From cdirksen@earthlink.net Sat Dec 12 16:21:12 1998
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 1998 00:09:47 -0800 (PST)
From: Charles Dirksen 
To:  dan@netspace.org
Subject: Phish in Vegas reviews.. 


HALLOWEEN
10/31/98 Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

I was VERY impressed by the creativity of the costumes that people
were wearing... beautiful and often hysterical costumes everywhere
(though there were too many Hunter S. Thompsons and superheroes).
Though proud to be in a community with so much creative spirit, there
were enough drunk, insensitive and thoughtless kids running amok to
remind me that It's Not All Good.

Show opened with the *real* Axilla.  No Pt.II lyrics or ending.  Got
the crowd pumped up from the start.  PYITE began well with a groovy,
somewhat extended opening, but the Trey-flubs later on in the version
unfortunately spit it into the "weak" category, imo. Roggae was
wonderful, though it didn't charm me as much as the 7/19 Shoreline
version, or many other versions from the summer.  It is one of my
favorite new Phish songs, though (wanted to state that bias..). I
thought the BIRDS in this set was excellent, and I was reminded of the
second version from the Island Tour (4/4/98 was it?).  Though it is
perhaps too early yet, I nevertheless wish this would be taken
somewhere less predictable soon.

Sneaking Sally was a mid-set surprise and treat, and though it funked
along well enough, didn't chart new territory (it wasn't as unique as
the Ominous Seapods version that I'd witnessed earlier in the day at
Legends Lounge).  The segue into Chalk Dust wasn't as smooth as it
could have been, but the Chalk Dust itself -- like the Birds -- was a
well-above-average version, as I heard it! And I'm not usually a fan
of this tune.  The > into Lawn Boy was impressively swift and clean,
taboot.  Lawn Boy was *really* appreciated by the audience (lots of
applause), even if the solo that Mike took in it wasn't anything
unusually inspired.

A 26min Mike's Groove!??  At this point in the set!??  I think many of
us assumed that we'd get three hour long (i.e., short) sets, and this
'groove smacked some folks upside the head for deigning to predict
Phish.  The Mike's Song had its moments (repetitive but forceful...
not really "funky"), and Frankie Sez was nice (I love this song), but
the real action came in the Weekapaug.  Trey clearly lost his mind
(and the band, it seemed, as well) at several points in this
all-over-the-place, neverending 'paug.  But everthing came around at
the end.  One hell of a great way to end the set!!

The second set, as you undoubtedly know by now, was the Velvet
Underground's "Loaded."  Get this VU CD, and get the tape of Phish
covering it.  If you are low on funds, though, get the *real* Velvet
Underground CD, viz., the first one, VU & Nico.  I wish Page had been
higher in the mix, particularly on "Train Round the Bend," but it was
a well-jammed set nonetheless, and certainly worth hearing -- whether
you are a fan of Lou Reed's or not [note: "Loaded" is closer to a Lou
Reed album, imo, than a VU album, given the absence of Cale].  Sweet
Jane, Rock & Roll and New Age were particularly inspired, imo.

If you are interested in comparisons with previous Halloweens,
well...  I'm biased because 10/31/94 is one of the best shows I've
ever seen, period (not so much musically... the "vibe" that night was
unforgettable though). The White Album was one of my favorites growing
up. I think Phish's performance of "Remain in Light" in 1996 was very
moving and *perfect* (it is ironically one of my favorite sets of
Phish). "Quadrophenia" in 1995 was also well-played and very
enjoyable, with some good jams.

The performance of "Loaded" last night, though, was MUCH more open and
free than any prior Halloween cover set, without question. Phish had
their way with "Loaded," and didn't "cover" it, really.  They
phishified Loaded's songs by taking full advantage of their Jamming
Potential.  Trey in particular seemed to be having a blast!!  I just
don't happen to enjoy these songs as much as I enjoy those on RiL, The
White Album, or Quadrophenia. Your mileage may, and hopefully does,
vary.

The third set last night was... was.. RISKY!  I talked to some people
who LOATHED IT, and others who LOVED IT, after the show.  I was/am
(strangely) in the middle.  I thought some of the ambient jamming out
of Wolfman's was repetitive dogshit (difficult to tolerate given how
little sleep I had had in the previous 40 hours), but enjoyed other
parts of the jam (the Wolfman's->Jam was around 30 minutes, I think).
Things picked up when Piper entered the picture, of course, but there
were still a fairly large number of people sitting down (including
me).  The jamming out of Piper was good, but not as unpredictable and
engaging as that on 8/8/98 at Merriweather.  This Wolfman's->Jam->
Piper->Jam was nevertheless risky improvsation, and I respect Phish
for trying to pull it off.  If that set (not to mention the improv of
10/29 and 10/30/98!) was any indication of the direction Phish is
heading this winter, we might be seeing & hearing shows that compete
with those of Fall 1995.  Might.

The Ghost was probably no more than 8-10 minutes or so, and seemed to
be going along just fine when Trey suddenly killed it by sustaining a
noise and leaving the stage.  Some speculated that he may have been
pissed at Mike, since very shortly before he left, he made some motion
at Mike with his hand.  But given that it was about five mins before
1am during the Ghost jam segment, Trey could have been honoring a 1am
curfew.  Whatever happened, the Ghost was the weakest version that I'd
ever heard, in light of the ending (which was the same sort of b.s.
ending that the ending to Halley's was on 7/20 in Ventura). The Monkey
encore wasn't anything amazing, even though I have always been amused
by this song (just not as amused as I once was).  Tweezer Reprise was
remarkably powerful and the crowd loved it.

All things considered, I had a wonderful time, though I don't expect
to spend that much time listening to the tapes. You ought to hear the
show for yourself (it was Halloween, after all!).  I hope to be
weeding it soon, of course. There was more improv last night than at
any past Halloween show (I think I have heard them all now), imo.  But
I prefer the 45 minute 10/31/95 You Enjoy Myself to anything that I
heard last night, musically speaking.

One final thing:  I've communicated with thousands of Phishnet folk,
and perhaps hundreds of those reading this post, over the past four or
so years that I've been Active in the Phish community, and I wanted to
thank you for that communication.  This is probably the last real show
review (i.e., review of a show I attended) that I will ever compose
for rec.music.phish, and I wanted to thank those of you who have cared
about my two cents enough to let me know about it. If it wasn't for
you I would not have cared, either. Thank you, and I wish you the
best!!  Please don't get the wrong idea here. I still **LOVE** Phish's
music, and I hope to see them again one day (it won't be anytime
soon). But I've been spending my vacation time Wading in a Wookie Sea
for too long, and I'm more interested in hearing the music than in
tolerating a scene that needs improvement.  It is a blessing that
a mob of Phish fans is allowed in anyone's backyard anymore, though
few fans seem to appreciate this fact.

two cents,
charlie

p.s.  KUDOS TO CHRIS for the wonderful light shows both nights!!


--------



------------------------------

Date:    Sun, 1 Nov 1998 17:46:14 -0800
From:    Cris Castello 
Subject: Quick Halloween Review...

I'm not interested in getting flamed etc., because this is just my
opinion, and it's an honest one, so don't take it as any more than that.
That said, the Halloween show was a big disappointment, and the 10/30 show
was far superior.

A quick run down of the 31st:

Set1:
Axilla - Nice surprise as an opener
PYITE, Roggae - Typically good
BOAF,Sally, Chalkdust - These were sweet. BOAF was well jammed with tons
of energy, as was Chalkdust and it was a pleasure to boggie to the funky
Sally!
Lawn Boy - Whatever, typical....
Mike's - WOW! Highlight of the show for me. Great stuff.
Frankie Says - Not a big fan...
Weekapaug - Typically good

Set II
I knew none of these songs, unfortunately for me, but it sounded great.
The combo of Sweet Jane and Rock and Roll were powerfully jammed. I think
had I known the album, I would've loved this, and as it was I really,
really liked it. Kind of an obscure choice though, I'm not sure many
people knew it at all.

Set III
This is where the big disappointments began....
Wolfman's - Okay start, but then they meandered into some horrendously
long space jam that didn't go anywhere interesting (to me) and all I kept
thinking was all the good shit they could be playing instead of screwing
around and making weird noises. I've heard many better Wolfman's, this was
below average, and the jam following was a waste of time, IMO.

Piper - Typically good. Don't know what else to say, they're all very
similar.

Ghost - Hands down the worst one I've ever heard. Just plain bad, as far
as Ghosts go - and I'm a huge fan of this song. It was like they said
"Oh, it's Halloween, we should play Ghost" and just went through the
motions. Totally uninspired. And then Trey just took off and the rest of
the band followed. At this point I'm thinking that this was a pathetic set
to finish off Halloween, and the encore must have to be huge. Not so....

Sleeping Monkey - Nice to hear and kind of fun, but not huge by any
stretch. And a big letdown for a Halloween encore after a lame third set.

Tweezer Reprise - Whatever, could we get more predictable? After Tweezer
without reprise on Friday, this was a given.

All in all, a fun weekend, but the 30th was the better show. Halloween set
three may have been the worst Phish set I've ever seen. I really didn't
like it. But check out set 2, "Loaded" - some good shit, and set one was a
blast as well.

Later,
Cris

----------


------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 3 Nov 1998 14:42:33 GMT
From:    PZerbo 
Subject: 10.30 & 10.31.98, Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas,
         NV: PZ Review (Part II)

10.30 & 10.31.98, Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV: PZ Review

Part II: 10.31.98

Woke up @ 11, and made tracks for the Luxor. I had received a tip from a
bartender there the day before, after I had mentioned I was experiencing a
little stiffness (hence my desire for a martini for which I was talking to
her): she suggested the Luxor spa. So for lunch, I had 2 bloodies, steak and
eggs, and a full spa, hot tub, and full-body rub down (no, not that kind!). I
highly, highly recommend this type of activity for your pre-show lunch! :-)
Refreshed, I headed over to the MGM for the rmp thingy. Great to see everyone,
many usual suspects as well as some new faces. Awesome to see Ellis, Kristen,
Charlie D, Charlie F., Heidi, Jamie, Rosemary, Joby, Paul, Marci, Jen & Erik,
everyone!

Paul C, Benjy and I then headed back to Paul's place at the Luxor, puffed, and
got ready for showtime. First was an important diversion: the fountain show in
front of the Bellagio. Wow. The entire time I was imagining Chris Kuroda doing
something to accompany this, just amazing, well worth the walk, thanks for
convincing us Benjy! CK must go nuts in Vegas with the light shows... of course
they blow Chris away, but he does more with less, if you gave him a 100
kazillion dollar budget, I'm sure he'd come up with something equally groovy!
:-)

Getting a cab to the venue was a MAJOR pain, we ended up catching one at
Bally's after a long wait. Scene at the show was -much- more packed than the
night before, and the ticketless were in full force. The line was insane, but
fortunately I was able to bypass it, as there was an impromptu entrance created
by the band/bgp guest list window, so I essentially just walked right in.

A few words about the Phishbill. First, I was thrilled beyond belief at the
choice of Loaded. Despite several close calls with people who knew, I did in
fact manage to avoid knowledge of the choice until I actually picked up the
Phishbill. The front is just like the Omni (see this month in Phish history
http://www.phish.com/oct96.html), with "Phish Halloween" in the place of "The
Velvet Underground Loaded" that dons the cover of the album. Page 2 is a
hysterical mock-ad for "Roggae," "The first and only pill clinically proven to
treat pattern dreadlock loss in men." What a riot, clearly the equal of
"Gordeaux" or "Scent of a Fool"! Page 3 is the playbill, program order. Pages 4
and 5 has the back cover of Loaded, a picture of the band (VU), and a narrative
of VU history, then on Phish's choice of the album. Pages 6 and 7 are "Who's
Who in the Cast" and "Who's Who in the Crew", all of which is LOL funny! BTW,
the picture of Mike and the bird is from 8.15.98 between sets 1 & 2. The bird's
name is "Angel" and she is very friendly, and Mike seems quite taken by her, I
had the extreme pleasure to be introduced by Mike to this now famous bird at
Lemonwheel :-) The back cover is a insane picture (Mike with the hat and banjo
are a riot), a mock ad for "Dirt. Vermont Organic Dirt. Something you can stay
with." A HUGE round of applause to Jason Colton and Cynthia Brown from
Dionysian and everyone else involved in putting together such a riotous
playbill! (Hidden trade offer: I would be happy to trade an extra near mint
copy of this Phishbill for anyone with an equally quality Omni Remain in Light
Phishbill).

Drop, grab a drink, and head to the quite good seats obtained by Benji and
Paul, about level with CK's rig Page-side, 3/4 the way up. Great costumes all
around, plenti of Elvii, Hunter S., typical fare. Oh, several people have
mentioned Larry Bird; that is my friend Wabe, now infamous for his Split Open
and Sam exploits! Nice to see you dude! Glowstick skeletons were a favorite, as
was White Trash Barbie, Heatmizer, day-glow orange condom, maxell XLII, "mail
order ticket", et cetera. Oh, thanks to "Break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat
bar guy"! Here we go:

10.31.98 I: Axilla, PYITE, Roggae, BOAF, Sneaking Sally -> Chalkdust ->  Lawn
Boy, Mike's -> Frankie Says -> Weekapaugh.

IMHO and all that, but if you can't get psyched about an Axilla opener, well,
you just can't get psyched. Pure power, smokin', all the guys are beaming,
checking out the assembled insanity. I can't seem to go more than two shows
without a PYITE, but not to worry, no dissapointment, though I was thinking
fatty 2001 at this juncture. Roggae I really like, and this version was fine,
quite comparable to the other two I have seen (Va Beach and Lemonwheel), but I
just didn't get excited for it. I'm not sure why, I really do like the tune a
lot, and I was grooving, but it just didn't hold my attention the way it has
previously to this point. I dunno. I don't care that it is played all the time
and has been made into a single, I LIKE Birds of a Feather. I find it comical
how so many people all of a sudden are down on a fine tune just because it has
been packaged for non-diehard consumption. Get over it, this tune still rocks
the house live. Very crisp and energetic delivery.

Sneaking Sally was a mild and pleasant surprise. High funk factor, though
nothing particularly new and exciting, not much different from the last two
versions I've caught (8.8.98 and 12.30.97), but clearly funky. Into Chalk Dust,
a minorly bumpy ride on the segue, but a nice landing, very high energy. Trey
rock-star mode: on. Shit being ripped up, et cetera. If Lawn Boy isn't the
perfect Vegas tune, I'm not sure what could be. I want to see Page doing this
on the bar-top stage in the entrance atrium of the MGM Grand! Man, he'd kill
the place! :-). Oh, and may I take this opportunity to thank our man on the
Bass Guitar, Mister Michael Cactus Gordon for that stunning solo, woo hoo! Move
over Tom Jones, there is a new act in town!

And then we have the Groove. Wow. At this point in the set? That I thought was
going to end with Chalkdust? There have clearly been more exploratory Mike's
that have travelled the globe seeking the constant variety of jam, and while
this stays within itself for the most part, it smokes. Hard driving, they don't
call it "Mike's" for nuthin', ya know. I thought for all the world this would
be a Hydrogen, and was way taken by extreme surprise on the Frankie Says. Well
placed, I guess, just a real surprise! The meat of this though is clearly the
Weekapaugh. This had the pontial to really hurt you if you were not prepared.
I've seen energy levels in a building at this level, but not higher. Band and
crowd in perfect, frenzied harmony. Awesome, baby.

I didn't think it was possible for the evening to get any stranger, but I was
clearly mistaken. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to check myself into
the Betty Ford Clinic, or as it is affectionately refered to, "The Clinic." To
give you an idea of the activity in this little off-stage room, the pass had a
picture of an early 70s football card of the famous NY Jets running back,
number 32 (and he even looks a little like OJ!), Emerson Boozer. Quite fitting.
All the usual band, crew, staff, friends and family, or at least I presume it
to be the usual crowd as this was my first time checking into this particular
clinic. It would be fair to characterize this as a party atmosphere, yup. It
was at this point that my buzz began to take on epic proportions. I can sock
away booze with the best of them, but I never do so -at- the show, and
certainly not tripping. This room was not short of booze, though it would be
soon! I have rarely been witness to such a systematic demolition of an open bar
in all of my years in such environments. Given the "Loaded" theme of the
evening, I figured, "if not now, when?" So I sucked a few rum-n-cokes and
mingled... thanks to everyone for being so incredibly wonderful to "the new
guy," though I did know a good amount of people, those I did not were great
about introducing themselves, a nutty crew to be sure, but exceptionally
well-mannered :-). A bizarre non-Phish brush with fame: I think his name is
Fred Savage(?), but the Wonder Years guy was there, chillin, appearing to enjoy
himself. I made tracks back through the insanity of the hallway to the seats,
and according to my program, it's time for "Loaded!"

