirt into Piper- Blew me away. Everyone was going nuts too Piper. Dog faced Boy- Good way to slow things down YEM-Always a crowd pleaser. I loved the Tweezer tease The encore was a little predictable, Golgi and Tweezer Rep. I have probably heard these two songs as encores more than any other two. They were still quit enjoyable though. All and all an excellent show as far as I'm concerned. I hope the rest of the winter run just keeps getting better.
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 18:47:53 -0800 (PST) From: Bart Tantillo [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Review 12/8/99 I. Limb by Limb, Get Back on the Train, Down with Disease>Fast Enough For You, Yamar, Horse>Silent, Antelope II. Sand, Dirt, Piper>Dog Faced Boy>Lizards, YEM E:Golgi, Tweezer Reprise If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. I'm sure I'll get some flack for this one, people telling me to stay home and stop wasting tickets that could be used by people who really care. However I trust that those of you who know me will understand. A few promising moments, more than a few moments of disarray. We all know about this bands ability for quick recoveries, so let's see what happens at the Spectrum, a place where many magical nights (12/15/95, 12/28/96, 12/3/97) have taken place.
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 17:45:57 -0500 From: Dan Buckley [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/8 portland review ahhh, phish redeem themselves. after the first of two nights at the portland CC, i had my doubts about the run. a weak setlist filled w/ new tunes that didn't gel in those specific performances and a energy-less first set kind of killed the show for me. this was as i indicated in my review of 12/7 posted on this page. and i got shit for it. i actually got emails from people who were mad at me, or "disgusted" as they put it, for writing a negative show review. this totally blew me away. i don't understand how people refuse to think that phish can have a bad show. what the hell is the point of going to a show, where no matter what they play every one will yell and scream like its the best thing they have ever heard? one of the greatest things about art---whether its music, literature or painting---is that you can have a myriad of converstations about it. you can take sides and say you like something or dislike something, and then support your ideas w/ facts. thats what i did and i got flamed for it, big time. but its just like phish said; the first time that phish toured in europe, they were booed off the stage. they said that that was a positive experience, b/c it didnt let them get a swelled head, that they have to come out to play every night. if no one feels disappointed and no one speaks out when there is an below average show, then how can the band judge where they are going? they cannot. so, please don't get pissed off at those who write negative reviews; they have a right and a duty to do so. and it wasnt like the 12/7 show was a little off---there were very few versions of songs that really ever got off the ground. sorry for the lecture, but i felt it needed to be said. with that...... the scene beforehand was great like last night: plenty of people in the lot, good scene, no pigs. the first night i opted for the floor, about 10 people from the stage, right in th middle. i paid for it: hot, pushy, annoying. so last night i went straight for the seats: page side, real close, great sound and great view. the guys came on at about 8:10..... Limb by Limb: i knew i wouldnt see 2 shows in a row w/out this one. good version though, got the crowd really going Get Back on the Train: i thought they would keep it going with a good rocking tune, but played this instead. i like it a lot better as it was on the trey solo tour; acoustic and concise. never really got off the ground but perhaps we should give it time. Down w/ Disease: i know everyone has heard this 100 times, and so have i. i was actually a little upset once mike started going off on his bass for the intro, but i was pleasantly surprised by the jam, they brought it back nicely at the end for trey's 32nd notes.... FEFY: this was a first in around 30 shows for me. beautiful ballad, good version Ya Mar: usually love this one as an opener. as it was, it took a while to go anywhere, pretty flat actually. The Horse>Silent: my first since my first show, 12/31/94. always a good tune to hear. Antelope: ahhhh.....quintessential phish. someone posted a review that said "you have to get used to hearing antelope..." as if it was a pain in the ass. not for me. i can never get enough antelope. this one was nasty, trey building to no end. it went on forever. great end to an above average set. ------- Sand: didnt get to hear this one on the trey tour, and LOVED it here. it took a while to get going, but then trey and page just ripped it up. it was great. good tune, sounds a lot like 1st Tube, but still an excellent jam song. Dirt: havent heard this in a while. beautiful as always Piper: whoa....hands down the song of the night. right from trey's opening licks, i was dancing. always a song i want to hear, and this one did not disappoint. reminiscent of the great woods 99 piper. page was magical on this one. it took a different turn from other pipers; after