7-18-99 -- Oswego Cty Airport, Volney, NY

review submisions [email protected] or [email protected]

Date: Thu, 05 Aug 1999 13:31:47 PDT
From: wilson linker [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: reveiw of my first wilson oswego
 
Hi my name is Wilson, It's a family name for me, coming from both sides of
my family.  It's my cousin David's middle name and my Uncle Chet's as well,
but it goes back much further than that. I am the first in my family to
given the moniker for a first name.  No king of prussia no evil nipple
slicing tendencies.  But none the less when 75 thousand of the finest rock
and roll afficianado's yell out your name it will really make the hair stand
up on the back of your balls. I remeber chilling after the  2nd set with my
close personal freinds cat and adam in the shadow of the 2nd speaker tower
trey side.  All three of us were pretty spun, then they gave me a thumb
print of the sass.  We puffed a bowl and then the chanting began, some girls
behind us were doing some weird song that really sounded like they were
saying {mari seni juana milla} or something like that.  Then my crazy homey
adam put a jug of water on my chest and cat twisted my toe and it was really
weird as well.  We speculated what would be the opener and since the second
set was reggeacentric Maki Supa was high on the list.  Something in my head
kept saying wait "you'll have to wait until toronto...wait until toronto" We
said a prayer type thing to our freinds dog Sequoia "queen of aptos" and
wished jessica a happy dream as she was in new zealand.  I forgot to mention
the Marley for the set break!!!!!!!!!  Adam was so happy, and so were cat
and I.(Maybe Toots for the set break at the Gorge) Well i digress, All three
of us embraced and held tight wishing love upon ever corner of a six sided
star.  And then MY SOUL  busted out.  I hate to break this train of thought
but I can't finish this till I hear the tape again.  If you have it please
email me at [email protected]....
 
much love to caeryn(i think)from near rocky hill connecticut please email
me.  eagle1u

Date: Sun, 25 Jul 1999 17:47:08 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Thank You Oswego. Second Night. Second Set. Whoever let those beautiful balloons float oh so slowly up into the night sky during "Free", Thank You. Very appropriate. PK
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 21:59:41 -0400 From: John J. Hogan [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Camp Oswego Well, I just wanted to say that I spent 9 days at Oswego County Airport working my ass off to help further the Phish fans' experience. I live in Bolton Valley, VT. and was one of 3 people who did all the power generation and lighting for "The Green". Six days of trenching, laying underground cable, lighting the "teepee's", the "streetlights", the Echo Lodge sign, tents, running all power outlets, etc, etc. I really didn't appreciate the Phish "experience" until my foray up to Stage Right VIP Seating on Sat. THE BAND BLEW ME AWAY!!!!! I was in awe. I couldn't stop groovin, and I'm a 41 yo Led Zep diehard!!! After my almost religious experience, I honestly felt bad for the 75,000 who weren't as lucky as me to watch pure music and magic from 20 ft away and above!!!! Hell, I even had to fix the Fleet ATM Mobile power cables on Friday night, but I digress... Standing backstage of the Second Stage was just as moving. Looking out from the rustic "fence" that weekend, I saw a community of music lovers just getting off on the experience and the music from such diverse bands. Hell, even the "Hank Williams Cheatin Hearts Club Band" drew a crowd of a few thou. Each evening I toodled around the various campgrounds and was totally blown away. What a cool group of folks. The vibes were there and everywhere I stopped I was welcomed no questions asked. I'm a company executive by job and took a vacation to help a friend do this. I sincerely want to take my hat off to the phans who endured hardships to be there, the folks who slaved their asses off to make it happen and to the experience as a whole. It won't be my last! I'll be in Florida in Dec!! In parting, thank you all for the entire experience, good and bad........... John J. Hogan
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 02:44:36 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego day 2 review Many people's reviews have concentrated on the scene, which was definitely very sketchy. But with all the bad stuff that happened, the music was more important. And it was excellent. These were the two best shows I have ever seen, and two of the best I have heard on tape. day one was amazing in itself. right from the opening of tube i knew we were in for a fantastic weekend. and the show did not disappoint. each song had a little extra spice in it, from mso and roggae to son seals singing about his funky bitch. highlights were the tender Have Mercy (out of Tweezer), no less, and the Wolfman>Sally. But the second day was where the real action took place. When the band gets into the ambient groove they can take it some great places, as long as they concentrate and not let it get boring. 07/18/99 Oswego County Airport - Volney, New York I (1:40): Punch You in the Eye, This Is a Farmhouse, Water in the Sky, Bathtub Gin, Get Back on the Train*, If You Need a Fool*, I'm Blue I'm Lonesome*^, Beauty of My Dreams*, The Moma Dance, Reba, Chalk Dust Torture II (1:00): Runaway Jim -> Free, Meatstick**, Guyute, Axilla***, Llama III (1:50, incl. E.): My Soul, Piper^^ > Prince Caspian > Wilson -> Catapult^^^ -> Icculus^^^^, Quinn the Eskimo, Fluffhead E: Harry Hood# Set I PYITE: I had called AC/DC as the opener, just because they had played PYITE recently, but in no way was I disappointed. I got off my seat on the big lawn by the sides and started to groove, watching the huge crowd of people below groove as well. The landlady came knocking, and I answered without words. Typical PYITE, but it definitely got the crowd going. FARMHOUSE: Or as I like to call it "No Woman No Cry". A great tune. I sat down and listened. WATER IN THE SKY: I dont particularly care for this song, but Phish was so on that weekend that it was still great. They started jamming, and pretty soon I heard a noise that neither Trey or Page could have made. It was a fiddle! There was also a banjo. It was the Del McCoury Band, writers of the fine tune Beauty of My Dreams. They proceeded to play GET BACK ON THE TRAIN, IF YOU NEED A FOOL, IM BLUE IM LONESOME, and of course BEAUTY OF MY DREAMS. Very nice especially Get Back, which I had never heard before. A great new song. MOMA DANCE: This was a total bomb. The crowd jumped with Gordon's first hit of bass, and it was off. A funk party, just like the disco booths in the lot which ran until all hours of the morning. REBA: When the opening started i said a silent thanks for my dear Reba, which I had never heard before. This was prefect placement and a magical event. Did I mention that even from the side, there was perfect sound? What a setup. As they eased into the chill all i knew was the bass of Michael Gordon. It was nourishing. It flowed through the air and made the plants grow, made the people below dance and live. It was summer. The sight of all those people grooving below was like some drawing out of the sixties. It was amazing. It was woodstock. I cannot explain how incredible it was to see all those people gathered in one place, all basking in the glow of four people playing music on a stage. Musically, Reba was nothing special but it did not matter. It was still amazing. CHALKDUST: This just tore apart the crowd, everyone was dancing away, even the crazy guy in the mud. great closer. What a first set! Not many notable jams, but it definitely set the tone for the concert.(If you can call it that). And the sun was still high in the sky. Set II RUNAWAY JIM: This was where things got really interesting. They glided through the lyrics and settled into one of the tightest grooves imaginable. It was kinda ambient, but it was definitely not soft. They just traveled in this path, moving up and down as they wished. The entire band was a spaceship, fitting together perfectly. It was stellar. The jam soared for a while, until a perfect segue into: FREE: Wow. Another song that I dont really care for but that was taken to amazing heights that weekend. It was amazing. Any song that went near Phish became charged with magical energy. The jam was amazing. It was a totally new kind of music, ambient funk rock. There was one part with the band funking away and Trey doing this fabulous ascending and descending thing. Just spectacular music. I was totally Blown Away. I was free. It was destiny. I was a noble on a balcony, watching my subjects. I was a rock star. The energy that this jam gathered in the venue was incredible. It was tragic when it ended, but it was time to break a record. MEATSTICK: Oh yes. This was a vital element to the weekend. Oswego could not be complete without 100,000 people dancing to a hilariously vulgar dance, all while being videotaped for the world record. This was terrific. I learned the meatstick from Trey and Mike and did it for all I was worth. GUYUTE: This was what we had been waiting for. It was the highlight of the weekend. Phish had gathered so much energy from the crowd that they needed some way to release it. That fell on Guyute, the ugly pig. This was without a doubt the best Guyute ever, and definitely one of the greatest performances of a song. Guyute is one of the hardest songs to jam because of its composed nature, but Phish did it. And did they ever do it. It was noise rock. It was jazz. It was incredible improvisation and control from a 16 year old band. It totally blew my mind. They locked into the raging horns of Guyute, those angry builds, and would not let go. It was the sound of robots throwing up. It was aliens landing. Everyone around me was freaking out. But when they launched into the final release it was the most beautiful thing in the world. I was a believer. AXILLA: I was expecting a downer after that Guyute, but not tonight. Axilla upped the ante for the set, taking the energy of Guyute and kicking it skyward. This song just raged and I loved it. I danced wildly, moving and improvising my axilla dance. What great placement for this song. LLAMA: No let up. Another rocker for Phish to tear through. And they did. The energy was so high that it threatened to destroy us all. Llama was just a continuation of the destruction that the second set had laid down. A terrific closer. After this set we wandered around in awe for a little while. Set II was up there with the great Phish sets, in the company of 5/7/94 II and 2/20/93 II. Not quite as all-encompassing as those, but definitely as powerful. Everyone was feeding of the great, improvisational magic Phish had put into the air. the water truck guy came to fill the water station, with flashing lights, and even he was jamming on the horn of the truck. People were frolicking in the mud. People were sitting on the hill discussing philosophy (hopefully). It was almost utopian. And still there the feeling of more, of a final fantastic culmination of the weekend to come in the third set. We waited, trembling in anticipation. Set III MY SOUL: This seemed a bit typical, but it still held its own. Nice jamming from all. PIPER: I had been expecting this after the brilliance of set II, and I got it. Trey played the opening and the crowd trembled in anticipation. Unfortunately I was