10.31.98 II: The Velvet Underground's "Loaded": Who Loves the Sun, Sweet Jane,
Rock & Roll, Cool it Down, New Age, Head Held High, Lonesome Cowboy Bill, I
Found a Reason, Train Round the Bend, Oh! Sweet Nuthin'.

"Who Loves the Sun, who cares that is makes plants grow, who cares what it
does, since you broke my heart!". A sappy love song, but those who read my
drivel know that I love sappy love songs! After the first "Ba ba ba baaaa Who
Loves the sun" I was instantly in heaven. The harmonizing on this entire set
was just gorgeous! Immediately, it just didn't even seem like a cover... it was
just, so, -natural-. Like it was written for them! Sweet Jane included the
lovely intro, which was not present at Merriweather this summer. Page, you
rule, what a strong vocal delivery! "And me, I'm in a rock-n-roll band!" I know
the timings are around somewhere, but no song was shorter than -twice- as long
on the original album. So incredibly powerful. La la la, la la la!

The Rock & Roll was perhaps one of the top two or three jams I HAVE EVER HEARD.
Not just Phish, among all bands (including 100+ live Dead shows). Man, was I
ever into this. It was alright! It was alright! Oh my, was Trey all over this.
You could just dance to that rock-n-roll station! Pure bliss, total hose,
whatever you want to call "IT", this was "IT." And it was alright! Burning
intensity, total out-of-body experience. Frenzied electricity. What more can be
said? After that, you know you better Cool it Down! :-) "She gives me W - L - O
- V - E!" Mike has the Doug Yule lines -perfected- but with a distinctively
Gordon-esque twist, just killer. Again, the harmonies are breathtaking in both
their adherence to the original while simultaneously pure Phish.

By the time we get to "New Age", I need to catch my breath, and tried to chill
for a minute, but was just could not get out of the groove. "You're over the
hill right now, and your looking for love!" I was balling tears of joy on the
"I'll come running to you, honey when you want me" lines, it was just so
stunning, moving, incredible dynamic range. Something's got a hold on -me- and
it is four guys from Vermont, wow. It's the beginning of a new age! Head Held
High was -hysterical-. The "Head Held High" harmonies were a dead-ringer for "A
Hard Day's Night", especially Mike with his contorted facial expressions and
signature head-bobs. Lonesome Cowby Bill, with our good friend, Mr. Bob Weaver.
This would be the comedy interlude of the performance, Ladies and Gents!
Fishman nailed it, what do you expect! Twist and shout, what a totally frenzied
crowd!

I Found a Reason brought the tempo down a bazillion notches. Forgive me if I
missed this, but it was Mike on the lead vocal, no? Sorry, I'm a little fuzzy
here. "Oh I do believe, if you don't like things you leave, for someplace
you've never gone before"! Ba, ba, ba, ba! know it was Mike on the "I realize
how many paths have crossed between us" lines. It was so VU, but yet so Phishy,
with Beatle-esque harmonies that just moved my soul beyond belief. Bring the
Tempo back up for Train Round the Bend. Not to overlook this tune, the ending
was -unctrollable- tears of joy. Total goosebumps, I don't think it is possible
for me to have been any happier than I was during that tune. If anyone wants to
hold on to the notion that Phish doesn't have "soul.", I really, really feel
sorry for you. What a masterful cover, so perfect, so Phish, so much room to
move around the core of one of the all-time classic rock-n-roll albums ever
produced.

Needless to say, I couldn't move for a few minutes. What a glow over the arena!
Eventually I made tracks to the Clinic, and again, to my astonishment, things
got even more bizarre. While pouring a drink, I literally get bumped into the
back, turn, it's the greasy troll. Chatted with him (more like hung around
while he "held court" with a bunch of his friends). The room was most
definitively jumping, insane energy. I take a break and go over into the corner
for a second to collect myself, I was really pretty disoriented. So I'm just
kinda leaning up against the corner, and Mike comes into the room, looking like
I've never seen him up close, pretty much dripping sweat, clearly exhausted,
even for someone as in as good shape as he is. So he kinda walks through the
room, and of all people he comes up to me, with this bag of fancy veggie chips,
holds it out, and with the straightest face just says "chip?". So we sat there
and chowed down on his chips, I'm not sure what if anything we really talked
about. I was admittedly just a little overwhelmed, trying to comprehend the
wonderful absurdity of the situation: it is between sets II & III of Halloween,
and here I am, tripping face, boozed up, and Mike Gordon is serving me chips.
It really is a qualitatively different kind of encounter, when everyone in the
room knows him so there aren't a swarm of people clamouring for his attention.
He bailed, and I hung around for a while, took a seat on the couch and tried to
get my bearings, not an easy task, I can assure you.

10.31.98 III: Wolfman's -> Jam -> Piper, Ghost. E: Sleeping Monkey, Tweezer
Reprise.

Unfortunately, I was so disoriented, that by the time I got up and took the
elevator to the main floor, the band had already started, bummer. I guess I
should have gotten a clue by the fact there were no more band members in the
room, but what the f*ck do I know? So I walk into the venue and they are in
mid-Ambient jam. I had no clue what they opened with, if this is what they
opened with, or what. I don't know what to think of this jam, or this set for
that matter. It was really just "out there". Unlike many in the complaining
camp, I was cool with it, as I was in an equally odd mental and physcial state,
and I guess I know that it was "out there" only because it just seemed so
normal, so fitting, like "ok, sure, this is exactly what should be happening
right now!". I had been stationary for most of the run, so I just floated
around during the, what do you call it, "ambienty, ghosty, funky, quiety"
jam?!? I dunno. The Piper kicked, as always, surely the equal of my favorites,
and interestingly with elements of both: very sparse and lyrical ala the
6.14.97 debut, and insane Trey madness ala 8.8.98. Ghost. I dunno about this
Ghost! I mean, I liked it, but man was it ever strange. I was in one of the
entranceways of the upper deck for this, and everyone was having a gas, but
looking at each other like "WTF?", you know? Anyways, Sleeping Monkey and
Reprise round out this amazing performance, not much to say about the encore,
they could have not performed one and I wouldn't have batted an eye. No, the
third set didn't have the raw energy of any of the other 4 sets over the
weekend. It was just different. I'll wait for the tapes to make any definitive
conclusions, but it was just, well, "out there."

I was so emotionally, physcially, and mentally spent at this point. The logical
thing to do was head to the aftershow, but I'm just thinking "what's the
point," if there was ever an aftershow that was going to be anti-climactic,
that would have been it. It may have raged, I dunno, but I decided to head to
the strip. I don't have much to say about the rest of the evening, mainly
because I don't remember a lot of it. Frankly, I cannot really account for my
exact whereabouts for the rest of the evening, other than "south strip." If
anyone I know saw me then, can you please drop me a line? :-). Caught some
sleep, and suffered a miserably crowded and hectic flight home. Exhausted
doesn't even begin to tell the story. But quite happy, totally fulfilled. A
number of people seem to have been dissapointed by the weekend. How, I don't
know. Your mileage may indeed vary, but this was just PURE FUN.

So, thanks to everyone invloved for making it a very, very special and insane
weekend: all my wonderful net friends, especially Benjy and Paul, the band and
crew, T&M staff, everyone. Special thanks again to SC, one of the sweetest,
most wonderful people I have ever had the priviledge to know in Phishy circles
or elswhere.

This is not to end on a down note, quite the contrary... I love Phish, but more
importantly for these types of adventures, I love my friends even more. There
was definately a tangible absence, and I'd appreciate it if Pam, Ann-Marie and
Ken would do me the favor of not missing any more shows; this is a group
activity! Thanks, I love you guys.

-Phillip

------------------------------


Date:    Sun, 1 Nov 1998 18:15:56 -0800
From:    Amy Kuczynski 
Subject: QUICK VEGAS REVIEW

10/31 was a mixed bag. The first set kicked-ass and had me thinking that
this was going to be one hell of a show. Chalkdust is always enjoyable
for me, always gets me going, but this was better than your typical
version. Jam was extended and headed into some new territory for this
tune--some dark places you wouldn't expect Chalkdust to end up in. BOAF
was definitely the best version I've heard since its debut at Nassau in
the spring. However, the real gem of this set was the
Mike's>Frankie>Weekapaug--wow!!! Trey was doing some real fancy
fingerwork during the Mike's, and Gordon was just going nuts in
Weekapaug--thick and gooey funk. This is a set to hear!

Set 2 was amazing in my opinion. I think Loaded was a terrific choice
for the band. Some of these tunes are just *beautiful*, especially I
Found a Reason and Oh! Sweet Nuthin'. This album really let Phish
spread-out because it isn't all that difficult, technically speaking,
and it certainly isn't very long. As a result, they had these tunes
under their belts and could just concentrate on the jams, and they
certainly did *jam*. Wow, a 13 minute Rock & Roll: 'nuff said.

Set 3 was where the show took a downturn, in my opinion. Lots of
noodling that just didn't seem to be going *anywhere*. I honestly don't
mean to sound this harsh, but i felt as if I had heard all this stuff
before. Nothing new and exciting at all. The jams were repetitive and,
dare I say, formulaic. I just really don't have much else to say about
this set. It was a downer, but I never expect perfection. With two solid
sets already behind them, maybe they were just tired. The set certainly
ended abruptly, and most people were definitely taken by surprise.

The encore was pretty weak. Monkey is fun, but there are many other
things I'd rather hear. I love Tweeprise, but it was predictable.

So that was Vegas. Overall, definitely worth the trip.

BTW, I really don't like the fact that the these shows were all G.A. It
made for a *really* crazy, chaotic, and frustrating scene, which, IMO,
took away form the shows. When you know where you're going to be
sitting, there's no chance for disappointment. O.k., yeah, your seats
might suck, but at least you can mentally prepare yourself. In this
situation, you could end up anywhere, and though I'm sure those who got
lucky were psyched, some of us were pretty bummed.

BTW2: The Greek was my favorite of the 3 night run! Set 1 was nothing
special, but set 2 blew me away!

-Sue sudigsit@ucla.edu


---------------

Date:    Mon, 2 Nov 1998 02:36:11 -0800
From:    Jason Bilicki 
Subject: Review: personal thoughts on 10/29-31 (long)

10/31-  Well, my costume turned out to be a flop.  I thought that since
I had the "happy version" of the Scream mask, people wouldn't be
scared.  Unfortunately no one knew the difference and everyone thought I
was the guy from Scream.  Most people were scared or avoided eye contact
with me even though I was making friendly gestures.  I have to say
though, tripping with this mask on intensified the visuals.  I hardly
remember much about the first set because the lights were so intense!
Well ok I do know that the Mike's>Frankie>Weekapaug was awesome.
Sneakin Sally was phat too....everyone got into it.

The Velvet Underground stuff was great.  Some people were trying to
explain it to me the night before (this guy totally predicted it,
"bnmellow/Scott" can back me up there).  I was hearing it all for the
first time, and I really loved it!  I went up top for the first couple
songs and the sound sucked so I came back down.  To avoid repeating the
same stupid adjectives, I'll just say that the best part about seeing an
album cover was how much the boys got into it.  Trey was jumping and
wailing and looking around at the rest of the band as well as the
audience with a look on his face like "is this cool or what?"  They all
just looked like they were having so much fun with it.

Folks if you hear tapes of the 3rd set and think it's boring, all I can
say is that you had to be there.  The jams went into outer space....I
mean they went in all directions.  It felt like they just wanted to make
the place into a big creepy spooky Halloween party (duh)....but by that
I mean sound effects.  I heard wolves howling and ghosts moaning,
shrieks and screams....towards the end I got so inspired that I lost
myself in glowstick twirling.  And no, I did NOT throw my glowsticks...I
actually had to laugh during that "glowstick war"...some guy next to me
called it "SICK!" and all I could think of was that The Great Went made
this look like child's play.

This was kind of a lame review, I know.  Not very musically descriptive
but honestly right now it is all one big happy blur.  I've had so much
fun in the past three days, I don't regret a minute (except maybe that
blunder of not heading down to the floor on Halloween).  Now I have to
work my ass off to catch up in school this week and try to avoid
dreaming about NYE....oh man...

tired but smiling,
Jason


--------------


------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 3 Nov 1998 05:22:14 GMT
From:    chris bertolet 
Subject: Wading in the Velvet Ween - 10/31 review

The first thing I have to do is thank all the good people with whom my wife
and I were fortunate enough to spend our weekend:  Gina, Tiff, Gary, Jenny,
Steve, Matt, Ben, Tony, Erik, Eric, Eric, Neil, Robin, Dave, Cam, Terry,
Mike, Mike, Rob, Todd, Todd, Shelly, Rebecca, Marc, Nicole, Jimmy, Bob,
Whitney, Grant, Collin and any others I'm forgetting (God, I hope not).
You were all amazing travelling companions and made the weekend truly
unforgettable!!!!!

The day kicked off as I walked out the hotel room door in my Elvis costume
and tourists pretended not to notice me.  Only in Vegas.  Feeling a little
lightheaded from the prior night's activities (trying to catch a cab at
6:00 a.m. after Galactic was fun), a few of us headed for breakfast and a
coffee I-V at the Sherwood Forest Cafe in the Excalibur.  As cheesy as this
place is, breakfast was awesome.  I watched some football on the tube as I
waited for stragglers to return from lunch, then Gary, Erik, Jenn and I
headed over to the line to mule for the others.  This turned out to be more
fun than anything we'd done that day so far, as we were surrounded by
friendly and well-costumed folks.

I took a break from my duties to cruise the lot, and saw a bunch of great
costumes.  Among my favorites:  Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, Larry Bird,
Orange Man, Fluffhead, an X-Wing Rebel Fighter Pilot, the Mona Lisa, and
the Retired Bud Girl.  One of the cooler pre-show things I saw was one of
the many Hunter S. Thompsons blazing up a fatty in his cigarette holder no
more than ten feet from two cops on horseback.  None of them saw each
other.  My own gorgeous wife was dressed as a genie in light blue, and was
quite hot.  Perhaps you saw her and drooled ;-).  But the first prize for
the night, costume-wise, has to go to my friend and fellow line-mule, Erik
Lukas, who sewed 125 swinging glow sticks to his clothes and hat.  You
probably saw him if you were there -- more on Erik later.

Anyway, the doors opened a tad late, and we were nearly picked up off our
feet by the rude crowd behind us.  Once inside, though, it was eminently
chill, and I opened up my Phishbill to see that the album would be Loaded.
I didn't know the album at all, save for Sweet Jane and Lonesome Cowboy
Bill, so I was a little apprehensive.  I've always felt that Lou and VU
were among those acts I should get to know better, though, so I tried not
to judge too far in advance.  A few of our friends were very familiar with
it and excited enough that we got excited, too.

Like the night before, the arena got hot as the aisles got packed.  I've
never seen crowd energy like the vibe before this show.  It really seems
like the previous night had primed everyone for a screamer, and Axilla
definitely didn't disappoint.  I've always liked it better than Axilla II,
as the lyrics set a better rhythm for the climax.  Punch was one of the
only songs that could serve to keep the energy high, and it did.  The
ending was a little goofed, I think, but not enough to break momentum.
During the intro, we "fired up" Erik's glowsticks and the crowd in our
section (b/t 115 and 116) cheered their approval.  During the rest of the
show, he wandered all over the arena, winding up at various times in the
upper deck (slow dancing with a gal), on a stair riser (grooving as a
security guard looked on in approval) and in the front row (did anyone see
the band's reaction to him?).  Once again, Erik, you da man.

Anyway, moving on to the first set, I've got to say that I think Roggae
needs a shot in the arm, despite the fact that I love the lyrics.  While I
wouldn't have requested a repeat of Birds, this one was even better than
the Greek version.  Say what you will about this song -- it's accessible
and popular, but it still rrrrrawks.  Mike was a beast in this one!

Sneakin' Sally was a great treat for the west coast, but it wasn't anything
special to be perfectly honest.  I think that's been noted, so I won't
belabor the point.  Trey sort of knew it was going nowhere, and so forced a
segue into Chalkdust.  Right about now the crowd was itching to shake ass,
and this Chalkdust did not disappoint.  This was one of those songs in this
three-show run that went *straight* for the jugular like the good 'ol days
(don't get me wrong -- I love the funk, but I think it becomes ponderous
sometimes).  It seemed that Rock And Roll was a theme for the weekend, and
Chalkdust did both.  Speaking of honest rock, let's skip Lawnboy and go
straight to one of the most economical blitzkriegs of a Mike's song since
1994.  Although it didn't visit any ominous or odd places, this Mike's blew
the roof off.  I'll have to hear the tapes to be sure, but I'm almost
positive that it belonged to Trey.

Now, why in God's name you'd stick Frankie Sez (a great song, btw) in
between these two songs is beyond me, but it was alright, I guess.  Still,
not as bad as the Circus Comes to Town at MSG last year (which was an
assault on good taste).  While I was thinking they'd end the set with a
short tune and finish the show with the Groove, Weekapaug rose from the
ashes of Frankie and shone a big phat light on the proceedings at the end
of the set.  Not only did Mike paint an intro bass jam of Sistine
proportions, but Page actually took the lead on piano for a good two or
three minutes during the jam and had the crowd roaring approval (unless I
was hallucinating).  To my recollection, this was a truly Great Groove, and
another tune that harkened back to old times in its delivery.