a great buildup and trey/page interplay, they went into some real trippy stuff w/ page on his moog and trey abusing his effects pedals. would have been great if i decided to eat..... Dog Faced Boy: great follow up. everyone seemed thankful for a rest. this was a first for me, and its just a funny song to hear live. Lizards: good as always. i dedicate this one to my friend sam who went to the 12/7 show REALLY wanting to hear this after not seeing it in a long time.....sorry YEM: knew this was coming. never sorry though. great version, w/ the space building forever. got the place jumping. i thought they would give us a climatic jam instead of the funk, but we got the latter. thats fine w/ me as long as its a downright funked-out jam, and it was. just fun to dance to. cool vocal jam w/ tweezer REPRISE teases. great set. ----- Golgi/Tweeprise: was hoping for a beatles cover here for the 1st encore; maybe a day in the life of while my guitar, but they gave us golgi instead. i havent heard golgi alot lately so it didnt bother me, but these two together arent that great. they are too similar. but i knew they would play tweeprise after the vocal jam. overall, great show. it was 100x better than the first night. maybe an 8.5 or 9 out of 10. strong 1st set bolstered by nasty 2nd set. a good end to the portland run. db
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 00:46:18 -0800 From: ToM nAgLe [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/8 review To preface this was my 8th show having seen my first in 96 and this being my 6th of 99. I have a large collection of tapes and take my phish seriously. I had been to the show the night before and was familar with the scene and only had a short drive down from my new home at bates college. We had scoped out a nice lot the night before after making the mistake of parking a crowded garage. I had to pick up my ticket at will call. then we checked out the lot. Pretty chill as far i could tell but I had no business to accomplish there so we (me and my buddy Tim) headed around to the short line in the back of the building (page side) around 5:00. we were probably only ten people back in line when we got there but the lack of organization in the line meant we didn't get in as fast as wew were hoping. Still we ended up with center floor seats 15 people back. The floor got pretty packed as we waited for the show to start then after everyone had stood up and was anticpating the awesomeness to come some messed up guy puked about three or four peopl in front of me. It smelled nasty and opened up a huge hole right in front of me. Anyone notice that hole from their seats? The security that was basically non-existant inside that place continued to be non-existant as we were forced to "clean it up" by throwing whatever paper products we could find on it then try to ignore it. receipts were coming out the wood work and eventually it was covered and forgotten. On to the show LimbXLimb Not my favorite tune but got the crowd going quite well. The jam was not anything to write home about. Get Back on the Train. Tim had called this one and we got it. Good slow groove set down. really an opened up version. sligthly better than greatwoods but not as good as my tape from NC. DWD Mike starts doing this weird funky spacey effect where he hits the face of the bass in different places to create a tone. I have no idea how he did it but it was amazing to watch. The bass was way up in the mix and grooving. The jam was a pretty standard disease jam. this is the song i have seen most often having seen it now at half of my shows. hasn't gotten old yet FEFY well i wasn't quite ready to slow down yet as nothing had really rocked me yet but I like this song. Favorite version has to be the St Micheals College version with the pedal steel guitar. This one had no tricks to it but still solid Ya Mar This song had me speechless I like the song to begin with. it got me dancing hard untill the play it leo jam when I had to stop and watch. Page tore it up. I literally was blown away. They jam after they go back through the chorus was where it really got intense. I was standing stock still just being blown away waching it all happen and trying to figure what they were doing that struck me as sooo different. the entire band jammed out on the song. it didn't do the tension build and realease format but instead went in what seemed to me as aentirely original direction. i was trying to figure what they were segueing into but there was no sgue just nasty jamming. it got so far away from the song that i and those around me were blown away when they finally pulled it back in. Awesome, Highlight of the night just like halleys was last night highlight. Horse>Silent It literally took me untill the very end of horse to recover and realize what they were playing so i have no comment on that part. Silent was flawless and beautiful. I really like this tune for a slow song. It crescendos nicely and has soul and feeling. well done Antelope Good slow build. dissapointed by the overly screaming top of the jam. it just got out of hand. they had sooo much noise. didn't appreciate it nearly as much as i do a more controled peak. the ligths were the only thing that saved that section from really pissing me off. Nothing else that comes to mind on that