General oswego thoughts

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Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 23:23:59 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: july 99 at Oswego
 
I cruised up to Oswego last year in july of 99 to see my first Phish show,
with a bunch of my friends.  Excited?  Hell yeah!!   I was an average phan
but definately appreciated some of the recent boots that i heard on disc from
friends.   After the first night I wasn't really impressed and have to say
that there was way to many e heads there all at once and i think it took away
from the vibe.  I'll bet you those cats on stage weren't on the same level as
most of you the 17th, and bet it was the reason for there misfiring that
night.  Anyway i didn't have all that much fun the first night and went into
the next day thinkin that i had better see some  shit or else this whole
phish thing is a pharce and i had wasted some serious cash on this journey
from philly.  Well see some shit i sure did.  Amped and ready, i strolled in
to the left side(facing the stage) with some really really hot girlfriends of
mine. About 50yds out we got relaxed and then next thing we knew the boys
were on stage, absolutley blowin the joint out with Punch You In The Eye.  I
had never in my life heard this song and couldn't believe my ears.  I was in
awe of not just the sound, or quality of musicianship, but the amazing
feeling that came over all of us.  I flipped every time trey threw his fist
in the air.  It's safe to assume i was feeling a little cumfy in my
disposition, mosly because the whole atmosphere was just so beautiful.   Did
anyone else see what i saw in the sky that day.  If you had shades on you
might have caught a better glimpse of it.  Some of you know what i am talkin
about.
 Well, the first set was amazing, i was having the time of my life.  I didn't
know this band called phish was gonna make me dance like that.  Anyway the
set ended and the second came and we were all just havin the best time.  By
the way, to the person who wrote in about the balloons being let go during
Free.  You thanked the dude who did it but i thank you because you reminded
me of that and it was one of the most beautiful, and dynamic simplicities i
have ever seen, the way they just slowly drifted into the sky as if the
balloons were controlled by the music and weren't in any hurry to leave.
Awesome!!  However, the end of the song wasn't as beautiful as the beginning.
 Why is that?  Well, near the end i started to see things in  the sky, due to
a certain type of fungai that i accidently swallowed a whole lot of that fine
day.   I started to feel like we were all on camera and maybe some beings
from somewhere else were watching us as if we were in a movie or something.
I was sure of it when i bent down to talk to my girlfriends and they were
trying to decide if "Amy" had pissed her pants or not.  Seriously, she sat
there laughing, trying to figure out if she pissed her pants or not.  Anyway
they were talking to me and something really strange had happened. I couldn't
hear them.  I couldn't hear a thing.  All i could hear was trey rippin
through free, and nothing else.  I had basically lost my hearing.  So the
show was great up until that point when i lost my hearing. Well put it this
way, i got so far into the music that it took over my body, mind and ears.  I
could hear the music but i couldn't hear anybody's voice when they were
talkin to me.   So when all of you thought you were making history with the
meatstick dance, i was the cat storming out of there with my hands covering
my ears, lookin really concerned. Thought i was going deaf for good. Did you
see me?  Yeah that sucked!!!  But when i got away from it all i was able to
listen to the third set from the campgrounds, near those nasty ass toilets.
I loved that trey dropped some knowledge on the crowd.  Loved it, absolutely
loved it.!  Ears are better now, and since that day i have slowly become what
some people call a hardcore phish head.   Went to see them at the ecenter on
7/03/00.  Got pissed on, and if you were there you know what i'm talkin
about.   2nd set was funkier than a bulldog's ass.  The atolope and bathtub
gin were a godsend.  Well that's my story.  If you read this far i thank you
for listening.  Cheers!
 
                  george

Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 14:46:10 EST From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: re: concern from a phan Remember the Days As I watch time go by there are many things on my mind Good times and bad don't ever be sad days will come and go But for now just remember Oswego hot summer days under the sky inside the tent or up all night high who could've guessed the long journey was great you and I know it was something we ate chuckles and giggles and laughing much more I can't explain how it felt but you must go on tour necklaces, drugs, dresses galoure everything here will make you want more So good luck to the phish heads you see along the way We will see you again on New Years Eve day.
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2000 20:15:31 EST From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: oswego It was great!!!!!!!!!!!! The hotness was a little disturbing but now that i look back, i miss it. The 3 dollar bags of ice and water was bullshit. haha. But i love phish so i dont care. This wasnt my first show, but one of my best. peace J.G.
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1999 21:51:10 -0800 (PST) From: Erin O'Day [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review of oswego Hey! This was my first Phish show ever, and what else can I say, but WOW!!! I didn't listen to them much before I went to this concert, but they definitely grew on me. It was kinda hectic at first, people telling us we couldn't park here, we couldn't camp there, etc. Then we got an awesome spot! Not too far from the shakedown and one of our friends brought his turntables and a generator. That weekend was probably one of the greatest weekends of my life. I'd have to say i'm definitely hooked on phish. It was so cool to meet all these people who were there just to have a good time, and make sure everyone else did along the way. We met up with some people from Oregon-Drea, Heather and Seany....we took a pic with them, but it didn't turn out, and we never got their addresses...so if you guys are reading this...get a hold of me!!!!! (Erin and Ben) Anyways, i drove all the way out to NY from Wisconsin, to see someone, but then we drove to oswego. Honestly, this is the first time i'd ever really experienced something this cool. Although the heat was almost unbearable, i don't think anyone really cared. But it was crazy how they kept running out of water. And on the second day, it was cool when they left the water tank going and made mudslides into the ditch at the bottom of the hill, and the fireworks were great. I definitely want to see more phish shows. Anyways, just had to give you my input on one of the greatest experiences of my life! These guys are awesome! Erin
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 19:26:13 -0400 From: John M. Nichols [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: MALLEXPO'S Oswego Review Mad props and snaps to Pete Hunsberger (whoever you are). Too bad a good guy like you couldn't make it. When I first heard Phish in Summer of 1992, I was in my buddy's car and "Wedge" came on the mix that was playing. I had never heard music like this before, and so--my curiousity spiked and tastes tempted--I bought "Picture of Nectar" (didn't need "Rift" because my older brother owned it, just that I'd never heard it before). I spent most of my sophomore year of high school listening to "Tweezer Reprise" over and over and over. My Phish collection expanded slowly, sampling one album at a time. Surprisingly, the more I listened to Phish (live or studio) the more I found myself falling in love with their music. In July of 1994 my best friend and I drove 6 hours from home to Boston. We saw the second night of the Great Woods stint. That place was like nothing I'd ever seen before. The band came on and I noticed this warm, inspiring, flowing, beyond-words feeling running through my body. Then the second set opened, and I'm thinking "What the fuck?! [turned to my buddy] Is this the song from that movie '2001'?" The smile on my face was miles long, as I realized that Phish was more than just another band. These guys were doing something that they loved, and loved doing it. All you had to do was listen to the sound coming out of their instruments to know that Phish was unique, original, enjoyable, inspiring, and special. Seven years after being introduced to Phish, my love for their music has grown at an exponential rate. They and their music remain special to me, and I know that they and the music always will. So, MALLEXPO, if you don't like the way "Treydog" does things, go ahead, hold it against the whole band, hold it against the beautiful music they make. Bitch about it all you want. Be "saddened" by it if you choose. Stay home and don't go to shows, if you'd be happiest doing that. I'm not going to say that people like you ruin the experience for people like me, because you truly don't. It's not about this or that for me. For me it's about the music. It has always been about the music,and it will always be about the music. When I am at a Phish performance I am a very happy guy. Few things in life make me happier. Does that mean my life is empty without Phish? If Phish ceased to be (as we know them), or if they never existed at all, I would be listening to some other band. I have seen something truly special in this band, and I am glad that the rest of the world has the opportunity to share it. Keeping this band to yourself, as your own secret would be a crime. I have a great, burning passion for the music that these four guys play. I love it. I will always love listening to Phish. To the band: Thank you for what you have given to us all. Keep doing what you love guys.
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 16:56:35 PDT From: Erin Delaney [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: the oswego review page To everyone: I highly enjoyed every bit of this show from the ice lines, to the 110 degree temperature, to the "$3" water bottles(all the one's I bought were $1). And who really cares how many times Phish has played a song in one tour...why can't you just enjoy it? I mean i really don't see what you people have to b@tch about. The tunes were great and everyone was peaceful for a weekend. All I'm sayin is: Just love it! IT'S PHISH! One of the greatest bands that ever lived!!! ~erin~
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 12:41:55 -0400 From: Thomas Hartnett [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: ny show 99 this was only my second time ive seen phish, and my first summer camp out thing. it was so much fun, and they played a lot of songs i was hoping for like dwd, wilson, gin, reba but when they played icculus it was just amazing it made me feel great, and it was hilarious. trey was talking about the book and then making fun of mtv which was great and then he started signing "read it" then jam "rad the book" it was great. and then there was the meatstick, one of the funniest things happened during the break after trey said to get ready for it. i was with my friend on the lawn area and there was this little man dressed in a tiger outfit sitting on this 10 foot high fence and he says "are you guys ready for the meatstick" or something like that, and then he asked if anyone knew how and people got up and started doing the meatstick with him, it was awesome, reminded me of chesire cat in Alice in Wonderland. anyway, when they playing bathtub gin it was fun, when they were jamming trey moved it up and octave and played it fast, it was a great sound. lets see, i also saw this guy walking around dressed like obie-won-canobie and he was carring around this glowing light saber, i just had so much fun and it was a great experience, i cant wait till fall tour.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 20:23:03 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Volney I just got back from Oswego. I look back at the past two days and two lucid thoughts appear in my head. First, about 75% of the songs that were played in the last two days I had already heard 2-4 times this tour. Second, from where I was standing both nights, which was right across from the Ben & Jerry's, the crowd seemed "dead." Although most people were dancing, they seemed like they were zombies coerced into moving their bodies with the beat. However, everything prior and after the both shows was a positive experience I will remember for a while.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 19:35:31 -0500 From: David Delmonico [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Just a comment about the catapult, there was also a "underpressure" tease tease/jam during the trey dialog. Later Chris
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 1999 00:17:33 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: an oswego thought... Been out of town for two weeks with this delayed thought, couldn't help but re-review TMWSIY after icculus the second night. The parallels of gamehendge and the oswego show are way too spooky this time. The "divided sky" (the green and concert area), division of peace and harmony vs. avarice and greed, yadda, yadda, yadda. We need to regain control of the "book's" philosophy and restore the peace and harmony for which we seek at these festivals and not fall prey to avarice, greed, theivery, trash... Look at "rome-stock's" fiery outcome. The evolution of these gatherings over the last four years and the TMWSIY seem close to a self-fulling prophecy. time to gain control of "the book" and restore the beauty of the music, the community, and the peace. ..But Icculus had warned Forbin, up there on the mountain, that "all knowledge seeming innocent and pure becomes a deadly weapon in the hands of avarice and greed..." Something to ponder...
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 13:45:03 -0400 From: Greg Broxterman [email protected] To: [email protected] Newsgroups: rec.music.phish Subject: you DO need to read more OSWEGO thoughts :)... hey everyone, just got back, yadda yadda yadda... this is going to be long, but i'll try to stick to things i haven't seen anyone else mention. a good little old-school disclaimer.. this was my 20th show, jumped on the wagon late 95, have a large collection. went with 6 friends, many of them newbies, had a great time except for the heat. my first show of this tour. we arrived around 6am saturday.. the line to get in was a little long as you'd expect, nothing unbearable. getting out was a breeze.. i was amazed (we left around 11am mon) the porta-potties were definitly more than adequate.. and i thought the water was too, contrary to much of the complaining i've seen. it was hard to get near the actual stagegrounds, but back by the camps it was abundant. also, i think this was the first summer festival thingie during which you were actually allowed to LEAVE the grounds and return! i'm pretty sure this was unprecedented. we took advantage of this opportunity sunday morning to stock up on ice, gas, and even get cheap food that we didn't have to cook! so ice WAS cheap & available, you just had to know where to look. :) one final comment before getting to the music.. this WAS a festival. i remember reading about how there were trying to scale this one down a little to allow time for planning NYE, that's why they didn't name it, etc. but there was an area called the green that had everything we've come to expect from these summer festival gigs.. tons of crazy crap to look at! some guy was carving wood in the middle- given the other art around him and the safety people pretty much guarding the area, i thought we were looking at something akin to the 'wheel's candles or the went's wooden art pieces. WRONG! :) so finally to the music: day one set one****************************** TUBE to open? you can't jump into the music much faster than that.. snare crack and it's all over! had a nice little jam on it to keep it from falling into the only-nice-cause-it's-a-good-open category. BOOGIE on was similar in that it was a nice song choice with a nice little jam. nice nice nice.. nice was to end, though, with the BIRDS. i'd heard this song has begun to break out of its 98 slumpiness this year, but i was a bit skeptical. that was all washed away, though, with this good-sized jam that was pretty original to my ears.. definitly carried me a few places. GUELAH was great.. haven't seen this one since 96! :) i was a little bummed b/c i was pretty far back and couldn't see the stage, so i knew i'd miss the dance :( i think the sound was actually better where i was, though.. they all came through REALLY clearly.. even page & mike. i was eating the mike up. (c: anyway, some overdosed? girl came walking by vomitting everywhere right before the asse festival.. so i had to listen hard and let the compostion carry me back into the music.. thanks, guys. MY SWEET ONE my first, i think. can never tire of ewe a you, can you? ROGGAE someone let out around 100 purple and yellow balloons during this one.. i think i read of something similar from- what was it- 98 halloween's roggae? anyway, it was wonderful, especially since i couldn't really watch the stage much anyway. during the jam, the band slipped into one of those tripped-out patterns for a few bars.. don't think i've ever heard that in a roggae before.. emily and i looked at each other like WTF, and saw it as a foreshadowing of some composed-sounding, trippy-pattern-based jamming to come. so when TWEEZER started up, i thought we were in store for a sick, evil jam. they took the jam a few places, seemingly searching for their magical tangent. the music didn't really go to the "evil" place i expected it, however, it was much more soothing-like. finally, trey caught onto one soothing note to repeat and repeat until the whole band mellowed down to HAVE MERCY yes!!!!! this song shows up in the middle of so many of my favorite jams (94 kent state disease, aug93's antelopefest).. i was eating it up. TASTE i thought there was a segue into this, but can't remember for sure. a lot of taste's lose me, although i occasionally find one i can really dig into. well, this is my favorite ever now. maybe it was b/c everyone was so well mixed, but i thought all of the parts blended together exceptionally well for this particular performance. everyone's part seem to clash so much with each other, it's hard for this song to meld well. but at oswego, it seemed like they were all fighting for prominence in the overall sound, creating beautiful tension and an outstanding version of the song. the tension carried through into the jam, which featured a lot of what i was expecting from tweezer after that bit in roggae. just when i was starting to think of the best-ever category, i think there was a big flub in the climax. maybe it was just supposed to be different.. anyway, it was a *tad* off. regardless, taste was easily the highlight for me of the first day.. and remember, i'm not a taste person. CHAR ZERO don't remember much of this, i was just coming down from taste... :) :) :) ****************************** set 2- we moved up much closer, and were right below the right speakers. a good move, as we really got the full effect of the blazing aspect of what was to come. FUNKY BITCH son seals was the only act i caught from the 2nd stage. we walked through the green during their soundcheck, and when they started, we thought the sax player, who was front and center stage, was son. :) i was thinking, i *thought* was played guitar.. (c: image how surprised we were when son came out after three songs. he would lead the jams with that band by pointing at musicians to take solos, so i was expecting the same when he took the stage with phish. let me tell you now, this guy can *belt* out those lyrics! mike's singing on this song will sadly always be in a shadow now. i mean, his "EV'ry time i see her" would just knock you on your ass! as i expected, he gave page two solos via "the point". there was also a point when everyone began to clap along with the jam, which i loved, after hearing seals ask for a "good old gospel clap along" during his 2nd stage set- i bet he loved it! very fun. SOUTHERN FRIED->BLUES OUTTRO i was glad they kept seals out for another number, although i kept hearing lots of trey's familiar funky bitch licks in the jam. maybe that's why some people were calling it a bitch reprise. fun, nonetheless. i haven't seen anyone mention that son gave trey a big hug before leaving the stage. DOWN WITH DISEASE what a monster. my friends and i were very tired at this point, it was getting hard to get everything out of the music. during almost the entire disease, i was extremely impressed by fishman's relentless pounding. i'm convinced trey would have happily led the band out much earlier if jon wasn't kicking everyone's asses to hard the whole time. not that i see trey as mr leader/director man, i just think he was trying to keep up with the intensity at times. mike was right there with jon too.. they were completely locked together. at one point, trey did the little mouth-sing-as-you-solo guitar solo routine... there was just so much in this disease. left us completely exhausted, so i was glad to hear WOLFMAN'S .. which actually served as the cool-down song. very low, tight.. you could tell they were re-grouping, yet staying locked on track the whole while. the jam was a bit unique.. not the all-out-funkified 97 type. at this point i was so tired, i didn't even recognize the SNEAKIN SALLY coming on. i love when trey sings the "sneakin thru the alley with sally" line while page sings the "sneakin sally thru the alley" line. (no other recollections.. too tired) TIMBER ah one of my favorites.. such original, spooky jams often come out of this one.. and oswego's was no exception. had a little trouble enjoying it, though, as mr 8ft giant in front of me was intent on doing his 10 person area/elbow to inch in front of your face dance. i really can't complain, though, as this was the *only* annoying person around me the whole weekend. after the looooong disease, i had no idea how much time was left for the set, and was expecting a short closer. it seems everytime you expect that, you get a YEM no matter how tired, you always have to give it up for this one. don't remember much besides the nice harmonzing vocal jam (nice light coordination!) COIL was a beautiful choice encore. glowsticks during coil? i think we should keep the glowsticks a little rarer to preserve some degree of.. specialness. i'm not sure, but they (glostix) seemed to lead the band into a little full-band jam at the end. i was really surprised that they all finished together without a page solo. felt like they were tired too. TWEEZER REPRISE was a great energy boost to get us back to the tents. highlights for me where birds, actually (surprised me) and twzr->mercy->taste. i'll have to hear that second set again when i have some energy. day two, set one****************************** we were pretty far back again, on the left instead of the right this time (ahh.. grass is softer than concrete). we were still walking up when they started.. PUNCH always gets me excited to hear a set FARMHOUSE love this song, not as different as i expected from what i'd heard. fishman still on the cowbell, negligible new opening part, fewer trey effects i think. WATER always a sucker for the cowbell :) GIN had a long jam that i never really got into. maybe i'm just spoiled by all of the great 98 versions. also i was pretty moody during this set. so when del mccoury came out, i sat down to hang out a bit with my friends, who had been lying down for much of the set, tripping their balls off (ok, i guess i was a bit too..) in regards to everyone's comments on the drugged-out scene etc.. admittly, an all-weekend festival is quite an ideal place to do drugs.. what responsibilities to you have there? it does detract from the scene a bit though.. i'm sure lots of people go there for the drugs much more than the music. you don't get the same vibe that this is everyone there's favorite band, but hopefully you can still get that from the smaller, usual 2set shows. i mean, there are a *lot* of people there, they can't all be die-hards. it's just different, and i'm glad i'm catching several smaller shows this summer. although they don't have the giant marshmellows on sticks. 