My general thought was that the first set was a warm-up, and that the band
was prepared to blow their wad in the second and third.  The highlights to
that point were easily the Axilla I opener and the Mike's Groove, though
the Chalkdust might hold up quite well on tape, too.

I don't want to get too deep into the second set, as I'd be talking out of
school.  I can only say that I was enormously pleased and, on several
occasions, moved.  Many of those songs sounded like they were written by
Phish, and each and every one was delivered lovingly.  My personal
favorites were Who Loves the Sun, Sweet Jane, Rock and Roll, and Oh! Sweet
Nuthin'.  I loved the words to that last tune, as a matter of fact, and the
build in the jam.  Having been introduced to RIL by Phish, I look forward
to getting to love Loaded in the next month.  Thank you, Phish, for
learning this one and playing it so well.

The third set... Well, the third set was sort of a strange beast, if you
haven't been able to figure that out already.  I was expecting a big, phat,
phunky Also Sprach, but wasn't too disappointed at the first notes of
Wolfman's Brother.  The jam in this version, however, was *far, far darker*
than anything that has ever followed that tune, and one of the most
brooding pieces of music I have ever heard Phish play -- maybe the most
brooding thing they've ever played.  Yes, it was that heavy.  Fucking
leaden, in fact.  I feel for the poor folks who ate too much acid...

While I didn't hear any of the Low Spark teases that everyone keeps
insisting happened, I did hear Trey edging toward a few tunes along the way
(a most distinctive Esther tease among them).  About the lightest it got
the entire jam was the raging section in the glowstick war.  I and everyone
I was with loved the glowstick war, btw, and I never saw any hits or even
near-misses on the stage.  All this hysteria is ill-placed as long as
people aren't trying to hit the band.  As a matter of fact, the highlight
of the Wolfman's may have been the glowstick segment.

While I wouldn't describe Reba from the Greek as an ambient jam per se,
large sections of this marathon Wolfman's most definitely were from that
Eno school (someone who's heard the ambient jam from the Wheel, speak the
hell up!).  Personally, I was enthralled for some of it, but there was
about a ten minute section where I was *begging* for mercy.  It was all I
could do to stay on my feet, and I would have given my left nut for a
Cities or *anything* to groove to.  Instead, they heaped on the black, oozy
goop until pretty much everyone was sitting.  The closest comparison I can
think to describe this music is a band called Dirty Three, a noise trio
that CLF (!) recently introduced me to.  Really heavy, emotional, moody
stuff that isn't to be taken with breakfast.  Still, I'd advise anyone to
get this tape just to hear Phish do something different.

Piper emerged from this chaos, and I would like to just say five words:

(1) Oh

(2) now

(3) I

(4) get

(5) it.

Now, forgive me, friends, but the Ghost sucked.  Given how predictable it
was, I'd have rather heard the album version in between sets (I'm not
kidding, btw).  Yes, I understand that they were tired, and that they
probably had to blow stage by one a.m., but they could have done more with
those eight minutes than they did.  Way more.

Fortunately, I like Monkey a lot, and the Tweezer Reprise was a house on
fire -- at least it gave us one more chance to shake our rump-ah.  But
that's about all I can say about set three and encore.  We got home and
passed out, exhausted from three days of (intermittently, at least) stellar
Phish.

In sum, the gem of the Halloween show was an album I'd never heard -- as it
should be!  I was ecstatic about the entire weekend.  But if I were still a
betting man ;-), I'd say that it's starting to look like the night before a
holiday show is the best bet in town.  Highlights of 'Ween?  Mike's >
Groove, set two, and Piper.

Scott Jordan scale ratings (even though I think the whole thing's crap):

10/29, set one:         5.0
10/29, set two:         8.0

10/30, set one:         7.0
10/30, set two:         7.5

10/31, set one:         6.5
10/31, set two:         not ratable
10/31, set three:               5.0

Feedback and flames are welcome.  Enjoy the rest of the tour!

--
"Whoa, there, Elvis..." -- Jolly Green Giant

chris bertolet



-----------------

Date:    Tue, 3 Nov 1998 02:06:24 GMT
From:    mitchgo@MICROSOFT.COM
Subject: The Beginning of a New Age: A Positive Review of Vega



10/31/98

Set 1 (8:03-9:23):

Axilla 1-> (5)
Punch You in the Eye-> (9)
Roggae (9)
Birds of a Feather (7)
Sneakin^� Sally Through the Alley (11)
Chalkdust Torture-> (8)
Lawn Boy (3)
Mike^�s Song-> (10)
Frankie Says-> (5)
Weekapaug Groove (13)

Set 2: ^�Loaded^� by the Velvet Underground (10:13-11:30):

Who Loves the Sun (4)
Sweet Jane (8)
Rock and Roll (13)
Cool It Down (8)
New Age (8)
Head Held High (5)
Lonesome Cowboy Bill (10)
I Found a Reason (5)
Train Round the Bend (7)
Oh! Sweet Nuthin^� (9)

Set 3 (12:02-1:07):

Wolfman^�s Brother->
Jam-> (30)
Piper->
Jam (13)
Ghost (9)

Encores:

Sleeping Monkey-> (7)
Tweezer reprise (4)



AXILLA 1: Another one I had been waiting for, and seeing them
open a show with this says a lot about their energy level...this was the most
energetic set I've yet seen to see them play. This was an excellent
version, with the lyrics to version 1 and without the version 2 ending.

PUNCH YOU IN THE EYE: another ball of energy, and more dancing
from Trey and Mike.

ROGGAE: a mellow breather in the midst of frenetic music, and the best
version I've heard yet.

BIRDS: again, VERY fast and energetic. Trey's playing was really hot
on this version.

SNEAKIN' SALLY: the only midtempo jam tune in the set, a very nice
change of pace from this adrenaline-pumped part of the show.  Towards
the end of the jam, Trey was trying to get the band to go into Chalkdust; he
was playing the opening chord, but in an agressive, almost rockabilly manner.
As frequently happens he couldn't get the band to hear what he doing, so
they wound down and he started the song proper...

CHALKDUST: Fast, jammy, and great as usual.  swung into...

LAWN BOY: Another one I was waiting for. Page took the mike
center stage and hammed it up on this one. Mike did his usual jazz bass
solo.

MIKE'S SONG: Trey hit the opening notes and never looked back; like the
Weekpaug that followed, this version was just intense as hell. while not as
experimental or as wild as the extreme jamming Mike's Groove from the Gorge
this year, this was the most intense and tight Mike's I've heard yet.
WEEKAPAUG contained lots of aggressive, nasty jamming, and ran 13 minutes on
its own. The FRANKIE SAYS in the middle of the Mike's Groove sandwich was
delicate and creepy, the ultimate counterpoint to the rest of the segment.

Trey didn't do any Halloween narration, or welcome...he just signalled the
end of the set...he didn't even say "we'll be back in 15 minutes". Nothing.
Little did I know he was determined to make this show very different from the
goofy and talky 'ween shows of past years, and that he would not say ONE WORD
the entire night (a night with a running time of over five hours!).  They
just left the stage to let us ponder that ridiculously intense and upbeat
first set, and to await the VU set still to come.

"Loaded"...I won't go through this song by song, but suffice it to say that...

a. this was the best played and most emotionally resonant of the four
Phish "musical costume" shows.

b. these tunes were claimed by Phish as their very own, vehicles for
all their old school tension-buildup-release mechanisms, as well as an
outpouring of emotion, doubt, anguish, and beauty in nearly every song.

c. Sweet Jane and Rock & Roll were two of the best played performances
I've ever heard from Phish.

d. New Age and Oh! Sweet Nuthin' were moving, passionate, and more
accurate in their emotional conveyance than even the original VU versions.

I can't say enough about this set...Jane and Rock&Roll were positive rock
apocalypes. Jane was NOTHING like the version played this summer; it
contained the original extra intro, it built and built and built, and was
then totally outdone by Rock&Roll, as convincing a Phish performance as
anything I've seen yet. Page did a credible Lou Reed impression, just pouring
his heart into the tunes while maintaining that Reed tunelessness so
appropriate to the music. Trey sang lead on Sun, Cool It, Head Held High, New
Age and Reason (with Mike doing the spoken word bit); Fish sang Cowboy Bill;
Page sang Jane, Rock, and an emotional Sweet Nuthin' set closer; Mike sang
Train.

They took a 40 minute record and turned it into a one hour and 17 minute
emotional roller coaster of a set. It was a positive revelation. They could
have left then and we still would have witnessed one of the great shows of
their career. But they were not quite done...

Set 3 was the kind of experimental jamming that is the hallmark of the very
best and most interesting Phish show. The 30 minute WOLFMAN'S BROTHER->JAM
was unbelievable, veering into seriously John Cage-post modern ugliness, at
other times getting strangely nasty and spooky (the crowd egged on the nasty
jamming during a glowstick war; Chris turned off the stage lights, the
glowsticks flew, and the band's music got uglier and uglier)...before
resolving into a gorgeous and unstoppable PIPER. This too led into a mind-
numbing jam, and by now, pushing 1am, my brain just couldn't take anymore. I
wanted it to stop but I was positively hypnotized by the music. They took a
tiny second of a breather,started GHOST (my first time seeing the "new"
version live), and spent nine minutes in contemplative jamming that wasn't as
funky as Ghost used to be...and in fact it served to wind down the intensity
of the previous 45 minutes. at a point where the music was as delicate and
ethereal as a real ghost, Trey said something to Mike and Page, calmly took
off his guitar, and left the stage. The band, nearly as dazed as I felt,
followed him off after quick bows.  Some people were clearly disturbed by
this risky and potentially-alienating set, but I think this is the heart of
Phish...out on the edge of themselves, defying expectations.  This show
contained no narration, no Forbin or Harpua, no usual 'ween madness. "The
beginning of a new age" indeed.

The Sleeping Monkey encore was great but beside the point by now; Fish's
vocals were hilarious as usual, but the night was beyond the Let It Be-isms
of this little spoof. The Tweezer reprise served to remind us that Tweezer
was unfinished from last night, and that all five of these sets were meant to
work as one long piece, which they most certainly did...but the Halloween
sets will stand out as some of the most important, intense, and emotional of
any sets in their career to date.

all my two cents, and obviously I'm biased, since being there was a very
intense experience. To those of you who love the VU, get a tape of this set.
To those who don't know the VU, get their albums! (they only made four...)

MG


----------

Date:    Tue, 3 Nov 1998 00:32:51 -0500
From:    Brian Porter 
Subject: Vegas, my thoughts


10-31
This was my 3rd Halloween show (I saw 95 & 96) and probably my least
favorite of the three for a few reasons.
A) Expectations were too high, I've been spoiled by 10-31-95/96
B) I figured we would at least get to hear Harpua or Col Forbins (Isnt that
a 10-31 tradition?)
C) No special guests. Again I thought this was a tradition.
D) No real rare songs or breakouts like Icculus, Sanity, Brother. Sneaking
Sally was about the rarest, but I already saw that this summer in Kansas.
All in all I had a great time, and really that is what it is all about,
HAVING FUN. Why should my expectactions ruin a typically great show. So once
I was handed the Phishbill I immediately was remimded of Halloween in
Atlanta. The Talking Heads was the most obscure choice for a Halloween album
but they pulled it off perfectly. And this musical costume was real similair
to 96. I was very unfamilair with the songs and I could tell the band was
really into it, they jammed pretty much on every song making it their own. I
cant wait to hear this again on tape as I'm sure I will appreciate much
more, as I did with the 96 set. I wont comment anymore on the musical
costume because enough has already been said. It was obscure, Phish made it
their own and we should all be happy they still do these cover albums for
Halloween.
I forgot to comment on the 1st set so here goes.
Axilla opener was great, no slow ending but straight into PYITE. Standard
but very good. Roggae was sweet, not to familiar with this yet. I like it
better than most of the new songs. Birds of a feather was next and was
stretched out a little but too new of a song for my liking especially on
Halloween right after Roggae. Oh well because they played Sneaking Sally
next, and it was funked out just enough. The Chalkdust that followed was
pretty sweet, I've always loved this song and will never complain about
hearing it. Lawn Boy is a perfect Vegas song and everybody was loving it up.
I figured the set was pretty much winding down at this point and either
expected to hear a Harpua set closer or a quick rocker. I guess I cant
complain except I wish they would have saved the Mike's Song for set 3.
Mikes Song was very good and typical of the recent versions, not too much
funk (that would come later), but just enough. It segued perfectly into
Frankie Says which actualy surprised me at how much I liked this song. Maybe
it was the placement. Weekapaug smoked like always, I dont remember much of
it, but I do remember thinking it was pretty hot. Then it was time to wait
for the Musical Costume. I already said my comments about this set earlier
so I wont say anything more. I'll admit though I wanted to hear a Dead album
as I have for the past Halloween shows, but I guess it will never happen.
Set 3
I was pretty let down when I heard the opening notes of Wolfmans Brother.
I've had enough of this funk vehicle. I never was a fan of Wolfmans until
the Jazzfest. I loved the way they went from YEM>Wolfmans acapella and then
slowly added the instruments. I was a beileiver after that day. Then came
the 3-1-97 funk experimental version and it has gotten worse since. Sorry
for all you people who love these long drawn out Wolfmans but I've heard
enough. How bout a 45 min YEM, wait a minute they already did that. Anyways
this set progressively got more and more funked out to the point of
repetition. Ambient maybe, They should have ended much earlier like when
they started doing all those teases. I heard Lifeboy, Makisupa and the intro
part of Esther. In fact I thought they were actually playing Esther for a
minute. Lifeboy wouldnt have been too bad by this point. The glowstick war
was annoying and probably pissed the band members off. Piper was very good
but it was getting too late and I seriously think the band was extremely
wore out and it showed. The Ghost flat out stunk. I actually like Ghost a
lot especially the 7-21-97 Va Beach version, but this was completely
different. Sped up and practically no jamming. Maybe they had a curfew. And
when Trey left the stage so abruptly I figured they had something up there
sleeves. Maybe a Harpua or something. Sleeping Monkey was sweet, but the
message I got was disturbing and really stuck with me. "The feelings not the
same, in fact its gettin pretty tame, its just not that great anymore" That
pretty much wrapped up the vibe of the third set. Oh well, because the
Tweezer Reprise was so good and so needed at that point. Im glad they capped
the evening with an all out rocker.
All in all I had a great time. Vegas is the perfect city for a Halloween
extravaganza, and Im glad they did a 2 nite run. I thought the music played
was superb with the exception of set 3, but that is what improvisational
music is all about. Taking risks. The musical costume was obscure but so
what, they had a great time playing it and it showed both through the
quality of the performance and the emotion they put into it. The Halloween
shows are the best shows I've seen Phish play and will go out of my way
every year to see them as long as they keep playing them. Cant wait til
Cincinnati!!!!
Oh yeah, my favorite costume was the XLII-S 10-31-98 set 2 tape
~B

-----------------


------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 3 Nov 1998 18:07:10 GMT
From:    KAZDEYNA 
Subject: Review Las Vegas Day 2 (well 2/3 of day 2)

Sorry about the partial review however only stayed for two sets.
Also after the recent developments this may not mean a thing anymore, but take
it from me it was ALL GOOD!

Phish - Saturday, October 31, 1998
Thomas & Mack Arena
UNLV
Las Vegas, NV

Set 1:

Axilla                        7:58pm
PYITE
Roggae                      8:15pm
Birds of a Feather     8:25pm
Sneaking Sally ->      8:34pm
Jam
Chalkdust Torture     8:45pm
Lawn Boy                   8:52pm
Mike's Song ->           8:55pm
Frankie Says ->
Weekapaug Groove     9:10pm
                                 9:22pm

Set 2:

"Loaded" - Velvet Underground
Who Loves the Sun (Trey/all)    10:14pm
Sweet Jane (Page)
Rock and Roll (Page)
Cool It Down (Trey)
New Age (Trey)
Head Held High (Trey)
Lonesome Cowboy Bill (Fish)
I Found a Reason (Trey/Mike)
Train Round the Bend (Mike)
Oh Sweet Nothin' (Page)        11:15pm
                                             11:30pm

Set 3:
from Phish.Net
Wolfman's Brother ->
Ambient Jam ->
Piper
Ghost

Encore:
Sleeping Monkey
Tweezer Reprise


 The scene was much more crowded than the night before, many ticketless fans
looking to scalp a seat but nobody was over aggressive or too much of a bother.

Set 1:

  Axilla opened the grand evening and was done very well, standard, driving
version played with more energy then the previous night's opener.

   PYITE followed with a longer then usual opening segment, or it may just be
me not yet accustomed to the new extended intro.