setbreak no one puked. so it was good enough for me set 2 Sand I had never heard this before. I thought it might be last tube since the bass line sort of reminded me of first tube but definatly was not first tube. Once i realized it was sand I was intrigued. that feeling didn't last for long as the song got stuck. It didn't progress at all. Mike's line doesn't change and trey and page aren't doing anything spectacular. I was hoping it might progress when I first heard the bass line becasue it reminded me so much of first tube but nope. didn't really pay any attention to the lyrics and i kinda wish i had so i could comment on them. Piper Cathartic! I just let it all out when I hear this song. I love it. This one had basically the standard build then the Jam got really spaced out without slowing down that much. i really appreciated this song as it was the first extended period that caused me to just dance my ass off. Dog faced Boy well last night when I got home I checked the stats and it was 65 show break out. i knew it had been a while. I dont listen to hoist very often and i dont particulary know of any tapes that I have it on so it was a nice treat to hear it since I never hear it otherwise. also it was a great breather after they kicked my ass with piper YEM My only correct call of the night, and i am sure everyone else knew it had to be coming. watching the tramps from up close was an experience and the jam that followed got wicked funky. they got the crowd clapping along as they got into a nice little groove and explored a little. the clapping died out as they veered away from the basic funk and got a little more intricate but they brought the clear groove back and back came the clapping as they went into the vocal jam. the vocal jam was cool. i wish i could have seen there faces during it but CK had a cool back lit thing going and that was also okay with me. the tweezer could be heard emerging and the entire band joined in for the step into the freezer line which repeated a few time before the vocal jam went on and rapped up. Encore Golgi great energy. good encore song. sort of thought that might rap it up since it had been a long set but no... Tweprise didn't expect this at all since there had been no real tweezer but a welcome end to a fantastic night of phish. All in all I would stack this up there with some of the other great shows i have seen. definatly better than the first night (still got to respect that halleys). As good if not better than second night GW from this summer and second night Albany this fall. I wish to God I wasn't in the middle of finals for the rest of the north east shows casue i would have gotten my ass down to hartford and providence no questions asked after seeing these two shows. It has been fun procrastinating from my term paper but it si due tomorrow and procrastination can only go on so long. please send me you comments. peace Tom YEM1980
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 16:53:32 -0500 From: The McAllisters [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Problem with security? I can't remember the guy's name that wrote that he got kicked out of line, but I remember it happening. I was standing by the ambulance out front and saw these guys getting yelled at by the head guard, so i just assume it was you, though its possible it wasn't. anyway, don't ever trust the guards when they tell u they'll let u back in. they just say that because alot of them hate the fans. P.S-there are water fountains in the cumberland county civic center. I don't know how you could have missed them.
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 01:03:43 EST From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review 12-8-97 one of the 3 best shows ive seen out of 50+, the best light show ive ever seen, and a great setlist. The jams went beyond normality, and the energy was high, and trey and the boys were really hot. Antelope and the piper->dogfaced ->lizards was some incredible work in the musical portrayal of emotion. Ill admit that i was dosed, but i am at most shows and this one was special. thanks, i just got home, and ill see you all at newyears, joe
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 13:39:59 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/8/99 review 12/8/99-Portland, ME. Well, after a decent show on Tuesday, I was certain that we would get a great one on Wednesday. I was almost certain that I would get my very first Sand, easily my favorite of the new tunes. I had an experience before the show that I thought was kind of disheartening. I was talking with this girl before the show and she asked me if I had gone the night before. I stated "yeah, it was a good show, I'm looking for something hot tonight" She then asked me how many shows I had attended and I mentioned somewhere in the area of 40-45 shows (I've lost count). She then said "you've been to that many shows and you thought last night was good?" with this incredulous look on her face. I asked how many shows she had seen and she replied that she had seen 20. I asked her why she didn't like last night's show and she said that Trey had 4 mistakes in his playing. I then proceeded to tell her that the last time I checked, the members of Phish were human, and those kind of things happen when you are