not able to fully appreciate this Piper, since I was still trying get back to my friends. It did seem a little short, and the post lyric part segued uncomfortably into: PRINCE CASPAIN: One song that should not have been heard this night. It killed the magic. Phish was no longer the superhuman prophets of the new millennium, leading desert people to face the future. They were just a typical band. They would regain some status, but never reach the peak of the second set. WILSON: Great to hear. The crowd didnt really seem into it on the opening chant. Unfinished, and a segue into: CATAPULT: Awesome. I love those lyrics, and hearing Mike sing them was awesome. Eventually trey started talking about how you should stop watching TV and read a book, and it was time for: ICCULUS!!!!!!: First since 95. Definitely a highlight of the show. Lots of crazy banter in here, including short renditions of Smoke on the Water and Cat Scratch Fever, with narration about how they were the same songs. The transitions were flawless, and you could really see the band was together. Eventually trey said the magic word and they launching in that mysterious song. Trey said something about breaking the world record for the longest concert, but I guess he was kidding or some thing. After the song there was lots of banter. trey introduced everyone lounge band style, talking about how that last number was off our first album, Junta. Very cool. He said it was by request from everyone backstage, who requested it the most. Too bad they didnt want Harpua. (Note: All show I could see the people seated in the boxes directly on either side of the stage. Very cool.) He said the next one was chosen by Mike. QUINN: Always glad to hear Mike singing. Not one of my favorite songs, but I liked hearing anything from Phish that night. FLUFFHEAD: Horrible, horrible, horrible. This was the worst placement and the biggest disappointment of the entire weekend. Not because Fluffhead is a bad song, but because it is just a good song. Nothing special. And this was how Phish treated it. To end the third set, to make the evening truly legendary, Phish needed something truly legendary to end the third set. Something out of this world. Something so great and powerful, it would make everything else played that weekend seem like nothing. A jam to end all jams. And it was not delivered. Instead we get a Fluffhead. Not that Im complaining, its still a good song. Just good. Encore HOOD: This made up a bit of lost ground. I called it during the break, but I take no credit since it was such an easy call. great choice, since it was me and my friends private song for the weekend. The fireworks were a terrific finish to the weekend. Overall, this was a frustrating show. Frustrating because nothing earth shattering happened in the third set. As great as the first two sets were, they still seemed like a build up, a buildup to something great and monumental that was to be delivered in the third. Something totally amazing, something that would change each of our lives after we experienced it, and it was not delivered. Instead we got a lot of banter and goofing around from Trey, a solid Piper, a rarity, and some middle of the range songs. Nothing outrageous. No crazy vacuums. No Bowie. No galactical, awe-inspiring Slave. No Harpuan revelations. Nothing to live up to the splendor of the first few sets. It was heartbreaking. Was this a great show? yes. But it was not the show to end all shows. It came close, but did not live up to its potential. Any other nights this would have been great, but Phish raised the ante and the expectations in the second set so high that I would have been very hard not to come away disappointed. I was saddened by the fact that Phish had not totally taken us away musically, have gotten to the threshold and then fallen back. Oh well. Still a fantastic, fun, weekend. If anyone caught Rob Moses and his band, they were fucking amazing. So was Ozomatli, Lemongrass, the disco parties, 81/2 Souvenirs, and that bluegrass band. Definitely worth much more than I paid. Oh well. -Felix "RoxyReba" Gottdiener
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 00:06:06 -0400 From: Kathy Greenwood [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: phish well i had a overall great time with the exception of your common pitfalls but i did just want to say i was glad to see on the reviews that i was not the only one who saw Trey ride on a horse i was beginning to wonder ya know? thanx again everbody for a good weekend! sg
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 22:53:15 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 7/18/99 review Wow. what a show! This was the perfect climax to my mini tour run from mansfield through oswego. I had such a blast!!! me and my friends went to the gates at around 2:30 and as we sat on the butt-blisteringly hot runway the mounted patrol told us how they had enjoyed the fans. One mustachedguy was asking us trivia and when anyone would get a right answer he would throw them an apple, it may sound like a weak treat, but believe me, it was the best thing possible in teh heat, a cold juicy apple. When the finally opened the gates we rushed through the "security" and my friend was the first one to get to the rail. all the big security guys at the front had placed bets on who would get there first. the security were kind of bitchy, one of them said," I must say, you all smell quite foul today." I bet we did after being in that heat for 2 days!! Also, one of them called a short phan an "evil troll". But, they were also pretty cool because they threw sandwiches, water, cookies, and chips to us during the 2nd set break. They also didn't give a damn about everyone sparking bowls as soon as it got a little dark. The crowd cheered when the big guy who had said we stunk threw a big beach ball back into the crowd when it hit the front. They would throw back beachballs but they kepr the giant inflatable penis, the huge inflatable ride on killer whale and the 5 foot inflatable milenium falcon. There were also a bunch of penguins a huge frankenstein, and a big spiral-y worm that they didn't get. before the show started a group of kids distributed masks and other accessories that they had made from pieces of random trash and uno cards to the front section. It was really funny hearing someone yell" WHO WANTS TRASH??" and hearing a chorous of "OVER HERE's HEY's" and such. I LOVE PHISH fans! It was such a surreal experience being that close to the band, it was truely amazing. At one point during PYITE Trey looked right at me and i just stared back and smiled and he kind of raiesd jis eyebrows and smiled back. WOW. that was worth the drive from fayetteville AR. After this i noticed how much mike and page would look at and acknowledge audience members. you can really tell that they are really happy to be playing for us. I REALLLY enjoyed seeing the guys jam with the del mccoury band! Beauty sounded fantastic and i really really liked this bluegrassy version of get back on the train, i love that song! One of the kids next to me on the rail, had been holding up a paper plate with REBA! written on it the whole first set and I'm sure all the band members saw it because he was pretty persistant. When the busted out those first four notes of reba i looked ove rat him and he just stared back at me dumbfounded and then burst into a huge smile and started dancing his ass off. Might have been a coincidence, but it's funner for me to believe that they played it because he held up a sign. the second set was crazy, it was so much crazy fun to be doing the meatstick right on the front row of somewhere around 70,000 people for Guiness (the book not the stout) with trey mike and sophie standing right infront and above of me. LLama was awesome to hear since this is one of my favorites, but trey started it off at the wrong speed and then kind of flubbed the lyrics a bit, but then made up for it by just ripping it up, he got CRAZY with his guitar at the end!! I know alot of people think that was him being a "big rock star" , but No! this was trey having a great time, all the other guys were having a good time too. third set took the cake. laid me out. blew me away. My soul started it out just right and Piper, Wow, just wow. The glow wars in this and harry hood were awesome to watch from the front! (wow, i still can't believe i was at the front!!) I think they did a damn beautiful job going from the high energy jamming in piper down to the mello-ness of prince caspian. BEAUTIFUL! I GOT TO HEAR ICCULUS!!!!! yeah!!!!!trey had been talking about the guiness book during catapult and went from there to saying how we should read more books, especially aone particular book. I knew what was coming and i just about shit my pants!!!!! This Icculus was great! It's definately not a musically compicated piece, it's beauty lies in that it gives us nice dose of the band's humor.I thought the part about "smoke on the water" and "cat scratch fever" being "the same fuckin' song" and smoke on the water being a better song was just hilarious. I love hearing trey splash his imagination onto the crowd through his littel stories and such, no other band does that that i know of. I was disappointed though in the lack of crowd enthusiasm before the encore, it seemed like everyone just took it as a given that they were going to play an encore and that there was no use uing what littel energy the draining sun had left us to cheer and yell.The Harry Hood encore was kind of expected, but nonetheless, wonderful and the fireworks at the end of it all were awesome, the perfect end to my glorious week long run from mansfield. I had a great time meeting all the people i did, this was really an awesome experience, one of the best ever. peace A.K.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 18:05:29 -0400 From: Chris Rash To: [email protected] Wow! Sunday was my third Phish show ever. The first time I saw them was at the spectrum (12/2/97) in Philly: shitty venue. That and the fact that I had only ever heard Junta and Lawn Boy kind made for a boring experience. I decided to stick with them and force myself to get into them. Thank God I did because I would never have heard that heaven sent second set. I've never heard or saw anything like that Llama. It freaked me out. Trey was possessed by Jimi Hendrix for that guitar solo. The rest of that set was great too. The Meatstick Dance was fun I had only hoped that it would have segued into Fire On the Mountain or Fire Up the Ganja (a perfect song for the situation.) For the third set: you had to be there. It was funny as hell but I bet it won't sound as good on tape. Trey had some truly inspirational words. The Smoke on the Water/Cat Scratch Fever comparison was very thought provoking. I wish Trey had drawn Icculus out more with the backing vocals from Mike and Page. This weekend was the best of my life and I have four special musicians to thank for that Chris
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 16:56:48 -0400 From: Rebecca Bly [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego This was only my 3rd Phish show, but I had a great time. I'm used to Dead shows, I've seen about 30 of them. I must say that, there were times when I felt like I was at a Dead show. The energy level of everyone there was excellent. The only down side was the traffic getting in. I waited 5 hours to get into the airport. However, after I did get in, I have not a single complaint. It was phunky!!!!