   Roggae followed and was searching for a place to go, the jam began to flow
for a bit but eventually just fell apart, had a little of last night's Meat
feel to it, as if the song is still trying to find itself and it's place in the
setlist.  Even Fish was trying to encourage some type of response forcing some
cymbal play to complement Page's keys, but the jam never fully evolved.

    Birds of a Feather was done nice and long, and contained a good solo which
has progressed away from the repetitive BOAF chords we heard in Prague.
However up to now still a pretty standard show.

    Sneakin Sally through the Alley was next, and having seen a similar set in
Nassau back in April and also seeing Sneaking Sally at Merriweather in August,
I was sort of neutral about the song selection.  Mike was pounding away on the
bass however and a decent groove was established in the song, however the jam
coming out of it was a lot less funked out and somewhat weak.  It felt as if
the band was saving it's energy for set 2.

   Chalkdust followed and was excellent, not the monster of Nassau, but still a
great version with an extra solo taken by Trey extending the song just that
much more.  The song however came to a dead stop and from that stop emerged
Lawn Boy

   Lawn Boy was Lawn Boy with Page doing a good job on vocals, and Mike
contributing with a nice bass solo which may have been a little forced by Mike
since it seemed like he tried to add a little different touch to it.

   So far so standard, I'd say, however then came a monster!

   Mike's Song!  A closing first set Mike's Groove (I know Mike's Groove is
only Mike's->Hydrogen->Weekapaug, but since we don't often get natural Mike's
Grooves anymore you know what I mean), haven't seen one of those in quite some
time, they are a great way to close out a first set!  The Mike's Song was well
played and you can see the energy build through out the band.  If they were
saving oit for set 2 they let some out right here to close out set 1.  It was
shorter then most but had more of a 92-93 feel to it before Simple emerged from
it. Mike was more relaxed with his playing now and the train was rolling,

  Frankie Says fits in nicely in between these two song in my opinion and we
had another Phishy sixties version of this song.

  Weekapaug was the monster in this set, just simply amazing!!!  One of the
best Weekapaug Grooves I have ever seen.  The whole jam seemed like it was
chasing something and then finally when it caught it, it had to back up and
catch itself, or more appropriately the band had to regain it's composure.
Many themes explored, Page mostly on clav with Trey playing some crazy funky
notes on the neck of his guitar.   Mike was exploring everything and just going
great!  As I said above the jam almost came to a stop just to get back to
Weekapaug Groove because a segue was almost impossible from this jam, the band
had to stop and regroup they definitely overshot their goal!  Mel and I found
both of ourselves movin' throughout the song.

Well now comes Set 2:

 From the PhishBill handed out at the door we knew we were getting Velvet
Underground's Loaded!  And what a selection it was. I have yet to _see_ the
band concentrate more in any one set.  Trey was hunched over his guitar the
whole set, no head bobs or anything just concentration, the whole band as well!

  The whole set was elaborated on by Phish, the Velvet Underground's version of
the songs were present but then on some of the songs Phish would extend them
out in their own way and then return to Lou Reed's version to close them out.

 Who Loves the Sun is a nice way to start this album off and has a very much
the Beatles' sixties feel to it or should I say the sixties are over the
Beatles' have broken up and it's now the seventies feel to it, the whole band
contributed in the singing of the chorus.

 Sweet Jane was a lot longer then Merriweather, but I hate to say
Merriweather's version may have been better especially Page's vocals.  However
this version also was tops and really got the crowd interested.  Trey fully
concentrated, hunched over approached the Phish jam within the song very well,
the band fully complementing their jams into Lou Reed's songs very well!  No
disrespect to VG at all, a good fit was made throughout the night!

  Same can be said with Rock and Roll.  Probably having heard Jane's Addiction
version of this song more then the VG's version I was expecting more from the
vocals, but Page did another great job and the song still kept the crowd going!
 It still was some FINE FINE music for this NYC boy!  It was Alright!  And the
band, especially FISH knew it, singing it louder than any of the other band
members!  The song's lyrics have to be repeated a lot to extend it out and
that's what the band did, It Was Alright!

 Cool It Down was very well done by Trey with the vocals!  The song has a
slight Cool It Down vocal nuance and Trey hit it every time!  Great!  As with
most of these songs I was really concentrating on the music and what the band
was doing so this is going from memory not to many notes taken during this set.

  Unfortunately New Age's tempo lost the crowd.

  Head Held High featured another beautiful performance from Trey with the
vocals!  Much of the beauty of Phish's performance of this album was in the way
they approached the singing.  Great Job!

  Lonesome Cowboy Bill woke the crowd up, no vacuum cleaner solo, but Fish
really took his only role in the album's performance seriously and forcefully
doing a great job and with the extended Phish jamming I would have to say Phish
should really throw this song into the setlists as a sing along standard.  The
jam featured Page on the front keyboard, actually he played it for the whole
jam and most of the song. Another reason why to throw it in, Page could finally
use those keys.

 I Found a Reason and Train Round the Bend lost the crowd for good but Mike
stepped up to the mic well. I Found a Reason was fantastic!  All I have in my
notes is two !! so I will have to listen to the tapes again, Train Round the
Bend received nothing in the notes and nothing sticks out in my mind either,
except that Mike was singing another train song.

 Finally another highlight of the set was the final number Oh Sweet Nothin' too
bad the crowd missed it!  This song has a softer section and a litter more
lively section, plus the fact that it was extended and Page knowing it was the
last song doing a fabulous job, made this closing number truly a grand finale!

  Well that's it for me, it being around 11:30pm when the set ended and seeing
Chris (and Tiki Barber) get up from the light board at around 11:45pm I knew it
may be some time since the boys came on again.  Knowing that an early morning
trek to the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Valley of Fire was in store for us the
next day we had to leave for the evening, plus we were in big jet lag mode and
probably couldn't hold out for another hour hour and half anyway.  Sorry I
missed the ambient jam, have yet to hear one live or on tape, Is Phish playing
Space is the question I have with these ambient jams, Phish Space?  Oh well,
will have to wait for another day!

Thanks for the time!

Trully was a great set to see!

Peace,
Kaz

Kazdeyna@aol.com


-------------


------------------------------

Date:    Thu, 12 Nov 1998 11:56:03 EST
From:    Tedandmiap@AOL.COM
Subject: ted's halloween review part 2

HALLOWEEN REVIEW Part II -- A CA Phreak Back in Sin City (long)

After a blissful night of sleep at the Tropicana, we awoke and headed for the
in-hotel buffet.  I've never been a big fan of Vega$ buffets, but this one was
solid. $10 got you all you could eat, and we showed up late morning and caught
the transition period from breakfast to lunch....made to order omelette bar,
waffles, french toast, and fruit met fried chicken, tacos, lasagna, and
more....all chased with hot coffee, cold O.J., and endless champagne.....the
mimosa's were flying in our group as we braced for the insanity the rest of
the day would surely bring.

Halloween Phish means a costume party (at least to most), and as a big group
we had chosen to be a group costume, the Angry Mob of Joggers from Esther
fame.  Paula played Esther, complete with striped socks, billowy skirt,
leather sack and puppet, and we all wore various varieties of jogging
outfits....we had angry eyebrows and scars, some Dracula teeth, and for the
coup de grace I had "race numbers" made up that read:

PHISH HALLOWEEN 10K
          10-31-98
   Las Vegas, Nevada

in bright Halloween orange, and they had a picture of a vampire and a witch,
taboot.  (They were a big hit at the show!)

After some sun time by the pool -- GREAT weather that day -- we congregated to
finish the IPA keg (not hard) and make the famous Yucca -- a deadly
concoction.  In a gallon jug filled with ice, dump an entire liter of tequila,
3 limes and 3 lemons (split, squeeze in, and dump in), and 1 cup of
sugar....then the secret ingredient/ritual....everyone drinking it must take a
few minutes shaking the yucca jar, mixing and mixing....within � hour to2
hours (depending on your patience) you've got a nice jug of beverage....

We hooked up with more friends (Aquaman, Greatest American Hero, and a
fabulous disco ball suit sported by the legendary Merlin, who you may have
also seen before in his green turf suit, aka Gamehendge suit) and set off for
the show by around 4:30.....we had decided not to worry about making the floor
this time since we'd been front and center Friday night.

Several of us entered our buddy Jamie's pool -- $5 entry, pick 5 songs that
you think will be played that night, and 1 extra for a tiebreaker....winner
(most songs played) takes the dough.  I went with Funky Bitch (which I had
woken up in the middle of the night thinking about!), PunchYou in the Eye, and
the Halloween theme, Ghost, Wolfman's and Frankenstein....my tiebreaker was
Harpua   ;)

After cashing the Yucca jug on the walk down, (a big hit with the masses), we
hit the lot around 5:45 and got in line, and it was a long one....a lot of
people were squeezing up the sides, but we couldn't do so with a group of 12,
so we just waited it out....again NO search, this time they made me take my
backpack to a table, but all they did was kinda pat the outside and say "no
glass, no weapons, no cans?", and my "no" was enough for them....

Our tardy arrival cost us to the tune of 10 rows from the top, but straight
out from the stage for maximum sound and light show.

As we walked in they handed us a PHISHBILL like the 1996 one for
Halloween.....it announced Phish's performance of the Velvet Underground's
"Loaded" as its Halloween album, had several gag advertisements, lots of nutty
"Who's Who in the Cast/Crew" blurbs written by Mike, and a two-page spread on
the Loaded album and Phish's choice to play it....Written by Parke Puterbaugh,
the Rolling Stone writer who wrote the ^�96 Phishbill and a Rolling Stone
article on the band soon after, the write-up described the creation of Loaded,
some background on the Velvet Underground -- led by Lou Reed, the V.U.'s
"chief songwriter, singer, rhythm guitarist and guiding light," the Velvet
Underground has been described by some as the East Coast antithesis of the
West Coast flower-power scene, a gritty New York group that hung with Andy
Warhol and Co. and experienced the psychedelic age in a much more urban
setting....

My analysis on the giving of the Phishbill is the same as it was in 1996 -- I
missed the buildup to the 2nd set as no one in the audience knew what the
album would be, only to have it revealed in the first notes (a la the White
Album in ^�94 and Quadrophenia in 95), but the tradeoff is that you get
background on the album of choice and a nice collector's item for your
files.....I appreciated it this time as I's never heard the Loaded album,
though I was aware of its existence and knew "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll"
from my musical past and "Lonesome Cowboy Bill" from Fishman's brief
performances circa 1995....

Anyway, the pre-show excitement in the arena was palpable, everyone was just
so psyched for the show (I can understand what Mike means when he says that
these "hallmark" shows don't always turn out to be the best shows.....the
expectations are so high that the pressure to deliver must be intense, and I'd
imagine that it's a lot harder to let go and get into the "zone" of improvised
music when everyone is hanging on every note expecting nirvana....)

Around 7:45 or so, just before show time, some folks down low on the Page side
started up the Wave....and it took, doing about 5-6 times around the arena
before fading out....

Cletus had dubbed this adventure "Lemonwheel Part Dose" because 8 of our
10-person Lemonwheel RV crew made it to Vega$ for a reprise.....on the road to
Maine young Andy had surprised us all with our own personal joint (big points
for Andy!) and mine had been so superfluous that I took it home with
me.....Andy couldn't be with us for Vega$, so I summoned his spirit by busting
out the last Lemonwheel joint just before the show started....we all closed
our eyes for a moment and chanted, "Make Andy puke!", "Make Andy puke!" in a
great experiment that was borne of many pre-Halloween e-mails wondering if we
could do it-- send a cross-country
vomit signal....no word on the results, yet ;)

Shortly before the show, the Iphster was clearly enjoying his buzz and boldly
proclaimed, "Let's all go to the Stratoshpere to ride the roller coaster after
the show!"   After being met with varying degrees of ambivalence about the
idea, the Iphster persisted...."we gotta do it!"   "Come on!"

Many guesses had been made at the first song of the night: Ghost, Wolfman's,
Harry, Curtain, Frankenstein, Mike's, Maze, Highway to Hell, Rift, Limb by
Limb, Runaway Jim, and Cities are in my book....but they surprised us all
with....

AXILLA: the original Axilla, an arena-rocker type that got the night off to a
bang! with a hard edge....as it wound down (without the Axilla Pt. II meltdown
session -- "get that light offa me, man!"), Trey scratched off:

PUNCH YOU IN THE EYE: I *knew* it was coming, check one off the list!  Always
a fun boogie tune, but I've been hearing it a LOT lately, seems every other
tape I get has a PYITE....but can't complain....maybe if they played it
slightly less often a la 1994-1995....

ROGGAE: This is one of my favorite of the new songs, that guitar lick that is
the foundation for the song is just so catchy, and I could hear Fish sing "the
circus is the place for me" over and over again!  After it wound down, I heard
Fish do a little rat-a-tat trill on his snare that made me call "Birds of a
Feather!"  Before Mia could say "how do you know?!" they started:

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: Of course I knew because Fish practiced the opening drum
roll once and it was a dead giveaway....Birds knocked me on my ass the first
time I heard it (Lemonwheel), and the Fillmore version knocked me hard
too....there is nothing in my book about this one, no real memories, it's just
a rockin' song (that, fwiw, shouldn't be played in the same set as Chalkdust,
they're too similar in their structure and jam buildup....imho)....long pause,
then a funky intro...

SNEAKING SALLY THROUGH THE ALLEY: Started with that telltale guitar/bass riff,
I love this one....my first time seeing them do it (many's, I'm sure!), but
this one was at a significantly slower *rate* than other versions I've heard,
notably 12/30/97....I thought this one suffered slightly by comparison, the
faster speed makes it funkier and dancier, (is that word?!), but it was fun
none the less....it eased into what my book describes as "way groovy" with a
solid groove accompanied by those great purple and green lights.....it finally
moved into

CHALKDUST TORTURE: What did I just say!  Not so close to Birds, if you please,
I love them both but they are 2 variations on the same theme....oh, screw it,
play what you want!

LAWN BOY: The Page cheese fest is always fun (but pretty common these days,
eh?), and it gave me an opportunity!   When I took over the reigns of
organizing this Vega$ trip, I was offered the symbolic "hat" to be passed from
the Lemon-Scented Iphster who had driven us (literally in an RV and
figuratively as well) to Maine and Lemonwheel.....the symbolic talk gave way
to an actual hat, which the Iphster presented to me before we left the Bay
Area.....a beaten up old Orioles cap, white, with a plastic lemon-juice lemon
glued to the bill, flanked by 2 small candles....with the onset of Lawn Boy it
was obviously time for the burning, so I popped on the cap, fired up the
candles, and grooved as best as possible while any movements sent wax flying
onto me and the surrounding revelers!  I made it through, blew out the
candles, and the girl behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said "YOU are
AWESOME!" or something like that!  Thanks for the compliment, unknown
stranger!

MIKE'S SONG: Hello!  Late in the set and the Groove begins....but this was the
EVIL Halloween Mike's, and as they got deep in the evil jam Chris lit up the
stage in a great scheme that reminded me of a Mother Ship landing....GREAT,
Chris!....as Hydrogen loomed, Trey took it into a welcome (if not somewhat
forced) segue into....

FRANKIE SAYS: I *love* this song, a beautiful, syncopated tune that just bobs
along and makes me smile!  A great filling to the Groove sandwich....I noted
that it did derail the sick Mike's jam somewhat, but my notes end with a smily
face.... out of the cacophany at the end rose Fish's drums....

WEEKAPAUGH GROOVE: a jamming Weekapaugh as always, and just as I remembered
the *incredible* Weekapaugh in Vega$ in November 1997 (when they jacked up the
speed about 3 notches during the jam), Trey walked over toward Fish and gave
him an unmistakable "Step on it!" sign....he picked up his leg and stomped
down on the ground, as if to suggest flooring the gas pedal....Fish
immediately picked up the pace, and a *furious* jam ensued, high speed (though
not as breakneck as the ^�97 groove).....a fitting ending to a solid set!

Matt turned to me and said, "Check!"  (Set one down!)

***Set Break***

This time my happy fish-flask was not a happy Jager fish but an EVIL TEQUILA
FISH!   Poor idea, we still drank much of it, but it didn't work quite the
same.....live and learn.

The Stratosphere-pushing Iphster was still in the groove with his buzz (a
formidable blend of yucca and beer and rice krispy treats and the A-train),
predicting: "I have a feeling I'm going to peak about mid-second set!"  Stay
tuned....

A relatively short break:

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND'S "LOADED":

WHO LOVES THE SUN: As advertised in the Phishbill, the album started out
"poppy" and upbeat....a fun pop song, with a nice hook (bah bah-bah BAH!) and
lyrics finding the singer having lost his love, spawning the clever lyrical
turn: "Who loves the sun?  Not everyone."