8] del's not really my bag, though i do have to respect his band.. just wasn't in the mood, and CALL ME IF YOU NEED A FOOL has to be my most disliked song they play right now. i do enjoy BEAUTY, though.. it's one of my favorite bluegrass songs they do. MOMA i thought it was funny to place this after talking about "the other dance". trey told us about meatstick and to "get ready for it", to which we all chuckled. moma was nice loooow sleepy funk, which just makes the soaring notes later that much better. REBA well it was beautiful, what do you expect? :) i think this one was called up b/c of time of day. the clouds in the sky were just starting to get their pinks and yellows going.. it was breathtaking. mostly a fractal-looking grid of small thin square clouds.. but there was one giant mountain-looking cumulous cloud behind us and to the left.. if you were there, you know which one i'm talking about! sorry i don't have many reba comments, but i think more people there were talking about that cloud than the reba. :) CHALKDUST especially after reba, really got me back into the mood to hear a lot more phish. this song never fails to amaze me in how much it differs from performance to performance. this was no textbook-chalkdust.. it was unique and smoked. set two ********************** the chalkdust put me in a really good mood.. i was ready for a loooooooong jam, delivered pefectly by RUNAWAY JIM i don't think they could have made a better choice. such a fun positive-sounding song.. and another *huge* jam. this is one of my favorite kinds of jams, too, when they go to a place, define it/play around in it, and then find somewhere else and do the same. like gulliver's travels... except with a dog instead. i remember there was one funk-filled place that was visited, and the next, distinct from the previous, had a bit of funk, but served as a nice transition into the next (non-funk) place. i know that's a shakey description, but i think it'd be impossible to remember all the styles touched on on this jim.. just trying to give you an idea. can't remember if there was a segue, but FREE definitly had it's little build-intro come out of the jim remnants. gorgeous free, another of my favorite, the vocals really soar. they went into their funk-type jambreak that i was first introduced to last summer in columbus. it crawled around nicely, and even (yes!) left the strictly free jam type of sound for a while. aaaahhh. when we finally came back to realize we were back in the blimp, you just got that feeling that it had all been wonderful, but now we were on our way. :^) MEATSTICK ah yes, there it is. this song has matured nicely from the outtakes version. i've read about all the low participation, but almost everyone i could see from my way-far-back position was doing it. maybe because it was less crowded back there? anyway, i'm not much of a dancer either, but you have to give it up for them, how much have they done for you? it's just so funny to even just say "meatstick". :) GUYUTE i've read lackluster reviews of this too.. but i loved it. when i saw this last fall in cincinnati, it seemed to have a just-another-guyute feel to it, but this one was definitly infused with the we-just-broke-a-world-record feeling. the climax was *so* triumphant.. and i don't think trey usually goes that high with the theme before going into the last verse. great song choice. AXILLAMA you gotta love this song choice, just because the names can overlap like that. :) i'm really happy with axilla's placement, i think it's hard for them to pull this song off.. it has such a *big* sound, it's easy for it to get thin and really fall short. but you could tell they were riding such a high, it came out huge! i was really hoping they wouldn't play the pt.II ending, they were surging and a cooldown would have killed it. itstead they kept it right up there with the maniacal llama. not your giant-kills-everything-in-its-path llama like the one from the great went, but a great set closer nonetheless set 2.. during setbreak i related most of the gamehenge saga to a friend (i always get the ending messed up..), and when i explained about forbin going to see icculus, i felt compelled to just say icculus's name several times... said "i just have to say icculus many icculus times icculus" no shit.. i couldn't believe when they broke into it. one of *those* moments. :) :) MY SOUL completely crept up on us. i'm surprised no one's mentioned this.. i've always heard this song fully strummed out from the first chord.. but trey kind of snuck into the riff, if you know what i mean. *great* my soul.. and it's not overplayed anymore.. you naysayers should take a fresh look at this one. PIPER wow. my first was the beautiful 12-6-97 piper, and it's been *really* hard for another to live up to it. so many of the 98 pipers were getting pretty standard, and i think this song loses so much of its weight with predictability. i was *yearning* for some heavy metal phish, ala carini, hahaha, bbfcfm, or the like, and it actually started coming out of piper! this version is very unlike any other i've heard. and for all of you out there who like to judge a set by its flow.. this piper actually picked up where my soul left off, and brought us around perfectly for the wilson to come, but first eased down into a nice original PRINCE CASPIAN i think this is a good song that only need a little bit of originality each time it's played to keep it from dragging. this one was different enough for me to enjoy. so it dies down in the end, and they kick it back in, right? nope.. it dies down, and then there were these weeeeeee little, barely played notes... WILSON ah, i knew i'd get my metal fix from this one, with the recently added middle jam, but i had no idea... this song was possibly the most fun i had all weekend. the wilson metal jam was just starting to sound a little too stripped-down repetitive, and then we found out why.. they were laying a groundwork for CATAPULT my first.. i thought (especially w/have mercy) my rare-song quota had been taken care of here. *love* this little ditty.. and with them harmonzing it over a thick-ass crunchy chord... bliss bliss. then there's the old, where do they go from here? feeling.. expecting to settle back down into wilson. heh heh. ICCULUS ah.. goosebumps just typing it. trey in *rare*rare*rare* form here, people. at first it annoys me that some might take his diatribe seriously... "ooo ooo ooo! what is trey's opinion?!?"... and then it just makes me bust out laughing. ooooooo... he's sooooooo serious! :) i'm not going to go into what he said, you should either wait to hear it or get a full transcription.. do NOT settle for fragments! i read someone say it was a "standard" or "typical" icculus. what? :) ("though rare"..) so it was very funny, but you knew that. definitly beats out some other icculii i've heard even. afterwards, trey introduces the band, paul & chris. i haven't read this elsewhere- fishman immediately follows the intro's with a quickly-spoken disclaimer-style "johnpaluska:manager" man, like i wasn't on the ground laughing already. and you know, as jaded as a i was starting to feel before this show, i was laughing through so much of the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th sets. i love these guys- they crack me up. i don't remember which song it was in, but one jam had a VERY circus-like short little segment in it. the circus--- THE CIRCUS, PEOPLE! whether it's fishman mimicing/mocking the little riff trey just played on a high tom, or a mid-jam drop to a completely different soung on a dime, this band makes me laugh more than any other ever. when it comes down to it, *that* is what makes this my favorite band. oh yeah.. there were a couple more songs. mike asked for QUINN, so i got *another* first. fun song, but i was never a deadhead, so it doesn't hold that special-place-in-my-heart feeling as it does for some. but it's *still* a fun song. FLUFFHEAD was as someone else said, a cherry on top. always surprised how much versions of this differ, given how composed it is. not the most inspired ever, but definitly solid, no major flaws. fluffy. HOOD encore was a bit of a surprise. i was thinking there'd be no way they'd play the same encore for 2 consecutive summer festivals, making me expect anything but.. but who can complain? i'm sorry if you've followed them around for the whole tour so far an have already seen it. i remember when people used to be amazed that they'd go through their whole 4 show holiday tour and not repeat a song.. now it seems they have to go through every tour without repeats. sheesh. anyway, this hood definitly had its merits.. *heavy contrast* around the mr. minor section- a whisper to a scream back to a whisper. the theme seemed to start getting thick a little early.. only for them to lay off a little again.. great hood. all in all, a fantastic weekend. i hear all of the bitching and moaning about trey taking too much front.. but for me mike & fishman definitly stood out the most. trey came through when he needed to, also.. there are times in songs when he needs to step up and whip that donkey's ass. :) page didn't really seem to step up a lot, which i think is why a many are complaining about trey (coupled with the fact that many forget to occasionally focus on the "rhythm section"). but that's the beauty of page.. he's always adding to the mix right where he should be, and if it calls for him to lay more background/complement, that's where he is. last time i saw them (11-15-98) he totally stole the show (mule/limb/cavern;)). no worries on his behalf, please, the kids are alright. sorry that got so long... i just thought there were a lot of things no one mentioned, plus it wouldn't be me if i didn't blab endlessly on the personal experience part. :) greg
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 1999 04:14:07 -0300 From: D-ROCK [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: My Oswego and Toronto review First off... Andy, YOU ROCK!!! Secondly... this review is considerably late due to car troubles on the way home. ( More in my Toronto review ) I drove from New Brunswick, Canada to get there. For those who don't know... I had a 4 hour westward drive to Lemonwheel. East Coast baby!!! Ok, now before I go into what I thought of the shows, I have to say one thing. Why do people who submit reviews say things like " I didn't care for this song." I don't understand how people can say something like " I wasn't in the mood for WASTE or SAMPLE." I firmly believe that PHISH music is for the soul and that the lyrics to songs like those are what it's all about. Anyways... on to my review. Oswego was a treat because I had heard it wasn't going to be a festival. But yet the ferriswheel made it there, not to mention the " Second Stage " and the " SOAP HOUSE. " Kudos to everyone who made Camp Oswego what it was. First Set - Tube - My first Tube and I loved every minute of it!!! I had listened to it before I left to see if I remembered the lyrics. With such a rare song I knew what we were in for. Boogie on Reggae Woman - Again first time I've heard Phish play it live. Still groovin.... Birds of a Feather - I love this song!!! And I had heard good things about previous versions on the tour... I was not disappointed. Guelah Papyrus - MANNNNNNNN!!!! I almost cried when I didn't hear it at Lemonwheel... They were tears of joy this year!!! My Sweet One - Every time I listen to this song I sing it out loud. So I sang it out loud!!! :) Roggae - What can you say about this one... not that I had noticed Mike's bass prior to this one but I was looking at those stacks of speakers during this saying " MANN I love that sound " Plus, the fact that I was groovin right in between the soundboard and the stage. Mind you I almost tripped over the white thing a million times. Point being... still groovin.... Tweezer > Have Mercy - Always love that Tweezer, was looking for a freezer though. Phewff I was sweatin!!! Taste - Just a nutty song!!! I knew after I bought Slip, Stitch and Pass just how pleased I would be if I heard it live. This one was beautiful. Character Zer0 - One of my fav's off the album ( with Taste, Theme and Free... more on Free later :) Set Comments - Yippee Yi Yay DUDE... I'm glad I made it here!!!! Second Set - Funky Bitch - I don't care how many times who's heard it... THIS SONG ROCKS!!! Son Seals is a madman and seeing him play that guitar made me wish I had mine at that very moment... A legend and his guitar.... I'm no legend though.... On my Knees > Blues Outro - Oh yeah... A legend, his guitar and that voice... MANN that's the Blues DWD - I knew we were in for a jam song. Grooved every second of it too... Wolfman's Brother - I didn't expect to hear this one... but that made it that much better. Bro o ther errrr Sneakin Sally - The funk just doesn't stop does it Timber Ho - I grabbed on tight for this one and then I stuffed in my sack for safe keeping... Needless to say a pleasant surprise YEM - Blew my mind!!! At this point I figured if I heard it, it would be the next day. Lights for the vocal jam were Saweeeet!!!! The lights in general were crazier that last year.... I had thought about what Chris would be doing during the spring... now I know. Thank Chris!!! Encore - Squirming Coil - Beautiful song... I thought I might hear a page solo ala " A Live One " but instead I got a ... Tweeprise - NICE!!!! Set Comments - OH OH!!! There's still tomorrow... Sunday - Set One - PYITE - I knew that with this opener we were in for a treat. I was ready for a Hardcore Ho-Down... Farmhouse - Setting us up for a Ho-Down??? HA HAAA I'm still flyin from the PYITE... Water in the Sky - Love this tune!!! I had heard an older version that had a slower beat before Lemonwheel which was what made this song stick out in my mind. But the up tempo is just as good... if not better. Bathtub Gin - Page gets the good stuff out for this one. Still groovin.... Get Back on the Train - First time live for me and I was shakin my booty with every note... Call me if you need a fool - Same old booty shakin... my appreciation for bluegrass has just shot up again.... Blue and Lonesome - I forget exactly when whoever it was broke a string... but I could see Trey's head bobbing and so was mine ( I somehow managed to get to exact same spot as the first day) The white coping thing was breaking my groovin space again. Beauty of my Dreams - I agree with Trey!!! The Del McCoury Band rocks!!! Moma Dance - I love this song. One of my fav's off the last album. And yes I was groovin Reba - I'll never complain when I hear Reba Chalk Dust - Nice!!! This set seemed to be much longer than it was... but that may have been because I was dancin my ass off in that heat!!! Mannnn. Set Comments - Del McCoury Band rocks, I got my ho-down, and I was wiping beads of sweat off of every part of body. Second Set - Runaway Jim - Oh OH!!! Here we go!!! Free - I had said during the set break that we were in for sum heavy, thick ass funk. Did you guys hear that bass??? Meatstick - Ahh yes... the meatstick. I found myself singing it while walking around downtown Toronto a couple of days later... betcha it'll happen again. Guyute - Killer song. Killer version too.... Axilla - I really wanted to hear this one too... almost as much as Guelah Papyrus... well worth the 20 hour drive to be able to phreek out during this one. Llama - Sweet version... I've heard a couple and this one got me hoppin.... good closer too. Set Comments - I've danced my ars off during every song so far... no sense stoppin now. Although I had no idea what was going to happen next.... Third Set - My Soul - Says it all don't it?? Piper - Alright. I love this song too much... the glowsticks fit in good with this song, but is it just me or was that glowring war longer than usual??? I knew this set would be nuts simply because the boys were feeding off the energy... so like I said " I have no idea where I'm going next...." Prince Caspian - Yes I was singing and groovin.... Catapult - NICE!!! Mike wherever you are... you rock!!! Icculus - ??? Are you kidding!!! I know somebody out there keeps track of these things, so when was the last time they played that one??? A damn long time I bet... what a treat!!! The Bad Lieutenant cracks me up!!! Quinn the Eskimo - Good call Mike. Fluffhead - If I could type in the sound you make when you exhale and vibrate your lips together, I would. Total shocker at this point in the nite. Set Comments - I agree with whoever said we take it for granted that Phish will come out for an encore.... Encore - Harry Hood - A record setting evening, no doubt. Double glowring war?? Oswego Comments - Beautiful job. The amount of security had me worried about this show possibly having a bad vibe... but thankfully, there were no bad vibes. This show blew me away even more than my first show did I think. Anyway I'm off to Toronto to celebrate Phish's return to Canada on my birthday. Hellooooooo. I have to be there!!! Thankfully my car didn't break down till the way home. As far as my crapping session on other people's reviews... I don't say anything negative about people performing on stage... especially PHISH!!! Until my T.O. review... smell ya later. D-ROCK
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:54:26 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego reviews This is not a song by song review. Just some info and thoughts. I am a head who holds down a corporate job, and has only enough time to see Phish on summer tour on occasion. After Plattsburg and then the went and lemonwheel, I thought that the summer two day long festival was the best scene/show to catch. The venue in Oswego was just too small. The lots were OK but inside the venue there was little room. Yes I am old, and truth be told I'd rather lay down my blanket and sit down on occasion, there was almost no where to do this. In Maine there was just much more space. Also the vending lights on the side of the venue were way too bright and on the whole time. And as for vending the price of food and drink seems to go up and up every year. Also I had to pour out my water before going in to the second set on Saturday, which is typical, but they ran out of free tap water, yet had plenty of $3 water? Thankfully they rectified the matter on Sunday and let us bring in our own water. Did anyone see the lines for ice on Saturday morning and Sunday morning? Also there was a time Sunday morning when water on the lot could not be found. With the heat and sun as awful as they were the lack of water proved frustrating. A lot of posts have mentioned sound, yea it was loud but there were a lot of dead spots. If you were to close to the back of a speaker you got some odd cancellation. The venue by being long and narrow made the best spot for sound far from the stage past the last set of speakers. A few posts have talked about this show and, the BAND, and problems one way or another like getting in, water etc. Phish DOES NOT put on the festival it is run by the great northeastern productions group. They spend all year preparing for this one show that Phish happens to headline. Phish gets paid but not any differently than other shows on tour. Phish and GNP did not want this to be a summer festival type show, and they tried to prevent it from becoming one by limiting the number of sets, and putting the show on the day after a show 8 hours away (tour heads wouldn't get there early like in Maine) SO for staffing shortages, ice water problems, trash removal, the venue being to small poorly set up, the sound not being adequate, vending costs, etc. I level all blame on the great northeast production co. It appears that they were cutting corners to save costs and make money. Why else did every van or large vehicle have to be separately searched. As one such searched person told me the people performing the search were looking for vending supplies or illegal food vendors and Nitrous oxide tanks and hard drugs like crack and heroin. They saw and did not care about pot and other drugs. Hey I don't mind live and let live. But do you really have to confiscate food from people selling so you can have the monopoly on food service only to offer an $8.00 burrito from a very discourteous and often rude staff. I also have to say that the shadier element or common thief drug trafficker type hard core punks that some times don't even like phish have ruined the scene. Perhaps Maine was too far for them to go to but this year they were everywhere. The lot used to be great. I remember going to soldier field and deer creek when the Dead played and if you didn't get in you could have a good time and still enjoy the music from the parking lot. Well in 95 gate crashers ruined that and now kids with out tickets to the show who run around the lot are ruining this scene. Set 1 on Saturday our campsite gets ransacked and our beer taken from our cooler which was hidden in a tent. Sunday set 2 there are 4 cars broken in to in our area and money and clothes are taken. All weekend long I was approached by people selling drugs, some good some bad some who knows and who can tell. But when you see these kids trying to push cut up shitake cooking mushrooms, and bags that only way on mars you have to wonder. Some come for the music, some for the circus like atmosphere and others for the economic opportunity. The scene reminds me of a traveling gypsy circus. The towns allow us in as amusement and we come in pick there pockets sell them bunk drugs, and then leave the place a royal mess. I can't blame the towns for wanting us to get the hell out when it's over. If you want to kill brain cells by the thousands by doing nitrous, or if you want to sell liquid that is really water and then go run and hide, and view the sets as a time to rob and pillage instead of enjoy the best music around, just go before you ruin it for everyone. Sadly though no of those people will ever read this post. I don't know what to do about it or what phish can do, its just unfortunate and sad. I don't know if it was the venue, the vending lights, the lack of water, the cost of food, the scene, or that the boys were not totally on, but this show just wasn't that great. The music went from good, to moments of greatness....Icculus? but I just felt like the whole weekend had a dirty feel to it like something was not quite right. Many people have mentioned that the boys sounded off for one reason or another. Like anyone working you have good and bad days. I miss the serious jam outs from 95-6. I was hoping for a spacy delay loop jam, never really got one, trey hardly ever even touched the pedals, but there was still some great music, Piper, DWD>Wolfmans the dell Mccury set. How about that amazing YEM, and a great Hood encore. No one has mentioned the second stage acts either. Dell was great so was Son Seals. And how about the show after the show on Saturday that some DJ (Name?) put on. That guy was spinning some sick jams with a great bass line hook that never stopped for about 3 hours. Well anyway enough I guess. Back to the corporate world and my suit and tie. I'll be stripping it off again this weekend in east Troy for the Alpine Valley show and then at summer tours end in Deer Creek. You know looking at my list of complaints maybe I am just old and bitter....I never thought that I'd complain and sound old at 27 years. Drew
Date: Sat, 24 Jul 1999 13:59:19 EDT From: Jeff Williams [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Festival I just want to quickly say that I had just as much fun at this festival that I have had in the past. I don't understand the comments being made by some people saying how the energy level was lacking. You have to account for the heat. I feel that everyone (myself included) was exhausted and were just too tired to do anything more than stand and enjoy the great music. Off the point, did anyone catch that band playing on the side of the runway near the entrance of the concert grounds called Healthy Doses? I thought they were amazing! If anyone knows anything about this band or if they have a website or where they are from, please let me know I need to hear them again! Anyway- I thought the entire show and experience was one of the best that I have taken part in. I hope that people don't start taking these shows for granted and nitpick the small variences from show to show. Just enjoy the fact that we are part of an amazing phenomenon. peace- JEFF
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:08:46 -0400 From: Brian Brinkerhoff [email protected] To: [email protected] Just a quick note for the guy at Oswego with the Star Wars action figures: THANK YOU FOR ENTERTAINING ME!!!!! It's been some time since I laughed that hard. Brian P.S Vajohna Fishman is God