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 08:01:13 PDT From: Michael Copeland [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 7/18 review What a wonderful weekend full of wonderful people to celebrate my 50th show. All i go tot say is 3 words Llama, Piper, and Icclus. Llama was so sick and Trey was in rare form this was the fastest most ripping Llama I've ever heard on tape or live, just total sickness it got faster and faster and as it did the crowd was going nuts and Trey was feeding off this big time! Havent heard any mention of this yet but Trey actually played his gutair first between his legs then behind is head and finally with his freaking teeth! Truly amazing! Then there was the Piper, and i have to say this was the best Piper ever played! And yes it was better then the 07/06/98 Prague Piper. This one had Super Firey Volcanic Trey playing note after note for what seemed like and eternity, I thought it would never stop, it was Trey as good as he gets! Total sickness and totaly unbeleiveable! Finally ICCULUS, ive waited 50 shows to catch this rare gem and it was worth the wait this had to be the longest ICCULUS ever, and if you know ICCULUS its not about the music its about Trey opening up his head of thoughts and leting them spill out onto the crowd. He went on and on about this great man (he also said that it was the most requested song backstage so thats why he played it) it was so nice that i finally got my little gold nugget of phishtory. Such a great time THANK YOU PHISH!
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:03:44 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: oswego icculus and other first of all, who said trey was messed up? i certainly didn't notice it at all in the third set. is it because he displayed a sense of humor. in addition to making me dance, phish made me laugh. when i can laugh my ass off because of their antics as well as dance my ass off because of a smoking groove, well that's a perfect show. what was the best part of last year's lemonwheel encore, the "harry hood" or the madness when ths huge elephant got up and walked away? what about getting ben and jerry up on stage to butcher an excellently-played "brother?" or any "harpua" or "sanity" or "icculus" or even "scent of a mule?" it was FUNNY. anyone who thought that trey was being an ego-maniac by declaring he had 230 channels on the bus is missing the point. if you weren't laughing hard during icculus or the meatstick dance world record, you probably didn't see the absurd beauty in over-sized marshmallows, on-the-spot art, a ferris wheel, or a huge hot air balloon randomly rising and falling in a huge concert field. these huge airport shows are a showcase of wit and humor and beauty, and it has been reflected in the music. everyone goes to shows to hear different things, with different expectations. i was hoping to hear a "scent of a mule" because it's been three years and twenty concerts since my last one. they didn't play it. but what is my biggest disappointment of this past weekend? that i didn't tape the show to listen to the absurd beauty of sunday night. that, and the seven hours it took to drive the last 10 miles through fulton county. other than that, i laughed and danced and felt sooooooo appreciated as a fan this past weekend. phish set this up for us. they didn't make millions on this weekend, but they showed us fans the respect and love that we have showed them, whether it's been for fifteen years or less than one.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:59:57 -0400 (EDT) From: Jeff Hoelter [email protected] To: [email protected], [email protected] Subject: Oswego Day II Trey Discourse I would like to comment on the narration after Wilson->catapult and also after the Icculus. After the Catapult is I think where the narration began, or maybe at the end of Wilson. But anyway, like someone said, Trey started talking...first he thanked everyone for coming, etc, and then mentioned about the meatstick record. Then, he started talking about getting away from in front of the TV and getting away from the computers and actually reading a book. Now, at first I didn't know what he was talking about, but then I came to realize he wasn't saying "Read a fucking book you moron" he was saying "Read the Helping Phriendly Book!" But he didn't say that specifically , he was saying that you should go to a bookstore or amazong.com, and search under author because you probably couldn't find it under title. Then he was saying you should go to the bookstore and ask the little guy with the computer if he could find the book for you. "Avoid the magazine section and go right to the little guy at the computer!" He kept mentioning the little guy with the computer and he was saying "authored by..." and kept teasing starting Icculus FOREVER and then finally started and they did Icculus. Then after Icculus Trey was being silly as shit saying "Thank you, that was Icculus." "That last number was Icculus." "On that last number Page McConnell (sp?) played keys." and ON and ON. Then he introduced the rest of the band plus Chris and Paul: "That last tune was Icculus and Chris Kuroda, CK5, on the lights." It was silly. So then Trey saying something about how the HPB said to play Deep Purple so they go into a (very good) version of Smoke on the Water. Then, after that, Trey mentions how it's the same song as "Cat Scratch fever" so they go into that one for a second, but then Trey says that even though they're the same chords, Smoke on the Water is a better song. : ) I agree. Then, They then tease the Stones "Miss You" complete with "o-o--o-oh"'s. I dind't know the title of this one, I just know the "oo"'s. : ) Then, Trey was talking about breaking the world record for jamming on one chord, which he said would be 3 or 4 hours. I was looking forward to hearing what Page and Mike could do. : ) But they didn't do that for more than a minute. Then finally Trey said "Okay, now we're gonna wander around aimlessly and figure out what song to play next." and while they did this Fishman was playing a little something and also said "I have to pee" and then finally Trey came back and said that Mike had requested this Bob Dylan song and they went into Quinn. Overall, Trey's banter was tongue-in-cheek the whole time, and it was funny as hell. It was awesome to hear Icculus. By the way, all of that was from memory so I can't guarantee 100% accuracy. I can't wait to get the tapes to hear it again. Highlights of Oswego day II were: Gin, Runaway Jim > Free, and an awesome LONG Piper. Day 1 highlights were Set I (tube had a nice jam in it and I loved Taste), also Son Seals, and the Wolfman's->Sally->Timber. Also, to those who didn't like the show(s): I find that whatever attitude I take into a show, that's what I get back out. I KNOW I can't expect the most profound, amazing jam every night, so I go in hoping to hear a few songs I like and I've never been disappointed. : ) Later, Jeff [email protected]
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 17:49:46 -0400 From: Frothy Cap [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 7/18 Phish review Here's my review of the last show from Oswego: I'd write the setlist down, but there's too many asterisks to put down! Great show! Set 1: PYITE: Somehow, I don't get sick of this song. I really love when they funk out the intro! FARMHOUSE: First time I've heard this since they sort of changed it around. I like this tune, but too much of it and will become tired. WATER IN THE SKY: Am I the only one around here who loves this new version? They really seem to go off lately in this song and jam it out. This version didn't even come close to the Camden version, but a sweet one nonetheless. BATHTUB GIN: Knew we had to get one of these sooner or later! This was a great gin. It seemed that they were trying to really grab hold of a theme like the 8/17/97 Went Gin, but they never really held on to one, and played around with different ones. Not over the top but enjoyable. (next 4 songs with the Del McCoury Band) GET BACK ON THE TRAIN: Love this new song, I like it with the Del McCoury Band, but I wish I got a few more times to hear just Phish play this. Hopefully I'll get to hear it in the next 3 shows I'm seeing. CALL ME IF YOU NEED A FOOL: Don't really care for this song. Somehow, even the title is annoying. (Still, the DMB are doing a fine job!) BLUE AND LONESOME: Seems like a nice song you'd like to hear out in the desert plain in the middle of the night (A la "Three Amigos"). I've heard this on some '94 tapes, but that's about it. Nice tune. BEAUTY OF MY DREAMS: Especially like how Trey introduced the tune by saying, "Now this is how it's supposed to be played." Don't really like this song, but it changes things up a bit, when you have a guest up there on stage. I thought I heard Trey say before "Beauty" that it would be the last song, but I guess he meant the last song with the DMB MOMA DANCE: First time I've heard this since the Lemonwheel. (Fell asleep in my hotel and we missed the entire first set at the Worcester show where they played it last year!) This version seemed rather sluggish, sort of like how Weekapaug and Character Zero were rather forced on 12/2/97. Always in the mood for the dirty funk of this tune, but this one sort of sucked. REBA: The perfect outdoor tune. A complete and rather beautifual Reba Nothing really to say about this version, except