SWEET JANE: Many youungsters know this one only from the Cowboy Junkies'
1990-ish cover version, which is slow and syrupy....the VU original is more
upbeat, but Phish took this thing to new heights!  Page took the vocals, my
notes say "good arena song," I remember Mia saying "I bet they'll cover this
again!"  Very long jam at the end, seemed like about 10-12 minutes
total....this was seemingly true of most of the songs on the album, stretched
out with extended Phishy jams......

ROCK AND ROLL: This one may not seem familiar by name, but you probably know
it....said to be semi-autobiographical for Lou Reed, it relates a young girl's
experience living in a repressive, vanilla home until she picks up a radio
station from New York City and "can't BELIEVE" what she hears!  Rock and roll!
"Despite all the amputations" or the "complications" in her life, she "can
just dance to the rock and roll station!"  And the big hook is, "and it was
alright! (yeah, it was alright!)" Page took the vocals again, then they had an
INSANE jam, whole song apparently over 15 minutes, my notes say "Weekapaugh-
esque jam for 5 minutes," (that's high praise from me), then they came back to
the lyrics (and it was alright!)....

COOL IT DOWN: was appropriately named, after the explosion of Jane and Rock
and Roll, it was a little mellower, but not completely mellow, more of a
smooth groove....my notes say "good song for Phish to cover" -- I remember
some nice vocal harmonies, too :)....around this time I started toget tired
and kicked back for most of the rest of the set, just listening to the songs
and still kinda boogie-ing in my seat....

NEW AGE: my notes say "anthemic rocker", my memory says started slow, built to
large crescendo, kinda similar to Joe Jackson's "Slow Song" but even more
crescendoed (if you don't know Slow Song pickup J.J.'s Night and Day
album.....seriously)

HEAD HELD HIGH: I guess I was getting tired, because my notes say simply
"rockin'"...nice insight, pal, thanks....I can hear the chorus in my head, but
it's hard to describe.....seems kinda like raspy lyrics almost like a
Springsteen song.....maybe not ;)

LONESOME COWBOY BILL: Of course Fishman sang, as he used to, but he didn't
come out from behind the drum kit, apparently they kept it more faithful to
the album version....still funny Fish singing, as always.....then the song
ended, but they fired up the "Cowboy Bill" groove, jammed it out, then it got
"long ^�n' dreamy", as my notes say, then melted into

I FOUND A REASON: Some "trippy Trey guitar shit," then a verse, then it got
"real dreamy" (my notes again), Mike delivered a spoken chorus, then it built
with some nice 4-way vocals

Somewhere around this time the Iphster indeed hit his peak, as we found him
sound asleep in his chair!  Mia delivered the appropriate punch line: "Oh, go
to the Stratosphere with Iffi!"  Funny on 2 levels....

TRAIN ^�ROUND THE BEND: Picked up the pace again, I don't remember much about
the tune, Mike took the vocals....

OH!  SWEET NUTHIN': Started with a long buildup, called a "phish-groove build
up" in my book....then a long series of short lyrical bursts....along the
lines of "sing a song for Mrs. Brown.....she's got nuthin' at all"....."sing
one for [someone else] he's got nuthin' at all"....truly representative of the
gritty New York side of the band, celebrating characters on the skids who have
"nuthin" at all....

A *triumphant* performance of the album....I'm currently searching for a copy
on vinyl (just feels right), but I'll pick up the CD soon if I must....can't
wait to check it out

<>

***Setbreak #2***

Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" comin' over the P.A. (Nice ears, Cletus!)

I tried to rouse Iffi, who looked up puzzled, said "just doin' what I gotta do
right now", and dropped his head back down!  Classic, Lemon-boy....

Another quick-ish set break, energy returning!

WOLFMAN'S BROTHER: definitely got some energy in the reserve tank, yes!  Got
up and started boogie-ing.....noted some "cool wah-wah vocals" at the delivery
of the "smooth atonal sound" lyric (which, as someone else has mentioned, is a
great way to describe some of Phish's music)....is that "wah-wah" new, or have
I just never tuned into it before?....oh, and check a 2nd song off on my list
of 5!

The Wolfman's jam turned into a "Moma funk groove", definitely thought either
Moma Dance or Ghost was coming, then it turned into a "way trippy groove,"
building into a "harsh dissonant, UNsmooth atonal sound"!  Fish apparently
left the drums at some point and hit the vacuum....and the GLOWSTICKS started
flying!  The band seemed to react by getting even more dissonant and ambient,
providing an evil Halloween glowstick war soundtrack!   There was a LONG
glowstick jam, and I'm happy to say, the Iphster woke from his slumber, threw
his glow stick about 12 feet, and went back to sleep!.....a lot of folks
started breaking out sparklers here and there....then we heard some "Lifeboy-
esque fills"

This dissonant groove lasted about 15-20 minutes sandwiched around the
glowstick war.....soon Fish started chanting and singing and adding to the
trippiness

Page tried to start up Esther with several "boop-boo-boo boop-boo-boo" organ
riffs, but to no avail....needless to say this Angry Mob of Joggers was
momentarily freaking, then rebuffed :(

then they built it up in intensity, reminiscent of "Low Spark of High Heel
Boys," until finally Trey played the little guitar trill that signals:

PIPER: it took a while to start up after the trill, about 3-4 minutes, then
started the Piper build....eventually got raging (as always), nothing real
memorable about it....then instead of the sudden tempo change jazzy ending,
they just slowed it back down and faded it out, then Trey was still noodling
around.....Fish made up a drum beat, trying to take the jam another direction,
but no one followed and they faded out completely

then Trey started up another digital delay loop, a groove started, and it
became a very stilted, gooey:

GHOST: Bing!  That's three of my five songs!  But this one was kinda weird, a
little slower than usual, real gooey is the best I can describe it, like
trying to play or run at normal speed but you're surrounded by goo slowing you
down, almost like a bad dream....Ghost eventually faded down, Trey walked over
to Page, then dropped his guitar and walked off, followed by Page, then Fish
and Mike....no insights from the cheap seats as to how/why this went down....

Mia: "that's the suckiest set I've ever seen!"....my take on it was that it
may have been musically brilliant -- the tapes will tell the story -- but they
were asking a LOT of a wiped out crowd on Vega$ time in their 5th set in 2
nights (some their 7th in 3) to keep their attention up through the Wolfman's
dissonance....the whole set was kinda slow and trippy....definitely might have
had some artistic merit (probably did, as others -- apparently with energy --
have described loving the set), but I was not in the right state of mind to
appreciate it...in fact, that fits right in with an observation that I've made
before, which is that your appreciation of a Phish set can often depend on
your mind set -- if you're in high energy/good buzz/happy mode, they'll blow
your stack, but if you're tired or sick or feeling down, they can be tough to
keep up with

E: SLEEPING MONKEY: After the short set, I (and 10,000 + others) were hoping
for some kinda epic Harpua-laced encore for the ages, but not to be....no
worries....Monkey is always fun, Fish's stand-up singing act was popular with
the crowd....then in the Let It Be-inspired jam out, Fish yelled repeatedly,
"Yeah! Home on the Train!"   Suddenly the Iphster was up and bobbing his head
along!  Yeah!

TWEEZER REPRISE: This started up right out of the monkey, and signalled the
probable end of the show :( but that was actually :), because I was WORKED!
Tweeprise ended with the big spiraling white siren-lights going off arena-rock
style, and that was that....

The packin' up music was Elvis belting out "Viva Las Vegas", and the crowd
sang along   :)

Well this is long enough....back to the Hotel, an *excellent* Newcastle Nut
Brown, a bit of gambling, 3:30 bed, sleep is great, more buffet action
(mmmmmmm), and back on the road to the Bay Area by 12:00 noon....

A GREAT weekend!  Thanks again to the LemonDose crew for the wonderful
companionship, to Jamie and his rival Angry Mob of Joggers, to the Band and
everyone else that makes these things go, and most of all, to my darling Mia,
the sober-pregnant-trooper of the weekend!

Oh, and I won the pool! $50!!!!!!  I left Vega$ a winner!  Woooooo-hooooo!

ted, aka the Vega$Tevil  :)

p.s.  2 cents -- I think it's just GREAT that they unleashed Dark Side the
next show....boys, do whatever the hell you want!  You've earned it from my
perspective, especially after doing SO MANY things that make me smile for so
long.....and if that wasn't a clear invitation, no directive, to go on tour, I
don't know what is....this "they screwed us" bullshit is ridiculous, they owe
you (us) nothing, folks....they've spent 15 years doing everything but take
the easy road of money and fame, all to make the fans' experience
unforgettable....and it has been!

p.p.s Shameless grovel Reprise -- my deck is down and I don't have a lot of
recent tapes...just VA Beach and Lemonwheel from this year....would love a
copy of the Loaded set, and any ^�98's...any kind soul out there enjoy my
review and want to spin me some tapes for blanks?  I also have lots of ^�97 and
back stuff that we could arrange a trade for.....thanks in advance!



------------


10/31/98 - Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV


I just read the reviews for the Vegas run and hestatingly decided I
should add my opinion. I was hooked up with free tickets and Betty Ford
Clinic passes for both nights, so I got to see the scene from both sides
of the curtain, so to speak. I got walked in the back door of the arena
both nights, which is really kind of breath taking, because the first
thing you see is the back of the stage and the stands. Brad Sands and
and another phish org. type person (who will remain nameless), hooked me
up with passes. The backstage area was basically locker rooms with signs
on the doors like "Phish dressing room" or "Eric - Massage Therapist." I
went into Eric's room and hung out with his wife (I think) and Baby and
got to try out the leather massage table. I wanted to get my drink on,
so we headed to the Clinic, and as I walked in I realized the only
people that were in there was the band and their spouses and some close
friends like Amy, Kuroda, and Kevin Shapiro. They were all watching a
video of some British comedy candid camera thing - laughing their asses
off. I sat on the couch next to Page, trying to contain myself and
watched with them. I guess you could say I was in a pretty altered state
at the time, so the entire thing was very surreal. I didn't really build
up the nerve to say anything to them, but I'm glad I didn't, they really
looked like they were just trying to relax before having to play to a
packed crowd.Slowly the band left, and I followed everyone out to the
side of the stage and watched some of the first set leaning against the
stage foot level with Trey. The first set was great, but I was still
uncertain to what album they were going to play for the second set. I
didn't see the playbill until the set break. When I found out they were
playing The Velvet Underground, I knew we were in for a great night. If
Phish was to play a VU album, "Loaded" is by far the best choice. The VU
& Nico aka "The Banana Album", is by far their best album, but in a lot
of ways it is really untouchable. That album invokes a spirit and energy
that I honestly can't see Phish harnessing - Urban, 60's, Heroin
addiction, complete recklessness."Loaded on the other hand, is Lou
Reed's proclamation of love for pure pop Roc n' Roll. It has nothing to
do with "Art-rock." Starting with "Who loves the sun" Phish proved their
harmonizing abilities and their seemingly new found love for little rock
"Gems". "Sweet Jane" is perfect for showcasing Phish's climactic
build-ups and driving power chords. Rock-n-Roll had everyone going
bonkers. All non-believers and nay-sayers to the VU choice had to be
silenced. The highlght of the entire evening was "New Age." At the time
I thought a lot had to do with the fact that I was peaking, but
listening to the tapes today, it is clear that Phish reached it's appex
of the evening with the incredible jam in New Age. Trey was as melodic
and lifting as I'd ever seen him , Fishman's reserved drumming was a
perfect compliment - and who can beat a refrain like , "It's the
Beginning of a New Age!!!" I know it sounds kind of cheesy, but I
literally lost it, tears coming down my face, huge smile, beaming face.
This could have been Beethoven for all I new. "Lonesome Cowboy Bill"
reminded me that you can't take Rock seriously all the time, it's been
one of my favorite Fish covers since hearing the Lowell benefit. Oh
Sweet Nuthin' is one of the most emotional and honest rock tunes ever
written. The album version just ripples with the pain and anguish of Lou
Reed's immaculate writting voice. As a side-track, I highly recommend
getting Reed's newist release "A Perfect Night In London.", it to fully
conveys Reed's powerful writing voice. Back to the show, Page did
justice to the vocals on "Oh sweet Nuthin', it was the perfect send off
closer to one of the most influential Rock albums of the past thirty
years.
    I don't really want to write about the third set, I was so moved by
"Loaded" that nothing could touch me. The third set was epic until the
glowstick war, you could see the expression on Trey's face just sink.
But I really don't want to speculate on his mood. All I know is that I
thought I'd never see a better Halloween then Glen's Falls, Phish played
"Loaded" and made it their own. Who really cares about Pink Floyd anyway
(joke.)


I usually don't submit my own review, I just like to read others....butthis
was one of those weekends that I'll remember forever and I have toshare!
From the moment my fiance and I stepped off the plane on the 30th, weknew
we were in for one of the best weekends ever!  The Vegas airport was
completely overrun by phish phans everywhere!  The local paper had awhipass
article that day with Phish on the cover of the weekend section.  We met
phriends of ours from all over the country and according to the articlein
the paper, we were not alone.  They reported that only 10% of theaudience
for the entire weekend of Phish were actually from Las Vegas!  On to the
music.....the 30th was one of the best shows I've ever seen Phish play. To
open with Wilson, the crowd was in a frenzy, we all knew we were puttyin
Phish's collective hands.  For a moment, I thought we'd been transported
back to the early 90's for a classic setlist.  I kicked myself for not
wearing my "Maybe so, maybe not" t-shirt after they kicked out a killer
Golgi.  Tall cool woman, tweezer, scent....freebird, what more couldyou ask
for.  On Haloween, 2 of us were Sparkle, with glitter galore, 1 fluffhead, 1
rutherford the brave and 4 regular folks.  The costumes we saw wereawesome.
2 of our friends were getting married the next day at the glorious NewYork,
New York hotel but needed tickets.  We thought it was hopeless, but
amazingly, we were able to hook them up!!!  The energy inside theThomas &
Mack that night was beyond belief.  It was like we were little kidswaiting
to open presents on Christmas morning. Again, we were all blown away by
Phish's 1st set.  There were mixed reactions from the crowd aboutchoosing
Velvet Underground for the middle set.  It's been a long time since I
listened to that album, but I knew that Phish would do the best versionever
of every one of those songs and did they ever!  I was surprised at howmany
people didn't know anything about VU or Loaded but when I was handedthat
beautiful playbill, I thought, its perfect!  I finally got to see PYITE
again, four years after seeing it at my first show. Wolfman's, piper -WOW!
My feet hurt after both nights from dancing so hard.  If you didn'tdance
your tail off that weekend, you weren't at the same shows we were.   
For those of you who think that there was something to bitch about with
either of the Vegas shows, you should have your head examined.  AndVegas
was the pefect place for Haloween.  Free drinks at all of the casinos, a
completely different, bizarre world for a freaky weekend.  A city that
doesn't sleep.  While, I too am somewhat appalled at the Vegas scene,the
idea that "they're" very obvious about trying to suck you dry ofcash....I
couldn't help but have the best fucking time of my life there.  
Congratulations Matt & Casey!  Jennifer & BlueDenver, CO