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 13:46:48 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: oswego phish proformed admrialibly. however the number of industrial grade ballon tanks made this old hippie sad. Hey kids . if you want to deprive your brain of oxygen so's you can pass out, why don't you put a plastic bag oover your head ...oh yeaah and for that exyta special knock out feeling tie the bag tightly around your neck and whoosh you will be rushing. seriously i spoke to a vender that told me that the tanks were brought in by a crime syndicate, and that he spoke to the head sleeze whose truck wasd parked next to his and the weasel was bragging on how his "boys" had brought in 20.000 dollars on friday night alone! there were ballon headsin our neighborhood friday night. they were crashing into our tents. the next night some woman went off on them ripping the ballons off of the tanks and screaming at the sleazy vender. i think she turned them into security cuz they shut down. i applaude her bravery. k
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:22:08 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Oswego and the meaning of life... hey, just thought i'd add my two cents seeing as that seems to be the thing to do these days. i am still tired, sunburned and generally groggy from the weekend. yet i would do it all again in a second. i waited from 3:30pm-9:30pm on saturday in the traffic, only hearing the first set from my car window. it was actually cool b/c everyone shut up, turned off their radios and listened attentively. I met numerous people, good, bad and ugly. one particularly ugly jackass kept dissing whatever was being played during that first set as he walked between all the cars stuck in traffic. it reminds me of a lot of the criticism on this page. according to the yyzx stat page over 120 different songs (ie not counting repeats) have been played this tour. how can you get upset? this is unheard of by anyone else. once inside, it was still tiring and such but that second set was amazing. best YEM and vocal jam i have heard. i support the contention that the heat ruined the crowd both days. i also say that the band was fabulous. and if you want to hear just a couple particular songs, either put them all on one tape or expect that it will take a number of shows anymore. also, if you have not taken the time to understand the group's evolution, don't be so arrogant as to think you can analyze their dynamic relationship. trey is the leader. that is life. ever think that maybe the other fellas didnt really feel like singing? don't suppose that you have some knowledge that you don't. as for trey's supposed "meltdown"... WHAT? those "in the know" know that the narration about "reading a fucking book" was the START OF ICCULUS and if you listened carefully, you'd have realized it was SARCASM. witty, wry and poignant. get junta and listen up if you've not familar with icculus. if you'd listen to the tapes, you'd get it. it's just like real life... ignorance is not an excuse for anything. odds are that if you don't understand something, you have not bothered to try. as for his 3rd set playing sunday, "WHAT, WHAT, WHAT?" to quote Kyle's mom. Piper was simply stunning. fluffhead well played. my soul, ok not a favorite but solid. and that stuff with smoke on the water and that... ever consider, just consider the possibility that he *intentionally* played that way. it is a joke, my friends. i hate to have to spell it out but its about the music. if you like it, stay. if not, goodbye. anything else is water under the bridge. i dont particularly feel all warm and fuzzy when the scene gets seedy and people have no respect the people tenting near them. if its too much for you, then leave. the music is what draws me. and i'd go through a lot worse to hear a show much worse than this. you know they say that one reason children are awesome is they tell it like it is. they arent jaded. similarly, i prefer to read the reviews of newbies than than jaded heads who "impress" me with how many shows they've seen and how big their tape collection is... what is even worse though is jaded reviews from people who DONT KNOW the music. but to the newbies everything is fresh. the grass is greener and the air is sweeter... you never know when this could all come to an end. enjoy the power, majesty and beauty of phish while you can... instead of lamenting their demise when its too late. see you in deer creek tk
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 22:40:41 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Well my favorite part of reading these reviews is that I have only found ones that register disbelief that people are slamming the weekend in Oswego. We should all remember that each show is 50% what the band brings to us and 50% what we bring to the whole event. The Almanac Tour Extra states: " So this weekend, let's forget about how good the setlist looks on paper. Let's not be whiny and nitpicky if they play Bouncin'. people. Just be thankful...and be glad that we have a few companions on this ride." And let's also remember that Phish, the band, is just four dudes doing what they love, exactly how they want to do it. That is incredible in its own right. Moreover, these guys are not and have not asked to be raised above just being an excellent rock and roll band. Instead, they come out every night and have fun. Every time I see them I can't help thinking about the fact that they are having so much fun up there. And that they are producing sounds that allow me to let go of everything else in my life and touch the fun that they are having. Then, to leave the concert to the biggest partyin the country, man who can complain. I don't know, but I'd never been to another party with a ferris wheel still operating at 1 am. Let's all take a step back and not take the whole thing so seriously. Instead, take it for what it is, a DAMN good time both during the concerts as well as before and after. Never have I meet so many truly kind and considerate people as at shows. And when we see our brothers and sisters taking it a little to far, even for our community, tell them. We are responsible for maintaining a scene that can perpetuate itself for the coming years. I sure don't want to find out that there is no tour because no community will have us back. And the new members of our community WILL continue to pour in, remember, you too had never been to a Phish show at some point, and we have to let these people know that we love keepin it going and that we want them to share in the happiness that our community provides, but they have to share in the responsibility. So THANK YOU to the guys and ladies who cleaned the pot-a-pods and brought us water, thank you to all the vendors who fed us, thank you to the Green Team, thank you to all the Clean Vibes people, thank you to the dude who stood outside through the wee hours of the morning to exchange my ticket for a wrist band, thank you to all the wonderful bands both at Echo Lodge and on the runways, thanks to Ted who helped us set our tent up, thank you to the people of Plattsburgh, Limestone, Volney and every other community we have visited, and especially, THANK YOU to the band and management of Phish for providing us with such outstanding music and the places and set ups to enjoy them, and of course every single stage hand. ANd thank you to all the people out there who make our community what it is "I'd like to say to my Sisters and my Brothers, KEEP THE PEACE."
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 10:30:26 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: bad vibes I don't know why all of you people are so negative about the camp oswego show. Even though it was only my second show I had a blast. I live in oswego, it was so random that Phish played in my home town, how could I not have a good time. I met so many nice people, and had a great time. my only dissapointment was that I didn't run into my friends from school, but I understand because there were so many people there. I think that this is the best show that I have ever seen!!!
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 11:11:57 -0400 From: "Knight, Brian @ SEC" [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Thoughts on Oswego Here is something that we submitted into our magazine, The Vermont Review (For more articles on other great music, check out: hhtp://members.tripod.com/vermontreview) Right from the beginning, we knew Phish's three-day extravaganza in upstate New York was going to be a little different. After two years of making the epic journey northward and calling Limestone, Maine our home away from home, thousands of Phish fans were only required to make the considerably shorter trip to the Lake Ontario region. Besides the geographic relocation, the most obvious change was the nature of the event itself. For the previous three year-end bonanzas, the Clifford Ball, the Great Went and the Lemonwheel, the emphasis was on creating an end of the summer blowout. This time around, the big event was relegated to a three-day stopover in the middle of the band's Summer Tour. On the night before the festival, Phish was playing Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" in New Jersey and within 48 hours of the closing notes of Sunday night's "Harry Hood", the band was across the border playing to often deprived Canadian fans. The sense of a slightly more reserved festival was felt immediately when fans received their newsletter and tickets. In previous year's festivals, the fans knew where they were going. There was always a name associated with the event: "The Clifford Ball"; "The Great Went" and "The Lemonwheel." This year, there was an uncertainty. Were we making the trip to Volney? Or was it Oswego? Or was it Fulton County?" For all the entrepreneuring merchandisers, they didn't know what to do. Were the bumper stickers going to say "Off We Go to Oswego!" or were the T-shirts to say "Phun in Phulton"? It wasn't until my perusal of the band's official merchandising booths that I discovered that we had arrived at "Camp Oswego". As soon as I was informed by a local that I was actually in O"swig"o and not O"sweeeg"o, I knew that me and my suitcase of Budweiser cans had found our home for the weekend. In addition to the issue of semantics, the road to Oswego was also absent of the familial greeting that the people of Northern Maine provided in the previous two years. Due the remote location of both the "the Great Went" and "The Lemonwheel" and the economic boom provided by the fans, the people of Maine from Bangor northward welcomed the Phisheads with encouraging zeal. While approaching Oswego, the open armed reception was not felt until we were within a few miles of the concert site. The discrepancy was felt the most in the commercial areas along the way to Oswego. In the rest areas along the New York State portion of I-90, the Roy Roger's cashiers dumbfoundly wondered who all the freaks were. In contrast, every merchant Down East knew who we were and catered to our needs. Once people figured out where they were going, the fans were also treated to a few changes upon their arrival in Oswego. The biggest difference was the relocation of the "village" to outside of the actual concert grounds. Instead of waiting for the concert area to open, the fans could enjoy the village's fun and games throughout the morning, afternoon and evening. In comparison to the world architecture of the Lemonwheel's Tiki Huts, Pagodas and Buddhist spiritual arches, there was a rustic/campfire theme to the village this year. The village, which was officially known as "The Green", was littered with numerous homemade cabins, overturned rowboats and teepees made of fir trees. On each corner of the area, there were birch tree arches that served as a gateway to the playground. In past years, a large clothesline or duck pond provided the grandiose element to the weekend. This time around, the grounds were littered with 20-foot high "marshmallows on a stick" which contributed tremendously to the campfire feel. Amidst "The Green" was also a flagpole, which flew the colors of Camp Oswego - a triangular flag with an arrow piercing the open end of a "C" on a green background. Another welcome feature from the Lemonwheel was the Ferris wheel, which provided fans with rides all day long. The biggest highlight of "The Green" was the addition of the second stage known as "Echo Lodge". Encased in birch tress, Echo Lodge was the home to many talented bands over the course of three days. There was the jazz-fusion of Rhode Island's the Slip and Seattle's Living Daylights, the hip hop-Latin-funk of Los Angeles' Ozomatli, the bluegrass of the Del McCoury Band; the spiritual jazz of Boston's Bob Moses and Mozamba; the eclectic swinging hot jazz of Texas' 81/2 Souvenirs; and the country sounds of Manhattan's Hank Williams Lonesome Cheatin' Hears Club Band. Over the last few years, fans have been introduced to the sounds of the Miracle Orchestra, Seth Yacovone and the Gordon Stone Trio and this year was no exception. In the previous years, the additional bands were pleasant surprises that could be found while walking around in the concert grounds. This time, the bands were made a showcase. With the emphasis moving from the concert grounds to the "The Green", the actual concert area was reduced in size. For the first time in four years, I actually felt restricted and crowded as movement from A to B was typified by shoulder rubbing and congestion. As always, respite was found in less crowded beer garden. For those who could brave the crowds, they could find a huge piece of Blue Astroturf laid out by veteran fans that offered an equally enjoyable sanctuary. If your preference was Beer Garden, the Blue Astroturf or lying on your back on the hill, the main reason for surviving the heat, the crowds and lines arrived with the opening notes of "Tube" on Saturday evening. A relatively rare tune in the grand scheme of the Phish repertoire, "Tube" was also joined by fellow old friends like "Boogie On Reggae Woman", "Reba", "Wilson", "Punch You In The Eye", "Sneakin Sally Through the Alley" and "Fluffhead." It wasn't just old timer's night either as the band also displayed the newer sides of their sound with "This is a Farmhouse", "Birds of a Feather", "Guyute", "The Moma Dance", "Roggae", and "Water in the Sky". Two of the performers who played at Echo Lodge during the day and also made it to the main Phish Stage were blues guitarist Son Seals and the Del McCoury Band. Son Seals joined Phish for "Funky Bitch" and "On My Knees". The former tune, which has been a staple of a Phish set since the band's earliest days, was penned by the great Chicago guitar player and the performance of the two songs was a great example of bridging the generations and Phish paying respect to their influences. The Del McCoury Band joined Phish for "Get Back on the Train", "If You Need a Fool", "I'm Blue I'm Lonesome", and "Beauty of My Dreams". As we learned in the Vermont Review's latest issue, Phish's tenure with the banjoist Reverend Jeff Mosier has had a lasting affect. Since 1994, when Mosier played with Phish, the band has continuously tinkered with bluegrass and these four tunes with the Del McCoury Band was another fine installment in Phish's bluegrass legacy. The tune, "Get Back on the Train", which made a solo acoustic appearances throughout Trey Anastasio's recent solo tour, is one of finest new songs to appear in the steady Phish repertoire. This past Spring marked the release of Phish's latest album, The Siket Disc, which signifies the band's continuing development towards total musical cooperation. Over the last year and a half, a typical Phish concert has been characterized by loose collective improvisation a.k.a. "Ambient Jams." The music from The Siket Disc are these once unknown jams that have finally been provided titles. Named after the engineer who crafted the session, The Siket Disc, should be called the "The Story of the Ghost Jams". Recorded during the same time as 1997's The Story of the Ghost, this release features entirely collective improvisation pieces. Many of the tunes such as "Whats the Use" and "My Left Toe" have developed beyond random improvisation, as they have become relatively stable parts of the band's repertoire. Despite this new album (which is only available through Phish Dry Goods), there was limited representation at Oswego from The Siket Disc although the free spirited improvisation was carried on throughout the weekend. Despite the band's drive for musical collectivism on the stage and in the studio, the weekend in Oswego put lead guitarist Trey Anastasio in the spotlight. Anastasio assumed control of the audience through his stage antics that propelled him above the rest of the band. Such examples was his playing of his guitar behind his back and with his teeth during a superb "Llama", his lengthy oral diatribe during 'Icculus" as well as his standard rockers such as "Character Zero", "Chalkdust Torture" and "Axilla". The remaining three members also had their chances to shine as Mike Gordon dominated "You Enjoy Myself"; Jon Fishman drove "Down With Disease" to new levels and Page McConnell's keys and vocals were felt throughout the two days. Despite the focussed limelight, the four members played solidly throughout the weekend with fantastic jams arising from songs such as "Piper", "Tweezer", "Wolfman's Brother", "Timber Ho" and "Bathtub Gin." If there was one song that dominated the weekend, it had to be "Meatstick", which was first introduced by the band during their 1997 European tour, and was the climatic event of the weekend. During their July 4th concert in Atlanta, Georgia and subsequent others, the band reintroduced the song to their fans. Coinciding with the song was an accompanying dance (which finds is closest relative to a both country and disco music's line dance) that was taught to the crowds by the band, some select fans, the band's crew and family members. On the Thursday before the show, Phish announced to their fans in New Jersey, that they were going to attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Record's mark for the most people doing a single dance - 50,000 Macarena fans in New York held the existing record. Since the seemingly arbitrary number of 70,000 fans has been used over the last four years, the record appeared to be an easy task (By the way, my arm bracelet was in the 85,000 range and I arrived at Oswego on Friday evening. An accurate count for the fans at Oswego would have to be in the 90,000 -120,000 range). Phish's fascination/obsession with establishing World Records first came around during 1997's The Great Went, in which the world record for the picture of the most people naked in a photograph was set. During the second evening of Oswego, Phish finally broke out into "Meatstick", which, with all associated dances put aside, is very catchy and enjoyable tune. Towards the end of the song, Page McConnell and Jon Fishman assumed the tune's musical duties while Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon and McConnell's extremely pregnant wife showed the crowd the easy moves to "the Meatstick Dance". After a few practice rounds, the band and audience took a shot at the World Record with the Guinness Book of World Records crews filming the attempt. At this present time, the setting of the record is uncertain, and depending on how much a stickler for details the Guinness people may be, the record may stay with the Macarena. The plain and simple truth of the matter is that not everybody did the dance. Some were too tired after two days of heat and partying while others were wedged tightly into the smaller sized concert area (The Meatstick Dance required a 45 degree jump and turn that was simply too hard to negotiate in the tight confines). Ultimately, I don't think enough people knew the moves well enough. The band made an earnest attempt to teaching the dance at three of their concerts leading up to the event, but it was simply not enough. Although a great weekend of fun, people and music; there were also some downsides to the Oswego event. Besides the inevitable six hour lines to gain entry to the parking lots, the disgusting port-a-lets or the long lines at the phones/ATM/ice vendors, the heat seemed to be the weekend's greatest hurdle. The 90-100 degree heat, coupled by the fact that there were 70,000 people camped on a shade-less runway who were not watching their beer to water ratios, could have made for a potentially disastrous day. As is stands, the crowd survived the weather. The one thing that I learned while working for the United States Air Force one summer is that airports do not have trees, because with trees come birds which fly into engines which crash planes. As a result, Phish's choice of air force bases/airports may be ideal for crowd control and circulation patterns but far from ideal in terms of sun protection. To combat the glaring sun, fans were constructing make shift shelters and the mist tents became the most popular sites around. Although the cool refreshment of Lake Ontario was less than half an hour, it might as well have been thirty days away for the fans. The real problem arose from the countless people who either brought their children and animals to the event. In a three day weekend, where the media may have shown the event as great example of collective responsibility and peaceful coexistence, there is nothing more depressing or disheartening than seeing a dirty, unwashed, parched child being submitted to the relentless heat just because their equally dirty parents didn't want to miss the party of the summer. Hearing about lost or dehydrated dogs had an equally demoralizing affect. Please people, as a representative of the "intelligent" fans who love Phish, try to live up to your reputation. As the weekend wound down in Oswego, there were two things that could not escape my mind. For one, just as the weekend was a celebration for the fans it was also for a time for the band to relax, spend time with their friends and family and enjoy the fruits of their own success. Over the years, these events have been a characteristic of Phish. From the late 1980s parties in Hebron, New York to the two day 1991 gig at Amy's Farm in Maine to the last four years of festivals, the band has always wanted to make their concerts a party for all to enjoy. While we party away and dance to the music, we cannot forget that it is the same opportunity for the band members to have fun and relax as well. It is the populist feel that is what makes these events so great. After my return to home, I read some negative comments about the weekend on www.phish.net in which many fans felt that the band neglected to "turn it up a notch" or they have "heard sicker versions" of a given tune. Unfortunately, many fans set a standard against a band that is typified by non-conformity and risk taking. With this definition in mind, the only standard that Phish needs to uphold is innovation. This characteristic was far from absent during these two days of music. This is an important factor forgotten by Phish fans old and new. Many fans want these festivals to be the "sickest jam-a-thon" ever. What is neglected is the real essence of these festivals - an opportunity for the band to host a concert on their own terms. It is an equivalent of Phish holding a slumber party/barbecue and we can never take advantage of that important point. Secondly, we cannot overlook the time and effort that was put into the production. While people were reveling the day and night away, there was a 24 hour operation that kept the bands going on the second stages; assisted kids with heat exhaustion; kept the water tanks full and emptied out the port-a-lets. While thousands of people had fun, there was a core group of Phish Management folks who were nothing short of being stressed to death. The Oswego event, just like the years before, was an incredible display of organization, cooperation and coordination and the folks at Dionysian Productions should be applauded for making this happen. Coupled with the fact that the Oswego event occurred in the middle of a Phish tour and that the Millenium Concerts are less than six months away, the actual occurrence of the event is even more impressive. We also cannot forget that a year ago, there wasn't going to be a summer festival as the band was going to prepare the New Year's bash. The fact that the Oswego served as some sort of compensation for their traditional end of the Summer festival is staggering. While some elements from previous year's events were missing such as Phish Radio, the large concert area and the extra sets of music, we cannot ignore the experiences that made the weekend memorable: the numerous acts at Echo Lodge; the best fireworks display ever witnessed and of course, the finest gift that a band could ever give its fans - three days of hassle free music, good times and long lasting camaraderie.
