2-23-01 - Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York

review submisions to me at [email protected] or [email protected]

Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 17:25:48 -0500
From: gr s [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: reviews for 2.23.01 and 2.24.01

review of 2.23.01 roseland
 
The 2 shows this weekend were awesome!  There was only about 3000 people at
the shows and soooo many outside looking for tix.  I traded (my towers for
roselands) with two people right outside the roseland ballroom and waited in
line for over 2 hours. Some phans were cutting right into the front of the
line, it was sad.  One dude was getting arrested for something and people were
beggin for his tix before he get taken by the cops. He wouldn^�t budge.  We
finally got in, cleared our shoes of forbidden fruits, took a leak, and got
comfy. Met some cool people that we also met at the Philly ratdog show.  The
1st set was a bit mellow, but they played a wicked Jibboo and closed the set
with Back on the Train. The place was so hype to be in such an intimate room
with our hero.  yes he is my hero.  might sound weird, but whatever.  No one
can take to that place of bliss like trey (...and some headies!).

Anyways, the set break was cool.  I met about 5 people.  Got some email
addresses and stuff.  One girl was smokin!  Her boyfriend was not so smokin'.
:o) Second set was ridiculous.  Ooh child, Mellow Mood (marley), Rainy Day
Women.  unbelievable.  Trey talked to us during a slow jam for about 5
minutes.  Saying how there is this feeling that he gets when he's in the
middle of an intense jam where it just keeps building and building and he just
wants to scream at the top of his lungs.  The he says, ^�you know what I
mean?^� The place went nuts.  He was saying how the energy from the audience
was intense.  (I^�m sure I miss-quoted him) - the place went nuts.  My friend
thought he said that because he had just played for Conan and the crowd there
had to be quiet.  It was so laid back to be in a small place with THE man.
Some phans called out ^�We love you trey!^� during some quiet parts. Trey was
in a good mood.

It was fun. Happiness in my pants was a really cool song. Right before the
last song of the second set, first tube, Trey says he has a very special
guest.  A VERY SPECIAL GUEST, then he says, I^�m really sorry but I have one
more song to play and then I^�m outta here.  I think I can make it up to you
all though.  Then page walks out , NUTS!  He stayed out for the encore and
all.

After the show me and my friend are running through NYC to catch the train
home.

BARELY made it . it was the closest I^�ve been to missing anything.  I mean
the door practically shut on my arm.  But we made it.  What a night!
 
gregg
[email protected]

Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 15:20:14 EST From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review for trey at roseland Like a lot of people, I was hunkered down over my computer the day tickets went on sale. With one hand on my mouse and my other hand hitting the redial button on my phone, I tried desperately to get tickets - no luck. I then hit the internet every day for three weeks, emailing everyone on the ticketboard. Again, no luck. So at 4:30 on the day of the show, I trekked to Roseland and started doing laps around the block. And then it hit - after 3 laps, this guy said "you got cash?" and that was it - the guy was a big phan, he sold it to me for face value, and the ticket was as real as could be. I was stunned at the good luck. I saw the VH-1 taping of Phish at Roseland months ago and thought it was one of the best shows I have ever seen. It's true - getting into Roseland is one of the biggest nightmares in the world (2 hours on line!) - but once you're in - the energy is infectous. I love it. Jibboo was definitely a highlight. It smashed into its groove. BAM! BAM! on the cymbal - very intense. Sand, too, absolutely incredible. And I just loved listening to the new tunes - as far as I'm concerned, Trey can experiment all he wants. One more thing - every time I go to a Phish show, Trey will do one thing that absolutle sticks in my mind afterward - maybe it will be an entire song, or maybe it will be just a short phrase; sometimes it's a wild jam, sometimes it's something subtle - but it inevitably makes my jaw drop. At the Roseland show, during "Sunday Morning," Trey played a lick about halfway through, and in that phrase, his guitar was so full of life, so full of personality - he was literally wooing someone, or making love to someone, and the guitar was literally speaking. I'll never forget that moment.
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 12:23:44 -0500 From: Brian Fegan [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: roseland review 02-23-01 Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY I: Mozambique, The Way I Feel, Push On til Day, It Makes No Difference, Burlap Sack and Pumps, Gotta Jibboo, At the Barbecue, At the Gazebo, Get Back on the Train II: In the Night (or Night and Day), Mellow Mood, Sand, Only Want to be With You, Rainy Day Women, Ooh Child, Happiness in My Pants, First Tube* E: Noodle Dance Rave*, We'll Go Round in Circles* * w/ Page McConnell Okay, I'll start out by saying that I paid a stupid amount of money for tickets to this show. I mean "stupid". But I do lots of stupid shit so that shouldn't be so surprising. Anyway, while the performance wasn't worth as much as I may have spent, I can tell you that it was certainly worth the face value, and much more, of the ticket. There were some lulls in the night, but overall I felt like the band was starting to catch their grooveon this third show of the tour. Things got moving kind of slowly through the first few tunes. But after an awesome "Burlack Sack and Pumps", this musical incarnation surrounding Trey was tight from there on. The real highlight of the first set though was Gotta Jibboo. It was easily the best version I have ever heard, Phish or otherwise. It was just such a rocking version. Where Phish tends to groove lightly over this jam, Trey's band just fucking ripped it. Almost so much that I was expecting them to scream the chorus as they came back into the vamp at the end of the jam. But they chilled and finished the song as you'd expect. The second set was better than the first, in my opinion. The rockabilly swing of Night and Day was a great vibe that Phish has never really tackled. Mellow Mood was simply gorgeous. Which is as much a testament to Bob Marley's songwriting prowess as the band's chops. But again, possibly better than any Phish version. Sand was super tight. The jam section was great and the horns kind of lead this one. With swooping swells from the brass/woodwind trio playing off Trey's loops, it got really intense. A great jam. Only to be with You is a great new tune. Very emotional and the hook catches you when you least expect it. A feel-good song that I think will definitely make it into Phish's repertoire (should there happen to be Phish again). Rainy Day Women was great. I didn't see the set list from the night before which made me not care about the repeats. But Roseland was BAKED! And the crowd screamed the chorus along at the top of their lungs. If they weren't filled with smoke at the time. Ohh Child was kind of weak. I just don't think this is a tune that a rock band can pull of orchestrally. Though the jam out of it was good. Happiness in my pants is a nice, little bluegrass ditty. Trey was very chatty during this tune, introducing the band and joking around about how Russ and Tony don't believe in solos. And when he gave them the chance to solo, they just played the groove - no fills - by themselves. All the while Trey was lovin' it and cheering them on. Then thanked the crowd for being so supportive. Cheers and then...... The place went fucking nuts when Page came out! As expected and deserved. First Tube rocked. Took a while to get going but was raucous to end the second set. The first tune of the encore was a Page highlight. Almost sounded like an early 80s Herbie Hancock song. And Page played as best he could on Trey's synth (he looked kind of hammered and out of place standing up). Circles was a fun encore to a night of great music. This band might not be Phish, but it was the coolest thing going on in the NYC Friday night. And I was damn glad to be there! -Brian Fegan