it's been two days since i've returned from vegas and i sit here still 
trying to sort through the myriad of moments, both musical and 
otherwise, that transpired this past weekend.  my memory is still ablur 
of lights, color, emotion, sound, streets and people all linkedtogether 
into one long stream devoid of time.  as tons of reviews will bepouring 
in which no doubt will be outlining the shows song-by-song in 
chronilogical order, i want to focus on the specific parts of the shows 
which affected me the most.  there are always these parts of the 
experience which are so difficult to put into words, because they are 
the moments which get to you on an intimate, personal level -- andthese 
are the moments which most often stay with you long after all the other 
details (what you did before and after the show, who you met up with, 
where you went, etc) recede into the distance.  it is perhaps ironic 
that these things which end up to be the most important and profound 
moments which you carry with you after it's all over are the same 
moments during a show which are the most difficult to explain because 
they do not take the form of words.  the things that are happening at a 
deeper level; that turn you inside out; the intangibles.   i had many 
such moments during friday and saturday night's shows.  some of these were:
10/30-  the antelope during first set.  it was incredible, and i just 
got so lost in it...the whole stash  manteca  tweezer  nicu in the 
second set:  i had no idea what was happening, only that something 
immense and powerful was going on.  i remember towards the end ofstash, 
before manteca, the jam became dark and strong and it was like being 
taken through a series of doorways, each of which led to another one, 
and another one, taking us somewhere but we didn't know where, pulling 
us to the other side on these waves.  this is the only way i can think 
to describe it.  when it began to emerge into manteca, there were still 
stash overtones...and then the manteca was just so funky...the whole 
time it was melting into tweezer, there was an overlap of stash and 
manteca mixed in, and a certain period of time when they kept goingback 
and forth like this, so that it all blended together...and then the 
tweezer- intense, on and on.  then spiralled into nicu, and everybody 
relaxed and let loose with it.  smiles abounded everywhere...
personal highlights from the halloween show were:
set I:  pyite.  when it began, the crowd was insane.  the whole 
beginning was exciting because it seemed as if they extended theopening 
notes (or maybe it was just me), prolonging the suspense even more 
before they busted it out.  i love the perpetual forward movement ofit.  
roggae was gorgeous, slow, dreamy.  the height of chalkdust was 
glorious, and the weekapaugh ender was the best.
set II:  although i'd never heard Loaded before, this sounded amazing. 
they were all just so into it.  the highlight of it for me was 
definitely the jamming out of sweet jane and then rock & roll.  beautiful.
set III:  when that little  is notated in a setlist, there is so much 
more to that little arrow than can ever be conveyed just by looking at 
it.  the final set of this show was a prime example of that.  the whole 
set felt like one long journey.  the jam out of wolfman's seemed likeit 
lasted forever.  when it lapsed into the evil spookiness, it seemed as 
if the band was holding the audience up;  they kept going through all 
these different phases, and then the audience stared to yell and 
'wooooo!', and grew louder, so much so that at one point the collective 
screams took on an intense spine-shivering crescendo.  and it seemed 
like the band just picked up on this and fed off it, going deeper into 
the spook jam, and pretty soon it was like phish was having this 
conversation with the audience, and vice-versa.  amazing.
when the beginnings of piper emerged, the energy level just shot up to 
unprecedented levels.  piper was joyous, beautiful, thrilling, 
bittersweet, bright, and just built and built...into ghost.  when itwas 
over, it did seem as if the set had been on the short side -- and itwas 
kind of strange the way trey just stopped it and walked off the stage.  
i turned to one of my friends and said, 'is that really the end of the 
set?' and i think he put it best by replying 'i have no idea, time is 
all distorted!'  
combine all of the above with the surreal backdrop of vegas, so many 
reunions with old friends, strangers immediately surrounding you who 
become just as big a part of your experience as the friends you'rewith, 
and wandering after the show all night through a sea of undescribable 
eye-candy of costumes and the city itself...
while meandering outside across one of the bridges that connected the 
little neighborhood of tropicana ave. hotels in the wee hours of sunday 
morning, we discovered that it was getting light outside -- and we 
stopped for a moment and witnessed the sun rising over the city. that 
strange cross-over of time when it is just beginning to get light,after 
you've been up all night, is magical, and i'm glad i left vegas while 
the dawn had just emerged, still in that blissful state from the night before.  
during the plane ride home i closed my eyes and let all the pieces of 
the weekend, the moments that ravaged me, fall into their places.  it 
doesn't matter that looking back, many of these moments and details of 
those two days and nights remain foggy;  at the end of everything, the 
ones that stand out form a cohesive story which leaves newunderstanding 
and meaning in its wake.  at least it does for me.~rachel


I just got back from Vegas, and like many of you, had very high
expectations for the 31st.  
The first set absolutely raged, IMHO.  I'm always up for a great Punch,
and the band provided.  Sneakin' Sally was nice as well, but thehighlight
of the set for me was the jam into Chalkdust.  UHFr called it, as he
continued to do all night.  The Mike's was great to hear, but hoping for
Hydrogen and getting Frankie disappointed me.  Weekapaug killed me,
however.  Mike's slaps on the opening bassline were much longer than
usual, and Trey just wouldn't let it end.  Great set.  Up there with my
favorites.Having received the Phishbill as I had anticipated, I was excited to
hearthe Velvet Underground, but it kind of took the thrill out of the "WHATIS
IT?" chase.  Oh well.  All well-written songs - it seemed to me as songs
that Phish would write if they were around then.  Nice, poppy atmosphere
and sing-alongs.  I loved it.  The jam after Bill was super, too.
The third set confused me, to say the least.  The Wolfman's opener was
nice to hear, although I had hoped for Drowned.  The jam took off andthe
glowsticks came out.  I really don't like them unless it's outside and
it's Hood.  It looked cool, but too many landed on the stage.  Theambient
jam really pleased me, as I feel that the 4th set at the Wheel was the
best I'd ever heard Phish.  Piper next, another favorite, and then the
cut.  Trey consulting with Mike, then Ghost.  The vocals and keyssounded
off in the mix, but hell, it's Ghost.  UHFr called Ghost  Moma which
would explain the interaction, but instead Trey calls it quits.  
I was not happy, to say the least.  Phish is as cohesive a unit as I've
ever seen, but this really made me nervous.  In lesser bands, it'sthings
like that that break bands up.  
After seeing the 11/1 and 11/2 setlists, I am much relieved.  After
thinking it was a Trey/Mike argument, seeing them playing at the Dead
Goat was great to hear as I stepped off the plane.  Hearing about Dark
Side was incredible, but as I do not like Pink Floyd, was only a shockand
not a moment to pray.  
Here's a theroy proposed by the almighty mayonaise god UHFr: During the
third set on 10/31, Trey wants to go from Ghost  Harpua  DSOTM.  Now,
whether it was the 1:00 AM curfew or all the goddamned glowsticks orMike,
they decided not to do it.  I was happy with Loaded, mind you.  I wanted
Use Your Illusion I & II (just think of November Rain) but the 11/2 just
makes me want to catch the entire tour.  
Please send me any questions/comments.  I'd love to hear them.Kevin


From: Gregory S Hassebrock gsh3@dana.ucc.nau.edu
To: andy@gadiel.com
Subject: FALL_REVIEW

The Halloween show did not compare to any other that I have ever heard.
There was nothing that seemed special about this night.  No narration or
as much as a Happy Halloween from Trey.  I don't know what was wrong
with him, nut it seems to me that he doesn't like playing in Vegas.  The
first set was standard and very ordinary at best.  I did not appreciate
the Axilla opener, especially when compared to previous Halloween
openers (Frankenstein, Icculus and Sanity).  The Loaded cover was nice
and extended to twice the length of the original.  But that was the only
part of the show that I appreciated.  The third set was a joke (55 min)
topped off by Trey quitting on us in the middle of Ghost.  There was
absolutely nothing special about the two sets of phish, and I was
greatly disappointed.  I feel like I was cheated, after seeing them 22
times and from the reputations that previous Halloween shows have had.
I can't believe people could say anything remotely positive about the
two phish sets here.  Come on people, don't describe your drug  
experiences, say something real about their performance. 



What a great time!  Vegas, friends, and Phish.  Everyone should 
experience Vegas on Halloween.  How about $1.25 Guinness at O'Sheas.  
Vegas rocks and so did Phish.  I thought they were right on from the
get  go.  Axilla had some kinks but PYITE was sharp.  All the bashers of
Birds are a little whacked.  Just because it is on the radio now, you decide 
you don't like it. LISTEN TO IT.  Free was on the radio also, but I
guess you don't like that either.  Anyhow, Sneakin Sally set it on fire and
it continued right through a bizzare Chalkdust al the way to the jamming 
Weekapaug.  "Loaded" was a fitting Phish tribute to an influential
band. 
 No Rolling Stone, Phish does not cover songs in order to sound like
the way the original band did.  Any band can buy a music book, memorize it, 
and sit in a studio until they can play it lick for lick. They take
music that has been a part of their lives and play it.  The took Lou Reed's 
lyrics and Velvet's music and added some Phish to it.  That is how it 
should be.  "Sweet Jane" was climatic, like Merriweather, and I bet we 
will hear "Rock and Roll" again.  The third set reminded us it was 
Halloween.  "Wolfman's" funked and then went out there.  "Piper" is 
evolving into one of those showcase songs and is popping up in
important places.  I think it should, what a great song.  The "Ghost" was
haunting. It grooved along and I loved it.  At the end Trey decided that
was it and 
walked off with the rest to follow.  The encore was fitting.  "Home on
a  train...." or a plane or a car.  Reprise rocked us out into the 
glistening lights of Vegas, time to go and enjoy a great American city.
 
Guess what, I did!!!


-every halloween tune was in the top three I've seen
-jams seemed effortless yet remained insane
-50 minute album played in 85
-moments that happen once a year happened about every other tune
-two words- glory days
- put it all together - the most important and perfect show since new
years '95 and its only the third of the tour.
  Yes folks, we are in deep shit now.
        thank you for your attention in these matters,

                                Green Lagois ( Toronto)


Halloween in Vegas!  As if that wouldn't be enough by itself, it was
blown out into the universe by a band called Phish!
It was only my second phish show, and will I never miss one again! 
(Unless I'll be on vacation again when mail order and ticket sales
start...).  Those guys simply liquidified my brain, cracked my head
open and served it over easy.  Yeehhaaa!  In a year filled with
outstanding concerts this is one of the absolute highlights.  As I
only saw them once before I can't really compare this or that song
with that other version from xx/xx/xx, but man did I enjoy this show. 
The first set got me off my seat and dancing in no time, and that's
what I did for the rest of this awesome night.  I was happy that they
did play some of the new CD too,  I really love that disc. It has been
monopolizing my CD player since its release, fighting for play time
with the latest installment of the Dick's Picks.  (So much music, so
little time...)
The whole first set was some high energy jamming that I haven't heard
in a while.  I even had the impression, that the band did not want to
stop this set, putting one more song on, one more jam until they used
up the last second of time allocated to the first set.
My first reaction when I read which album they'll cover, was a slight
disappointment, as I had never heard that album or even knew it
existed.  Nor did I know much about Velvet Underground, besides that
they hung out with Warhol and have a banana on a record. Boy was I in
for a surprise!  They took this album and not only made it their own,
they made an album I had never heard before, sound like it was my all
time favorite record!  What a bender!  They must have practiced the
hell out of that piece, they sure played it as if it was the first
songs they ever played together.  Amazing what those guys could pull
off.  I'm even tempted to buy the original album, even so I think that
I'd be disappointed with it.  
The third set was great too, some incredible jamming pulling down into
some 'noise' and back out into wonderful music.  The end was a bit
hasty, but I did not experience it  quite as harsh as some describe it
here (in some reviews it sound as if the band just got up and dropped
everything from one second to an other).  I am sure they had a curfew,
either from the venue, or from their own schedule, after all the crew
had to pack all that stuff up and move it on to the next venue.  All
through the third set I could see them roll away boxes and what not
behind the stage already while the band kept playing on.  I thought
the whole show was a great well rounded experience.  I'm sure gonna be
looking for tapes (or better CD-Rs of that one!)

The place looked heavily oversold, there was not a seat left empty and
not much standing room to speak of either.  And everybody, absolutely
everybody was up and dancing!  I have never seen that in a concert
unless it's the encore of a great night.  Here everybody seemed to
enjoy the hell out of it and kept dancing like crazy from the first
song on.  It was practically impossible not to have a good time that
night.  What added to the over all experience of course, are all the
costumes.  I'd guess at least half the audience was dressed up!  That
turned out to be quite bizarre sometimes, you don't normally see the
pope dancing next to aliens while elfs and super heroes swirl around
them and !  The two sex doll that they threw around on the floor where
a blast too, quite strange to see two naked 'girls' dancing and
mingling with each other on top of everybody else's heads! One guy was
dressed all in black and had glow sticks attached to his whole body,
great idea!  A living 'neon' sculpture. I also got a blast out of the
glow stick war.  Not that I'd call it war, from our seats it looked
more like some living breathing organism down there, especially after
they turned all the other lights off. (Of course, I also did not get
hit in the head with them, that might have changed my view of things).
 I had a ball with that and I was under the impression the band did
too, jamming more and more intensely, speeding the light explosion up
for combustion.
What was not really mentioned yet was the absolutely outstanding light
show!  Absolute beauty!  I love those radiant strong colors they are
capable of doing nowadays.  Sometimes the light rig looked like some
alien life form or a UFO ready to land, beaming green, yellow, purple,
blue, and red streaks of light all over.  A fantastic job!  Also the
sound was quite good where we were, a great 'ridable' bass line
throughout and clear sound from all instruments.  The vocals where
sometimes a little too silent, but still, one of the best sounding
shows in a big place like that.

All in all this was well worth the trip and the cost, but I expected
that.  Halloween, Vegas, and Phish, that had to be good.  Contrary to
others here I like Vegas for all it's nuttyness.  A great place to
visit every other year and check out what else you can build, if money
is not an issue.  Toon Town if there is one!  I hope at least some of
you got to check out the roller coaster at the NY NY, awesome!  My
most expensive concert yet, but I'd do it again in no time.  Phish
sure delivered something money can't buy!


SC


Anyone who says that they were disapointed by either shwo in Vegas is
completely ridiculous.  If you can honestly say that any onf those five
sets
"let you down," get your head examined.  Halloween was my 25th show in
2 years
and I can tell you I have NEVER EVER seen Phish play as inspired as
they did
this weekend.

I am so shocked to read so many begative reviews about Vegas.  How can
anyone
say they were not in awe as Phish pounded out Loaded?

Wake UP!  Phish was on this weekend.  West Valley was obviously
ridiculous,
kudos to those who went.  

Pete




Phish Halloween - sick entertainment.

The entire event was blessed from the moment we left town for the
airport.  Flew into Vegas with no plan and no seats to the toughest
ticket of the year and made both shows - at face value.  Hit a $2,000
jackpot on a slot.  Nothing could go wrong.  Someone was watching over
this little head.

But on to the show.  There are great shows.  There are top 10 sets.  And
every show you see has something to offer.  But, this was something
entirely different than that.  This event was out of control.  Over the
top.  Haywire.  Sick.  Friday's second set was a top 10 all-time set,
and that's enough to go home more than happy for the weekend. But, 
Saturday - Halloween - was sick.  Get this tape.  That's all I'm saying.

25,000 heads out of their seats and out of their minds dancing for
almost 4 f*cking funky hours.  A stadium full of costumes, an army of
little Pixies in white body suits and gossamer wings wandering around on
x blowing handfuls of silver pixie dust onto anything that moved and had
a light shining on it and standing back to glow at their handiwork and
hug their friends and any nearby strangers.

A Dead cover band played the parking lot.  Skate heads flipping ollies
and rail slides off the fences.  Veggie burritos.  An amoeba of miracle
seekers filled the field near the stadium all seeking the one or two
extras that might somehow not be needed.  Inside, the place was packed
beyond all belief. Security made a few half-hearted and ineffective
efforts to manage the crowds and finally gave up.  Nobody in the
audience had an attention span longer than 60 seconds, and the crowd
managed themselved better than any gang of yellow-shirted bouncers
could.  I heard some 20 year-old shriv talk security out of clearing the
aisle we were dancing in.  "Hey dude, it'll never work, you can't clear
out all therse people and it's a bad idea anyway man, just let us
dance".  And it worked.  The bouncer just looked at him and left.

Every square inch of space was sold out.  The seats and aisles on the
3rd level of the stadium, behind the stage with obstructed view, were
filled to capacity with revelers.  Maybe 12 people twirling in the
hallways, the rest of the planet was in the audience pumping and dancing
and freaking in a huge collective musical orgasm of belonging and power
and community and sweat and dr*gs and incredibly loud incredibly out of
control music.

Frenzy.  The band worked the crowd like an old friend, lifting the crowd
into a fever, working the groove over and over with an immense powerful
bass line that entered your brain directly through the skull, reached
down your spine and grabbed hold of the center of your soul and being
and ripped it out - mixing your essence with whatever it found in the
rest of the crowd as you danced and moved and shone as a singular
entity.  Each loop around the theme bringing you close and closer to a
final explosion like a perfect "Morning Dew where Phil just kept
dropping bomb after bomb into the crowd and Jerry kept bringing the
theme around again for one more explosion of incredible energy.  And
then when you were completely spent at the climax, Trey'd'd back off
into a slower new theme like a old familiar favorite lover running their
fingers up and down your back to give you a change to look at the people
around you with a look of awe on your face unable to speak except to say
"wow" and hear the person next to you saying "wow" then get a drink of
water and be ready to run at the top of the world again.

Teasing the crowd with bits and pieces (3rd set jam - how awesome was
that?) making the whole crowd reach out and beg to be given the musical
bone they needed and longed for - then finally giving it up and not just
a little bit but like a wave crashing onto a hungry desert that you'd
think couldn't get too much water and overflowing all conceivable
boundaries.  After the first set - no typical mad rush for bathrooms and
beer.  People still dancing on pure momentum, the rest just standing
there staring at their friends in amazement.

Second set - Velvet Underground "Loaded" album.  Could there have been a
better call.  Unbelievable Sweet Jane, an anthemic Rock and Roll.  Cool
it Down like it sheould have been played.  Train Round the Bend lasted
for for days - a crowd singing lyrics they's never heard before.  I'll
never be the same.
-- 
Michael Peachey
                                       michael@peachey.com
                                       http://peachey.com



I'm sorry if the VIBE was off for some of you.  That's a damn shame
because you missed what was one of the best shows I've seen Phish do in
some time.  After seeing the first two shows of the tour, I had no idea
what to expect.  Thursday at the Greek was spacey, all-over the place;
pretty tight, but Phish held back.  I assumed Pink Floyd for Halloween
following the show--seemed in tune (no pun intended) with what they were
doing.  Then Friday in Vegas.  Rockin'!  As good a show as I could
recall seeing in a few years.  MULE/CHICKEN SHACK/MULE--forgetaboutit.
LONG COOL WOMAN.  ANTELOPE. STASH/MANTECA.  FREEBIRD a capella!  I was
wondering what they could do to keep building the intensity of the first
two shows.  I knew a DARK SIDE cover wouldn't do it.  It's too slow an
album for where they were headed.  I think that's why some people are so
bent.  They think the only time Phish is hooked up is when they're doing
long spacy jams.  I disagree.  Some of the finest moments I've witnessed
have been tight, in-your-face jams, a la HALLOWEEN.