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 13:38:49 -0700 From: jakew [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: general review of oswego The last show I made it to was Halooween Vegas, but since that time i've been watching this review board explode with craziness. > Yes, there are some unfortunate things that have changes at shows. That is growth. And sometimes growth can not handle these things and some times it can. > We all have an opinion, if we all loved every single show, nobody would every check this review board ( it would get pretty boring). > Every show means something to everyone. Maybe it was someone you met, maybe you saw an old friend, maybe it was the best "trip" ever, maybe everyone around you was the coolist you ever sat with. Ive met the coolist people at Phish shoes and Ive also wanted never to meet some others. > I like Dave Mathews but can you imagine going to 10 straight shows, the guy never changes his set list! I meen how many All Along the Watchtowers can you hear?? Respect and enjoy Phish for thier versatility. Thats why we travel to see this band. > I only hope for the best on all of you and what Phish brings to your life.
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 10:48:23 -0400 From: Kuhn [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Soul Refreshment THANK YOU PAGE, GAK!, BOB WEAVER and ERNEST GUISSEPPI the 3rd for some of the best times of my life. I've been to all of the big shindigs and when I leave, I have an ache in my heart because I can't let go of the whole experience. I don't care what you guys play or where you play, I'm always gonna leave happy. You never let me down with your serial (sureal..) sound. As for Oswego, I heard some of the best sounding shit this weekend. I knew we were in for it when I heard the opening note to Tube. I was blasting Stevie's "Original Musiquarium 1" the whole way up to the show. I couldn't believe it when I heard the opening notes to Boogie On. Especially because its the only one so far this tour. The second set of the first night was what did it for me. I was calling the Timber.. but none of my friends thought so. Also, excellent drums in the Boy Man part of Y.E.M. 2nd night.. Did anyone else notice that 1 or two measures of spinetingling melodic minor work that Page found in the Runaway Jim jam? I started to wonder if the band was even human. The LLama that ensued didn't help to make that any clearer. Icculus???(enuff said.)I don't see how anyone could say a bad thing about this weekend. Besides the heat the only things you had to deal with were long lines of talkative friendly people and smiling talkative safety rangers on horses. If that alone doesn't tell you that Phish takes care of us, don't come to any more shows cuz you're completely missing the point. By the way,(for some other reviewers), Stop comparing one show to another example: "This show was nothing like Alpine Valley last summer." NO ONE CARES. Every show is like a different movie or book. They have different plots and emotions and therefore cannot even really be compared. Make each show your own. All in all, this made my summer complete. I cannot thank you guys enough. You have given many of us what is better know as Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma SOUL ITS MY SOUL!!!! DAVE
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 11:24:45 -0400 From: Kristen Hurd [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: live in the moment After reading all the reviews about this past weekend I feel compelled to respond. But before I go into my own diatribe about Oswego, let me preface it by saying I absolute live for these weekends. I work an incredibly hectic, stressful, insane job and these festivals mean more to me than 2 weeks in the vacation spot of your choice. I've gone to the Went and the Wheel and was SO excited that they were having another one this year that I bought the 175th and 176th ticket the morning they went on sale. See, these shows give me a place and time where I am free to be whoever and whatever I want to be. Do whatever I want and sing and dance and not feel restrained by anything or anyone, including myself. I guess I can understand a lot of people ranting and raving about how bad the scene has gotten or how fucked up Trey was or how many times they've heard this song or that song...we are each entitled to our own opinion right? But I really think that the big picture is getting missed here. These festivals represent something so much larger than who we are as individuals and I think that idea is getting taken for granted or overlooked. Perhaps those people who were most unhappy with this past weekend need to take a step outside the scene and look at what it really is all about. Mark Heit hit the nail on the head when he said: "It made me so happy that I danced away every ounce of sadness that had even remotely bothered me throughout the weekend, and when I emerged on the other side...I found a sea of smiles waiting to greet me. And I guess that's all it comes down to. No matter what walk of life you decide to take, whether you are excited or hurt by what you saw this weekend...never forget what it feels like to dance away all your sorrows...never forget how many happy faces await you on the other side...and most importantly, never forget exactly how it feels to share in the groove." I cried when I read that. I am getting choked up now. It is such a beautiful expression of what it truly is to go to a phish show. It's not the drugs, it's not the people or the ice lines or the rocky campsites, it's not the veggie burritos and garlic grilled cheese, it's not the traffic or how much you dance or how much sleep you don't get....hell, it's not even the music - what they play or don't play or if they finish the song or not....IT'S ALL OF THIS AND MORE. It's the groove, it's being part of something so beyond your normal realm of thinking that you only really realize how beautiful and incredible it is for a few perfect moments. You walk away with such a feeling of peace and utter happiness that you can't define and so desperately want to feel again. Phish brings us together, transforms us, helps us to experience another level of existence. Experiencing such a connection with so many people in 84 hours that you think your heart will explode with joy. Yeah, I really danced my ass off to DWD, and Page rocked on YEM. I would of liked to hear a few songs like Esther or Possum or Sparkle or Suzy Greenberg....but I felt honored to hear Icculus and Piper and laughed my ass off as I listened to Trey babble about TV and the book. Regardless of that the most incredible moments for me were so much simpler, those moments where everything spirals around in perfect simplicity. Like watching a woman in front of me dance with such pure joy to Runaway Jim that I sat, didn't dance at all, entranced with her ecstasy. Or between set II and III as a little baby named Taylor sat on my lap and we reveled in the utter innocence and beauty of bubbles. I will never bitch about a show. I will never NOT go for any reason other than being on my death bed. These festivals recharge me and remind me that life is not all work. Life is about sharing and experiencing and opening you mind up to as many different things as possible. But most importantly, it's about living in the moment and realizing how beautiful it is to share in something that brings you that much closer to understanding it all. Can't wait 'till next year Kristen
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 16:30:20 -0400 From: Michael Fowlkes [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review of Oswego Kristen, That was the best review i have ever read, i am getting tired of hearing about how bad the shows are, i have NEVER walked away disappointed! everything you said is right on the money, i wish more people like you were out there, and i know they are, they just dont seem to be the ones writing the reviews. once again, thank you for writing what you did, it made my day! mike
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 11:56:11 -0400 From: Kenneth Weinstein Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 09:44:55 -0600 From: LAURENT FROST [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: File Under Oswego Dorks, That's all I have to say about you idiots who kepp trashing the shows. Their a JAM Band you freaks. Sometimes it hits, sometimes it doesn't. If you want to see a "tight" show every night go watch Ricky Martin. And the thing that really annoys me is when you question someone like Trey's playing ability. I am not a typical Phish fan. I like Brit Pop for christ sake. I think Jam bands are crap on the whole, people who bang on their instruments for too long and don't learn any songs. Phish blew me out of the water about 4 years ago though. I saw my first show in Virginia and didn't know any of the songs. I am a musician and was floored by how great they are. I understand wanting to hear them every night, but c'mon. Take a shower. Just cause people follow them like the dead, doesn't mean Phish fans have to act like those brain dead hippies 20 years ago did. Cut the attitude and enjoy the music you bitchfaces. Don't go to the show if you find yourself critiqing every move, don't go to the show. Take a break, get a job, and see why the rest of us just like to enjoy the great shows. G-Love PS I want to poop on the idiots who made it so Phish can't play Red Rocks ever again. Shitfucks, all of you.
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 11:31:49 -0400 (EDT) From: Bart Tantillo [email protected] To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Review 7/17-18, Oswego Well, with most of my life running behind schedule the past few years, I decided to keep with that theme and wait until Tuesday to get some of my thoughts concerning the past few shows out to the masses. I have read most of the reviews besides my own posted on gadiel.com, and cannot believe the disparity among them. I wonder sometimes if some folks were even at the shows they post reviews for, and if they were, did they pay more attention to their pipe or to the music? After two weeks of Phish shows, here is what I know. This scene is fucking nuts. Oswego was, like the previous three summer festivals, an absolute free-for-all. Anything goes, anything is legal, and everything is for sale. I would say Oswego was crazier than both Limestone and Plattsburgh, and the evidence of that was in the fact that instead of just one main thoroughfare of people selling their wares, this place had about five or six main "streets" that were once runways, all lined on both sides with everything from the usual burritos, water, and marijuana, to the unusual like fake Oakley sunglasses, underwear, and cars for sale that folks had driven to the place in. You name it, it was there. Estimates were as high as 75,000 people from local authorities, and by the looks of things I believed it. The theme this year was "Phish Summer Camp", or "Camp Oswego", and the setup was very amusing. Everything was made out of logs, there were evergreen trees made into teepees, gigantic marshmallows on sticks dotting the landscape, wood carving exhibitions, canoes, and a side stage called "The Lodge" that saw acts like Son Seals, The Slip, Ozomatli, and The Del McCoury band perform. Add 100 degree heat to this scene and you have all the ingredients for mayhem, but the crowd for the most part seemed subdued. Of course there are always a few hundred bad seeds who don't care about the music, just selling and doing drugs, or stealing, or poking fun at the people who aren't dressed in clothes ten sizes too big and who don't have dreadlocks and don't drive some imitation bus that they claim was used for so many tours in the past, but in reality was bought for them by their rich parents just before they left home. Anyway, the bottom line is that if you've yet to experience one of these summer festivals, go see one soon. Next summer, any summer, just go. It's too hard to even try and do it justice here, you have to see it to believe it. Now to what really matters, the music. Regardless of what anyone says about any show so far, the second night at Great Woods was the best show of this tour, hands down. Although both Oswego nights were superb, especially the first, I am sticking with Great Woods, 7/13/99. Since I last spoke to most of you I also saw both nights at the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. There is a reason I haven't mentioned those shows yet, they were duds. Or at least as Phish shows go they were duds. The first night was as bad of a show as I have seen. I likened it to Cleveland last fall, or Hershey in 1996. Even a good YEM couldn't save the first PNC night, where the band apparently forgot how to play Split Open and Melt, and Trey screaming "Stand the fuck up!" during Kung seemed to be the only real highlight for me. Even Meatstick, my song of the summer, was uneventful, save for the fact that Trey let the crowd know that they were planning to get into the Guinness book at Oswego by breaking the record for most people doing one dance at the same time, set by those macarena idiots a few years ago. Set two on Friday night at PNC, after spending some pre-show time talking to Mike on his golf cart, and watching him do some Jager shots with some crazy dude, was the best set of the two night run, and one of those dream sets you hope for when the lights go out every night. 2001>Mikes Groove>Simple>Guyute, Loving Cup>Golgi, it doesn't get much better for me. And with Springsteen a half hour away playing his second of fifteen sellouts at the Meadowlands, an encore of Born to Run, complete with Tom Marshall in a red bandana doing his best Boss impersonation, was a good end and a good riddance to PNC. The first set of the Oswego weekend was practically flawless, and as good of a first set as you can ask for on any night. Tube, once a rarity, but slowly finding it's way into regular rotation started things off right, and wove it's way into Boogie On Reggae Woman, which is still a rarity. Although this version wasn't the best, it was an early indication that the band was thinking big this weekend. After a reborn Birds of a Feather, a version finished in grand fashion, Guelah Papyrus, a basic, but rare tune made an appearance to the delight of many. Then My Sweet One and Roggae let me smoke a cigarette before only the second Tweezer of the tour took center stage. Though this version was a bit lacking, the segue and Have Mercy that followed (when was the last one?) got things back on a superior level. Set could have ended there, but two rocking versions of Taste and Character Zero did it for us instead. Set two began with Trey introducing "the badass himself" as he put it, Son Seals for a moving version of Funky Bitch, a song Seals wrote. After another Seals tune, Down with Disease and Wolfman's Brother showed up for what felt like the thousandth time this tour. Nothing personal, but I am getting tired of DWD every two or three nights for the past four years, and although Wolfman's has been reinvented since the funk infusion that began on Fall 97, it too has lost some of it's shine for me. But what followed, easily the musical highlight of the night for me, made up for what may have been lacking in the previous two songs. Sneaking Sally > Timber Ho > YEM, ahhhhh! The first Timber Ho of the tour, one of my favorites! Sneaking Sally, also a favorite of mine and hopefully reason enough for Robert Palmer to retire since I've heard he despises anyone covering his songs, and Phish does it better than he could in 100 lifetimes. Then a YEM, maybe not a classic, but how can you not get the chills with 75,000 people yelling "Boy!" at the same time. Squirming Coil, minus the Page solo at the end, and a rousing Tweezer Reprise as always, put an end to night one at the Oswego County Airport. After the most uncomfotorable night of sleep in my entire life, one that ended at sunrise as temperatures quickly climbed back into the 100's, Sunday's Phish sets began around 6:00 p.m. with a great Punch You in the Eye, once again 75,000 "Hey's!" isn't too shabby. Farmhouse, the closest one I have heard to perfection since Chicago in the Fall, followed, then Water in the Sky. Bathtub Gin, wow! This song ages like fine wine, as silly as that sounds. It just gets better and better. Then out came the Del McCoury Band for a few songs. Of the four they played, Get Back On the Train (a trey solo tune), and Beauty of My Dreams (a McCoury original) were the highlights. Both incredible, Del McCoury sang Beauty "like it's supposed to be done" as Trey put it, and GBOTT, already a show highlight this tour, sounded perfect. As the McCoury's exited the stage, after a round of hugs with the band, Moma Dance brought us back from bluegrass and into the funk. Then Reba, where Trey should have wet his lips a bit before murdering the whistling ending, and a powerful Chalkdust ended the set. Trey told us on Saturday that there would be no prior warning as to when the Meatstick world record would be attempted, but as the sun began to set and the sky became bright orange and set two began, we knew it would probably have to be before dark. And after a great Runaway Jim > Free to open set two, with just a few more moments of light remaining, it happened. Those familiar opening chords began, then the opening lyrics, "I'm trapped here as my senses bleed.....I cant't recall which things I need." It was time to get myself into the Guinness Book of World Records. As Trey gave us some last minute instructions and a few words of encouragement, and Sofi (Page's wife and some nice inspirational eye candy as well) came out on stage to lend a mini-skirted hand, the Phish community tried once again to solidify our place in music history, sort of, with most of the 75,000 people in attendance doing the stupidest dance ever, to a goofy chorus that goes "Time for the Meatstick, Bury the Meatstick, Take out the Meatstick time. Whoa-oh, it shocks my brain, Whoa-oh it shocks my brain!" With Trey pumping both fists, and talking in a choked up voice, it appeared as if we had done it, at least from where I was towards the front. The video the Guinness people took will tell if it was successful or not, but for God's sake I hope it happens. As a reward for what seemed to be a history making moment, the band broke into Guyute, and even though it was played Friday night, at this point it didn't matter, it was time to party. After a heavy Axilla, Trey broke into a Llama that saw him playing as hard as I have ever seen anyone play before. He was going nuts, playing the guitar behind his head, on his chin, behind his back, and wailing away like it was his last solo ever. Unbelievable! People around me just looked at each other when it was over and made those "Did I really just see that?" faces that have become commonplace with this band the past few years. Trey ended by saying thanks to the crowd and to relax before the third set, and to make sure and buy the new Guinness book when it is released to see our pictures in it. Set three had to be special. Somehow, the band had to show us one more time before we all drove home why we came so far this weekend. After the initial hopes of hearing Destiny Unbound fizzled from my mind, as they do during any show, all I hoped for was something to remember the set by. One song, one solo, anything. What we got was Icculus, preceeded by a ten minute "rant" (as described by phish.net) by Trey, that included repeated introductions of the song, the band, Paul, and Chris Kuroda, and manager John Paluska (with a chuckle). Trey introduced Mike as Michael Jordan again, claiming the "G" was soft. Fishman was introduced as "Vajona", and Trey even introduced himself as "The Bad Lieutenant, on guitar". Pretty funny stuff. He said fuck about 25 times, told us to "Stop watching so much damn T.V., and read a fucking book!". "Fuck Mtv" was also a nice touch from Mr. Anastasio, who decided to cram 15 years of non-existent show-chatter into ten minutes. We loved every minute of it. After teasing Smoke on the Water and Cat Scratch Thief, and proclaiming them the "same fucking song", then clarifying by stating that "Smoke on the Water is a much better fucking song!", the craziness continued, some statements lost in the crowd noise, some too long to spend anymore time on here. So after this rant weaved it's way into a story concerning getting the Helping Friendly Book, and not being able to find it at Barnes and Noble, or on Amazon.com, and some other Trey blabber, the Icculus chorus was sung, and the insanity had ended. By far the craziest thing I have seen from this band. Then Trey told the crowd to wander aimlessly, or something like that, while they decided what song to play next. Mike requested Quinn the Eskimo, and so it was. A perfect song to break out at the perfect moment. Everyone singing along! Fluffhead, not a great version, but like I said at this point nobody cared, closed the show. The almost too predictable Hood, complete with the almost too predictable fireworks was the encore, and brought an end to another history making Phish extravaganza. Later folks. BT
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 11:23:59 -0700 From: brent baughman [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Phish Siskel and Eberts I find it quite sad and depressing that people have sunk so low as to RATE Phish shows. How can you rate a phish show? Every show means something different to everyone and everyone goes through different experiences, but when it's all said and done if you walk away from a show feeling disappointed and angry, perhaps you should experiment with other bands. I don't count the number of shows I've been to but I do know that every time I hit the road after a show I had a big smile on my face! Too the critics, put down the pen and paper and roll one up. Peace and love to all the people who see Phish for what they really are.