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 12:37:45 -0500 From: Gene Wozny [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Roseland 2-23-01 I wanted to take the time and drop a few notes from Trey show Friday night. This was my first experience seeing Trey without the boys. I was quite impressed. Roseland Sucks for sold out shows!!!!! Trey is a GOD!!!!! I have known this for some time but I never acknowledged it out loud to myself and Friday night did just that. Got in late due to the stupidity of Roseland staff. You would think a place that does this sort of thing all the time would a have a clue about crowd control into their venue. Caught the last notes of TTW and didn't want to miss anymore so made my way in to hear better and ended up by the bar on the right side for Burlap Sack and Pumps. Just as I started getting into the tune it ended and The night began...Gotta Jiboo was layered like I have never heard before the horns add so much to this song and Trey's work just fit so perfectly with the horns. Up till now I wasn't sure if CK was doing lights this song sold me otherwise. Got chills just grooving to Jiboo, so glad to be hearing anything from Trey and such a tight Jiboo too....the rest of the set was great and from back on the train I started to prepare for set break and my plan to get a better view was already in place. Set II I moved up to right in front of the rig at break and talked with a few people I was just stoked to be here and seeing Trey. I knew it would get crowded but I was not moving for this set!!!!! Turned around and who is taking his place but the man CK. This set was full of energy from the crowd and band. We be grooving all night. The highlights are the Sand and the extended ending jam of Ooh Child. Trey's work was mesmerizing I was so lost in his guitar that after the song ended I had to ask what song it was again...just amazing!!! I loved the Sunday Morning I will need to hear it again for the Lyrics but sounds like trey is becoming more emotional in his old age with his lyrics. Trey talk to the crowd was something that seems to be the norm when the energy is just sick!! I read someone say that the thought he was indicating Phish will be back soon I took the same read from his comments. Trey bringing out Page just reinforced everything I was thinking. I love page and the fact that he had him there is testament that trey is looking for that groove thing to be Phish. Maybe I'm reading into this more than it is but I felt it as a huge indication of things to come from the boys!!! Trey uses the solo tour to explore with different experiments that seem to influence Phish when they are together. Imo. : - )) I was really glad I got to go to Roseland and by the time they get to Atlanta Trey and Friends will be tight and some great things will come from these guys..Thanks for reading Peace Gene
Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 21:50:58 EST From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: my review Roseland 2-23-01 As I walked through the streets of NYC I felt a feeling in the streets that it was going to be a special night. Roseland isnt a great venue it was jammed pack and was rediculous with getting checked going in. The band came on late becuase of the slowness of Roseland letting people in they came on about 820. When the crowd saw Trey and the Band the place erupted. Trey looked like he lost weight and was pale(hopefully its not hard drugs). The show had a lot of songs I never heard before but I enjoyed. One of things I loved about the show is how Trey talked to the crowd more then at a Phish show and had fun interacting with the crowd. It was also great to hear Trey play acoustic. But the highlights of the show was the powerful gotta jiboo and sand which both had great energy. The first set ended with Trey by himself playing Back on the Train acoustic which was a lot of fun to hear. But the second set is what really got me moving Mellow Mood was great I loved the way it sounded with the horns. Sunday Morning and Ooh Child really put the crowd into a happy mood. Rainy Day Women was a lot of fun to hear and got the crowed singing along "EVERYBODY MUST GET STONED!" But by far the most special part of the nihgt was when Trey brought Page on the stage to play during Fist Tube which was amazing and kept building energy and building energy. It was'nt till the sthe encores Noodle Rave Daddio and Will it go round in circles where Page got use to Treys keyboard and rocked the place. All in All It was a great night, the one bad part it just makes me miss Phish more. Sagz
Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2001 09:12:51 -0800 (PST) From: David Jones [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: trey at Roseland review The scene outside was pretty mellow when I got off the A train at about 5pm, there were a few ticketless kicking around broadway and the line to get into the place was starting to reach halfway down 52nd st. I've never actually shown up to a show ticketless, but since I live right uptown, I thought it couldn't hurt. By the time it got to 7pm, there were a whole bunch of ticketless, almost all who stood in the same spot, on the corner of 52nd and Broadway, or who walked up and down the line to get in. After awhile, all you heard requests for were extras to the Philly show, as if people had given up on getting in tonight. I had talked to scalpers all night, and except for a guy who was selling me obvious fakes for 60, there was nothing but $100-150, one phan even demanded 200 bucks. It was looking like the only way to get in was going to be negoitiating with one of these scalpers and praying I got real tickets. I heard