From the first moment it was clear that this was going to rock the
house.  Nothing fancy persay.  Just "let's tear the fricken walls off
this joint!"  AXILLA--Boom!  PYITE.  A beautiful jam on ROGGAE.  Then
BIRDS.  Not a big fan of the song, but I was dressed as a CHICKEN WITH
ITS HEAD CUT OFF so it couldn't have been more apropos.  Things really
took off from there.  The SNEAKIN' into CHALKDUST was sick.  Then Page
lounging with LAWN BOY.  MIKE'S and I knew we were in for a treat.  I
was thinking they'd go into HYDROGEN and finish with TWEEZER (REPRISE).
They played Tweezer the night before and thought that would serve as a
good link.  Instead I was surprised by a great transition into FRANKIE
SAYS and then into a jammin' WEEKAPAUG.  After the set ended I was sure
things couldn't keep going like that.  Something had to give.   In fact,
I thought it would too.  I'm not always happy to know what's going to be
played as the COSTUME.  I think it diminishes the suspense.  Ruins the
VIBE for some of you I guess.  But after reading the playbill at the
break, I got pumped.  They all seemed really into the album.  They WERE
really into the album.  I can't remember a better set EVER!  Sure this
wasn't an intricate album. Nothing like QUADROPHENIA or even THE WHITE
ALBUM, but it was something that Phish had the presence to simply make
their own, to introduce it to many would-be fans.  I found particular
highlights to be HEAD HELD HIGH, COOL IT DOWN, and OH! SWEET NUTHIN'.
But it was all sweet.  Rockin'! Tight!  Perfect!  Any band that can take
an album that the audience probably isn't familiar with, cover it, and
have people singing the lyrics, screaming their heads off, and cheering
for more, is beyond reproach.  Phish blew the lid off with songs many
people, including myself, weren't all that familar with.  IMPRESSIVE!!!

The third set changed things.  We'd gotten two jumping sets.  They eased
into some HALLOWEEN SPACE for the final set.  It was different from the
first two, a heavy change of pace that I think threw some people.  I was
into it.  The Glowsticks.  I don't care about that all too much.  I
doubt that had much to do with an abrupt ending.  Bands sometimes do
that.  Phish can too.  Just leave things hanging a little.   An eerie
ending to GHOST.  What's more fitting?  I think the third set lacked
what the first two had, sure, but I wasn't complaining then, so I won't
be complaining now.  The encore of SLEEPING MONKEY/TWEEZER
(REPRISE)--awesome!  Brought everything full circle for me.  I thought
Tweezer at the end of the first set.  Instead I got it for encore.

In all, great stuff.  The naysayers have their opinion.  I stand by
mine.




 Anyone who said that this show was disappointing must be a Widespread Panic
fan:  Amazing, incredibly tight jams that come from the universe that only
Phish has seen.  They are like no other band in the world, so deal with it.  I
had a blast (at my 40+ show) and so did everyone else I spoke to.  If people
don't stop concentrating on setlists and start listening to the music, all
reviews from now on will be a crock.  Listen to the music, don't read the
setlist.  Who the hell gets a 30+ minute Wolfman's followed by an incredibly
amazing Piper (umatched previously) and complains?  Am I the only one that
noticed that Phish had to leave the stage at 1:00 and that's why the set
ended.  They were breaking down the stage during the 3rd set!!  We still got
215 minutes of music.  "I'm disappointed" is pathetic.  Sorry to sound so
agro, because I'm not.  I'm completely pumped from the grand energy that Phish
pumped into me over the weekend!!  

   Dustin Bambic
   Bowling Green, KY
   astrokid43@aol.com



flew out from florida for the 30th and 31st in vegas.
truly cannot understand any negative comments about the performance, vibe, or
album selection.  i love phish! why? because those guys give 110% every show,
sometimes more.  the boys played their hearts out and gave me the time of my
life.  i've seen phish on two continents, three countries, and six states and
let me tell you these two shows blew my freakin' mind.  don't want to comment
too much on the shows as ya need to hear them for yourself on tape if you
weren't there.  i do want to mention just a couple things about halloween.
first set in general rocked! the weekapaug will be talked about for a long
time to come. long and scorching!!!!  second set was so intense!  not a single
weak moment.  after two such high energy sets, i was completely drained
physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  third set was the perfect call
spacey, groovy, and beautifully jammed out.  after the first two sets i turned
to my buddy and said "if they come out with something like down with disease i
think your goin' have to call an ambulance for me"  third set was the perfect
call.  encore was just great.  one final burst of serious energy to send us
home.  finishing the tweezer they started the night before capped the weekend
perfectly.  thank you boys. thank you for a real good time!

peace,

-mudlovebud
dan zangwill


First set was good fun after the endless hell of filing into that place!
Birds of a Feather is becoming quite the little anthem, Chalkdust
jammed, Page was the killer lounge singin fool on Lawn Boy, and the
Frankie Says was a beautiful caesura to an otherwise out of hand jam on
Mike'sWeekapaug. I really thought Mike was going to pull his bass
apart, man. He just wouldn't quit. 
And he picked it right up again in set 3 for Wolfman. Wow, was he ever
on fire! Slappin and bombing the crowd with thunder during that ambient
set, it was unreal. 
As for all the speculation on Trey walking off early, who knows. The
time was up, man. Shows like that get really expensive for everyone
except the fans after 1 a.m. Union crew members expect big money after
certain hours on the job - they were tearing down the lighting rig
before Ghost was finished playing. 
Maybe it wasn't that. Maybe he took a glowstick in the eye. Maybe he had
diarrhea from all the crappy buffet food at Maxim's. Maybe he is sad
because the the new tunes don't jive and he is sick of the old stuff. 
But probably it was about money.
WHO KNOWS?!?!
It was still an awesome huge musical event and experience. The Velvet
Underground material moved me and those nearby to tears. It was truly
huge. They sounded like the Partridge Family at times. And they worked
hard to make the harmonies right and the jams solid. Anyone expecting
2001Maze and then Dark Side of the Moon is on crack. Sorry, but Phish
just aren't ever going to be that fucking OBVIOUS, man.

Kudos to the authorities for keeping it cool. And a big warning to
anyone who trusts the guy next to ya, as someone stole a fanny pack
right from under our noses on Saturday. Have fun on the rest of the
tour, but be aware!!!


I'm just going to post a few comments about this show, since
there have already been so many reviews.  

First, I'm not complaining, but I definitely enjoyed the 10/30
show more.  I think many fans had very high expectations
for this show, and that may have left many disappointed.
I know that many of us in my group of friends that came up
from Tucson were debating whether we'd hear a Forbin or
a Harpua, and whether we'd get an Icculus or Sanity or
Big Black Furry Creature...shit like that.  Basically, I think
the band made a conscious decision to not be so predictable,
and throw out all the props and play a straightforward show.
Many were disappointed in this decision.  Oh well.

Personally, I was a little disappointed to hear the same 
three SOTG songs (Roggae, Frankie, Birds) in set 1 that I 
heard during the Greek set 1.  Oh well.  I was also a little
disappointed with the ending of the Ghost. It was obvious
that Trey walked off the stage before anyone else in the
band was ready for the song to be over, and this was 
easily the least interesting version of the song ever to be
played in front of an audience.  Oh well. 

Overall, though, the show was definitely really good. The
Mike's was great, the Weekapaug was stupendous, and
the Wolfman'sPiper was unbelievable. When Trey came
out with the mask on, I was laughing my ass off.  I didn't
hear all the teases that are listed on the set lists I've seen,
but I did notice Fishman playing a lengthy vacuum solo
near the end.  The Piper just kept getting faster and faster, 
and I thought it raged as hard as any I've ever heard. They 
didn't end it the way they usually do, but just gradually 
slowed it down until it came to a stop about 5 minutes after 
the second vocal section.

FWIW, I thought the Chalkdust was very strange. It was 
jamming along nicely for awhile, but then they couldn't
seem to finish it.  The jam only semi-peaked, and then
instead of going back into the structured part of the song
they just faded it out into LawnBoy. LawnBoy was a 
blast, though, as was the Sneakin' Sally that segued
very nicely into Chalkdust.

As for the Loaded set, I wasn't really happy with the
choice at first, but I was blown away at how well they
played it. Every aspect of this set was awesome - the
vocals, the jams...everything.  Definitely check this set
out!

As for the negative comments about the vibe, I have to 
say I don't really know where these people are coming
from.  Before the first set the energy level was definitely 
high. Someone got the wave going, and almost everybody 
was into it. After the second set, some people got a good
marshmallow fight going, and even the security guards 
were into it, trying to catch marshmallows in their mouth
and throwing them back up at people. Freakin' hilarious!

As for the negative comments about the length of the
third set - all I know is that it was almost 2 am when we
walked out of that place, and I was really freakin' tired.
Maybe Trey was too.  

It was a great time, and know where I'll be the next time 
Phish plays a Halloween show!

Peace & brownies,
Rob Winkler




Well, I have to put my 2 cents in. 1st off the 30th show was smokin'.  It
was really nice to see them get into the old school mood.  Cavern,
Scent,Chalkdust,Sneaking Sally.  Old School!  Anyway, the only reason I
bring it up was that I really thought the phans were bursting for a Harry. 
Especially with a short 2nd set and a Golgi closer.  I had the feeling that
maybe Phish was holding it back considering the Glowsticks were rampant. 
Kind of a bum encore, but still a phat show.

Halloween- I have had some time to reflect on this and I have to agree
there was general weirdness to the show.  Everybody is commenting on the
vibe and my theory is as follows:  It's VEGAS BABY!  How many of the kids
that went to the 30th were not up to see 4:20AM?  How many of us didn't
party outrageously all day on the 31st?  What do you think the band was up
to?  I also believe there were an inordinate amount of bug eyed phans that
were compensating for their lack of sleep with even more chemicals.  All of
this contributed to the lack of intensity from some phans.  Maybe finally
Trey noticed that and just said fuck it and quit. 
         The whole show up until say the end of Piper, Trey seemed to be jamming
extra hard.  I mean CRAZY JAMMING.  The Weekapaugthe whole Velvet's set
(WHICH IMO WAS BY FAR THE HIGHLIGHT SET OF THE 5) through Piper- Trey was
playing like a man possessed!  Wait till you hear the show!  We all know
that in the last 2 years Trey has been trying to take a back seat and have
a more organic sound, but let me tell you folks this was NOT what we have
come to expect of the band.  It was a crazy Trey Jam Phest. He was down in
his crouch just blistering his guitar.  Maybe finally he noticed during the
glowstick war that the phan's attention span was not there?  I don't know,
but anybody that was paying attention noticed 3 key points:
1. They were playing harder and faster than usual.
2.  There was nothing normal about the way that Scary post Glowstick JAM
went.
3. There was nothing good about Trey walking off the stage in the middle of
Ghost.

Make no mistake, this Halloween show was an unbelievable musical event. 
The band was on in a way that I have not seen them in years.  I think it
was a situation where the Evil City of Vegas did a crazy thing to the vibe.
 It i was dark. 




After reading some of the reviews I really wonder if I was at the
same show as some of these phans.  After 10/30 I was so excited for
Halloween, and I was not anything close to disappointed.  I thougt the
first set was great.  With a smoking sneakin Sally - Chalkdust, and a
nasty Weekapaug closer.  As well as a really nice lawnboy.  

	Velvet Underground was the shit.  The only songs I was familiar
with was sweet Jane and lonsome cowboy bill.  I thought the sweet Jane
smoked the merriweather one from the summer.  The rock and roll wasgreat
as well.  Phish really jammed these songs like they were there songs.
Great pick.  	The third set was short, and did end some what abrubtly, but I was
not at all disappointed.  The wolfman's - Jam was awesome, witha great
Piper to follow. I felt like the ghost was cut short and I expected along
encore(Harpua).  However, I thought the show was great and I can't waitto
get the tapes.  I hope all of you have great phun in the East, wish I
could be there.           pj     


I usually don't submit my reviews of the shows, but I feel a need to,
considering me and my friend flew in from New York to see the show.  I agree
with some previous reviews that said there was a very strange vibe to the
entire show.  We got to the Thomas and Mack at around 3:45 and waited on the
general admission line.  It was so strange because there was no Parking Lot
scene at all and everyone was showing up in taxi from there respective
hotel/motel.  
The "one line for 13,000 people to get into the arena" policy was the most
ridiculous I have ever scene at any show I've ever attended in my life.
After planting ourselves directly in front of Trey's microphone, about 15
feet away from the stage, it was time to sit back and enjoy.  I do not agree
with the people saying there was no vibe at all, it was just different. On
our way into the arena they were handing out Playbills announcing the
"Velvet Underground" as the band and LOADED as the album that was going to
be covered.  Many questions lingered at whether or not is was a goof, but
the detailed descriptions in the playbill gave it away (the guy that handed
me the playbill whispered "Madonna's Like a Virgin").  
The band genuinely seemed into it during the first set.  When they first
came out on stage, they looked around for a minute to survey the costumes.
Trey looked around and was chatting it up with Page and Mike trying to
figure out what to open with.  Axilla was the perfect answer.  Sneakin
Salley seems to follow me around wherever I go (Nassau, Merriweather)and it
was a pretty standard version and what a great merge into Chalkdust. The
set ended beautifully with Weekapaug, and it seemed like the boys had just
hit its stride and didn't want to get off the stage.  
Although I never really got into Velvet Underground, hearing them play these
songs was such a reflection of how fucking musically talented this band
really is.  The jams and harmony in some of the songs (Rock n Roll and Cool
it Down) were unbelievable.  Yes I was disappointed that Dark Side (I heard
they soundchecked with Money on Friday) or a Doors set was not played, but
musically, LOADED was a great way to show how far this band has come musically.
Unfortunately, the consensus of everyone standing around me on the floor was
wrong, and the 3rd set was not an hour and a half barrage of older jams that
were not played since the summer.  Trey came on with a Wolfman mask on and
they played a very long, glow stick war filled Wolfmans into Piper.  My
friend noticed something wasn't right on stage (he thinks something was
wrong with Trey's guitar) I personally think they were a little annoyed at
the glow sticks and the amount of them that landed on stage.  I got hit with
a bunch of them in the front, and those things don't feel so good when they
hit you in the side of the head. It must be hard playing on stage and not
being able to protect yourself from flying glowsticks from the upper level
(this needs to seriously be addressed).  At the end of Ghost Trey walked
over to Page and mouthed something that we couldn't make out.  The slowly
faded out of Ghost and Trey and Page just turned around and walked off.
Mike and Fish just sat there for a couple of seconds, looked ateach other
with confused looks, and walked of stage.  Sleeping Monkey into  Reprise
(and a barely 60 minute final set) seemed a little too basic and the vibe
seemed like they just wanted to finish the show.  Please let me know if you
know anything specific or if you totally disagree with me. 