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 00:19:58 -0400 From: Jim Wilson [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: camp oswego This weekend i attended my first Phish show i have ever been to. I will never forget the atmosphere that was there or the way that Phish played. And to sit and read some of the reviews that people have given the show leaves me in astonishment. I dont know what to say, there you have the greatest live band presently playing now and people go and dis them because they didnt play the songs they wanted to hear. Well I have some advice for them, go to a fucking Britney Spears concert for christs sake! or maybe N' Sync suits you better. I for one would go to a Phish show any day of the week over any other act, it just so happens this was my first one that i had an oppurtunity to go to and there will be more. You will never hear me degrade Phish in any way. Keep on Jamin guys Ryan
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 21:29:59 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego After reading all of these reviews about this past weekend, I decided to express some random thoughts in my head. Oswego was my 6th show on this summer tour and I thought it was great. I was just happy to be there because like most people in the real world, I work a real job and find it hard to go to every show. I went to the Clifford Ball and the Great Went and thought this event was one of the best. I guess I like to be in a place where I can do anything I want and not get harassed by the cops. People that go to these types of weekends should just be happy that this kind of stuff can happen. Phish does a lot for its phans and we all should be very grateful. Who cares what they play, just sit back and have a good time. I would rather be at a phish show than in an office behind a desk. I met a lot a cool people from all over the country this past weekend. How often can you do that at one function. I am fortunate to have been around a group of people that are not concerned about what songs the band will play next, they just dance their faces off and have a good time. That's what I think a Phish show is all about. Just have a good time and forget all your worries. It works for me and I am a happier person for that reason. Phish is a big part of my life and I hope that other people feel the same way about the vibe. I don't like to hear that Phish played meatstick too much on this tour or that when they played Icculus they should have busted out Gamehenge. It sometimes makes me laugh that people get so tight about what Phish play at their shows. I guess I lead a more simple life than some people. If you don't like what they are playing, don't waste your time and money on buying tickets and going to every show. I have been to over 30 shows and i am just happy that I had the time and money to go. I hope Phish keeps on doing this sort of thing every summer so that everyone can keep having a great time.
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 12:36:34 -0700 From: Dr. Livingston [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Weekend Review I'm surprised at all the negativity that is everywhere about this weekend. In my eyes what happened is that phish gave alot back to it's fans: a second stage w/ some incredible live music, an all night DJ, a healthy helping of some very well played live phish,fireworks, Giant S'mores etc. etc. etc. Too long a list of all that was done by the band to make an airport tarmac such a great place to be in the middle of a hot summer weekend. Phish makes a point to give back to it's fans and I feel personally appreciated by them. How many bands do we know at this level of popularity that offer something like this to their fans? I've seen over 100 dead shows and I only once in calaveras county in 87 ( 2 day event w/ David Lindley and Santana) did I get a feeling of the band really wanting to offer something other than the music back to fans such as a caring bunch of people who execute the infrastructure to make the whole event as pleasant as possible. Phish had so many cool and caring people involved who were ready and willing to help with problems and whatnot(Just think they could have just as easily hired some no-neck butthead bouncer type security, but they didn't they found cool people to for crowd logistics). Did anyone happen to note that these people had t-shirts that said "Safety" and "Camp Ranger" not "Security" an their shirts. All my dealings with these folks was polite and responsive. And we got all that for $70 bucks!!!! I traveled from the west coast for great woods and oswego which took alot of effort, time and planning to make it all work and I felt truly rewarded by what phish gave in return. I love these guys because they recognize their success in the amount of people they attract these days and try as best as they can to make the shows as intimate and as personal as possble given their current popularity which can't be controlled by them. In 1993 I saw them play the HUB ballroom on UW campus and I found the same sort of intimacy musically with 50,000 plus people on an airport tarmac as I did in that rather small room on campus. How many bands these days would even think in that way and have the management/label pressures help them do that? Not many, I'd say,for those other bands it's all about the almighty dollar. Oswego was not about making money for phish it was about giving back to it's phans. My guess is they either broke even or lost money on this weekend. I also spoke with the county health dept. officials on sunday morning who were doing their rounds to make sure that all the food vendors hired by phish org. for the weekend(The Green venders etc.) were up to code so we wouldn't get food poisoning etc. We hung out for a bit and talked about the county and Volney and how Phish approached them about the event. They said that Oswego county was chosen because it is an economically depressed county (one of the most in NY state). Phish purposefully looks for econ. depressed counties in the northeast to do these events to help out that area because these events are such a shot in the arm of medicine ($) for these people.They mentioned that their was alot of haggeling with the band about how much they (The local businesses selling food & whatnot) would charge for for their products and the band was constantly haggeling for them to sell at lower prices in order to not gouge the phans too much. I don't know how effective that was in the end but the officials said that the phish org was looking out for their fans in that respect. I'm sure there are countless other things that went unkown or unnoticed at oswego that phish did to give to the fans and given the conditions; heat, #'s of people and small airport in the middle of relatively remote area I thought they did excellent. I want to thank phish for such a wonderfully fulfilling weekend. They rejuvinate my soul and give me more than I feel I could possibly give them back and if the least I can give is the price of a $70 dollar 2 day ticket for 5 absolutely huge sets, I'll gladly give it. Thanks Phish! See you next Camp Out.
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 08:41:18 GMT From: Forrest Reda [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: oswego I am amazed. First, at the level of musicianship the members of phish have attained. Second, at how amazing the weekend at Oswego was. Finally, at how rude, wait rude isn't the word, o.k. got it, asinine some of the "phish heads" have become in their reviews! They heard it the night before so it isn't any good!??? Trey talked too much!!?!?? Are we at a fucking symphony here? It's a rock show! The band is supposed to talk to the audience, and about anything. I thought Trey's thoughts were right on, and obviously it was just to lead into 'Icculus'. Also, if you think that Trey is trying to 'hog the spotlight', every member of the band has a mic in front of them, they could all talk if they wanted to, and I wish they would. Is there another band in the world that could pull an event like this off? No way! I bet that 98% of the phans in attendance had a great time, but it just sucks to come back home and log on, just to see people bitching about hearing the same songs, Trey fucked this up, blah, blah^�.. Seeing the DMB and Son Seals on stage for a few songs was awesome, just like seeing them do Velvet Undergrounds "Loaded" in Vegas last year. It's part of what has made Phish Phish. These are their influences! How awesome to see them play with them, or play their hero's stuff. This is Phish's show, not ours! They deserve to be able to play what ever they want, however many times they want it. I flew home early from Europe just to catch this event. My friends drove all the way from Seattle to catch these shows and a couple more after. Every song they played made our journeys worth it. It bet that those of you who are complaining about Phish are from the east coast. If Page, Mike, Fish or Trey read this, THE WEST COAST LOVES YOU!!! WE WILL NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING YOU PLAY. PLEASE PLAY NYE ON THE WEST COAST. You can never live up to the God-like expectations that some of your "phans" over on the east lay upon you. Don't burn out. Keep on rocking. You are the bright spot in the polluted music industry. Thank you for Oswego! (I got an Icculus;)
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 02:27:17 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: (no subject) wwhat a fun time in oswego. it was legalized "phish". im glad that bands are finally doing the festival shos right.phish knows how to through a party. any way my highlight of the shows were the few covers in the catch scatch fever part.then the stones part. it reminded me of my first show in schdy ny. union college 5bucks.92 in side possum were five or so covers from joe walsh to the doobies.check out these tapes.the fans were cool too. a little crazybut with no security hassling people, good vibes it almost seems better with no security bothering people.it allows for no clashes between humans over silly shit.let the people raige and they will. i did not see any fights or any problems with the security. good job phish.if u liked what i had to say or did not let me know at [email protected]. signed markd shred or smurfor fall94 kid.
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 01:35:54 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Please end this nonsense Now I have to chime in. Everyone complaining about the people in the crowds at the shows - i.e. "Nobody dances," "People don't yell loud enough," "Nobody cared about Icculus." - may you please shut up? Anyone can buy a ticket. You don't have to have any qualifications. And as far as I know, it's a free country. You say can say and think whatever you want. Additionally, anyone listening to the comments of those sitting around them is not paying nearly enough attention to the music they spend so much time criticizing. And for those who didn't like the music, or the fact that they don't finish the songs, or the fact that Trey talked too much needs to just go away. I'm glad it's your last friggin show because I have a hard time getting tickets and I want to see the f****in band without all of the people worrying about the SCENE and what's going on around them. I was buried in the music for most of the Oswego show - except for the songs that I heard 3-4 times during the tour - and most assuredly thought it was the greatest concert I have ever seen, Phish or otherwise. I went to seven shows this tour and had a great time at each one of them. Yeah, I'm disappointed they didn't play Carini, Antelope, NICU, Slave or Bowie at any of the seven shows I saw, but you know what? I don't really care. I gave up worrying about what I was going to hear at shows a long time ago and decided to just have a good time and LISTEN. I think everybody would like all forms of music a lot better if they stopped thinking about music and listening to it instead. Phish has concentrated very hard on their music throughout the years and are just trying to have a little fun. Sorry if they don't get it friggin' perfect enough every night for you. Or since no part of the 5 SETS they played was good enough for you. I, personally, love the fucked-up people at Phish shows. I have a great time laughing at them, trying to communicate with them and otherwise. If you don't want to deal with them, STAY HOME. I'll take your ticket and give it to my friend who couldn't get one because the concert was SOLD OUT. We're all in this together, but apparently some of us don't like to take a bath. Peace. I hope you all will free your minds and remember a few of the things this whole groove was founded on several generations ago. You can't control what happens in reality and the people around you, but you can love life and help your fellow brother just by eliminating negativity and stop judging everything. Remember, control for smilers can't be bought, so keep smiling and laughing and you'll do a whole lot better.
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 00:55:04 EDT From: Steve Dobbins [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego I know some of my comments might seem out of context but I'm simply replying to the reviews that have been posted lately as well as the Oswego show itself. My point is, if fans are gonna take the band as serious as they do, why would they criticize every move they make. It seems everybody is so concerned with how many shows they've been to and how many times they've seen this and that, that it is taking away from what the band has been doing musically in the last couple years or so. Let the band do what they want and if your going to complain, than don't go to the shows. The band isn't gonna lose sleep over some asshole that is complaining about them playing YEM too much. I understand if you don't want to post my comments, cause they really don't have much to do with the Oswego show, but if you can get my message through somewhere I would appreciate it. Thanx for your time. Later
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 16:31:19 PDT From: kelly cullen [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review of oswego sun, microbeers, lawn chairs, friends, "camping" and great music....you can't beat that... i thought oswego was incredible and i can't wait to the next phish show i happen to hit... it was great to chill out with kids from all over and have a common thread in music... fat apple rocked in the camping fields late night- always a plus for groovin'...just wish i had all my friends there to experience it with me! hopefully next year. keleigh
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 19:59:27 -0400 From: Ryan Pifer [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Overall review of Oswego To start, i'd like to say that this was my 3 show, (8/13/97 Starlake, and 12/9/97 Bryce Jordan Center), but i listen tapes almost all the time. First off, i was fortunate enought to wait 7 hours in line from midnight on on friday, so i didn't get to sleep at all. Even though i knew that it would be 40 hours+ of being awake, i couldn't wait to hear the guys get up and do whatever they wanted. I managed to get goosebumps in 100 degree weather when they came out because i knew i was in for an incredible weekend. Even though i had never heard the first 2 songs before, i loved them. This pure enjoyment of the music that i was hearing continued throughout the night, i was even hoping that they'd play a 3rd set on saturday, even though i was at the point of falling asleep while dancing. The 2nd day was even better, in my opinion, than the first. Llama was just phenomenol, as was reba. I also got to experience my first glowstick war during piper. the jam itself rocked, but the ability to add something to the show was something that made my night, not to mention how awesome it looked. On another note, I can't believe the number of "diehard phans" who are complaining about these shows. I wish i could tour with the band, but i can't, so for me, whatever they play is great, no matter if they just played it a week ago. I've been to 2 Dave Matthews Band shows, and even though i enjoy their music, if you guys want to complain about hearing PYITE at Oswego and a few nights before at PNC, go see a DMB show. Some friends of mine went to see both DMB shows at Starlake in June heard 4 of the same songs both nights. I wish that some of you would lighten up, it may be that those of you who have been to 50+ shows expect a lot, and that's all right, you're entitled to your own opinion. It just seems strange to me that all the people who spend so much time touring with the band don't appreciate them as much as everyone who has only seen them a few times. So many of us who can't tour wish we were in your shoes, so rather than bitch and complain, think about how fortunate you are to see such an amazing band play every night for months at a time and how much it would suck to only get to see them once a year or two. If you are still pissed that they messed up a few songs in the past month, then i agree with some of the other people who have been reviewing the show, maybe you should take a break and try life without phish for a while, you might learn to appreciate what you have. Respond to [email protected] Ryan
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 20:38:59 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: general thoughts on oswego & phish i have to say that oswego really was a great experience. musically, it wasn't my favorite, but who care's anyway? the heat probably did play a huge factor in the audiences lack of enthusiasm that i did notice. but who could blame anyone when it was about 100 degree's for three days straight, with hardly any shelter from the cruel sun and dilapitating humidity!! i did love the music, but i understand that phish can't play perfect and unbelievable at every show either. many people have been way to critical these past few tours of certain crowd's and phish's new direction in music. i think more people have to understand these issues and stop being so critical of the band. i know i sometimes can steriotype certain contingents of fans at shows, for which, i have no right. i just want everyone at a phish show to be there for the music, for that is what truly only matters.. debbie (my tour mate) & i consider ourselve's lucky to have left as early as we did on friday morning. it was about a five hour drive from home in rhode island and arrived in oswego at about 1:00pm.. it was so nice, we just coasted right on in! no traffic!! i asked the lady who put on my bracelet at the main gates, just how many people were there, and she told us about only 2,000. man, did we luck out considering that there had to be at least 100,000 people by sunday afternoon. the bands promoter's said 55,000 all together but that's bull, there were sooooooo many more than that. probably too many. the traffic got so bad for some people that it was a six hour wait just outside the venue we camped in a nice spot were we could see the stage, and were in close distance to port-o-john's which were cleaned on a regular basis. in this area, phish has done the best job so far out of any other big summer shing-ding that i've seen. so many port's, wash basins, huge water tanks, phones, atm's, restaurants, activities.. etc. even a stage called "echo lodge" where we enjoyed some nice sounds at night before finding other things to occupy the time. anyone check out the people blowing glass in the "green" sooooo phat!! again, the only problem was the heat, and it did take it's toll. we met and made friend's with so many cool cat's who camped around us, who were all generous and kind, plus we found all our friend's from home who went up separtely, which was cool.. the weekend in oswego was a great time but it left some phans with a dry taste in their mouth's.. we have to understand, as trey quotes it, "phish is and on-going experiment." the boy's are playing some real deep ambient stlye jams these past couple tours which has people scratching their heads in wonder at the bands direction. the band is just experimenting!! we have to know and understand the fact that this band can't always be perfect and that some material will not be as yummy as other material has been in the past. look to see how their sound has evolved over the years, from real jammy and loose in the late eighties to a real ambient, non-egotistic sound which is their's today. i try to take it all in and remember why i love their music. i think everyone who critcizes too much should do the same. do i think the "sound" will continue to travel and traverse the uncharted waters of music, yes. i mean, let's say for instance, in 96' the sound was crazy jams and the lengths at which they could stretch tunes, playing with playoff intensity, to 97-98'' where they slowed it down a bit and brought out the funk, still pulling off amazing grooves and transitional segues which makes phish unique. now in this era of 98'-99' phish, we are being treated to some very ego-less type one and type two jams, still with a good dose of funk and nice imporvisation, but not as much exploratoration as in the past. that's where my personal line is drawn. i love the long improv versions of tunes.. just listen to 8/17/97 set two, the best set ever.. in my opinion, i think this is what some people i feel are missing. it's the real exploritory improv alley that the boys would lead us down grooving and dancing, with big smiles on our faces. now it's a little less "explored" more "noisey" sound ie. ambient, which has some scratching their heads. i admit, at times this tour, in my opinion, i didn't see the direction of the music and i think it fell a bit flat.. other times though the grooves and textures of sounds were quite beautiful and melodic. phish is a radical band stepping out on a limb at every show. we are the most critical phan's out of any other band around, and we need to be more accepting. it upsets me when i hear people saying that our band is going down hill, because they're absolutely not by far!! this is just a phase, just like the sound has been, a moving, changing, and innovating being, all throughout the years of the bands existence. phish is in a very experimental/ transitional phase right now as they've always been. they're breaking barrier's that other bands have dared not to cross. the sound will change and mature, like it has always done. we have to be patient, and realize that phish is only human, and that they do know if a sound is not working and when one is. i do love this band and everything that comes with it, and i will continue to see them as long as i can, until my dying day peace, brendan
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 12:59:35 -0400 From: Willy [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Review: Camp Oswego Camp Oswego was also my first Phish show ever.... I dug the atmosphere when I arrived on Friday night...everyone was all "Hello, sister" at the campsite. It was truly beautiful. I only caught Phish on Satuday because one of our crew was feeling down all weekend a la nasty stomach so we wound up missing the show Sunday night. What I'm hearing makes me feel pretty bummed about it too, but I'm keeping the faith for next year. I was amazed with Saturday night's show of genius, so I am definitely reforming my album collection! Any rumours about Phish 2000??? Moog [email protected]
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 16:44:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Mathew Lazarus [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Review "It was all about a band called Phish", My most vivid memory wasn't the music... and after many, many shows and never catching an Icculus or Quinn you would think these blockbuster tunes surely would make one say, "Man they played a few bust-outs!" But to me it wasn't about the music; it was about how 70,000+ people can be so accomadating of each other. We had no space, litterally none, and the nicest thing about the weekend was people who are sleeping on top of each other, tired and sun burned can still manage a smile to their fellow brother or sister. And remain kind to one another... Phish you truly have evolved... and Trey, I agree, "you truly can't fool people with music." And your camping events speak novels about how talented you all are and in the final analysis your legacy is one of music and kindness.. Peace, Mathew
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 15:48:42 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Review For Oswego Show I have one word to explain the entire weekend experience-- INTENSE!! THis was my second show. I was at the Pepsi Arena in the fall of 1998. This show totally surpassed the fall show. Trey was much more talk-a-tive and had so much to say about everything, espeically Generation "X". Harry Hood being played along with the fireworks was phanominal. I think that I speak for the entire 70,000 when I say thank you to Trey, Mike, Jon, and Page for a great experiance. Woodstock doesn't even compare! Mike
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 12:36:34 -0700 From: Dr. Livingston [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Weekend Review I'm surprised at all the negativity that is everywhere about this weekend. In my eyes what happened is that phish gave alot back to it's fans: a second stage w/ some incredible live music, an all night DJ, a healthy helping of some very well played live phish,fireworks, Giant S'mores etc. etc. etc. Too long a list of all that was done by the band to make an airport tarmac such a great place to be in the middle of a hot summer weekend. Phish makes a point to give back to it's fans and I feel personally appreciated by them. How many bands do we know at this level of popularity that offer something like this to their fans? I've seen over 100 dead shows and I only once in calaveras county in 87 ( 2 day event w/ David Lindley and Santana) did I get a feeling of the band really wanting to offer something other than the music back to fans such as a caring bunch of people who execute the infrastructure to make the whole event as pleasant as possible. Phish had so many cool and caring people involved who were ready and willing to help with problems and whatnot(Just think they could have just as easily hired some no-neck butthead bouncer type security, but they didn't they found cool people to for crowd logistics). Did anyone happen to note that these people had t-shirts that said "Safety" and "Camp Ranger" not "Security" an their shirts. All my dealings with these folks was polite and responsive. And we got all that for $70 bucks!!!! I traveled from the west coast for great woods and oswego which took alot of effort, time and planning to make it all work and I felt truly rewarded by what phish gave in return. I love these guys because they recognize their success in the amount of people they attract these days and try as best as they can to make the shows as intimate and as personal as possble given their current popularity which can't be controlled by them. In 1993 I saw them play the HUB ballroom on UW campus and I found the same sort of intimacy musically with 50,000 plus people on an airport tarmac as I did in that rather small room on campus. How many bands these days would even think in that way and have the management/label pressures help them do that? Not many, I'd say,for those other bands it's all about the almighty dollar. Oswego was not about making money for phish it was about giving back to it's phans. My guess is they either broke even or lost money on this weekend. I also spoke with the county health dept. officials on sunday morning who were doing their rounds to make sure that all the food vendors hired by phish org. for the weekend(The Green venders etc.) were up to code so we wouldn't get food poisoning etc. We hung out for a bit and talked about the county and Volney and how Phish approached them about the event. They said that Oswego county was chosen because it is an economically depressed county (one of the most in NY state). Phish purposefully looks for econ. depressed counties in the northeast to do these events to help out that area because these events are such a shot in the arm of medicine ($) for these people.They mentioned that their was alot of haggeling with the band about how much they (The local businesses selling food & whatnot) would charge for for their products and the band was constantly haggeling for them to sell at lower prices in order to not gouge the phans too much. I don't know how effective that was in the end but the officials said that the phish org was looking out for their fans in that respect. I'm sure there are countless other things that went unkown or unnoticed at oswego that phish did to give to the fans and given the conditions; heat, #'s of people and small airport in the middle of relatively remote area I thought they did excellent. I want to thank phish for such a wonderfully fulfilling weekend. They rejuvinate my soul and give me more than I feel I could possibly give them back and if the least I can give is the price of a $70 dollar 2 day ticket for 5 absolutely huge sets, I'll gladly give it. Thanks Phish! See you next Camp Out.