there was a guy selling real tickets on 8th ave for 85, so I walked down in front of the line, almost hopelessly waving my finger in the air, and then out of no where this dude grabs me and asks me how much I wanna spend, I told him about 60 or so, so he's like, ok, giveme 100, and I told him I only had 70 on me, and he's like whatever give me 70. Of course a cop saw the whole thing go down, but rather than hassle us just told us to keep moving. so it's 7:15 and I got a ticket, and moved to get in the line, which by now extended up 8th ave and curled around 53rd. Thank goodness I met a couple of nice people to pass the time with. We didn't get in till about 8:30 cuz that line moved so slow. It was killing me to miss some songs, but I was just happy to be inside. I got in during the Burlap Sack and Pumps jam, and was too involved in coat check and relieving myself and getting a decent spot to listen to the music thoroughly, though i was definetly stoked by the energy and vibe of the place (except for this one guy who kept elbowing me if I didn't give him more than three feet to dance, three feet which none of us had). I manuevered a little closer, and began to enjoy the music. I have to say that some of hte setlists I've seen are wrong, Back on the train was towards the end of the first set, not in teh second set. And all that "groovinest" banter didn't occur during Rainy Day Women, but during a song with just trey and tony acoustic and russ on the kit (a song which I didn't know, though ws really smooth). So this basically a review of the 2nd set highlights that I can remember offhand(though the Jibboo was smoking). Mellow Mood - they did this beautifully, a little slower than when I saw phish do it at Albany, there was feeling all over this. Sand - This was absolutely mind boggling, holy cow. It was probaby 10-15 minutes, and there was NEVER a downtime. The horns added so much, and trey was going off, and then Grippo was leading them all in these crazy volume swells, and it was truly happening. Sunday morning - not to be confused with the Velvet Underground song. I guess this is a new trey song, and it is one of my favorite "songs" that he's ever written. I say song to mean conveying thoughts and emotions, rather than "pieces" like YEM or Reba or something of that sort. The whole jist of this song is that everything's beautiful, and the sun is shining, and life is a silly dream, but "I wanna share this dream with you," (probably a misquote, but you get the idea). Everything is made better when the subject of this song is with him. Beautifully done, they all repeat "IT's True!" every now and again. really is a great song, it's true. Rainy Day Woman - I was suprised that so many people recognized this instantly. It was a great cover for them to do, even though the lyrics I think are intended to mean stoned in a different way, the place ERUPTED and all shouted at the top of our lungs, "EVERYBODY MUST GET STONED!" each time, it was pretty hilarious. Jennifer took a tuba solo, The trombonist took a solo, and then Grippo was about to pic up the sax, when Trey introduced him as the tamborine player, so everyone quited down and he did a "riveting" tamborine solo. During some song in here that I didn't recognize is when all the banter took place. It ws pretty funny, Russ and Tony each got solos, but the point was that they are so "groovy" that even when they solo they don't stray from the groove at all. He also said that Tony was playing the acoustic bass that was his first ever, that he got way back in grammar school. It was pretty funny. Towards the end trey said that was going to risk sounding corny, but he loves us, and knows that we as fans are the essence and the energy what's going on, and that he's truly thankful. It was a really nice speech. ooh child- beautiful song, beautiful jam, nothing more needs to be said. somehow I didn't recognize happiness in my pants, and I don't seem to remember anything about it. Right here, trey announced that he was going to bring out another one of his great friends, and when he said Page, the place exploded. I have to say that Page didn't add much during this first tube, but hly cow did this song rock. It got us all dancing harder than we've danced all night, or in awhile as is the case with some of us. Trey even was a tad sloppy, but he ws too busy leading the band and it didn't matter, cuz the energy was present. It must've been at least 10-12 minutes before they walked offstage. The encore was also happening, and this is where Page's presence was actually felt with some nice texturing,and soloing on trey's little keyboard. The whole was great, and then Will it go round in circles brought the house down to close out the night. This truly was a great show that left us all in smiles, and catching our breath once the lights went on. It was definetly what I needed to quench my thirst for phish before we see them next (it'll be a longtime for me, cuz I'll be leaving hte country for a couple years). All I can say is WOW, if you're going to one of the next few shows, you are truly in for a treat. I haven't seen trey so animated. Each song he ws smiling ear to ear, or getting funky, and during the first tube, he was moving all over the place talking to himself. At times he was the leader directing the others where to go, and he did a great job. the bottomline is that phish needs to tour with horns, cuz they add SO much. I can't wait to get my pics back (I was pretty close for the second set), and I'll try and post em when I do. hope this review sheds some light on what went down, and wasn't too boring, Dave
click here to return to the 2001 reviews page
hits (many)