a member of our race. It was my first face to face experience with these types of critical phans, and if you're one of them, I think you'd probably be better off listening to some tapes from 1993. Phish was very tight, had more than enough time to practice and often didn't make "mistakes". Phish of 99 is not Phish of 93. I personally find no faults in Trey when he flubs things, hell for all I know he's doing it on purpose. Anyways, on to the show..... Limb by Limb was the opener and I thought it set a great mood for things to come. One of my favs off SOTG, this song rips. I love the jam and the energy was flowing. Next up was Get Back on the Train. I love this song. I love the way it sounds like a train rumbling thru the arena. Mike really is the man. His bass just sounded so fat. Especially when Down With Disease started up. Great tune, great jam. Energy was high in the CCCC at this point. To be honest, I was sweating to death on the floor. It was the one time in my life where I was hoping that Phish would slow it down. I was really psyched when I heard the opening notes to Fast Enough for You. Its such a beautiful song. I don't think I've heard it since Worcester of 95. Great placement for this one, I needed a breather. Up next was Yamar. I was pumped. The jam in this song was outstanding. In fact, about 10 minutes in, I looked at my friend Darren and asked him what song they were playing, they were really out there. It was great and will definitely translate well onto tape. After this fantastic* YaMar, Trey started strumming Horse. I felt like I had been transported back to 1995. All the ballads were these great songs off of Rift. It was my thought that if they're going to play slow stuff, play old slow stuff. Silent was nice, because it has been so long since I've seen it live. I knew it was no closer, though and then Antelope started up. This was a crazy Antelope. The best word to describe the jam section was LOUD. It was just mayhem on stage, CK had these crazy strobe light type effects going on. I think the particular lighting he had working would be perfect for BBFCFM. Unfortunately, they didn't play that one. Antelope was nice and long, and definitely was a great way to close out the set. Set break was about 45 minutes, standard. We decided to move over from our present floor spot on Trey's side over to get a better view of Mike, who I thought for sure would be ripping some serious funk. When I heard his opening notes, I nearly lost it. Sand! I had been waiting so long to get this one, I was flipping out. This Sand was amazing. It had to have been about 15 minutes long, and the jam was pumping. I just love the fact that Mike is so heavy in the mix. This song just showcased that fact. It was incredible. After this long Sand, they cruised right into Dirt. As I stated, I'm not really one for ballads, but I love Trey's guitar work in this song. It was also a nice chance to take a breather. After Dirt ended, the opening notes of Piper were heard. I really like Piper. I know people complain about how the jam sometimes doesn't go anywhere but this time the jam was awesome. It was a great Piper and me and my bro, Darren were getting down. It was probably about 25 minutes long or so. Just a great jam. The band decided to next go into Dog Faced Boy. Again, I haven't heard this ditty since around 1994.I like it a lot though, its nice and short and is a capella to boot. The opening notes of Lizards started up next, having seen this song at Great Woods this summer, I felt blessed seeing it twice in one year. It packs so much energy and such a great vibe. It wasn't overly long and then came the song that everyone knew was coming, YEM. This YEM was heavy on the funk which I was psyched about. Mike was laying down these fat lines and Trey was doing his thing right on top. Page was ripping it up, I love when Page gets into the mix and really starts playing some notes. When the vocal jam started, CK started working his magic as usual. His lights were right in tune with the band, it was very cool to see. I realize that on the Phish.net setlists, it says Tweezer closed out the set but that's simply not true. Trey basically started singing "step into the Tweezer" at the end of the vocal jam and the band just started singing it with him. It couldn't have been more than a couple of minutes long at most. The band left the stage and then came back out to perform Golgi. Golgi has been played a lot in the last year, but if you can't get off on the"I saw you with a ticket stub in your hand" section, then I'm not sure why you'd come to see Phish. The place was rocking. After Golgi, Trey started up Tweezer or so I thought. I couldn't believe that they were going to play Tweezer as an encore. I knew Trey had sang a little of it in the vocal jam but once I heard the notes from Page signaling that it was actually Tweezer Reprise, I was almost relieved. It was a great way to close the 2 night stand in Maine. At this point I looked at my watch and realized that it was almost 12:00. These shows were both great in length and song selection. This was my last show in 99, hope you all have a great time in FL,, but I just can't swing that trip. Thanks for reading and if anyone happens to come across these shows on tape or CD, I would be forever grateful for a B&P...