we have the usual part near the end where Trey struggles to find the right crescendo to end the song with (before the whistling part). CHALK DUST TORTURE: Another song you really can't get tired of. (Well, me at least). I knew this would be the set closer. Excellent version. setbreak music: Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" album. set 2 RUNAWAY JIM: Man, I love this song. After hearing the 8/11/98 Star Lake version, I have new found attraction with this tune. This one really jammed for the first several minutes following the vocals, then segued into... FREE: Looks like the beginnings of a phat set! For some reason, I really haven't seen this played in concert a lot. After I saw it at the Spectrum in Dec. '96, I never saw it played again until Hampton '98! Man, love the funked out middle section following the lyrics. Good 'ol Mike was dropping some serious bombs during this part (ahhh, what the heck, he was doing it for the whole song!). Can't wait to snare the tapes of this show and pop this tune in my car! They didn't really mess up the vocal ending the song this time out - usually Trey and the rest of the band aren't in sync when going back to the ending vocals. The next tune, we were all expecting at some point... MEATSTICK: I feel bad - i didn't dance. Not my cup 'o tea. I hope they still broke the record though - this is a much better song than the Macarena song. Love the Moog sound from Page at the beginning of the tune - reminds me of 80's Dead, with Brent Mydland. I don't know - could be wrong, but that's what it sounds like to me. Wouldn't it be sweet if they segued from this into Fire On the Mountain?!!! Anyway, the rest of the set... GUYUTE: I am so sick of this song, it's not even funny. But, that said, no one can say, that this version wasn't very tight, because it was a dead-on Guyute. AXILLA: hey, it's Axilla. LLAMA: Love this song and its energy, but the jam was too convuluted and fucked up for me to get anything out if it. Pretty good set, but a tad short. The next set would make up for that! setbreak music: Marley At this point, we were pretty tired, as were a lot of people around us. We needed a big, energetic start to the next set in order to keep us plugged into the here-and-now.... (By the way: for this show, our seats were on the grass, Page's side, about 40-50 yds. from the stage). set 3 MY SOUL: When not played too often, this song has a tendency to kick ass, and it almost lived up to that billing tonight. Good way to start a set. My call was a Julius opener, but this will do. Not too long and not too short. It had the usual sweet Page noodling, followed by the vocals, and then the Trey noodling. This song used to be overplayed, but now that they use it in moderation, it's a very good tune to place in the set, when they want to get the crowd going. PIPER: I don't think I'm mistaken here: This is the best piper ever! You know how you see those "Best Gin" threads on the RMP and everyone usually puts 8/13/93 or 8/17/97?; well this one will now be know as 7/18 and get used to it. What really made this one really smoke, is not only the band went all out, but the crowd, I think got the band to play in a different manner - and that's what's so cool about a Phish show: the band (we know Trey definitely does!) feeds off the energy of the audience. Basically, when the opening notes of Piper echoed throughout the concert field, the glow war started. The bunches of blue rings that were tossed up near the front of the stage, probably started everything, and the band just seemed to feed off that, jamming faster and faster for probably 10-15 minutes. And it also seemed that the crowd new when to stop this time, because as soon as most of the sticks/rings disappeared, Kuroda put up the lights and the jam took on a different feel. But man, oh man did this jam kick ass. Eventually, it settled down into a quiet jam leading into... PRINCE CASPIAN: I really wasn't in the mood for this tune. Everyone needed a breakdown after the energy-fix of Piper, but I was sort of hoping for Tela, McGrupp, or maybe a Mountains in the Mist. This version was impressive however, with Trey's towering and towering chord progressions, this song does move mountains. But they never, did get to the end of the song - (you know, the last few chords following the silence), just a little ominous notage from Trey, and we know it's... WILSON: This set can't seem to go wrong! Wilson tends to come at inopportune times in the set, but they seem to mix this up all the time lately and place it in the set where it is 'needed'. (I liked when it opened Camden the other week). Again, this song went unfinished, as we never did get to the Blap-Boom, blah, blah,blah part that Trey sings. Instead they stick to the same chord, and while this is going on, Trey has a little discussion with Mike, and you know something cool is coming up... CATAPULT: Not really much to this song, but when it's played rarely as it is, you enjoy it... ...now Trey starts talking about the Meatstick dance record, and informs us that the tape of the dance is on the way, and that there should be a picture of all of us in the next Guiness Book of World Records. Then Trey starts talking about the importance of books and how we should turn off MTV. Then he starts to emphasize a certain 'other' book that shall go nameless until later and the crowd suddenly knows that something is up... ICCULUS: Yes, my friends, we get the first Icculus since 10/31/95! And what a hilarious version it is. I need the tapes to remember, so I forget a lot of what Trey said, but I know that Mike actually did say something! Trey was talking bout Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble; and eventually the band went into "Smoke on the Water," "Cat Scratch Fever", and "Miss You"(Rolling Stones) jams, before finally getting to the Icculus lyrics themselves. But, man you had to see this because it was so cool to be there. And of course, we hear the end of the song as well, which is frustrating because that small jam they play at the end could be so much more! But, I digress. Icculus was just good fun. QUINN THE ESKIMO: This was a first for me. I've heard the tapes from last year though. Trey introduced this song, by saying that it was a request from Mike. (He also said (after saying "that last song was Icculus" a million times!) that Icculus was a request from somebody backstage). Finally, somebody backstage makes a good request! At this point, we were all having an excellent time. I thought that Quinn would be the final song of the set, but.... FLUFFHEAD: What sucks is that I just heard this in Camden, so I wasn't really yearning to hear this song. I also was hoping that they would play Bowie or Slave. What the heck happened to those two anyway? I still never get enough of "The Arrival" section of this song as Trey really gets into it and goes off! At this point, I was thinking, 'man, what a show!' I was hoping that they would do Harpua for an encore, but also knew that they hadn't played that other song that starts with an 'H' in several shows. encore HARRY HOOD: This song and Guyute are at the top of my list of "Songs that I am really sick of". Does Harry Hood have to be the 'big finale' of every summer festival they play, or what? We got the encore of Hood last year at the 'wheel. At the went, we got Hood following that already mind-blowing set and the Art Jam. And then there was the ball Hood with the fireworks. This song just sticks to me like glue! It didn't really put a damper on my spirits because unlike Guyute, this one has a jam section and fluctuates each time they play it. Not really much of a glow war (thank god). I really was hoping they would play Bowie here and then have Fireworks, but that was not to be. The fireworks at the end of the song were great. What a weekend. I'd say it was a success. I just wish I knew how many people were there. I still hope that they play Limestone once again, next year. Anyway, I can't wait to grab the tapes! The Piper from this show will do down in Phishtory! -Paul B. [email protected]
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 16:57:20 -0400 (EDT) From: MicHeLlE hILkeN [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: My Experiance This was my first phish show ever. And I thought it totally kicked ass!!! I had the greatest time ever. The 70,000 people there were so cool, i never saw so many happy faces in one place before. Despite the 5 million degrees heat, the waiting in line for hours for ice and the myst tent, it was all good. I just loved the campy theme with the huge marshmellows on those bendable stix and the little houses where you can tag your name and sayings on the wall. Also the little dance parties around the camping area, the rave klcked ass, i was feelin it!!! And yes the coolest band in the world PHISH was incredible, i never been to a concert before where so many people gathered to see 4 guys just jammin away, it was great. The music was awesome, and i was about 30 ft away from them, center stage, it was sweet as hell. This is one experiance I'll definently remember forever, and i hope I'll be goin to more phish shows in the future. Now when I look at pancakes I'll always more phish shows in the future. Now when I look at pancakes I'll always think of god...... (those of you who camped out in section 3A or near there, know what Im talkin about!!!) Take Care phellow phish phans.........