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 14:22:50 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego euphoria I was absolutly blown away by the shows at "Camp Oswego" this past weekend. I feel sad for anyone who missed these beautyful and inspirationional days because they could not attend, but I feel even more sorrow for the people who came to this festival and somehow missed the point and the true experience. I understand that more people will pay attention to what someone says if they play the Devils advicate and complain rather than praise(I am often guilty too), but come on this was a weekend NEVER to be forgotton. Phish has once again topped any general conceptions of what is possible any given night. These were my 71st and 72nd shows, and it seems the band has been continuiosly improving which at times seems inconcievable. For anyone who is seeing the last few shows of tour enjoy it. Listen to every song regardless to where it fits into your personal list of favorite Phish songs to hear. It seems that the boys are set on making every song into an epic experience, and they are doing quite well. The summer tour so far have been tremendous, and Im sure the end of this tour will be unforgettable. Have a great time and see ya in the fall, jason
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 13:46:46 -0400 From: Michael Underwood [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: OSWEGO REVIEW Normally, reviews are to pump or dump the music that was played at (a) specific show(s). I'll let other people deal with that. I'd just like to take this time to come correct with my take on the whole Summer Tour. I only got to catch the Great Woods shows and the Oswego shows, so please forgive me if my view is slightly different than yours. There was so much made of this tour before it happened. You could feel it on the message boards, when making trades, when listening to the RealAudio interviews, even when reading the Schvice-like I need the newsletter to tell me what the I already knew via the 'Net. There was just so much energy that had aligned against the common good. So much was pent up that the dam had to break. You've all heard or read it-Mike says that they forgot how to jam. Elektra wants stricter enforcement of the taping policy. E-Bay. No Hawaii. No Halloween. No West Coast Summer Tour Dates. I hit the road with zero skepticism, but in the back of my mind, dark clouds were forming. Of course Phish is still the best band on the road...they just might be getting a little....old. WRONG. Who's old?? Not Phish. Not the way they jammed this weekend. These have been some of the best jams that I have heard in years. It's 1994 all over again. Nevermind all of the seventeen year olds that have posted their reviews saying stupid things like, "They could have trimmed some of the fat off of the DWD jam," or "After a while it got boring," or my personal favorite, "I like Phish but I can't stand the scene." Go ahead and assume that if you got your glass ganked by security at the Great Woods, you deserved it you hypocrite. Anyways, teenage stupidity aside, this tour has been a victory tour. Did you hear the first set on Saturday?? It was reminiscent of '94 in that it was, for a while, "The Show That Would Not End." I wasn't even sure that The Guys would come out for a second set after that monster of a first set. First of all, They opened with Tube. That alone should have told us something. They had been playing for an hour and eight minutes when they went into Taste. That's unreal. The bouncing balloons were a nice touch as well. To sum it all up, I was wrong. Phish is not old. They are not not jamming. For the love of God, The Guys jammed Carini for about ten minutes at GW!! They brought back such favs as Have Mercy, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Sneaking Sally Through The Alley...etc. I was blown away. It's a shame that all the little kiddies can't understand or respect The Jams. Maybe it was enough for me to be able to say "I was there." However, I prefer to say, "I was happy to be there, and I would put up with the heat, sun and the tar on the bottom of my feet all over again to be able to see this weekend one more time." In closing I have only this to say, "S'mores!! Graham Cracker!! Chocolate!! Marshmallow!! S'mores!!" Peace, Mike
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 13:42:58 -0400 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: OSWEGO ADVENTURE I had an incredible time this weekend. It's kind of depressing being back in the real world in front of a computer. Although, there are some songs I would have loved to have heard-I thought the sets they played were awesome. The heat was unbearable, and the traffic getting into the campgrounds was ridiculous, but it is definitely an experience I will always remember. For those people criticizing and analyzing the festival-RELAX-You are missing the whole point of it!
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 13:39:35 -0400 From: Bret Ostroff [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: This is in response to those who criticize those who criticize (i f you follow my recursion)... About Gary and Russell's dispute over the 7-20-99 show: WHAT THE HELL IS THE POINT OF HAVING REVIEWS IF ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS PRAISE THE BAND??? Phans have every right in the world to say what they think-- especially those phans who have been to enough shows to know the difference between a great show and a downright shitty show. Some of you people tend to take many of these comments too personally. If someone believes that the band played shitty and didn't enjoy the show, then they have the right to say so. Why should that person have to make pretend he/she enjoys the show just because Phish is such a great thing. Not enjoying a show does not in any way mean that they take Phish for granted. They paid their $30 and maybe even more if they went to multiple shows that tour. They are entitled to feel however they want about a show. I've been playing music all my life. I can appreciate a good band and I sure as hell know a good band when I hear one. Phish is a great fucking band. They are what got me into liking the kind of music I like. They play because they love to play. IMHO, I think Phish has been overplaying too many songs lately. It's so hard for me to get into a song when I heard a kick ass version of it a couple days ago. I'm really starting to become bored with going to shows. There's not as much excitement for me as there was in the beginning, when I couldn't tell one song from another, and when I couldn't tell what was coming and where it was going. Lately, the jams have gotten so predictable. Also, I tend to notice a lot more sloppiness now that I know what to expect in a song. If you've been to over 20 shows, you can't deny it! Hopefully, I can regenerate my interest more by skipping the rest of summer tour and trying again in the fall or winter. So in closing, this wasn't a really specific message to the show in Toronto, just my 2c. I'm sure this will piss off plenty of people, so please feel free to email me and let me know what you think-- unless you're that "tickle bitch" who spams everyone on rec.music.phish. Peace, Bret - [email protected]
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 10:22:36 PDT From: mike krysa [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: general Oswego comments Thanks for the High 5's all!!!!!!! (after 1st set - Sun) 100% positive weekend. Period.
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 12:44:32 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: reviews... Bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch bitch... Well, that's what everybody does when reviewing shows these days, so I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring. I am officially done reading reviews because 1) It seems the only reason anyone writes a review is to bitch about shows...afterall, it wouldn't be cool to review a show and say that it was great! Doing that would make the reviewer sound naive and musically uneducated (which, sorry, but most of you are) and 2) When reviewing something that was good, too many people are too quick to claim that a song was "the best ever!" Give me a break!!! Have these people heard every single version of the song ever played? And under what circumstances were these people hearing this particular version of the song (for example, maybe you were just tripping balls during the song and decided that, while you were having your glorious moment, there couldn't possible be another version of this song that could have been any better). Hey, I'm all for free speech and the right to express ones opinions, but these reviews have just become another way for certain people to rip on the band. Are they perfect every night? Of course not. But if you haven't learned yet that part of the appeal of Phish is allowing them NOT to be perfect, then it's about time you opened up your ears and your eyes and quit complaining about every little thing. Here's a thought...if you have seen a number of shows this tour (as I have) and you are unhappy with the bulk of them (as so many tour heads seem to be), then don't go to shows anymore. I know there are many people who would be happy just to have a ticket to a sold out show so they can get down with the rest of us, while not worrying about whether or not the band is better or worst than they were the night before, the week before, or 10 years before. We've got a good thing going people, so quit the bitching and just go with the groove...you'll have more phun, trust me. Thanks for letting me voice my opinion. See you all at Alpine and Deer Creek...I'll be the one with the huge grin on my face, no matter what the band is playing. Because, for me, there's no place on earth I'd rather be than at a Phish show! Peace and love...
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 13:01:04 -0500 From: Marcial Mendez [email protected] To: "[email protected]" [email protected] Subject: Oswego Random Ramblings Well, the Oswego weekend made 30 shows for me. Although this tour hasn't been my favorite of all times (I went to Atlanta, Philly, Holmdel, Oswego) it has had it's moments. I'm not one to bitch about any show... I've learned not to expect anything, or you will most likely be let down. I would have liked to see a little more diverse of a setlist through the Holmdel-Oswego run (4 or 5 repeat songs, I think), but other than that, it was a great weekend. Something that I would like to comment on (i've noticed several others touch on this subject) is the quality of the scene. Every year it seems like it gets worse and worse. I'm a college grad who works a real job, and sometimes I feel like I am actually looked down on by (for lack of a better term) "dirty hippies." Don't get me wrong, I can hang out & party w/ anyone; however some of the "fans" feel like you owe them. I have been chastised in the past for trying to sell a ticket to a sold out show for face value by someone who wanted it for free. Give me a break people, the world doesn't work like that. I hate people coming up & begging for change for "gas money" or "to get their friend out of jail." If I can't afford gas or a ticket, guess what? I STAY HOME. Even back a few years ago, the crowd seemed alot nicer, friendlier, and easy to get along with. People don't share that as much anymore and I've noticed it on this tour more than ever. I will always see Phish no matter how bad the scene gets; I'm there primarily for the music. However, when I remember back to the days of Dead shows (and even Widespread shows now) and the general good vibe shared by everyone, it saddens me that Phish is losing that part of the expirience. Perhaps it was just the crowd that surrounded me this tour; I hope so.
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 11:11:02 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: phish review hot.. hot.. hot.. the music, the band, the weather, all of it... this is my 6th concert, and i loved it, music was great... all the songs were amazing, on the first night, that dwd was sick, i couldnt take it, the band id it all, i was a little dissapointed with the fact that no songs were played from rift, sparkle would of been sweet, or even stash, from a picture of nectar, anyways, on thing that i definalty want to comment on was the sence that something was lacking in this show, there was not a sece of toghtherness that i have seen at past phish shows, no i havent been to tons, but i expected poeple to be a lot more friendly and to be much more cooler, the only time i felt a sence of community was when the gates opened and we ran to our seets (5th row or so both nights) and we were all running to see an amazing band, i definalty felt some cold glances form people who looked, or dressed more "hippy like" than myself, also, the drug thing is stating to get to me, im not saying that i didnt do any, but i feel that many poeple go to do drugs and not to enjoy the music, there were kids form my school who went to do just that- becides that and the crazy heat, i had a great timre, and cant wait for fall Peace Meredith Phish- the best 4 * 4 * phar
From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Oswego It was my Third show by the band. I was ready to shake my groove thing. But nothing could prepare me for what was in front of me. The traffic was so bad I''ve never been stuck in anything like that before. We arrived on Saturday at two and got in around seven twenty. I was sweating balls, I was not going to miss the band for anything. Ran to the stage to hear the first notes of Tube. From that moment on I was fully locked in. And the band took off. The speed of the playing was sick. They were on and the crow was giving it right back to them. Timber Ho kicked much booty, and the YEM was my first ever. I did hear song that I already heard this tour but who cares right. Coil to close up was cool, Tweezer rep. was my first too. Next night PYITE to open!!!!! my favorite Phish Jam to lead off, I was in another place. But to tell you the truth I liked the first night much better. The band needs to jam into songs more. Like more lead ins to songs more blending that was my only beef with this magical weekend. I am so glad that they still continue to pump out the jams. I am still new to the band, but this is only a beginning. Thank god for Phish. P.s. I am going to Goddard in the fall, the journey has only just begun.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:30:25 -0400 From: Brian Folster [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: in response to what I've read here This is what I have to say after Volney: First of all, I really thought the shows themselves were great. Icculus, Beauty with DMB, Piper... great sets, I didn't feel cheated out of anything as far as the music was concerned. Trey and crew seemed to be having a really good time, which I think is a key ingredient to a show's success. The diatribe/whatever you want to call it during Icculus was fantastic, thank you Trey for not taking yourself seriously at all! Now, here is my problem with the weekend, and with what I have read on this page. I have been to a great many shows, starting at the wee age of 12 when my mother took me to the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia (7-26-91... great version of Stash). Since then, I have never truly followed Phish, as I have had other priorities, but I have caught them every time they've come anywhere near me since that age... including this summer in which I took it upon myself to take my appreciation for their music a little further (ha) and go to Volney. I even managed to convince two friends to come along who aren't as into the band, convincing them that the experience and the people would be so amazing they would have a good time even without knowing various intricacies of phish such as when to clap in PYITE or what exactly the meatstick is. Well, I have to say that I now feel badly about taking these two people. For the music, that's one thing, and I've already said I thoroughly enjoyed that. What I really didn't enjoy was the condescending attitude from the supposed die-hard phish fans. I would like to remind all of these people of one thing: this entire scene was not supposed to be about being exclusive. It was, and should be about, enjoying the music and the freedom and love of your fellow phan in an easygoing manner. All weekend, my friends, who I suppose were not properly clad in what has become regulation Phish concert gear (which is, in it's own way, just as disgusting as any other uniform), were given dirty looks by those who presented themselves in a more Phishy way. We were sitting in a crowd in which no one talked to anyone they didn't come with. Admittedly, the heat was wretched, and down on the end of the airstrip by the stage was worse than other parts of the venue, but I don't consider that an excuse for completely unfriendly behavior. The point is, this scene has, in my opinion, morphed into something I no longer enjoy. I enjoy the band. I always will, and I will go to Phish concerts to see them. But I have never enjoyed groups that demand conformity, whether it be conformity to the frat scene in college, to the cheerleading squad in high school, or to the dreads and patchwork scene at Phish. This crowd has changed, in the way that those who used to be open to new people and different things have now become sedentary, a bourgeoisie if you will, that makes concerts less fun for others. I have read some of the comments on here, such as "too many teenyboppers", etc. Do you think Phish fans are born that way? I guarantee you over half of those girls who haven't bathed in quite some time at one point owned Debbie Gibson cds. Some of these people are coming for the first time. Maybe they only know Down with Disease and BRTR. So fucking what? Let them enjoy it. IT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU JUST BECAUSE YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A TRUE FAN. In fact after this weekend my opinion of "true fans" has taken a 180. I'll tell you why: my best friend in elementary school's mother was a huge deadhead, she took us to a show when we were in 7th grade at RFK... I didn't even know who they were. She, a woman who had followed the dead for several years (in the early/mid 70s no less), took two teenybopping 7th graders who were dangerously obsessed with Axl Rose to a show. She must have not looked like a true fan, in her Talbot's gear and dragging two kids around. What you look like has nothing to do with what's inside you. I really thought everyone had figured that out by now. Especially the people who espouse peace and love so readily as these "true" Phish fans. I am disappointed. No longer can i tell my friends that the way you can tell the difference between a Dave Matthews concert and a Phish concert (aside from the quality) is the fact that if you fell down at Dave, people would step on you, whereas if you fell down at Phish, people would help you up. And another thing: I don't want any return emails from obnoxious people who think I'm dissing the band, because they're about the only worthwhile thing I partook in this weekend (except the excellent B-Stage performances). And what's wrong with that (not liking the sets) anyway? Some of these messages say things like "if you didn't like it, maybe you should take some time off". You know what? People are entitled to different opinions. Phish is not God. Everything they do is not the ultimate in good for every person at the show. Allow people to be different from one another, is all I am trying to say in this note. Otherwise, the word hypocrite is beginning to come to mind. Very sincerely Liz
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 17:05:37 -0400 From: Milt Adams [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 7-17 & 7-18 First, I just want to say that I believe the band has greatly benefited, how couldn't anyone, from the experience Trey and Page had by playing with the great and immortal Phil Lesh. First of all, they finally turned Mike up! He deserves to be heard over the other band members from time to time and the Piper on Sunday proved that he is perhaps the best bassist out there (with the close exception of Chris Wood). Piper was an epic tale made to music that moved me and sent chills up and down my liquidy spine. It was the undeniable truth of what Phish is truly capable of. As was Llama and Down with Disease. In response to a fellow fan who mentioned the apathy of the crowd during the final set, I feel that Icculus was not performed to its highest level of intensity because of the fact that it seemed like 3/4 of the crowd had no clue what was going on. If you noticed, Trey did not do the, highly anticipated by myself and others I was with, primitive scream that is to accompany this rare gem. But instead, he merely repeated lines to a song. I believe that if the crowd would have done their part, it could've been a little more intense, but nonetheless, it was a treat. As was Quinn the Eskimo! They're on a role right now and it's impossible to deny. Their playing fresher and more raw than I've ver heard them and with more confidence. They obviously love their jobs and it's good to see them smile on stage when they know they've just kicked everyone's ass! (PIPER) Coming home after a 6 show stint, I feel completely satisfied with my last two shows of this summer and highly look forward to this fall. I mean, you know you're in for it when they open the first night with TUBE!