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 19:19:39 PST From: Erin Gregg [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12-7/12-8 Reviews/Complaints The two nights of Phish were awesome, just like they always are. The Cumberland County Civic Center absolutely sucked, though. The first night, my group and I only saw the first set...when we first went into the civic center around 7, we asked if we could leave and then come back. We were told no, but during intermission that we were allowed. So, we left during intermission...finding it strange that no one else was doing the same. We come back after hanging out back at the car for a while. They won't let us in! We had our ticket stubs and everything. We were trying to explain to the event staff, who was standing near the door the whole time even when we left, exactly what we were told. No, she wouldn't hear it. Then, after we finally couldn't take anymore of her shit, we decided to leave. After we had started to leave, she called security on us!! Like we were some threat to her! So, we missed the second set, which I later found out was awesome, with Suzie Greenburg and Simple. Then, the second night, we decided we would try to forget about the night before. We tried to put it all behind us like it never happened. So, we are waiting to go up and are about to go up onto the ramp leading to the doors. I got separated from my group, so after I got onto the ramp, I decided to wait for the rest of my group. Well, this huge black guy, who was on a major power trip, told me that I had to go in. I told him that I was just waiting for my group, which would have only been for about a minute. He said no, if you're gonna wait, get back outta line...he grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me back!!! I was like fine, whatever man, I'll go. He's like, no, you won't, you'll stay here. So finally, my group came and he was trying to get them to keep on going, and they wouldn't, without me. So, he was like, no, then you're all not going in! So, we got the attention of one of the two security guards on the ramp, and the guy was wondering why we weren't being allowed in, because we had perfectly legitimate tickets, so he asked the big black guy, and he wouldn't answer. So then he asked the other security guard on the ramp, who was at the end, and the security guard just said, well, he's the gatekeeper, he decides who goes in or doesn't!! And then they both turned around and ignored the situation! They didn't have the friggin balls to stand up to the guy. So, finally, the guy decided to let us go through. I have no idea what the hell this guy's problem was! Hey, if anyone remembers this happening, e-mail me!! Then, on top of it all, we were locked in the building for 6 hours, not being able to get out. There weren't even water fountains, so we were bound to by their 2 dollar bottled water! I wish Phish knew what was going on with the security! I know they would be thoroughly pissed. But, they still played awesome shows. Halley's Comet was really cool, and Lizards. Golgi Apparatus and Tweezer Reprise were awesome. So anyway, aside from the messed-up security, I guess I had an ok time...although my past experiences have been far better than this one. Phish had nothing to do with it, though. So, until next time, You Enjoy Myself!
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 08:35:00 +0000 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] I'm not going to get into the 'review wars', but I want to say that Mr. Kuroda put up the greatest light show I've seen almost a hundred shows. HATS OFF!! [email protected]
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 15:54:57 -0800 From: Bill Dolan [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: 12/8 reviews Thanks everybody for bringing me back to reality. I don't tour anymore but when I check out happening's on-line I get nostalgic for the days... that magical feeling of joy walking out of a theatre, or stadium...smile plastered on my face...feeling better than ever...with Brokedown still ringing, or Rocky Top's rhythm running. Going to shows is great fun. I understand that giving the band a hard time is part of the fun of being into that band - you know them, you'll be with them through several nights, you feel entitled. But the kind of comments I've been reading has made me realize that, as exciting as it may seem, no band is going to give me the kind of uplifting of my soul that I'd like. The harder I try to make a band, or anything temporal, fill that place the further away that thing becomes. Thanks for reminding me so I wont be pining after the days of the tour and I can get on to uplifting my soul for real. Peace.