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:12:12 -0400 From: SUZANNE [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Thank You Phish I have to state that I LOVE Phish. I do not use this word lightly. What Phish is as a band and what they try to accomplish as caring human beings is beyond what words can convey. They are glad to be alive and glad that everyone of us is living right along with them. The energies that came togther this past weekend were epic! Of course not every energy there was positive but forget those energies and focus on the positive ones. The music they created this weekend blew me away...ESPECIALLY the second night third set. I am very grateful to have been given the chance to witness all of the beauty that swirled through the air that night. Let go of the critical judgements and open yourself to this amazing world...this is one of the things that Phish is trying to help people accomplish. Anyone who says that the crowd was "dead" is completely wrong. Out of 50,000+ people all put together in a "small" space you are guaranteed to meet many many beautiful people. If this statistic was wrong the world would be a gloomy place. I was abolutely absorbed in the music, beauty, and explosions of the weekend. One of the crowning momments of the weekend was during Sunday after the show when Trey went by on a horse while I was spinning (DJing) to a large crowd in the middle of the run way...everyones' spirits in that area were so high at that momment! One guy stated to me, "Do you realize what you just did man? You entertained Trey!" That makes me feel incredible. In a way I was returning a favor to Trey. Ohhhh and by the way I literally discovered my Soul Mate that night, I'll always love her. Once again what Phish is and has accomplished is wonderful. Thank You Phish, Brett. "What a wonderful world"
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:49:55 -0400 From: Heit, Mark COGRA [email protected] To: [email protected] [email protected] Subject: 7-18-99 Review I'm sitting here at my desk, crying. It seems as though the scene is falling apart, and this fact causes me so much pain that I am having difficulty articulating exactly what it is that I feel. The shows this weekend were, in my opinion, some of the finest sets that I have seen Phish play. I'm not going to bother mentioning how many shows I've seen, nor am I going to try and convince anyone that I am an authority on the technical aspects of music. However, what I do know, is that the band that I saw this weekend played some amazingly crazy music. I'm not going to go song by song, and give everyone the details, that's what tapes and personal opinion are for, but I will say that the Piper was absolutely ridiculous, and I'll leave it at that. See, the real purpose of my little note here isn't to give the low down, nitty-gritty on the shows, but instead to try and gain some understanding of what is going on in the Phish scene. Admittedly, the crowd this weekend at Oswego was not one of the strongest that I've seen. It was disgustingly hot, and although I can't deny the fact that I took part, there was an excessive amount of Molly around, and I believe the combination of the two pretty much zonked the crowd. I'm not sure where I am trying to go with this. Perhaps this is just a futile attempt to vent my frustration and sadness as I watch so many beautiful phans turn their backs on the band that has brought us all so much happiness and so many smiles. What happened to everyone being entertained by Trey's onstage antics? What happened to everyone getting ridiculously excited when the man in the mountain comes to life after 4 years of hibernation? What happened to the pure jubilation at seeing the first Have Mercy in what...5 years? Why is it near silence before the encore these days...what happened to an encore being a special treat that the crowd has to earn? I know there are many things that are having a negative effect on the scene...I know it's getting bigger and Trey is delving into a whole new world of mind expansion, but is that really at the heart of the problem? Or maybe it's that we've grown to expect so much from these guys, that they are no longer allowed to be one of us, but must instead dance on a whole different superhuman plane, and never venture down to the mortal level again. I don't know what it is folks, I don't know the answer to what is going to make all you disappointed phans happy again. But let me at least say this, and perhaps it will raise all of your spirits just a little. It saddens me greatly to watch so many people turn away from the scene. Not because it means the scene is taking on a new direction and straying from how I once knew it to be, but because I will miss all of you. The reality is that I don't know more than .05% of everyone who is going to read this, but that doesn't change the fact that I feel that the Phish community is essentially my family, and all of you are my brothers and sisters. Without you guys there...the energy that you all claim to be disappearing, will be almost completely gone. I spent the weekend with my best-friend for the first time in a year. Not just any friend, but the kind you only find once in a lifetime. We danced, sang, and cried with each other this weekend, just like at my first show. I watched as the music and the love for the band brought smiles to not only his face, but so many around us...and I remembered exactly how it had felt the first time I shared in the groove...I remembered the first time I got excited hearing those opening notes of Antelope at one of my earliest shows...I remembered what it felt like to be a head. 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. peace and love, Mark
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:20:23 -0500 (CDT) From: Gandalf [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: From one brother to another dear mark Hey man, read your post on phish.net, and i have felt that way twice, once about 15 years ago, and once this weekend. Once for the Dead, once for Phish . Both times I have come to the same realization: We have had, in succession, very possibly the two greatest bands ever to inhabit the planet. Thats a pretty cool thing to be a part of. I saw the Dead about 50 times and Phish about 20, and am very proud to have contributed to the great thing we have going. Unfortunately, nothing lasts for ever, especially perfection. The scene changes. We are no longer teenie bopers and they are no longer kids either. The eighties dead scene was bunk and the '00's Phish scene might be just as bad, in comparison to other times with the same bands, but I , to repeat an old bad joke, a bad Dead show is better than a good day at wok, and god dammit, no matter how many people were rolling this weekend andmay not have been having the purest fun, in the end, I don't really care. I hung out with my best friens in the world, all 70,000 of them, and had a ball. If it ain't perfect, make the best out of it. Be happy to be a part of this great party we call Phish. and god dammit, have fun. Thats all i've got to say Much love from a brother who knows what you are going through, Josh
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:46:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Daniel Alford [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 7-18-99 I just got back from the shows (which were great; saturday was my 50th and I'm a hard core phan) and I want to know who you people are? It doesn't sound like people who enjoy music out there, it sounds like a bunch of hyper critical trustafarians... If you guys don't like seeing the same song twice, don't go on tour! That seems pretty obvious to me... I don't know about you but I was listening to 4-2-98 and that night when they did Wolfman's > Sally I was exstatic... I certainly didn't think "Man I just heard this on tape" and that night I listened to another Wolfman's. Do you guys not listen to tapes on the way to and from shows? I take drives where I cue up a bunch of Gin's so I can just keep listening. Really you guys need to take a break, listen to some music that is supposed to make you angry and bitter. This doesn't mean that every review has to be great, not all shows are great, but if all the shows are so bad in your opinion, STAY HOME! Come back when you're ready to have fun... Those who were realistic (Frothy Cap, YEM176, etc.) are of course excepted from my comments.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 01:53:51 -0400 From: Thomas Tatum [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Oswego 7/18 highlights for me I have been to the last 4 summer festivals (plattsburg, maineI,II and oswego) and out of the 4, I think this weekend was the best(venue and music-wise). We got there at ~4pm on Friday and was in in 30 minutes and left Monday morning ~10am and was out in 10 minutes. Definitely the best setup for the festival yet. You didnt have to walk 2 miles like the other tarmacs. The other acts on the second stage was a welcome change this year too. The highlights of the 7/18 show for me were: Set I: Farmhouse.