8-3-01 - Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, NY

Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 19:47:56 -0400
From: Mike T [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Jones Beach Review...
 
Last night was my fifth Trey show of this tour, and I just feel so lucky to
have had the time and opportunity to see a new band of talented musicians
learning how to play together beneath the watchful eye of an inspired
composer.  I have become quite accustomed to the music, which in a way makes
it that much more enjoyable for me.  Although I was hooked on this band the
first time I heard their new sound...  Last night was the first time this
tour I had actually had an opportunity to enjoy a parking lot.  My previous
shows I had left myself only an hour or so to park, do a little shopping,
and get into the show.  Fortunately the security at Jones Beach was way more
chill than I had remembered them being in the past, or maybe I was just
lucky that they seemed to avoid driving down our row too frequently...
Walking around the parking lot I ran into some old friends, and met some
super-cool people which I am totally psyched about because it isn't often
that I leave a show with email addresses I will actually put to use...  The
guy parked next to me offered me up a pair of red-lensed oversized glasses,
which after a couple of rolls I had on me for a special occasion kicked in,
brought me to a new understanding of world order: redality (red-reality)...
They also brought compliments from just about everyone I passed which was
awesome, and I offered some of the more genuine complimentors a glimpse at
my redality.
Show was a lot of fun.  First set highlights for me were Last Tube, which is
a song that I feel has changed so much this tour, and has become a killer
tune, Cayman Review, which I like to also call Single #1, not in a cynical
way, but I just think if marketed correctly this Trey Anastasio album that
is being worked on could actually appeal to some folks who aren't pholks,
and may offer Trey a brief shot at big-time commercial success.  It probably
will not happen, but if they lay some of these songs out in 4-5 minute
tracks, you never know.  Of course I would rather trade the shows on CDs and
hear the songs like they are meant to be played.  Moesha also rocked in the
first set, Single #2.
One highlight away from the music itself for me was the person who took it
upon themselves to give the amphitheatre a laser light show on the large
screen going unused to the right of the stage.  Everytime I looked up, the
solighter was drawing patterns on the screen and entertaining me pretty
well...  Thank you solighter whomever you are.
Second set really took off, as it seems to happen in these shows.  Money,
Love, Change, Single #3  was played with incredible energy, and included
beautiful solos from the brass section.  Then came what I have not dubbed a
single, but do think has become the show-stopper song of the tour: Plasma.
I heard the first Plasma in Berkeley on 7/14...  What a ways that song has
come!  The Plasma I saw at Merriweather was definitely the highlight of that
show, and last night's Plasma would have been the highlight of that show had
there been no encore.  Mr. Completely, Single #4 is a great Rock & Roll
song, and seems to give Trey a chance to play some true Rock & Roll for us.
I love that song.  At The Gazebo was beautiful as always, although nothing
will ever compare in my mind to the one I saw on 7/14 when I was dancing in
the row directly underneath the soundboard and tapers, with a straight on
view of the wonderful, old facade of the Greek illuminated by Chris Kuroda's
genius work on the lights.  Is this man not a genius?  But the song itself
could never grow old for me.  What a great composition that is...  I could
see Ken Burn's grabbing it for a documentary some day.  Sand was great,
although in some ways nothing like the rest of the set.
Then the encore.  A phan sitting next to me had noticed the break between
the set-closer and the encore was taking a little longer than expected.  He
turns to me and says, 'they are setting up for Mike Gordon.'  I was like,
'right.'  Sure enough Mike Gordon comes walking out.  I had not heard the
rumors floating around the parking lot, so I was shocked.  I gave my
row-mate an 'amazing-call' thumb's up, and took in the scene.
First of all, I love this scene because what a bunch of music nerds we all
are.  The crowd was absolutely reverent as Mike and Trey worked their way
through Mist and Back on The Train...  The words from Back on The Train were
sung so genuinely, that had I never heard the song before, I would have
believed it was written just for that occasion.  Bathtub Gin was a lot of
fun to see and the crowd seemed just giddy.  I saw so many people smiling
uncontrollably, and giggling.  It was great!  Mike and Trey walked off with
their arms over each other's shoulders.  Pretty sweet.  Old phriends doing
their thing in front of an eager crowd...  It was really kind of an
emotional encore...  and it convinced me to make the trip up to SPAC to
catch one more show this tour.  Everyone stay cool.

Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 17:53:15 -0400
Richard Otto   [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Jones Beach Trey Review
 
Magical!
 
        That is the only way I can describe last night's show at Jones Beach
Amphitheater. Let me set the scene, we begin our journey in NE PA, still
recovering from the debauchery and bliss of the Mann show in Philli, which
was intensely sweet in all ways, musically, vibe, venue, and crowd. We
undertook the long journey knowing it would be a struggle to cross NYC on a
Friday, but willing to do it for Trey. 4+ hours later, 2 in an area that
should have taken an 1/2 hour to cross, we arrive at the venue. It is in a
park by the shore, and we were pleasantly surprised when we left behind the
tension and traffic of the city to arrive at this oasis. The amphitheater is
next to the sea, and thus there is a consistent breeze in the area, which
made the parking lot very cool, on what could have been a hot steamy day.
The scene in the lot was much less happening as compared to the Mann, which
was a park that surrounds the venue and allowed everyone to hang out. Jones
Beach is a large concrete parking lot, but it is next to the beach so you
can go down to the water. We hung out for awhile, met some friends, got
ourselves hooked up, and then headed into the show. The amphitheater is very
nice, well laid out, though the lack of beer could be corrected :) We went
to our tapers seats, set up, and prepared for the show. Lights go down,
TREY!!!!!
        The first set was tasty with many long jams, my highlights being Actin 
the
Devil, Flock of Words, and Moesha which really kicked. As was the case the
night before at the Mann, the first set was tasty, and it left us waiting
for the second set to kick in. All during the night, a fine wind was blowing
through the crowd, keeping it nice and cool, especially after some dancing.
Flanking the stage, we could see the water, and there was a slight salt
taste to the air, mingled with green and tobacco smoke. The between set
music fades, the lights go down, the roar comes from the crowd, set two is
here!
        I was blown away! They began by rocking into Money Love and Change, 
the
jams built back and forth, the band interplay was beautiful to behold. The
horn section is a great addition to the jam as it adds an raucous element to
the music. I felt the Hammond organ was supreme all night, setting up a
strong undercurrent that infused the jams with deep resonance. MLC melted
into Plasma which was powerful, Mister Completely rocked!, At the Gazebo was
super tasty, and Sand blew my mind with the multiple jam sequences. All the
band members seemed to be on as they traded licks and music back and forth.
At this point I was totally blissed out and happy after two shows, and was
ready for a sweet encore and then eventually home. What transpired turned
this from a great show that I really enjoyed, to a magical show that I will
never forget.
        After a longer than usual pause, Trey emerges with MIKE 
GORDON!!!!!!!!!!
The place ERUPTS in a screaming, clapping, giggling with madness explosion
of joy as people realize that not only is Mike on stage with Trey after all
of the rumors and concern about Phish, but they are going for instruments
and they are playing the encore, just two friends acoustic, like were all
sitting in the barn and they just show up to play. I was speechless,
stunned, and overjoyed. I looked around and saw expressions of wonder as the
wave of applause and cheers resounded as they set up. They kinda gave each
other a look, and began with MIST! It was exquisite, the clean sound of the
acoustic guitar of Trey and Mike's subtle bass lines melded into amazingly
powerful music. After they finished, I looked at my buddy and we couldn't
speak, we were in bliss-shock. Then as I look up, I realize they are picking
up other instruments to play, a second encore! Now its Mike and Trey on
acoustics for Back on the Train, which is played with soul and deftness. It
felt like we were seeing the song at its root level, soooo good! Well, I was
totally blown away, and expected them to thank us, and for us to thank them,
when they go for new instruments. Third song!!! Now its Mike back on bass
and Trey on guitar for a TITANIC Bathtub Gin, that rolled on and on, with
the crown adding the missing elements by humming them, and Mike and Trey
seemed taken aback by the love that was flowing from the crowd, (mixed with
giggles from people who were so blown away they were just in bliss). After
the THIRD encore, they actually made a move to go for other instruments for
a fourth encore, but one of the roadies came out to ask him to end it, and
he did with humble praise for the venue and the crowd and then walked off
stage arm around Mike's shoulders. WOW!!!
        All I could do was sit down in my seat and smoke a cig and try and 
grasp
what had just happened. I looked to my friends and they were between stunned
and jumping for joy. Amazing! One of the most next level shows I have ever
seen, Awesome. We walked out, and they were selling posters with the date of
the show, we had seen them before, and wondered why this show was dated,
well, now we knew. Back in the parking lot, the ride home, talking and
reliving the experience made the ride glide by, hours passed quickly, and we
were soon home, glad to be alive, and sure that there was no place we would
have rather been on the planet then at that show.
        PS. We came out of the show, and there was a guy next to use selling 
drinks
and water. I asked him what he thought of the show, and he said, well I left
before the encores to come out here and sell water, that's what I think
about it, but I gotta make a living. Me and my buddy at the same time said
'bummer' and we all kinda turned away. Damn, that was some expensive water
gunga din!    THANKS TREY and MIKE!!!

Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 09:52:55 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Review: 8-3-01  Jones Beach
 
Expectations are misleading.  I walked into the newly re finished theatre
(nice job) with just one show of the Trey Anastasio ensemble (Roseland) under
my belt.  I wasn't going in expecting Phish, for I would be misleading
myself, like so many people there were. I was going to see one of the most
influencial composers in my life show me some of his new ideas, and
hopefully, make me shake my ass in the process.
 
Well, after Burlap Sack and Pumps it was officially over.  Trey had shown me
all that ever made me love him in a matter of minutes and relentlesly kept
tearing into me, leaving no trace of him inside me anywhere.  The energy was
raw and it was ripping me to shreds.  The moon was rising and the kids were
starting to get off.  Trey and band rise to the occasion.  The first set had
the flow and control of a 2nd set by this other band i knew once.  New
arrangement of Last Tube was gorgeous and the drop of Cayman Review was funk
central.
 
Second set was my personal debut of Money, Love and Change>Plasma and I dug
the breakdowns.  Much more mellow tone to this set than the first, with Trey
and Jen doing their fly as hell dance number in front of a captive audience.
The set tumbled to its close as Sand expanded and faded into the Long Island
skyline.  Talk of Gordon was everywhere, and the extra monitor brought on at
set break made it quite apparent.  But what happened when he did come out
made a lot of things hit home for me.
 
Of all things Trey could say when Gordo comes out, he choses "This is
internationaly acclaimed movie director Mike Gordon".  What the hell is that
Trey?  It just sounded so bad.  Then at the end, Trey just blabbed about
coming out to support his new music and stood as far away from Gordon as
possible.
 
I AM NOT ONE OF YOU BASTARDS WHO OVER ANALYZE THE PHISH HIATUS AND THE DRAMA
THAT COMES WITH IT, but that was blatent and raw Trey ego on that stage and
it made me sad.  Taking two steps back as I always do, though, the music was
phat and I had a great time.
 
You can't hold on to everything.  These miracles in sound will come and go
and we must keep the idea of them with us always, but be ready to embrace new
forms of dance as they present themselves.  Life is too short.  Thank you for
listening and I'll see you at Greatwoods!

Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 04:13:25 -0700
From: Thomas Duddy 
To: [email protected]
Subject: Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Michael Gordon
 
It was a truly great moment during bathtub gin with Mike and Trey soaking in
the audience participation!  It was truly great to see Mike and Trey together
again!
 

Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 02:39:39 -0400
From: Bec & Adam address withheld
To: [email protected]
Subject: jones beach review
 
first and foremost i have to say that tonight's show gave me one of my
greatest phish moments ever. tonight's encore is on par with the terrapin
from 98 on the third anniversary of jerry's death (i was not there and only
heard the screams and cries of the crowd on tape). tonight after 2 kicking
sets of trey and the horns including a ripping money love and change, a
rocking mr. completely, and even a hot moesha, the lights were down for the
encore and out comes a green shirt with a huge hairdew on top. it was mike.
the crowd let out a collective gasp and scream. trey followed him onstage and
the two of them sat down up front and picked up their acoustics and played
the most beautiful, crystal clear mountains in the mist. a near full red moon
watched us all. the crowd was dead quiet and showed the utmost respect
knowing what was happening right before their eyes. i was teary-eyed and
shaking. i was also completely sober and wouldn't have had it any other way
since i remember every single note of this encore. when they finished, the
applause was tremendous and people were just smiling and cheering like they
had just seen phish reunite. that was how it felt. but it wasn't over. trey
introduced mike as 'for those of you who might not know, this is
film-directing extraordinaire michael gordon.' a quick switch of guitars
(still acoustic) and they went into get back on the train. it was really
grooving and the lyrics took on added meaning and the crowd cheered in
recognition of this. everybody was jumping. but it still wasn't over. mike
picked up a bass and trey strummed into bathtub gin. the place went bananas.
i couldn't stop laughing and jumping up and down. trey and mike let the crowd
take three rounds of the do-do-do humming part and the last time around it
was just the crowd doing it in the most unbelieveable whispered hushed tone
in the breezy night air. i was shit-grinned and almost crying. this was one
of the most amazing moments of my phish experience. as they finished, someone
screamed out 'thank you!' people were hugging each other when they were done.
trey thanked the crowd for being so supportive as they try out new
directions. trey and mike got up, hugged each other and walked offstage with
their arms around each other's backs. i left with the knowing feeling that
they WILL be back one day and that day will be the only thing that could top
tonight. have a great summer folks!

Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 12:58:28 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 8/3 Jones Beach- trey
 
MIKE GORDON!  The show was solid although in my opinion not as good as
PNC.... until the encore.  Mike was the first to walk out and the whole place
went nuts.  Mike and Trey played an amazing "mist" that truly had the
audience (who had been talkative) completely captivated and silent.  They
then did "Back on the Train" acoustic which was nice.  But the highlight was
definetely "Bathtub Gin"- the audience sang along- screaming "we love to take
a bath" and then (very amusingly) sang the central guitar part to the song.
Trey thanked everyone after the song- seemingly on behalf of phish more than
on behalf of him or his band, for sticking with them through this transition-
"from the bottom of his heart."  Trey and Mike then walked off with there
arms around each other like old buddies.  It was an amazing moment.  And
Phish isn't anywhere near over.

Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 11:36:03 -0400
From: dave [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Jones Beach
 
Solid show...very well played            throughout.  The encore was not a
surprise as the rumor in the lot was Gordon showing up.  Add that to the fact
that they set up additional equipment at setbreak, and you knew it was
coming.
 
First came Mountains in the Mist.  Mike's bass was clearly out of tune, but
eventually everything was smooth.  It was great to hear this song, but even
better just to see Mike and Trey together on stage.  Back on the Train was
next, and Mike put down the bass and picked up an acoustic guitar.  This song
was played well, and Mike and Trey were playing nicely off eachother.  Afte
some Trey/Mike chatting, Mike put on the electric bass again, and they belted
out Bathtub Gin.  The crowd did their part, but sounded like the Red Rocks
crowd was a little more on.  Upon completion of Gin, Trey and Mike were ready
to go into another tune, but someone came out (brad sands i think) and told
Trey had had to cut it off.  Trey then thanked the crowd many times (thank
you for supporting the new music, I couldn't do it without you, I really
appreciate it, etc).  Mike and Trey did a quasi-hug and then walked of stage
arms drapped over eachother.  The music in the encore was not spectacular,
but seeing Mike and Trey together did it for me.
 
PS - Mike had his lime green shirt...guess he always wears it.

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