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 02:32:02 -0500 From: HSIHd [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review of 12/8/99 I'm just getting home on the night of the second Portland show, and since I live only an hour away, there's a lot that's still fresh on my mind. The Civic Center in Portland is a wonderful venue to see any show for two reasons: it's small, so any seat is a good seat, and the security doesn't exist except outside the doors, or if someone is dying. Anyway, I've been to plenty of shows since the early nineties and anyone who remembers tiny venues was happy to be at the show tonight (and last night). But I felt pretty let down in terms of the band's setlist and performance, so here's my mediocere review: Limb X Limb: I've loved this song since the first day I've heard it. I like this song anywhere in the setlist but I love it best as an opener. But, imho, the show took a nose dive like an Egyption pioleted aircraft (*rim shot*) from here. Get Back on the Train: I've heard this song a few times on tapes but never had the misery of seeing it live. Many people seemed to have just smoked through this one. I wish they'd leave this one back on the bus. D w/D: I'm really impartial to this one. I used to hate it but in the past 2 years or so, I've grown to like it. It was good tonight, pretty smooth transition from the jam back in to the familiar soloing phrase of trey's 32nd notes at the end (right before 'waiting for the time' outro) Ya Mar: I think I'm the only phish fan ever to dislike this song. I've never cared for it, and tonight was no exception. Page's solo seemed flat to me. Horse --> Silent: This song never has potential to hit or miss, b/c its played the same way every time. It's kinda fun to hear, but I guess "I think that this exact thing happened to me, just last year" means so much more on nye... Antelope: In my opinion, the band could play this every time I see them and I'd never get sick of it. Tonight though, I'm not sure I've ever heard a more out of control (in a good way) antelope ever. It was fucking amazing...normally the part before trey speaks builds and builds and ends really in sinc, but tonight it built and built...and just when you thought it couldn't build anymore, it built...some more. Best song of the night. I was with a bunch of friends tonight, one of which has very very limited phish experience, but he made kind of a funny point during antelope's amazing climax...he said, "I've never seen a band rock so hard and stand so still at the same time." Antelope kicked ass tonight, can't wait for the tape. Intermission: I got to meet up with my old english teacher susan paluska who was flaunting her backstage pass and hanging out with her son john. If anyone noticed a gray haired lady talking with Kuroda at setbreak, that's the toughest paper grader you'll ever see. Sand: This song blows. I can't stand it, and it never seemed to end tonight. I was hoping for the second set to save the first but it didnt. Dirt: I can't think of a more obnoxious thing to do but to take a pretty slow, sleepy night and add dirt to it. I think they're starting to have one too many one- sylable songs anyway ;-) Piper: I don't know if it was planned, or the band fucked up, but time frame before the band hit the fast part of piper seemed to be about 40 seconds. Maybe i wasn't judging space and time very well during this song, but it seemed like the shortest piper ever, and the build up to the singing part wasn't built at all...I've always loved this song, and tonight was the first time I ever hated it. Dog faced boy: This was actually pretty awesome. Had i seen this on paper and not heard it, I'd have passed it off as yet another slow song on the evening. Tonight however, they really did a good job, and harmonized perfectly. Most importantly though, it was as close to a capella as you can get w/out having any instrumentation. I really enjoyed it, and was actually one of the highlights of my night. Lizards: If ever there was a doubt that the frat boys came out to the show, this put that to rest. YEM: Always awesome, play it every night as far as I'm concerned. Tonights had some funky bass solos and a very very good vocal jam. I've yet to ever be dissapointed by this song. Golgi: For many people this is their bouncin'. I happen to love the energy from this song. While i can understand why people do collectively seem to dislike so tunes this is one I never understood for several reasons. One, its got a great building part where trey hits minor second after minor second and comes back into the chorus. Two, its a short song. If you hate this song don't worry, it's over in a few minutes, as opposed to hating tweezer, where if you hear that opening riff you know you're fucked for the next 20 minutes. And finally, like I said, it's pure energy and fun. Tweezer Rep: I wouldnt have called this one from a mile away, except for the vocal jam. It's quick, its fun, it's energetic, but I don't care either way about it. It's the same every time, including the lighting for this song, which seems to have not changed in years. It's fun, but its old and predictable. I was kinda looking for a fluffhead --> harpua --> maze to save the night but then again a winning lottery ticket would have been nice too. Overall: It was a let down as far as I'm concerned. The band didn't feel tight, they fucked up and amazing antelope at the end and it just seemed to be a 'ho-hum' kinda show. Two things I want to comment on though (as if i havent taken up enough bandwith already...this page is probably still downloading as you're reading this). A local Portland paper ran a story regarding Phish's lean toward simplicity, and their desire to move away from YEM's, Reba's and Fluffhead's in favor of "famhous's jennifer dances', and other billy breathes/top 40ish tunes. I have to agree with the article in that I'm noticing that trend too, and with that I am saddened that the very band whose epic, jazz influenced, multi-part songs that made me fall in love with their music, is being traded in, all in the name of progress and change. Dont get me wrong, I love evolution in music and I love a lot of the new tunes, I just wish the band would write another David Bowie soon. I'll end with a positive note however. I don't know if Chris added a newer lighting pattern, or is playing with a lot of different computer-saved ideas and patterns, but tonights lighting is some of the best I've ever seen. He's always been amazing, but is it possible that he's actually getting better? I appreciate your reading this everyone, I'm hoping for improvements for Hartford/Providence. [email protected]