( I first heard this on conan? one night and thought it was a yawner. Last fall at Farm Aid I started liking this song more. Then in Atlanta 7-4 this year Trey wah-wahed the ending and it was the highlight of Atlanta for me.) This was almost as good as the Atlanta Farmhouse. Wah-Wahed ending. Get Back on the Train*, Call Me If You Need a Fool*, Blue and Lonesome*, jam*,Beauty of My Dreams* I spent the morning watching Del McCoury on the second stage and his band put on a great performance. It was nice to hear them jam with Phish for the these songs. These guys are grade A string pickn bluegrass masters with great vocal harmony. I don't know the exact lineup but there was a guitar(Del), fiddle(Tim Obrian?), madolin(Ronnie Mccoury?), stand up bass. The opening part of Get Back on The Train when Del McCoury and his band started jamming with Phish sent chills up my spine. The mandolin, stand up bass and fiddle had very good sound and you can hear them great in these songs. I want to get these tapes and hear these songs again. Very entertaining. At the end of Blue and Lonesome, Del McCoury broke a guitar string and almost immediately the fiddle and banjo started playing a hoedown interlude. Get the tapes and listen to this little diddy. I was watching Trey check the two out as they were jamming both jamming in the same mic and he seemed impressed and the crowd was stomp'n and they got a roaring applause after that. Beauty of My Dreams was cool. Before the third verse Del said "Sing one Trey..." and Trey did... and they finished the song and it was fun. Im going to check out the Antioch show too. Is Get Back on the Train a phish song? Set II: Runaway Jim was good and type II and jamming and very long, but it still aint got nothing on 6-16-95. Meatstick. Where I was standing for this set, I couldnt see the band. Our group knew the dance from Atlanta and from other friends on tour, so we were ready. I looked around and saw a lot of people doing the dance and everyone was at least in unison on the clap part. It was very cool. When we left the venue Monday morning one of the cops said that there was over 100K people in there. Not that I beleive him, but I think there were at least 50K people trying to do the dance, enough to break the record. Also about cops at the show, I had two of them at different times come up to me and thanked us for coming and told us to come back and do it again. Very well done! The paper on sunday said there were like 350 cases of illness (mostly heat stroke) and the last sentence said something like: there was 1 drug related arrest. HA! Guyute, Axilla, Llama were perfect and left me breathless from boogying, not any slowed down jams from what I can remember in these three. Set III: Ive been to about 40 shows and It was cool to see an Icculus and Quinn...During Icculus, from my memory Trey was ad libbing a lot about "reading the book" and said Chapter Two of the book you learn that "Smoke on the Water is an E chord" or somethiong like that. Then they go into smoke..then he said something like Chapter 4 is where you learn that Cat Scratch fever is the same song almost as Smoke on the water.. and they went into Cat Scratch fever..and then he said "but in Chapter 6 you learn that Smoke on the Water is a much cooler song though" .. and everyone was laughing...ha ha... These are rare songs to hear live,fine,..... but PIPER: As far as phish all out jamming their hardest, PIPER was the highlight of the weekend from what I could tell. The jam went strong early and grew stronger and stronger and hard for about 25 minutes. I remember looking around and not believing what I had just heard. It was special They sort of tapered it off at the end and didnt really finish it proper from what I remember, but it didnt matter. It was the best jam for me for the whole weekend. Totally worth the trip up from NC. Down with Disease on the night before was a close second. Get the tapes and check these two out. Thomas Tatum
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:15:34 -0400 (EDT) From: mIKe h. [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: think for a second For all the people complaining or whining about the fans lack of participation in the meatstick, or for lying on their backs during the show; keep in mind that it was above 95 degrees, with nasty humidity levels and a viciously bright sun the whole weekend. People were hot... people were fucked up. A combination which tends to lend itself to complete exhaustion. Regardless, i was hot, i was fucked up, but i danced my face off the whole weekend. And another thing: I'm of the belief that if you've gotten to the point where you critisize the band more than you rave about them... its time for you to take a couple months or years off. Don't go see them for a while. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And that also means more tix for me. :) Trey was fucked up during the third set... so what. It was funny. I closed my eyes and I imagined that I was at nectars in like 88 or something. That's how phish used to be. They were fun and funny. I'm not saying that they aren't now... but Trey deserves to get up on stage and make an ass of himself once and a while. How could you not have laughed when Trey kept saying "that last song was... Icculus." I thought it was fucking hilarious. I kind of got into the mindset that Trey was a mellow cat who only spoke when the set or show was ending... and even then it was only "stay right there, we'll be right back!" I thought it was great to here him ramble on about random shit. It was Icculus... come on! Anyone who didn't enjoy Trey's Icculus... come on! Anyone who didn't enjoy Trey's diatribe during the third set needs to go back and revisit the end of disc two on Junta. keep on space truckin... mIKe h.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 08:46:42 -0400 From: Matt Tobey [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: review for volney In response to many of these negative reviews: This past weekend was my first live phish experience. Simply put, Phish took me on an *amazing* trip. A trip with some of the most intense and joyful moments of my entire life.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 01:44:15 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Trey stay OFF THE PIPE Oswego was fun as hell. A few observations...... Trey PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! Take three hits of the pipe instead of 30!!! You embarassed yourself in the 3rd set Sunday nite SHUT UP AND PLAY YER GUITAR!!!!!!!!! Everyone please lighten up. I know everyone thinks that the BIG SUMMER SHOW (Oswego, Went, Wheel) is supposed to be the end all of all Phish shows. Everyone wants to hear their favorites, but it is just not possible. I know alot of the songs played were Trey tunes.....soooo??? Just go to the show with an open mind and enjoy!!!
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 22:24:30 PDT From: Eric Gamache [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 7/18 review of reviews Right on, Chadd. You don't have to dance around in order to be completely into a show! Sometimes the music moves you physically, other times it takes you deep within yourself, if you let it. I think Mike had a PHENOMENAL weekend, and just because he only sang lead once doesn't mean he was left out. To me, Mike is at his all-time best as far as his musicianship goes. As for Trey being too over the top, Trey is Trey and always will be! What did he do that was any different than in shows/years past? He has always taken the most leads, sung the most, talked the most, etc. He is the main creative force behind Phish; the rest of the band know this and respect it. They've been together this long without anyone leaving in a huff, they each know how they work best together, and I think that if any of the other 3 had a problem with Trey, they would tell him or simply leave. These guys are 4 of the freest thinkers around today, they would NEVER let themselves get into a situation where somebody was unhappy and stiffling it. As for song frequency, so what if they played a bunch of these songs last week? They played 46 songs this weekend! Some songs were bound to match! Perhaps you'd be happier if they only played each song ONCE and never got a chance to try for that one, magical time when the song clicks and they take a bow. I'm just glad that I FINALLY got to hear Guelah - after 43 shows! Let go of your expectations. If they become too much, don't go to the shows! Finally, I thought the scene was the MOST BEAUTIFUL Phish scene I have ever experienced! I went by myself and found that all I had to do was open my mouth to just about anyone, and I had a new phriend. Please everyone, enjoy the shows or don't come at all so I don't have to be shut out ever again! eric [email protected]
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 23:36:18 -0400 From: Nicole Gabai [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Too much of a good thing This concert was the longest Phish show ever and it felt that way. I appreciate that Phish does not pander to its audience and challenges them ever night, but you need to feel a crowd and know the mood. I did not drive ten hours and sit in a four hour traffic jam to hear four songs with Del McCoury (four songs!). Throughout the weekend the song selection was baffling. No Suzie Greenberg, No 2001, No Possum, Antelope -- many songs I heard in New Jersey two nights before. By the end of this marathon the crowd, having fryed in the sun was exhausted and barely with a pulse. The band also seemed dead tired and bored (how to explain the silly Smoke on the Water cover and endless chatter on the Guinness record). I think they may have thought in the third set of playing more crowd favorites, as opposed to b-level cover tunes, long solos or obscure tunes (Icculus??) at this late hour to keep the crowd into it. There was no applause before the encore. I think people just wanted to go to bed. No mas. Too much of a good thing is still too much. It was also quite odd that the band made no mention whatsoever to the fact that all these people had dealt with a three hour traffic jam to get in the facility and were camping for two days with them. I felt like I was just at every other show to the band. I would have thought the energy and excitment in Volney would have been unique, but the New Jersey shows earlier in the week had much more of a buzz. Next time I stay closer to home and sleep much better.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 22:15:44 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Eric Helming's 7/18 review Having read Eric Helming's "review" of Oswego, 7/18, I felt compelled enough to spend five minutes commenting on his commenting. Having seen Phish 30+ times since '92, I have become a well devoted phan who also collects tapes and makes it a goal to see them 6 or more times a year. I have met people at shows with attitudes, or I should I say opinions who mirror his. It's puzzeling the difference in opinion from person to person. I guess it all comes down to what you look for in a Phish concert experience. In my opinion, Phish is the greatest recording and live act there is today. They only become more adventurous, more dareing, more creative as the years pass. No one comes even close to Phish. Each member excels at their individual instrument and create a work of auditory art of which becomes greater than the pieces combined. I don't expect Phish to be "on" every time I see them. And I realize that musicians such as Phish realize that to let go completely of all direction and melody, sometimes leads to pure blissful perfection. Improvisation = on the spot creation, like Jerry Garcia during a 1969 Darkstar. Totally new and unplanned. Thats Phish at their best. No structure. What Trey might be trying to say is that a bad night of Phish, is better than a good night in front of your MTV. Mind altering drugs are a big part of letting your brain and body enter a state of no structue where dormant parts of the brain have the opportunity to open their eyes, show their faces and create. You know, maybe people who share Eric's opinions should stay home in front of their TVs. Leave the extra tickets to those of us who will appreciate a bad night with a truly great band. Even better, though, open your mind. Listen. Be patient and expand your attention. Then Phish will truly love you and you will will learn to love them. Happy trails. -Chadd