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 18:05:51 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: (no subject) Yo every one what's up ? � just got back from as-we-go and let me just say that after 25 shows it still doesn't get old! I loved every second of being there , yes even the 6 hour waite to get in even though it only took us 4 hours to get from philly to oswego.about the review , I was thinking about this on sat. night, no matter what I say about any of the songs the whole experiance was mind shattering. If someone says that this song or that song wasn't that good , than that has to do with their mind set. I for one was taken to some other planet (Jupitor I think) and I really can't say what I saw other than I understood for a short time that we were making this whole thing happen by our thoughts and feelings, the whole groove was dictated by the masses and, for me at least, it is the most enjoyable time ever.Fuck the heat fuck the waite it was all a small price to pay. WHEN YOU GO TO A PHISH SHOW TRY AND REMEMBER THAT A GREAT GROOVE� ONLY TAKES A� POSITIVE MIND SET
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 17:54:54, -0500 From: MR LARRY J BROUSE [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: attitude problems i have seen 12 shows total, including camden this summer. However i have listened to unhealthy amounts of shows on tape and feel somewhat knowledgeable about their music. Nothing and nobody is perfect. I think some of you are being highly over critical about the band this summer. Yes, their seems to be a sloppiness that the band gets into sometimes, not finishing a song tight, or getting into a jam that lacks solidarity for a while. However, at the same time i feel like phish has been able to, in the last year or so establish jams that have a very pretty sound. An example is Moutains in the mist, or the jam leading up to Hydrogen this past New Years at MSG. I like this style, and feel this is a nice edition to their repitiore.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 17:24:04 PDT Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 20:12:30 -0400 From: Steven Mcalister [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Thoughts on Oswego All in all I had a great time. The music was great although not exactly what I expected but that is to be expected. I am writing to let people know what image stuck with me longer than anything. As my phrends and I looked for one last bag of nugs, we were approached buy someone who looked like he was in a war on the losing side. ParaphraseunParaphrase"sorry to bother you but a bunch of frat boys knocked me upside the head with a skateboard last night and took $400 and a qp of nugs. I went to the hospital but I have to go back and I don't have gas money to get there or home." This kid had an obviously broken nose and was lucky that he could still see us with the eyes that looked like they might fallout at any moment. Now we were all sure that dumbasses who just left valuables in tents for hours at a time unattended would get robbed. Out of 70,000 people there are going to be a few theives, but I was not expecting murdereres to be among us. Those cocksucking frat boys are lucky for one thing--that they didn't kill this poor soul who was doing the world a favor by selling nugs. I'm sure that they beat him senseless and left him for dead.I'm also sure that this either happened in thw wee hours of the morning or in the middle of a set bc I believe enough true phans of the band would have known, no matter how many drugs they were on that this had to be stopped. I just hope that while those phucknuts smoke those nugs and spend that money that their consciesces eat away at them until they have no more soul for it to nibble away at.I just thought that people who frequent the shows should know that their are these type of evil people around. If any of you cocksuckers read this I hope that you can't sleep tonight. Any responses can be sent to [email protected]
From: Michael Isenbek [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Review of Oswego shows for Random Thoughts The shows just ran together in a humongous mix if sun, sounds, and lots and lots of people. It's rock 'n roll, get into it! was the catchcall of my weekend. Stoned immaculate or not (I was), scream encouragement at them for chrissakes! We give them a shitload of money, give them a reason to play a better show! This was the rallying cry of the days and nights of revelry. The guys from Montreal (hey dudes!!! I'm so sorry, but I completely forgot all of your names, I just know the guy with the crazy braids, who's a music student, the man I hung with with the red bandanna, and a bunch of cool girls who were all shorter than me except one, who looks exactly like my mother when she was young, which was pretty amazing!). The most positive, beautiful and vastly intelligent people on Earth. They understood the magnitude of what we were hearing. What a mindblower after all of those sets. In order, the incredible james (best ones are marked with a !) Tweezer, Taste, Down With Disease!, You Enjoy, Bathtub Gin, Runaway Jim, Llama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Piper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, and of course Fluffhead. Then Trey sarts talking about random stuff. The Chuckling ArchMinstrel I will call him for the rest of my life! He's fucking laughing like we're his fucking buddies! He LIKES to talk to us, 'cause when we show we like the music, HE shows that he likes us. He is the mouthpiece for the band. They like and accept that. Think about that for a sec. What a humble man, to have 70,000 people to entertain, that if we were Slayer or Megadeath fans in that same situation would tear him Limb by Limb, I mean Limb FROM Limb. Anyway, did anyone on Page's side near the front hear the impromptu percussion jam before the first set, the yells of PAGE!!!! during that same set (and see his and Trey's subsequent reactions?) on the 18th? That was us (I was the guy with the goatee and blue shirt with the stickers stuck on the front), the group that spanned from Montreal to Long Island and all points in between, giving something back to Phish that has been lacking lately. Enthusiasm. Sure it was 90+ degrees in the daytime, at night in way a comfortable 75-80 degrees with a light crossbreeze. Sounds pretty comfortable, right? My whole point is, don't EVER take Phish for granted. Thinking of all the Deadheads in tears on the dark days of March 1973, July 1990, and August 1995. It's all about fun and music -Mike
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 11:07:32 EDT From: Chris Chapman [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 7/17-18 First of all, let me say that I have never submitted any reviews of any shows, ever. For one thing, I don't feel qualified. If I was as talented a musician as any of the four members of Phish, then maybe I would feel qualified, but I'm not so I don't. I _can_ say, however, that in my 18 years of concert-going experiences, that Phish is most consistently the greatest rock and roll experience I've had. I've been to 13 shows and have more than several hundred hours on tape, but this doesn't qualify me either. Quantity doesn't mean jack. It doesn't make you a better listener. I don't pass "personal judgments" on shows, or form concrete opinions on them until after I've listened to them a few times and have had a chance to catch all the little nuances that can be missed at the live performances. That having been said, I give you my surface impression of the playing at Oswego on the 17th and 18th. These were my first shows of this tour and I was very much looking forward to hearing the band after a 7 month stretch of no shows. I was NOT disappointed. To my ears (and I recognize the fact that everyone hears differently), Phish is better now than ever. Their on-stage communication seems more effective and my initial feeling is that they've taken the best of their '97 and '98 styles and distilled them into a fine brew. Like I said, this is only a surface judgment, but I thought these two shows rocked. Highlights for me: on the 17th, Tweezer>Have Mercy, Birds of a Feather (one of the finest versions of this song I've heard), and an amazing Down with Disease (not one of my favorite Phish songs, but the last two performances of it that I've seen have been monstrous). On the 18th: Get Back on the Train and the whole segment with The Del McCroury Band was phenomenal. I liked GBOTT a lot when I heard Trey's solo acoustic version, but what Phish does with that song takes it to an entirely different level. Runaway Jim > Free- superb. Catapult- I love weird new versions of that song for some reason and of course I thoroughly enjoyed the Icculus and accompanying banter. Llama! I may never have heard a more developed Llama or one that rocked harder. In all, the jamming was great, the harmonies were right on for the most part, and I didn't think anyone "hogged" the spotlight. The band appears to be having fun, especially Trey, and perhaps this is why some of you perceive that he's "hogging." I don't know, and to be honest, don't care. If you listened beyond the guitar, maybe you'd hear some of the amazing things coming from Jon, Mike, and Page. As far as mistakes go, I'll never understand the pickiness of fans. The mark of a great band is how they deal with the mistake. Phish is the best in the world at incorporating mistakes and improvising around them. If any of you knew or had an appreciation of how hard it is to do that well, then maybe you wouldn't be so picky. A couple other areas about the weekend I'd like to mention. The crowd: Yes this was a lackadaisical crowd. But give 'em a break! The heat through the day was at dangerous levels. The whole crowd, to differing degrees, was suffering from heat exhaustion. I know I was on Saturday. On Sunday, I changed my approach a little and toned down all my activity through the hottest part of the day, keeping to the shade and saving any hard partying for later. With the heat and the accompanying alcohol-induced dehydration, not to mention the rigors of touring that many people were already feeling, you can hardly blame them for not having a lot of energy. As for the Meatstick dance, well, I have an appreciation for the whole twisted idea of it replacing the Macarena in the Guinness Book, so I did my best to learn and dance it at the appropriate time. For those of you who did not participate, well, think about the statement you could have helped to make to the world. Really, think about it. You could have been laughing for years about that and had a great story to tell about how you participated in it. Instead, you chose to be "too cool" for a silly dance. I find your "coolness" amusing, and hope that someday you grow up to discover just what a stick in the mud you truly are. If they do make it, you'll probably tell your friends, "Yeah! I was there! I helped do that!" Talk about hypocrites! For those of you reading these reviews and trying to make up your mind about whether to see any of this tour or not, go! Phish is jamming extremely well, no matter what the "spoiled kid" naysayers may say! I myself am looking forward to Burgettstown and Columbus and wish I had the opportunity and money to see more! So there you go. My first "review." Take it as you please. Peace, Chris Chapman
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 15:18:33 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: oswego, July 18 What a phat time this weekend! I must thank everyone who braved the heat the ridiculous line to get in, and it almost shames me to say so, but for also tolerating a large group of people who really seemed uninterested in anything beyong getting fucked up. Beyond that this weekend was incredible. the first have mercy in years, an incredible DWD and a beautiful coil to end a great night of music. Remarkably,it would be topped the next night. But getting beyond all that I have a great story to tell all of you about a girl named Amy. Amy is a very special and great friend of mine. We have alot in common as far as being laid back with the same warped sense of humor. Where we differ however is taste in music. Amy enjoys listening to hip hop, rap, techno, etc. I invited her to a dead show in '94 and she declined. But when it came time to order mail tickets this summer I got amy a ticket for Oswego, and would not listen to excuses. Now to start off Amy's first Phish experience she sat on line in a car for 8 hours. She sat through some of the worst heat of the summer, and this was all to be a part of something she really hadnt had an interest in up til this point. when we got into the concert field and got a beer,and began to discuss our excitement over the next two nights of music. we all called our openers(except of course for amy) with me correctly calling tube and a son seals appearance on funky bitch. When the show started we all took our places and got into our groove. As the set progressed I would look over at Amy. She wasnt dancing, or pretending to know what was going on. She just sat there and watched. sometimes she stood and watched , but you could tell by the middle of the second set that she was catching on. I remember seeing a cool little smile on her face as trey hit a high cresendo note out of the funky Wolfmans Jam. She was understanding the way that the boys could Harness energy. It was one of the greatest experiences I have ever been a part of . Just noticing that little grin out of the corner of my eye made me walk to her and smack a big fat kiss on her cheek. Now Amy isnt going to quit her job , jump in her car, and keep going all the way to Deer Creek, But she realized what an incredible circle of energy that the band an audience shared, and how wonderfully unique it was. she told me after the show that althogh she enjoyed the music immensely, she enjoyed seeing a person genuinely entrapped in the groove. The only time Amy danced this weekend was to do The Meatstick, But she told me that she had never experienced anything like it , and what a wonderful time it was. She even made sure to tell me that she wants copys as soon as I get them. Needless to say Amy helped make my weekend extra special. If any of you who read this are an "Amy" or shared the weekend with an "Amy" please Email me [email protected]
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 15:18:33 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: oswego, July 18 What a phat time this weekend! I must thank everyone who braved the heat the ridiculous line to get in, and it almost shames me to say so, but for also tolerating a large group of people who really seemed uninterested in anything beyong getting fucked up. Beyond that this weekend was incredible. the first have mercy in years, an incredible DWD and a beautiful coil to end a great night of music. Remarkably,it would be topped the next night. But getting beyond all that I have a great story to tell all of you about a girl named Amy. Amy is a very special and great friend of mine. We have alot in common as far as being laid back with the same warped sense of humor. Where we differ however is taste in music. Amy enjoys listening to hip hop, rap, techno, etc. I invited her to a dead show in '94 and she declined. But when it came time to order mail tickets this summer I got amy a ticket for Oswego, and would not listen to excuses. Now to start off Amy's first Phish experience she sat on line in a car for 8 hours. She sat through some of the worst heat of the summer, and this was all to be a part of something she really hadnt had an interest in up til this point. when we got into the concert field and got a beer,and began to discuss our excitement over the next two nights of music. we all called our openers(except of course for amy) with me correctly calling tube and a son seals appearance on funky bitch. When the show started we all took our places and got into our groove. As the set progressed I would look over at Amy. She wasnt dancing, or pretending to know what was going on. She just sat there and watched. sometimes she stood and watched , but you could tell by the middle of the second set that she was catching on. I remember seeing a cool little smile on her face as trey hit a high cresendo note out of the funky Wolfmans Jam. She was understanding the way that the boys could Harness energy. It was one of the greatest experiences I have ever been a part of . Just noticing that little grin out of the corner of my eye made me walk to her and smack a big fat kiss on her cheek. Now Amy isnt going to quit her job , jump in her car, and keep going all the way to Deer Creek, But she realized what an incredible circle of energy that the band an audience shared, and how wonderfully unique it was. she told me after the show that althogh she enjoyed the music immensely, she enjoyed seeing a person genuinely entrapped in the groove. The only time Amy danced this weekend was to do The Meatstick, But she told me that she had never experienced anything like it , and what a wonderful time it was. She even made sure to tell me that she wants copys as soon as I get them. Needless to say Amy helped make my weekend extra special. If any of you who read this are an "Amy" or shared the weekend with an "Amy" please Email me [email protected]
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:38:00 -0400 From: Ed Looram [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: 7/17/99 VOLNEY REVIEW Nobody mentioned the traffic which is nice but we sat in it for two hours until we snuck around into Fulton and came up to the entrance from the other direction and still sat in traffic for a good hour. This was Sat morning from 5:30 am to 8 am. But I'm not bitter about that, it didn't bother me too badly, I was just hot and I already figured this place was so remote that there was bound to be some traffic. I heard later that some were in the line for like 6 hours. An very unconventional review.... just some thoughts really..... so skip this if your looking for a serious review. Lemme get the bragging rights done with because it relates to my thoughts on the show. My 52nd or 53rd show now, since '90. dont really do full tours but see them a bunch of times a year. I'm using clifford, went, (missed the wheel) for some of my comparisons. All I have to say (and I will repeat this over and over again) is THE BLUE ASTROTURF. Yes the BLUE ASTROTURF in front of the 2nd set of page side speakers. This spot and this night in particular was the glorious culmination of all the past 9 years of seeing the p_hish (pronounced pee-hish). I have seen some whoppers (for me, Townshend 90 and 91; Halloween Colorado College in '90; Clifford, that MSG Dec '97 with the Izabella and countless others) and I must say that I had the singular most enjoyable time that I can remember at one of these shows. Many of you have been "on tour" for years, I have not had such luck. So after many years of dancing in halls, dancing in seats, dancing on grass, I have now experienced the BLUE ASTROTURF and all of the fine people that were there in attendance. Basically I just think that all of these years of going to shows has paid off handsomely. Just like any other scene, there are people you see again and again and again in some fashion at the shows. They are your peers but I never get to say hello to them because I dont see so many consecutive shows then It's back to NYC and work for me and then maybe I see some people next set of shows. It all adds up. The BLUE ASTROTURF provided me with a chance to dance and revel in the twilight with probably every single freak and friend and dancing aquaintence that I have seen and met over the past 9 years. Young and old, we were in the house. I am 29 and my back is killing as I write this. Killing me. I almost snapped myself in half during the BOAF and that was just the start. The daylight set was just phenomenal, I am a sound junkie not a sight junkie and the speakers were delivering the goods times 10. I mention my age because Matt (now I am dropping names of the accused) said he is 31 and he heard Thomas and I groaning. There was talk of Advil, some talk of stronger painkillers, total self mockery-old man-how-much-longer-can-we-keep-this-up shit. And it didn't help at all that Bruce is such a freaking rabble rouser who takes dancing to such a pumped up wailing aerobic level. The BLUE ASTOTURF was GOING OFF ALL NIGHT....Tube and Boogie on were funky chicken style...that just started the madness. All these heads were freaking out. I've gotta give shouts to this whole crew, some I never even met personally but I know your names cause one of my friends knows you or vice versa. What up and thank you for such a good time to: Germond (sp?) who got caught up in the Have Mercy (anybody hear his Rastafari chant?), Matt, Austin, Scott (the Admiral) Bruce, Thomas (my traveling and camping compadre), Lee with the rum and coke, Liza, Beena, Freyja, Spencer, Lindsay (the keeper of the duct tape) the BSF/Recon supporters (you all must be from NYC; RIP Bleu), Cory, JB, Scott (where do you put that?) and the 30 to 40 others who provided me with one of the most high times (and the whole weekend I was stone cold sober) I have ever experienced. It was such utter payoff, I had seen most of these kids at shows over the years and I can attest that we had never ALL been together like that in our extended family way and for all of you who have scenes like this that make you happy and smile and grateful for the time you put into the p_hish then you know what I mean. True payoff. so reading the reviews for both nights in Volney I can only see that one thing remains true: We all have our opinions. I like the show, you don't. Next night I might think the show is flat, you think it was the deadliest, crunchiest, bomb-layer ever done. Whatever. Just keep coming to provide your piece to this cooperative mayhem or drift away. I am committed, like many others, to giving the guys in the band a fair shake. I was at the top of the lawn in Holmdel (fri.) for 4 or five (quiet) tunes and I can tell you that back in the 6th row for the 2nd set the show certainly had a different (loud and crisp) kick. I guess it's all perspective. Other than that I could do a song by song for Sat. but there are enough of you to do that. I liked it all. Roggae good. Sound good. Did you hear Mike all night dropping the lovely stuff? what a f**king rhythm section. My knees killed, I sweat through 2 shirts, drank 4 waters and 2 smoothies, and smiled like I haven't in a good while. Thanks to Dave and his (girl?)friend in those funky blue pants for carrying the BLUE ASTROTURF and providing the platform for such an amazing experience. I hope to see you all again, and to those of you who made the trek, I hope you had FUN. Back to work, waiting for Nassau and Albany in the Fall. One small voice in this large creation, Ed
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 13:34:32 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Newbie central page I don't have a review for Oswego but have little tidbits-- After Saturday show Mike was zooming around the lot in golf cart full of people around 3:00 or 3:30- Others saw him Saturday before the show. Mike was also watching Ozomatli at Echo Lodge stage shortly before first set on Sunday-- Just chilling right in the crowd with a couple of friends. Really cool that noone pestered him. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! Shows are all done Sunday-- 3:00 AM and the lot is rockin', out of the blue comes Mounted Security (they were chill all weekend!) clearing people out of the way with 6 horses, the crowds gets whipped up in frenzy.... TREY is in the middle of huge crowd riding on the police horse with grin from ear to ear. "thank you Trey" is being yelled all over. Trey was answering some questions as riding (second time ever riding a horse) tons of pictures and some lucky people had video cameras. Trey shook my hand while riding the horse.gret moment. THANK YOU TREY!!!!!!!! One last interesting fact-- The fireworks after Harry Hood was done in complete silence. Started slow and band left stage. The explosions kept getting bigger and better crowd noise builds and spectacular finale. Great fireworks show and trippy not have them jam to it like usual. DWD on Saturday was done at warp speed with deep, deep jam that got real Thought they would never find their way out- deep and funky with a mind
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 00:37:28 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Review This is not my first time writing to the net, but I have to say again what Ive said before. I read the reviews because I like to hear what the band played, if they did anything cool with costumes and things of that nature. I also want to hear if it was a great show or just ok. But these reviews are so full of stuff thats interesting maybe to your friends, your car ride, the weather, how much you paid for water ect. These reviews are not for those who never went to a concert. I also want to know how fans of a band, people who say they know music, can expect so much. Phish is an improvisational band, they dont play the same show twice, they get up there are go for it. Some nights you get moments of greatness and others everything just jives and you get a special experience. A band that goes out every night and just plays because they love it, is an amazing thing in itself. How can you compare one song that you heard at a show two summers, to the one you heard last night? Thats not the way Phish works, things change and evolve. Whats the point on telling people how many times you heard Bouncin? It will always be different, thats why you go, if it was all the same, what would be the exitement. For those of you who want to see a "perfect show" everyone tight, every word every note go see Yes when they tour or Rush, Pink Floyd. They rehearse the same thing over and over, the shows are outstanding, but could you go every night? The whole point of this kind of music is experimenting, letting the song take you in different directions, not playing it the same way over and over. Enjoy and review, be fair, these guys are working hard so you have a great summer. Peace!