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 11:54:52 -0500 From: Terry Bennett [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Wed, Dec 8, 1999 Review Incredible show! Unbelieveable Piper. If you weren't able to go where Phish was taking you than I am very sorry. Light show was stunning. So many treats. Acappela Tweezer -sweet! Phish is in top form right now- enjoy the upcomming shows. Terry (Must get tape of this one)
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 12:35:02 -0500 From: jane manza [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review 12/8/99 Portland LORD OF ALL THE MUSICAL SAINTS! What a stand in Portland! Just got back from the Portland shows. First night blew my mind, and I didn't think they'd be able to top it. Then, BAM, what a show! These shows are a must have. I was placed both nights dead center 10-15 ft away. Gotta love general admission! Just behind me was Randy Billings of "The Billings Brew Band." I wasn't sure it was Randy until I saw his bro Mike with him after the show. Check 'em out. They're are a "known" band but they should be bigger for their bluesy jam funk style. Anyway, really enjoyed hearing JENNIFER DANCES. The first night brought the funk. And the second night definitely showed the psychadelic side of Phish. Had a little trouble before the second show. I was supposed to meet a friend (Bruce 'Lee') at four at the Civic Center, and I would've been there on time but something vanished from my sight. My Car!!! My first thought wasn't "AHHHH, where's my car?" it was "OH NO my tickets!" I left my tickets in the car. So I scurried around town made an appointment to pick up my car and happily paid the 50 duckets. The towing guy said I was the happiest guy he'd ever seen that found out his car had been towed. I thought it was stolen first, and that would've meant no ticket, and no show. Plus I had Bruce's ticket, and he would've exploded if he couldn't go to the show. This WAS Bruce's first show, so I got a beachball and requested ANTELOPE and YEM ( a couple of regulars, but I wanted him to hear the classics so he could get a good dose of Phish. WOW did he get it). ANTELOPE was great but YEM was amazing! The entire show rocked. You've seen the setlists for both nights. Just imagine great effort going into every song both shows. Didn't see my bro or friends either day, I knew they were there, but no sight until I pased my bro on 95 heading back to Orono. In closing, I'd just like to thank Phish for giving Bruce an unbelievable first show and CK for shining those crazy lights in my face. Time for a shower and some sleep, CJ Manza
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 11:59:48 -0500 From: "Dambrosio, Nick" [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: 12/8/98 Review Went to the show, listened to an incredible band play some incredible music at an incredible venue, had an excellent time. Thanks to the boys on stage and to Mr. CK. I don't know where I would be musically with out them. I think I speak for a majority of the fans who enjoy the music no matter how many times we hear the same song. Yes [email protected], I do not know anyone that does not like Ya Mar

below are reviews of the above reviews, reviewers or the opinions expressed by the authors
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 19:46:17 EST From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Review of the reviews of 12/8/99 Having just returned to my home base in NH from Wednesdays show in Portland, I decided to read some reviews of it to see what other phans thought. Well, kidz, imagine my surprise to read some of the nasty, petty bickering that was going on between some of you. First of all, if you really want Phish to stay exactly the same forever, just stop buying tickets to shows, and crank yer favorite summer '93 tape over and over again. I guarantee that they won't play Sand! I was going to actually write a clear, honest, unbiased review of what I personally thought was an amazing show, but now I'm not. I didn't go on tour this Dec. because I finally went out and got a job, and wednesdays show was exactly the therapy they needed. I didn't even ingest any hallucinogens, and they carried me on a journey. I remembered, once again, why I fell in love with these guys in the first place - its not about what they play, or how well it will translate to tape, or how technically polished they sound. Its about the vibe, the flow, the community, the old phriends you run into, the new phriends you meet, the way that the music hits you and makes you move, makes you rejoice in the fact that you are alive and here to be part of such a magical experience with so many other people. It's about those four men onstage playing from their hearts, playing what they are feeling, picking up on their audience's energy and relaying it back. So what if they started singing Piper too soon, and Lizards got the frat boys groovin? Personally, I think the more frat boys who get it and boogie down, the better. At least they aren't looking for reasons to bitch. Remember, we are all here to have fun, if youre not having fun, there's always Dave.