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 20:54:13 -0400 From: Captain Morgan [email protected] To: [email protected], [email protected] Subject: 7.18.99 Rocked Are you kidding me?! I keep hearing is all this negativity. I can't claim to be the greatest Phish 'fan' ever and when I hear certain songs every once in a while I go "what song is this?" but the Sunday show ROCKED. All you people out by the permimeter speakers were missing out on the show. Of course all those people were laying down! It's time for them to get off the drugs and back to real life for a while to once again appreciate what they seem to now be taking for granted. I was smack dab in front of the stage and people were going nuts. The second set kicked so much ass. For about a full minute after the band walked off the stage people just stood there looking around like they had just been transported onto an alien spaceship. What the fuck?! was the only thing going through our heads. Anyway, I feel sorry for the people who only consider a show to be good if it's go lots of rare shit. You guys take this stuff way too seriously. Geez.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 20:04:04 EDT From: address deleted To: [email protected] Subject: oswego night two I was not at Oswego but I still want to comment after reading some of the reviews from this show and other shows from this tour. I consider myself a big phish fan. I'll admit it: my first album was Hoist. From there I branched out and learned more about the band, it's history, and eventually became more familiarized with their past. I even have a decent tape collecgoing these days. I've only seen them six times. Usually, I see them once a year when the tour came to Phoenix (now DC area... college). While I've seen them more times than many people, there are still others who blow me out of the water. the point I'm making here is this: NONE OF THIS MEANS SHIT! They're a band. I like them. You like them. Some people travel. Some people don't. Great. Fine. Good for you. However, everyone seems to be making them out to be something other than that... some god-like creature which never errors and when it does, seises to be Godlike. Remember this: There IS a God, and that God is the same God who created ice cream and lower back pain in the same day. So, in summing up my retarded analogy, cut them some freiken slack. Let them have their fun and have some yourself. If you find the band boring now or not godlike enough for you... STOP GOING TO SHOWS. I'd love to see them tell the world tomorrow that they are over and Phish no longer exists. Watch... all of a sudden you'd give your left leg to here Wilson AGAIN while Trey was missing notes and coming down from some high. You'd LOVE to hear Page just take a backseat for most of the show while Trey goes apeshit. Don't wait til it's all over to realize what a moron you are sounding like. Thanks, kids. Be good. By the way... I was at Virginia Beach and it SUCKED. Just kidding. - Jarrett
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 20:56:10 -0500 From: "Yach, Jason" [email protected] To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: phan reviews I wholeheartedly agree with Jarrett on his c0mmentary. What would some of you people do if Phish was no longer around. As i sit here at work listening to my copy of the Dead at Oakland 10/9/76,you know how many times they played samson and delilah that year,almost every friggin night, yet i would still give my left nut to have been there, unfortunately i was too young, i say to you please people enjoy what we have here before it's too late and don't become spoiled.(every night is magical in some way).... and yes these reviews, for the most part disgust me esspecially when i read about a lot of people writing how they called the opener or how they refer to how many shows they've been to blah blah blah, or how about the one where the guy claiming he isn't the greatest phish phan ever, whatever why does it depend on the number of shows and all that or when you bought their first album. it's like people trying to brag without appearing that they're bragging but it's pretty obvious. who cares i've only seen 7 shows and didn't start listening until '93, and i consider myself a very hardcore phan. i don't care what anyone thinks. sorry to bore you ,later....
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 14:52:23 -0500 From: Eric Helming [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Sunday July 18, 1999 Oswego New York Name: Eric Helming E.Mail: [email protected] Subject: The Oswego Experience As a ten year veteran of many "scenes" from coast to coast, I feel that I may be able to offer some insights to the strange occurances that recently took place between the hills of Volney, New York. Leaving Long Island at 8:00 Friday, we expected to encounter little difficulty through the 280 mile trip leading to the site upstate. Some twelve hours later, we finally were able to lay down our tent on a dusty patch of Earth that was to become "our" home for the next three days. Thousands of others were in the same situation. Three hours to go twelve miles, rocky campsites and high temperatures will put any thinking man in the mood for strong medicine. Approaching the cars surrounding ours, we got mixed receptions: we asked: "can we borrow some soap?" "I've only got a little, sorry." We asked" have you hit any other shows on the tour?" "Yeah, Camden, and they were a travesty. They played, like" Wilson", and it was so slow. They better play better tonight." We asked: "What do you think we will hear tonight?" " I don't know, but it better rock!" Some what shocked at these unkind and highly critical attitudes, we explored the grounds. Every phisical need could be met at the site, from water, ice , newspapers and coffee. We waited and used the phones. We examined the marshmallows on the sticks. Well-planned, well-thought out and very very conscientious on the part of the band and the organizers. We walked to the runway and played catch with a baseball. The blistering sun started to set. Entering the concert area at the last minute, we settled in front of the last block of speakers on the right side. We were a long way from the stage, giving us a very impersonal feel. Kind of like being at home in front of the stereo. A LIMP cheer from the front signaled that the boys had come out. The show begins. The sound is solid. The lights are not in full effect, but soon. Each song sounds carefully selected and well rehearsed. No one moves from the blankets. No one sings along. Dancing is restricted to slight side to side swayings. Many lay flat on their backs. This is the opposite of what is happening on stage. As each key is reached, higher and higher, the music becomes a controlled chaos of positive muscianship, each party contributing and then pulling back. It is not the maniac frenzy that I had seen in places like Ames or Omaha, years earlier, but more surgical and controlled. Professional. Friends gather and leave the stage, allowing the band to stretch beyond the normal setlist confines to have some more fun. Mutterings from behind me, "When are these guys going to split?" "This is so slow, speed it up!! " Who the hell are those guys?" The impersonal feel of the show begins to gnaw away at me. The band has worked for years to achive moments like these, and all much of the crowd can think of is how Trey bricked the ending to "Taste" the night before, and where are all the "sick "jams. When the second set arrives, very few people participate in the "Meatstick" dance, to our incredulous disappointment. Which brings back the original questions. reviewing the show. I do not feel qualified or arrogant enough to critique a show "song by song". I just come to have some fun. It is in the interest of fun that the band holds these celebrations. The fun of traveling, planning, waiting, anticipating, meeting new friends and catching up with old partners, new experiences and personal growth. Who cares if PYITE was the also the opener in Homdel? Why do people have to slag "Brian and Robert" as a "throw away song". For any band that will put forth the love, care and effort that Phish did to bring seventy thousand people together, my favorite song is whatever they decide to play next. As long as the band has fun, I will have fun. A weekend of armchair quaterbacking and second guessing leaves us scratching our collective heads at five EXCELLENT sets, dissected to death, drained of fun, bleed of emotion, by an apathetic critical throng.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 16:37:54 -0400 From: Mallexpo To: [email protected] Subject: My Last Show ever! First of all too many people! We think that Phish was wrapped up in their persuit of getting their names into the "Guiness Book of World Records" rather than playing music for their fans. Next Trey was too fucked up to even play and complete any songs in the third set on the 18th.(The worst set I have ever seen) Instead of "surrendering to the flow" he acted like a main stream guitar player. There are three other members in the band who are equally talented and deserve the same amount of spotlight as Super Trey. Stay off the Drugs! Another complaint of ours is that we and the rest of the fools who showed up for this event were ripped off by Trey. Page songs 0 Mike songs 1, only after Treydog couldn't deside what HE wanted to play. The other thing that scares us is the fact that why SuperTrey was acting like a fool, all his "phans" were dancing around and acting like this was the best thing that ever happend. We for the first time in our lives left the show early because we as "fans" were embarassed, sickend, and pissed off at his horrible guitar playing and his speech during the third set that made him out to be a hipocrite.(If anybody was listening to what he was rambling on about he told us to stop watching TV and pick up a "fucking book" while he stood there and told us that he has 85 channels on his tour bus.) The only postive thing about the weekend was that Page played great. Finally, this is one of the hardest things that we have ever had to write. For the last four years we have watched Phish and listened to them enjoying every moment. But, whatever you guys had its gone. Everyone needs to relax, stop the pushing, cutting, and arguing and listen to what they are actually playing instead of being wrapped up in the fact that its Phish. This is no longer the Phish from Burlington that we once danced to. Instead, its some multi-million dollar rock band who has cannot even finish their songs. In conclusion, I am not bitter only saddend.