 
If you people hate to complain so much, why do you persist in doing it so
often?  Why do you all fail to mention, for example, what Phish did with
Loaded?  I dont doubt that none of the reviewers thus far had heard the
album before the show.  That's too bad for them, but worse for those out
there who would like to know more about the show than "fuckin'glowsticks."
 This was an impressive show, and important.  So -- here goes:
	Loaded is not, by any stretch, the Velvet Underground's best album.  It
may even be their worst.  It is a string of short pop songs, with one or
two (not incredibly interesting) longer songs thrown in.  The pop songs
(notably Sweet Jane, Rock and Roll, and Cool It Down) are catchy.  But not
very interesting, very short, and nothing at all like the VU's best work
(try White Light/White Heat and Velvet Underground).  BUT
	What Phish did with this not-so-influential album from one of rock'smost
influential bands was to put the VU back into it.  Only one  song from the
album was played more or less straight -- Who Loves the Sun.  As if to say,
"here's what the album sounds like, for those of you who dont know. Pretty
crappy, huh?"  But from Sweet Jane on, Phish turned those songs into art
worthy of the VU.  Sweet Jane was, of these, the least interesting.  The
jam was basically the same as Merriwether Post, and it diverged little from
the backbone of the song.  What it did do, however, was to demonstrate that
this song, maybe alone among the songs on this album, can stand on its own.
 Rock and Roll was turned into a scorcher -- one hell of a rock jam. This
was the VU's influence being turned back on itself in spades -- White
Light/White Heat meets Loaded.  Cool It Down had a nice jam, this time a
bit more amorphous (Heroin meets Loaded). New Age was the highlight of the
set for me.  Already a pretty good song, Phish just made mincemeat of The
VU's version.  This song does jam a little bit on the album, but Phish took
off with it.  The song starts pretty mellow and builds on its own to the
rousing chorus of "It's the beginning of a New Age" repeated steadily over
and over.  Phish just amplified the build, moving from the eerily quiet
"Can I have your autograph, he said to the fat blond actress" through the
growing complexity of "Ill come running to you" and then right past the
climax of the VU's version into a hard jam, culminating with the
album-version's chorus. Really astounding.  In all honesty, I dont remember
Head Held High -- It's a pretty hard-driving song on the album, and I think
Phish's version was pretty true (although Im sure they jammed). Lonesome
Cowboy Bill, a pretty crappy song to begin with, took on a space jam feel
that seemed not to come out of the song, but ultimately improved upon the
song's straight-ahead cowboy rock.  Im glad they skipped the vacuum solo,
too.  The last three songs, with I Found a Reason and Train Round the Bend
among the worst on the album, were a vast improvement.  I Found a Reason is
a truly boring song, but Phish kicked it into gear, added some interesting
rhythms, and jammed it.  (Once again, Heroin meets Loaded).  Train Round
the Bend lends itself to a hard jam, and Phish didnt disappoint.  I wouldnt
say they did  much with this song, but it kept the energy going for O Sweet
Nuthin.  Again, a slightly more jammed song on the album.  It has a
built-in build, and again Phish amplified it.  Like New Age, it has a
climactic, repeated chorus, that again, Phish strung out and worked into
the jam. 	I apologize for the vagueness of much of my description here.  But
mainlythis was a rousing set in which Phish took several different styles of
jams, all with nods to other VU albums, and worked them into the popsongs
of Loaded.  Where Lou Reed shines through on the album (New Age, O Sweet
Nuthin), all Phish had to do was expand the songs and add some energy.
This set was an impressive homage to the Velvet Underground.
	Every show has its problems, folks.  Venues are rarely all we want them to
be, and sometimes neither are the fans or the band.  But this was agreat
show.  This was, much like with Remain in Light, Phish really doing
something interesting and exceptional -- not merely covering an album, but
teaching -- educating the fans about where their music comes from, about
constructing an album (or a show), about listening.  A Loaded cover would
have been boring.  This was exciting.  For those of you who were
disappointed because the third set was a mere 50 minutes, or because 15,000
other people actually wanted to go to the same show as you, at the same
time, through the same small doors, you ought to quit bitching.  Listen to
the music.  Look around.  Dance.-GM


i just got back from vegas and cannot believe that i am reading negative
reviews of this unbelievable show (halloween). i''ve seen 104 shows and all 4
halloweens.  this one blew away the first 2 and comes pretty damn close to the
96 cover album.  i'm the first to admit that i was not "overly excited" when i
was handed the playbill for velvet underground.  after seeing phish play
loaded, i'll probably go out and buy every velvet underground albummade.
phish owned this album.  every song in the 2nd set was played with authority.
every song!!  even lonesome cowboy bill was not a "breather" song. fishman
tore it up and the band just took it to the next level.  i can't think of one
moment in the 2nd set that was not note perfect.  i felt as if i was
witnessing history. (even more so than white album and quadrophenia). this is
exactly what i wanted to see in vegas.  not another bands album, i was there
to see another piece of history. phish taking the halloween show beyond "cover
album" and performing that album as if it was their own. as far as the 1st set
goes i thought the mikes-frankie sez was one of the best segues i have ever
seen.  the sally didn't suck either.  the 3rd set was beyond description.
after reading the phish book, i agree with trey when he says "less is more".
the wolfmans did not have all the notes that an antelope has, but it was rich
in texture. i thought this fit perfectly after the "velvet underground" set.
this was one of the best single song performances of the year. the piper and
ghost just capped an extrodinary show. yes, ghost was cut abruptly but that
added to the ambiance of the set. i don't know folks, to each their own, but
if you were not at this show get the tapes and be prepared to listen to a
masterpiece. it gets my vote as best show of 98 so far, having seen 12 and
heard over 25 from this year.........spagackle
p.s. feel free to email me with comments/opinions...  mtnsistr@aol.com  


Okay, enough with the remarks on how bad Halloween's show was, as there
are enough of those in front of me.  And in fact I admit that some of
those elements were present...  BUT:

It was great!!  The sound was clean and balanced,  the jams were chirpy
and experimental, The VU album was unbelievable front to back, and
Page's singing of Lawn Boy while meandering the front of the stage was
over the top.  The best costume for my money was Harry Hood, but fun
others were Slave to the Traffic Light and Bjork. 

The phans - in general - weren't in the zone to be sure, but the show
came off beautifully anyway.  We were surrounded by East coast phans
that made us feel very happy about things and forget about the wieners
in the crowd.  One of these guys was a miracle receiver and man was
that guy happy!

I will say that perhaps Vegas is not the best backdrop for this show! 
That is a wacky, wacky town.  Completely hyper-decadent, an
antithetical background theme to be certain.  Not that it wasn't fun -
but it was at once fun and appalling which is a weird blend on any day.
(And there was just a bit much of perfume and sprayed blonde hair. Eeeeek!)
In light of the other complaints, I guess my tolerance index was
adjusted a little higher that night.  I had a blast.
Scott Hampton
Spokane, WA


I went to the two shows in Vegas and the memory of the music nearly 
makes me sexually aroused it was so good.  I think that maybe this was 
the best Phish that I have seen. I am confused about the negative 
reviews about these shows.  I think that some people just don't get it. 
Which is okay.  To each his own of course.  Some people seem to be 
totally unqualified to comment. Not that I claim to be all knowing when 
it comes to Phish, but from my experience over the years, some people 
just don't get it. The Halloween show was outstanding.  Phish was 
totally connected this night.  I never sensed a moment where they were 
searching, everything just seemed to flow.  There was a lot of positive 
energy coming from the stage.  There were many occasions where 
individually each of these guys played totally insane stuff and the 
connection between them I simply can't describe.  In particular, some of 
the shit that Trey was pulling off blew my mind- stuff that NOBODY but 
Trey could execute.  The Velvet Underground album was incredible.  I was 
only vaguely familiar with this band prior to this show, but the songs 
on this album are so good.  What's more, Phish jammed these songs as if 
they were their own.  This was such a great set, arguably the best set 
of the night.  Frankly, I just don't have the words to describe how good 
I think the music was this weekend.  I haven't enjoyed Phish more than I 
did this weekend.  There have been many outstanding moments over the 
years seeing Phish (I've seen something like 60 shows), but there were 
smoments during this show where I was more amazed than by any other 
music that I have heard live or on any CD.  My feeling from seeing this 
show is that they have once again taken their music to knew heights.  

The jams were at the same time cohesive, loose, full of energy, 
spiritual........the new songs are great, etc.   I was blown away.  In 
the last couple of years I was not having as much fun seeing Phish as I 
had 5 or 6 years ago (with the exception of the four night stand at Red 
Rocks- which this show was better than any of those shows, in my 
opinion), but this show has totally renewed my interest- not that I 
wasn't still loving Phish and indulging in a handful of shows a year, 
besides.  I am as excited about Phish as I have ever been because ofthe 
weekend in Vegas and the Halloween show in particular.  With the new 
album and the way I heard them jam over this past weekend, I am so 
enthused about Phish and this tour in general.  My words have not done 
Phish or this show justice and I feel like this whole review has been 
little more that rambling, so I will spare the reader and end it now.  
Go see Phish!!  Love,  Jayson


Complain complain complain - is that all this page is for? Review after
review is nothing but whining. You people need to start just enjoying
the music- the Halloween show was fabulous- all of it. Everyone in the
place seemed increadibly happy to me and the staff was completely cool.
The Velvet Underground cover was some of the best Phish playing I have
ever heard- so incredibly tight. 

The band seemed to having alot of fun to me as well- lots of very
spacey  experimental jams, a little vacuum, a goofy Page lounge
impersination "for Vegas" on Lawn boy and general all around solid
jamming. Nothing whatsoever to bitch about!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
So how about we all be a little grateful for seeing Phish play whenever
we get the chance and stop being so pathetically hypercritical! 
Peace.


-  I agree that the first set seemed a little off.  Do not view this as a 
negative comment; At one point in the the show I commented to my friend 
that it felt like kindoff a warmup.  However, the Chalkdust was simply 
raging, Extravagent, and the Mikes-Frankie's-Weekapaug Grove was also very good.

-  2nd set was were it was at.  I had really wanted them to cover the 
Door's Morrison Hotel, but I could not have been happier with this 
selection.  Phish simply schooled thousands of phans by playing an 
obscure yet jamming record.  I had never heard Loaded and now I can't 
wait to buy it (it is too bad that the record buying scene in Philly 
bites!!!!).  Basically, my feeling about this whole venture was summedup 
by Page in that hilarious Phishbill they gave out.  He says toward the 
end of the article that playing "Loaded" will turn on a lot of phanswho 
might not have known about Velvet Underground before.  Exactly!!  That is 
what it is all about.  

-    Third set, I agree, seemed unusually truncated.  However, I did not 
feel that the glowstick war was that terrible (In fact, it seemed that 
the lighting people turned down the lights a little in order to 
accentuate it).  As far as the glowsticks bothering the band, that 
sucks.  But to think that the band would dick over the majority 
of phans and go so far as to be babies about it seems to be a little 
farfetched.  Maybe Fish got bit by the gambling bug and was desperate to 
get back to the tables...Overall, Ragin!!!
JML


To sum it up I thought that this show was a huge disappointment, the band
lacked everything that makes them the exciting band that they are.  The
second set was especially disappointing what the hell happened anyways (50
min)?  But my biggest complaint was the decision to make a huge show like
this general admission.  I stood in line quite some time to get good floor
seats and then during the set break everyone came pouring down and crowded
everyone, obviously inconsiderate.  Neverless the 10/30/98 was an incredable
show

Hate to complain, but I just feel that something should be said.  Hopefully
I am not alone on this one if you feel the same way tell me so.

Stay Kind,
Byron


Just got back from the 30 and 31st shows.  The 30th show was sick, sick
sick!  They kicked down some phatties for this one for sure, but the 31st is
what I want to talk about.  I agree a lot with what Marcus said before me.
I thought the show had a strange vibe to it too and I was, in the front row,
leaning on the wall in front of Fishman.  I was expecting everyone to be
going nuts before the show, but everyone was pretty mellow.  It felt odd
considering all the hype over getting tickets.
    The first set had a great set of songs, but like Marcus said, something
wasn't right.  They weren't quite clicking yet.  Second set cover was great,
and some of the most beautiful Phish I've heard.  Jams on Sweet Jane and
Head Held High were great.  But even during this set, the crowd seemed a bit
out of it, or something.  It just felt odd, like everyone wasn't cheering
when it seemed like they should.  After that set, I was expecting some fat
covers, special guests, or just some great jamming.  Instead the Phish Phan
etiquette ruined the show.
    The start of Wolfman's was smooth and funky and I had the feeling they
were back on when the phans ruin it.  Just as the band sounds like they're
going into some deep funk, the crowd starts the glowstick war.  I like
glowsticks and all, but I'm in the opinion that the wars got to stop.  If
you look around the crowd during them, EVERYONE is watching the glowsticks
rather than watching and listening to the band.  It's like glowing sticks
are more interesting than following the progression of the Band's jam.
Being in the front row for this war, I got the impression that the band was
disappointed in the phans for starting the war.  They were looking at each
other with blank looks, and the music got slower and more dark and
depressing as the war escalated.  I even saw Mike and Trey get nailed right
on their heads with sticks.  That's when I got pissed.  What is the point of
throwing the sticks at the band?  Have a little respect.  They are playing
for us.  Why disrespect them by throwing things at them?  The rest of the
set was decent, but nothing memorable.  I got the feeling the band was still
annoyed and couldn't get back in the groove.  Being right in front of
Fishman, I watch him a lot and noticed he just wasn't into the music from
then on.  Before Trey left the stage, he leaned over and talked to Page for
a bit and then left.  Then the others kind of looked around like, "Well, I
guess this is going nowhere, might as well stop now."  And then they encore
with another slow, depressing (but usually funny and obnoxious) "Sleeping
Monkey."
    I left Vegas pretty disappointed in the phans and I hope I don't get
this feeling again.  It sucks going to a crazy city, to see an amazing band,
on the best Holiday, and have it ruined by the fans.  Sorry to be such a
downer, but I had to let this one out.


- Grant Error! Bookmark not defined.


Hi everyotherphish,
Just back to the casa from Vegas and MAN what a great weekend it was!! Vegas
is weird, really weird, but more on that later...

Had some crazy times, got to hang out with Poster (and his mom!) I LOVE YOU
POSTER!! Thanks for making the weekend more fun than a barrel full of
glowsticks during Harry Hood ;^)

The costumes were a real treat at this show and I'd like to start by listing a
few that I found memorable. Many people were dressed as Phish fans, there were
VERY FEW ghosts, was actually hard to find one. But great costumes were in
abundance as the 'eye candy' was plentiful (O)(O) 

Here's are some of my favorites:

The Pope: We saw the Holy Father staggering near the line outside, tippin'
back a cold one. He even blessed us with the bottle, what a deal! 

The XLII: Also saw him in line before the show. The costume was incredible, we
asked him which show he was and he replied 10-31-98 set 2....hmmmmm, what's
the first song?

Larry Bird!!!: This guy was FUNNY! running around in the parking lot, shooting
hoops at the light standards, good job man!

The Southpark kids: Kenny was cool, you bastards! saw Chef too!

Tweezer: A girl had big tweezers (made from duct tape?) draped over her head.
Picture someone standing inside a huge pair of tweezers. great job on the
costume!

Col. Sanders: He was there! Had a Kentucky fried bucket o' rubber chicken's
taboot!

Makisupa Policewoman: During the setbreak she whips out a pink box of donuts
and starts passing them around! Funny shit! (BTW, Dry Goods at the show were
offering MAKISUPA POLICE ACADEMY t-shirts, what a riot!)

Silver People: They were silver streaks or ? Completely silver! Hair, skin,
etc! Whatever they were, they were very cool and spent a lot of time
preparing. 

More: Bert & Ernie, Lucy (from peanuts), Kermit the Frog, an Uno Card, Super
Heros!, mobs of angry joggers, a guy chained to a traffic light and many many
more. (I was dressed as Mr Spock, and carrying a green brain, did you see me?)

Psssst: there was no search whatsoever, on either night, so I'm sure that
videos of these shows will circulate. I actually took in my pocket camera and
got some shots of the costumes and the band and poster too hehehe. Don't tell
anyone and I'll post 'em in a few days when I get the film back ;^) 

more later...

   -Randy out


I just got back from the halloween show, and although I know I
shouldn't, I had high expectations.  Dont get me wrong, the show was
fun, I never have had a bad time at a phish show.  There was just
something strange about this show....I dunno, it was weird.  I did not
get the same feeling as I usually do at a show.  The first set was good
song choice.  Highlights being lawnboy and Mikes groove.  The first set
however lacked the energy.  The boys were all playing around each other,
they just weren't really hookin up.  Weekapaug was when they finally got
it together.  Second set was awesome.  They were tight and did it so
beautifully.  I really enjoyed it.  Third set I was hoping for a four
song long jammed set.  Thats what we started to get, Wolfman's was so
awesome, Trey was wearing a skeleton mask....they jamed the funk for a
while and then went to a real spacy trippy jam, they were teasing the
hell out of everything.  I was expecting Maze or 2001, but they fed us a
phat Piper.  It was beautiful, they jammed for a while and then went
into Ghost.  I was very excited.  I love this tune, but after they
jammed for about 6 or 7 minutes, something weird happened.  They kinda
slowed the jam down to almost nothingand I thought they were gonna do a
little pause, anyway, they jam slowly stopped and Trey just unplugged
his guitar and left.  Page Fish and Mike looked around, and then page
stood up and slowly walked off.  Mike then looked very confused and
glanced at Fish, unstrapped his guitar and set it down and left, Fish
then followed.  Because it had only been a 50 minute set up to that
point, I figured they were gonna do some crazy shit.  But they just came
out and did sleeping monkey and tweeprise and that was the show, it was
over.  Third set plus encore was just barely 60 minutes long.  I really
hate to complain, but even the most talented people deserve criticism.
It just seemed like they boys(specifically trey) really did not wanna
play anymore, so they just cut it off with ghost.  I dunno, the whole
show had a sort of weird vibe to it, for me anyway.  My friend with me
agreed as well.  If anyone else saw the show and has any thoughts, I
would love to hear what they think.  I did have phun there though, and
will keep having phun at shows, I just hope they boys keep having phun
as well.  Well, take care guys

marcus    email: Reynermb@miavx1.muohio.edu