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:42:26 -0500 From: "Oliphant, Cheryl" [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: OSWEGO It might sound a little crazy, but I just traveled 1,200 miles to experience my very first Phish show. After review of all of the comments regarding Oswego, I must add my thoughts and impressions. I have listened to countless Phish tapes and was not the least bit disappointed in the performance. I was enlightened and happy. To the Trey critics - let's see you get up on stage and perform better than him. The man played a guitar with his teeth for you. Is that not talent? Is that not skill? It really seems that you are a little ungrateful. Do you not realize Oswego would not have been possible if it weren't for the countless efforts and work from Phish? They are not Gods. Maybe you shouldn't be so expectant and demanding. And to all of you complaining about how dead and motionless the fans were - what were you doing the whole time? I, at times, stood still, but I enjoyed myself. Isn't that what matters, enjoying yourself? I tend to think so. Great performance from Phish. Negativity is contagious, you know? Trey really showed his talent breaking down with the blues, and the fireworks were awesome. Being in New York with ~50,000 people for the same reason was so wonderful. Thanks to Phish and all of the strangers who revealed a smile to me. I guess those strangers are now friends. One word of advice, pet owners - please leave your pets at home. I witness a fight break out due to dogs and countless ads concerning missing dogs. It is really sad and inhumane to take them on tour. Thanks again to all of the people who were at Oswego with the smiles and positive attitudes:) Cheryl
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 09:44:50 -0400 From: J. Frei [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswegoooo! Like others before me after reading some other reviews I had to add mine. I'll start by saying that I had an incredible time! Had my phamily with me, met some new friends and enjoyed some great music. But I had to write in because I have never seen so many negative and stupid reviews of a show/event before. Yes there might have been a couple missed notes etc., some repeat songs from the tour and not everyone was dancing their asses off. But, these people who are whining about the shows don't seem to realize that Phish is up there playing because they ENJOY playing and get a kick out of giving all of us an incredible time. No, they are not gods, and more than deserve to be able to miss a note, end a song early or repeat some songs from the tour etc. as they see fit. They put an incredible amount of their lives into creating, practicing and arranging their music for us to enjoy. And for events like Oswego that musical effort and logistics planning increases like a bazillon fold. Maybe not everyone around you was goin nuts but I was for sure "dancing like no one was watchin" and giving everything that my abused and HEAT DRAINED body could muster up. The point of it is that ANY Phish show, even if YOU think it's a bad Phish show, is still better than NO Phish show. For those of us who can't follow the band around like so many get to for what ever reason my friend has a great rule of thumb, "Even a bad Phish show(is there is such a thing??) would always better than a great day at work." I'm rambling I know so I'll come to a point. Just be happy that you get to go to the show and go with an open heart, mind and soul. Don't go with precognitions of what you think the show SHOULD be like. Just enjoy what ever the boys rip out for us. Just be happy to be there. And if you can't do that then maybe it's time to take a break from the shows for a bit. Go a goodly while with out a show and see how jonesin' you get. I'm sure there are many like me who have a very hard time organizing the time and cash flow to hit a show, maybe that's why I simply have the time of my life at any show I can get to. But if you think you are "fed up with repeat songs and screwed up songs" please don't bitch about it, at least you were there when many others couldn't be. You go to a show to have fun, so do that. If you don't think you can do that, don't go. It's that simple. So go have fun, see you at the show and be sure YEM (You Enjoy the Music)!
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 09:27:23 -0400 From: Paul Weiss [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Yes, long lines suck. The heat was tough to bare. I could have used more than an hour or two of sleep going into Saturday's show. Maybe I failed to boogy at my usual pace Saturday. I was afterall tired as all hell. But, I still had fun. The music was fine. I thought both shows were great, although I was too tired Saturday. I met some good people too (despite that loser who whipped out his dick and began pissing in the middle of the crowd between sets). I kind of enjoyed "Superstar" Trey's babble about finding the book, that very special book. Maybe Trey was fucked up, I don't know. But, I do know Phish played their ass off Sunday. Highlights for me included Moma Dance, Free, Piper, Quinn and Fluffhead. I found the sound quality just fine, and the crowd around me was really into the groove Sunday. Given the heat, crowds etc., I can understand why some are bitching and moaning about Oswego. But to blame the band and claim that the end for you is now? Hey, if that is what you want, fine, send me your phatty tickets for the fall. I feel lucky enough to have followed Phish since my sophmore year at UVM, in 1987. Back then Trey made the band. Everyone else has since made great strides to catch up musically. They have. But, it is still Trey's band. He is the leader and always will be. If he parties somewhat, fine with me. It is not as if you could not understand him, or that he blew every cord!! They still jam, and did so for a long time this weekend. -Paul
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 03:11:54 -0400 From: leslie jensen [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: "Nice swift kick in the ass,one dollar." There's some, some good points-some bad points ! I had an awesome weekend in Oswego despite getting sunburned like you would not believe ! Let me just start off by saying that many "phans" just don't understand or appreciate the magnitude of just what the hell happened in Oswego. Do you realize the amount of planning and organizing it takes to pull this off ? The amount of people it takes ? This is a gift from Phish and they can play whatever the hell they feel like playing whenever the hell they feel like playing it ! What other band would set you up with a whole weekend free for all camp-out like that ? Anyway, I met alot of nice people. Alot of rude people. Alot of idiots. My biggest complaint is dealing with people who are too drunk to enjoy anything and just annoy or worry other people. Second, why do people set off bottle rockets and cheesy fireworks amongst thousands of people and tents ? My tent is flammable. So is my head. Well, enough complaining. For those of you who were not there-Phish played phenomenally ! THE DEL McCOURY BAND is AWESOME !!!!!!! The marshmallows on sticks were cool. DEL McCOURY rules !!!!!!! I didn't have to wait in line for the bathroom at all ! ! ! It was really really hot. THE DEL McCOURY BAND is great ! My favorite vendor was the guy yelling "Nice swift kick in the ass, one dollar." I saw Mike,Page,and Sophie checkin' out DEL McCoury on "The Green". My friend shook Pages' hand. That was cool. I'd like to thank Mike,Page,Trey,Fishman and the whole crew for doing this for us once again. P H I S H R U L E S !!!!! ( So quit your whining )
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 13:03:05 -0400 From: Justin Matter [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego shows Hey buds. I'm assuming if you're reading this there's probably a decent chance you were at the Oswego show. I thought it was phenomenal. There were downsides, of course - the five hour line to get in, the heat & humidity, camping on dirt and rocks (we didn't get a grassy area), and the especially the security after the last set Sunday ("C'mon people! Get your dirty asses off the ground and let's GO! Move it!") But these weren't nearly enough to outweigh the positive vibes. I liked some sets more than others - the first set was out of this world (but so was I so maybe that figures in). Sunday's sets were all good - I was ecstatic to hear Reba and I loved the Hood encore. What I'm surprised to see is all the negativity that seems to pervade many of these reviews I've read. I think part of the cause is that so many people have stuck with Phish for so long that they've developed these preconceived notions about the band and the music and how both 'should' be. When the band or the music goes outside these ideas, these folks feel let down and betrayed somehow. I see this in a lot of the "I was at the ----- show back in '--, and it's just not like that any more" comments, or the "They just aren't how they used to be, they've lost this or that." Come on. For one, what gives anyone besides Mike, Fish, Page, or Trey the right to decide how they should or shouldn't be? For two, would you really want them to stay the same and play songs that all sound the same over and over forever? I hope not. They'd be bored out of their mind and so would we. They need to challenge themselves and keep developing musically. So please don't criticize the band for not being or playing the way you want them to (again, what gives anyone the right), regardless of how long you've been a phan or how many shows you've seen. And while I'm at it, bitching about people not dancing "enough" or getting into the show enough is ridiculous. People can be completely enraptured in a song and not move a bit. I know I phreaked my buns off during some songs, and on others I stood almost totally still except for a little swaying motion, probably. And those were some of the songs I was the most immersed in. Anyway, sorry for the rant. I just had a great time and it's too bad to hear people dwell more on the negative aspects than the postive. Just be happy that there is a band called Phish on planet Earth and that you're either blessed or just lucky enough to be a phan. :) Keep the postive vibrations emulating from your realm, Justin [email protected]
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:17:33 -0400 From: Joe Rella [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego Only my second and third shows (another displaced Jerry-head), I gotta say this was one awesome event. It was the first time I felt the scene in several years. Friends all around, cops and security were pretty cool, lots of water, and both nights the crowd got in some terrific phishing. Sunday's sets 2&3 were absolutely fantastic. Of particular note to me was the fresh take on a great tune, Quinn the Eskimo. So many great people in one place, it was refreshing to feel those vibes again. Headed now to see Dylan/Simon at the Knick/Pepsi. Thanks to all the peaceful heads who came to this event and made it such a special time for everyone. Joe Rella [email protected]
ate: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:44:21 -0400 (EDT) From: Andrew Vern [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Osweego Sentiment First of all, this is not a review, only a collection of comments concerning the popular sentiment surrounding Osweego. I saw my first Phish show at the Somerville theater back in 1990, and, consequently, I've considered myself a fan to some varying degree every day since. Sure, I've endured jaded periods in which I didn't feel that the band or the scene were heading in a positive direction. However, Phish has always done something to snap me out of the funk. For the past two years (From the first beginnings of the funk), Phish and the scene have taken on a very positive direction and feel. Regrettably, this flow seems to be slipping away in the heat of the summer tour. Although the second night in Great Woods was a truly spectaclar show, the band has had a lot of trouble with their overall intensity. The fire just isn't there on this tour; the boys are merely showing up, going through the motions, and popping back out for an encore. Their sound is undoubtable morphing into a whole band groove, but their individual styles and egos are cluttering the roadway. If they reach this ideal, the results will be outstanding, but, for the time being, this is definitely a work-in-progress. This offers some explanation for some of the low points of the summer tour - jams that don't get off the ground and/or jams that sound exactly alike despite being out of different songs. I agree that these new beginnings of a style can be quite tiresome, but I do plead that we give them a chance. Nevertheless, they still play music better than every other band - too bad they aren't playing as well as last year. Well...enough about the music. Here's a couple notes about the scene at Osweego. I agree that people weren't getting down like they normally do, but that heat was DRAINING. I shake 'em something fierce at show, but after a day baking in 100 degree heat, I had nothing out there. The lot scene was rather unfriendly, but I chalked that up to our neighborhood. Lastly I will say, that the crowd is eerily feeling a little Dave Matthewsy...
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:22:57 -0500 From: "Gallant, Pat" [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: 7/18/1999 review Here are my random and assorted ramblings on this weekend in Volney: - All in all I had a wonderful time. I want to thank Phish for providing the opportunity to have a weekend festival like that. - The only thing that I will honestly complain about the weekend was that the concert area seemed too small to accommodate such a large crowd. - Yes, it was too hot. My wife almost passed out due to heat. - Yes, we laid down some during Saturday's show up at the back of the venue. Sorry, we were hot and exhausted. Did that decrease our ability to enjoy the music? Of course not, don't be ridiculous (read-icculus). But you can bet that the burnt out wasted folks near us when we were closer to the stage decreased our enjoyment by puking and passing out. But hey... I'm not one to complain. =) - I laughed so hard during Trey's ramblings. To those who left early cause they thought Trey was being preachy, I hope you're a little embarrassed now after realizing what was really going on. - I preferred the concert on Sunday much more than the one on Saturday. Does this mean I didn't like the Saturday show? Not at all, I just was too plain exhausted to really enjoy it to its potential. Sunday just got me much more pumped. - It's okay to post a negative review of a show. You're entitled to your opinion and I respect that. - To Nicole Gabai: You mentioned that you didn't drive ten hours to hear four songs with Del McCoury. Yes you did. You came to this concert not knowing what to expect as with any show. Part of the beauty of Phish shows is not knowing what to expect. My first show was 6.22.95 when they played Tweezer for practically the entire second set. Some friends of mine kept saying that was their last show and how it sucked. I admired the band for having the guts to come out and TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT, succeed or fail. Phish does not owe us ANYTHING! We owe them our respect and gratitude. I would have loved to hear Bowie or Antelope, but guess what... maybe they'll play them at the next show I go to. Maybe that's ALL they'll play at the next show I go to. Who knows... can't wait! - To Mallexpo: Glad that I was at your last Phish show!!! Sorry you had a bad time!! Can I have all of your tickets for upcoming shows, and all of your tapes 'cause you don't need them anymore. - Howzabout that Piper, eh? - Bathroom scene was better this year than in Maine (but still a somewhat scary experience!) - How fat was that Moma Dance, anyway?! I loved it. - The Bathtub Gin defined my mood for the entire show. It totally energized me and made me so happy I could explode. - Chalkdust was AWESOME! What a way to end a set on such a high wave of energy. - Did anyone else see that thunderstorm approaching during the second set? Glad it didn't hit us. The thought of being in an open field with large metal structures in a lightning storm is not one of my dreams. - Bands make mistakes. IT HAPPENS, GET OVER IT! If I quit going to shows after hearing mistakes, I would have quit after 8/13/1997 at Star Lake and would have never heard the Went, the great shows in Albany that fall, MSG 12/31/97, Vernon 8/12/98, etc... - I'd been getting irritated with Harry Hood over the last couple of years, but the one on this night was nice and I liked it a lot. Peace to you all, Pat Pat Gallant Senior Software Engineer West Group - Productivity Solutions [email protected]
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 13:03:05 -0400 From: Justin Matter [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego shows Hey buds. I'm assuming if you're reading this there's probably a decent chance you were at the Oswego show. I thought it was phenomenal. There were downsides, of course - the five hour line to get in, the heat & humidity, camping on dirt and rocks (we didn't get a grassy area), and the especially the security after the last set Sunday ("C'mon people! Get your dirty asses off the ground and let's GO! Move it!") But these weren't nearly enough to outweigh the positive vibes. I liked some sets more than others - the first set was out of this world (but so was I so maybe that figures in). Sunday's sets were all good - I was ecstatic to hear Reba and I loved the Hood encore. What I'm surprised to see is all the negativity that seems to pervade many of these reviews I've read. I think part of the cause is that so many people have stuck with Phish for so long that they've developed these preconceived notions about the band and the music and how both 'should' be. When the band or the music goes outside these ideas, these folks feel let down and betrayed somehow. I see this in a lot of the "I was at the ----- show back in '--, and it's just not like that any more" comments, or the "They just aren't how they used to be, they've lost this or that." Come on. For one, what gives anyone besides Mike, Fish, Page, or Trey the right to decide how they should or shouldn't be? For two, would you really want them to stay the same and play songs that all sound the same over and over forever? I hope not. They'd be bored out of their mind and so would we. They need to challenge themselves and keep developing musically. So please don't criticize the band for not being or playing the way you want them to (again, what gives anyone the right), regardless of how long you've been a phan or how many shows you've seen. And while I'm at it, bitching about people not dancing "enough" or getting into the show enough is ridiculous. People can be completely enraptured in a song and not move a bit. I know I phreaked my buns off during some songs, and on others I stood almost totally still except for a little swaying motion, probably. And those were some of the songs I was the most immersed in. Anyway, sorry for the rant. I just had a great time and it's too bad to hear people dwell more on the negative aspects than the postive. Just be happy that there is a band called Phish on planet Earth and that you're either blessed or just lucky enough to be a phan. :) Keep the postive vibrations emulating from your realm, Justin [email protected]
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