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 06:37:46 PDT From: pete hunsberger [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Mallexpo's 7/18 review The review of the 7/18 show submitted by Mallexpo is beyond belief. I did not attend the show, but was appalled by what I read. This overlycritical review solidifies my theory that some people need not speak. What's the use of bashing the greatest live act on the planet? I think an overused cliche sums it up: If they suck, lets see you do any better. I am fed up with listening to people complain about stuff. Sure, I've only been to 4 shows, and when I goto 3 more in Alpine and Deer Creek, I really hope to hear some rare songs and covers. However, if the shows are standard, I will still be happy. I go to Phish shows to experience their greatness, and ALWAYS come away satisfied, because I know what a treat it is to hear the greatest band alive. In my opinion, your just mad because you recently realized that you were not the only person to realize Phish's greatness, and now feel like your not original anymore. Your ego is so big that you can't think for yourself anymore, and instead bash the concert which is allegedly the longest Phish show in history. Do all of us a favor and DONT goto anymore Phish shows, especially if your going to bitch and whine. You want to be "ripped off"? Check out a Dave Matthews show. Ridiculous-
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 11:17:13 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: This piece 'o' mail goes out to MR. MALLEXPO Hey, I was not at the Oswego shows and I was very saddened by this. I would have love to have been there, dancing for hours on end in the middle of the 70,000 other phans. That may seem a little to crowded for you but whenever I see that many other people all coming to see the same four guys I came to see I get a good and awe inspired feeling within. I was just recently at Holmdel, NJ on Friday and I have a great time. The parking area scene was wonderfull, lots of good folks just shootin' the breeze and minimal security if any. But I'll admit, once inside and on the hill I wondered, "what the hell is this?" there was what looked to be a mini mall at the bottom right of the hill, a bunch of guys with megaphones telling us to move foreward, and a National Anthem pumping loudly in my face. But as soon as Phish came out with Sample in a Jar, I just didnt care anymore. It was me, the phans, and Phish. I came to see Phish and thats what I was going to do. I was not about to let surrounding elements ruin my experience. And as for your comments on Trey acting a bit strange and clumsy.........thats Trey for you! Whats your problem? My friends that were there said they never saw Trey havin' such a good time. All I have to say is why don't you let go of all your anlyzations and just go to the shows anyway and lighten up a little. Hey Mallexpo...... EVERYONE DOWN THE HAPPY SLIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~~~~~WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 15:05:02 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: 7-18-99 review After an amazing saturday show, and an entire weekend that oozed with fun and good vibes, Phish took the stage sunday with the purpose of wowing all the cats in Oswego.... Came out after 5:30 and opened with.... Punch You In The Eye: Always great as an opener, and it rocked, but seemed a little off-kilter or weird. I've also seen this song 3 out of my last five shows. So I might be the only person who's sick of this song Farmhouse: Over the years Phish has learned how to play ballads better, and this was a prime example of a beutiful ballad. Really well placed too. Great solo by Trey Water: The song that foreshadowed the ho-down to come, nice version w/ a little improv. Bathtub:YES!! Opening keyboards were insanely weird and funky. Like much of the weekend's music, this was slow, dark, and eerie. Nonetheless, the jam went somewhere interesting, so it was phat. GBOTT: Del McCroury and his band came out for this one. The crowd got festive and a ho-down ensued. Call me If You need A Fool: Mike sang this one, with both bands, and it got the crowd movin'. Nice vocal by Mike. Blue and Lonesome: One of Garcia's favorite tunes, Done by Del and Phish. This was the highlight of the mini-bluegrass set for me. Beauty: A Del McCroury original, done by both bands. Really sounded excellent. Momma Dance: Aww,Yeah!!! The funk returns, slow and eerie, Pretty standard version, which means it grooved hard. Reba: This song sounds better in 1999 than it ever has. excellent spacey version, complete with whistling and no ending. Chalkdust: I thought the set would end with Reba, but Trey wanted to blow everyone's heads off before set break, which he usually seems to. Rocking as usual, great way to end the set SET II Runaway Jim: what an set opener!! Thet went through the standard part, and took rightr off into some of the most intense jamming I've ever heard. They came on close to sun down jammed all the way till dusk and segued into... Free: WOW!! Really well placed and epic this time. Middle funk jam was spectacular, as the sky turned to night. Great combo.... Meatsick: Time to break the world record. First time hearing this song, very catchy and groovy. But like others said really weak on the participation factor for this song. I hope we really did break the record. Guyute: Standard rocking version. Considering how tight the band is now, it was nothing short of breathtaking. Extra soloing in the Queenish releaser part of the tune. always a good song to hear. Axilla I: Great way to keep the place rocking. standard and rockin'. Llama: Crazy , spacet set closer which got everyone movin', and anticipating the third and final set. Set III My Soul: I swear everytime I see Phish play the blues,r&b, or soul I feel Like I'm in that scene in the Blues Brothers where they play that ball room, and they place is absolutely groovin' all over the place. That's a great feeling. great blues jam, They sounded like a great r&b act. Piper: Second time hearing this song and I wasn't dissapointed. The glow stick war in this was incredible, and the jam was out of this galaxy. The song went through turns, peaks, and valleys for around 30 minutes before the slow start of an epic......Caspian: The Caspian was slow and glorious, but no less better than any other versions. They went some interesting places during the jam Wilson: Rocking, well-paced wilson w/o the blap-boom part and instead Catapult: complete with trippy beatles-esque music accompanying it with exta vocal by the rest of the band. Awesome Icculus: cool version with Trey saying to shut off the the T.V. and ":read a fuckin' book". which turns out to be the helping,phriendly book. Trey rants about how Heavy metal is bad, except Deep Purple, which prompts them to play the first verse of Smoke on the water(everyone screamed the "Frank Zappa and the mothers" line). Trey then says that song and Cat Scratch fever are the same song, and proceeds to jam on that. They then tease the Stones "Miss You" complete with "o-o--o-oh"'s. Trey then jokes abour breaking another world record by playing a continuous chord, which he says is E, and hopes everyone doesn't mind waiting 3-4 hours. really great banter. The song itself was standard, but of course rare and cool. Mighty Quinn: Trey says this was a request by the Bass Player Micheal Jordan(the g is soft). This couldn't have come at a better point. Great version really got the crowd movin'. Fluffhead: what a way to close a set excellent version as usual, great way to close the final set. Encore:Harry Hood: Complete with glow stick war, pretty standard version which means it was great. During the written section, lots of interesting jamming during the break parts of the song After the Hood encore, there were Fireworks wqhich were trippy and awe-inspiring. A great show with alot of different music. The weekend was great with only bad point being the heat, but, had a blast see you next millenium on summer tour!!!!!
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 17:09:52 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Review of Oswego 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." Althought 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: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:17:44 -0400 From: Your Name [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: camp oswego this was my first phish show. i read a lot of people with nothing but negative remarks. if this show didn't rock. other shows must have kicked ass! i personally thought it was a great experiance. and i am definately going to more. i just wanted to say i had a great time. the scene was so friendly and laid back. no fights , no trouble, nothing but a good time. i had a blast. one thing i really enjoyed was the fireworks at the end of the 3rd set on sunday. i was sitting on the hill close the fence. and i must say i have never been so close and so moved by fireworks before. just the way the band played and the lights were jammin' total incredible show. once again, i had a great F*CKING TIME! r.i.p robert nesta marley! peace!
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 15:30:19 -0500 From: Naughton [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 7/18 What is with this mallexpo guy? Sellouts? Huh? I haven't seen a show this year. The only glimpse of Trey I have had was the Phil & Phriends run. From my point of view he looked like a completly content, lucid, humble man that was tearing shit up. Anybody hear the UJB jam from that weekend? What, did he turn into a jerk in 3 months? No, I think the answer I will find this weekend is Trey is Trey. Maybe he stopped ranting and raving and tearing shit up, because he can't stand reading about dumb asses analyzing his every word. I guess he will have to go back to politely saying "we will be back in 5 min. Or "thanks we had a great time. Maybe that's why we didn't hear a word from Jerry in those last years. I would have loved to hear him go off. That is what Icculus is all about. Maybe you don't remember those days. I do. I hope I will be lucky enough to see Trey with his guard down...but I am not optimistic given the comments on the web and on the .rec page.
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