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 13:18:45 -0500 From: Dave Wolcott [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: Dric Amen to Dric. See everyone at MCI & Hampton.
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 12:28:00 -0500 From: Lawrence A. Bock [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: reply to phishman's Although the review was a little harsh, I still think he was right on some stuff, especially on Piper and Sand. I had the exact same criticism. But when you go to so many shows, you're bound not to see your greatest one every time. phish is fun, maybe not as fun as we want them to be all the time. I think eventually though, Phish comes through to the faithful. Maybe most of songs were'nt great--but Antelope was! take what you can and leave the rest. --joe b.
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 20:41:20 -0500 From: Travis Stieren [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review of phishman's review I just was wondering if [email protected] was actually at the show last night. I've been to 35 shows and I was sitting with about a dozen of my friends who average at least 40 shows a piece, several of whom have been to over a 100, not that the number of shows really matters. After the show we were all hugging and laughing and congratulating ourselves for being at this show. We all agreed it was about the best show we've seen in a looooong time, and none of us were halucinogenically enhanced. I would put last night's show in my top 10 list of all time going back to my first show in 94. No last night was not perfect, but it was full of energy and magic, the band pushed themselves in some points and surrendered to the flow in others, and a good time was had by all. My question is simply this, if last night was such a bad show, then what shows have you seen? I would love to get copies of those tapes! Believe me it doesn't get much better than last night's show. Thanks, can't wait for Hartford and Hampton
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 09:05:13 PST From: stephen andricos [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: response to "phishman"'s 12/8/99 review As a person with a full time job, I only get to go to 4 or 5 shows a year, so I periodically peruse reviews of shows to try to enjoy them vicariously. Although I have found countless reviews in the past completely laughable (i.e. "Trey's on E!! He sucked last night!", etc.), phishman's review completely disgusted me and illustrated what I lament about the current state of some of the Phish community. First of all, it's a total joke that someone who seemingly suggests to have had numerous great occassions provided by Phish feels that they have the right to criticize the band's musical decisions and performances. Even looking beyond the issue of negative "reviewing," don't you think that love and hate are strong words to throw around when you're talking about a live musical performance? My other problem stems from phisman's frat boy comments about "Lizards." I've always enjoyed the counter-culture musical scenes, in part because it was an escape from the b.s. of regular society. It did NOT make assumptions about people based on race, age, etc. I would rather have a whole arena full of frat boys who are jamming out to "Lizards" than one full of close-minded, pretentious "phans" who want to sit back and give the world their opinion of what was wrong with the show that night. Please lighten up, relax, dance, and have a good time or else do not buy a ticket or do not post your negativity and holier than thou attitude on phish.net. Some of us long-time phans are still having a great time and don't want to hear about the band's "decline." Peace to all and I'll see you at MCI, Hampton, and most importantly New Year's! -Dric
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 07:12:06 PST From: Doug Schneider [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: reply to "phishmans" 12/8/99 review I've never felt compelled to reply to any review before, but yours just caught my ire. I can understand not liking versions of a song at a given show, but you seem to just dislike a lot of their songs in general these days. If this is the case--stop going to shows, go home and romanticise with your hissy '89 soundboards!! They've changed for the better and will never be like the old days again. I relish the fact that they can pull off a great ballad, a calypso cover, and a funky country tune in addition to the wonderful extended jam songs of old. Simply stop going to shows and give me more room to boogie!!
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