12-7-99 -- Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine

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Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 09:35:41 PST
From: Andrew Rose [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 12/7&8/99

12/7/99 CCCC, POrtland, ME
I  (8:05-9:30) Farmhouse, First Tube, NICU > Funky Bitch*, PYITE, Nellie
Cane, Halley's^->Coil
  *slowed down, funky
  ^25 min, insane, Trey on keys

II (10:10-11:25) Wolfman's, Jennifer Dances, Heavy Things, Bug,
Bathtub**->Simple, Free->Suzie
E: Walkaway, Rockytop
**ambient jam

I just wanted to say a few words about the two amazing days I spent in
Portland before I got to sleep for about 24 hours after WAY too long a
drive
.... 

These shows were two of the most intimate, energy packed, musically
mind-blowing shows I have seen in a while. People can say what they will
about some of the song selection or or placement, but the fact is that the
boys were ON and they knew it. When all four of them turned on during the
Halley's on the first night it was bliss.

I was front row the whole show and I just have to say here that Mike is a
fucking ROCK. The Halley's was at least 25 minutes and I'd wager it's the
best one out there. Better than Grand Rapids 98, better than Hampton 97,
...
but you don't have to take my word for it. Hear it yourself!

The Bathtub was beautiful, long and very ambient. Free->Suzie was even
better. Mike just went nuts during Free, him and Trey were soloing off
each other at one point. And Suzie was just so fresh ... like the Nassau
version only better. Page got on the clavs and it just got funky and
crazy.


Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 14:55:12 -0500 From: Dan Buckley [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/7 portland review this was the smallest venue i had ever seen the band in all of my 30 or so shows, so i was very excited heading into the show. scene outside was normal, plenty of drugs and good eats. i heard of some trouble w/ the pigs heading to the show, but we came from the north so there was little problem for us. the venue is small, only about 9000 capacity, so its very intimate. i brought my two roommates who are a little phish weary. but they had a good time anyway. the band came on a little after 8. Farmhouse: i figured i would hear this one at some point during the run. the new arrangement is interesting......nuff said First Tube: loved this song on the trey tour, and it was better here. even my skeptical roommates were smiling at this one. great trey soloing on this. NICU: great dance song. standard version Funky Bitch: strong version here. i was looking for something a little meatier, maybe a Stash or something like that. nonetheless good trey/page interplay. PYITE: i have heard this one way too much lately. in fact, saw it the last show i was at, first night albany. standard version, nothing spectacular Nellie Cane: i think this was a first for me. love it though. always a fun bluegrass number. Halley's: not too psyched about this one's placement. it looks as though this is the center piece of the set. the jam was interesting, but never really took off. i like how the guys seem to be writing a song inside each jam now. the only downside to that is that its REALLY difficult to pull it off each time, but they were close w/ this one. its hard to hit a great version each time when you jam out in this way. Coil: good set ending song, but only when it follows a high-energy song. good version though. annoying crowd however. too many little kids. i am 19, and i felt old last night. i wish people would just chill during page's solo but that wasn't the case......oh well.... ----- Wolfman's: i am sick of this one. its a good tune, but i have heard the jam way too much, time to put it on the shelf. Jennifer Dances: good new one, very much in the new trey style. catchy, but good. wasn't too excited about its placement right after wolfmans. i guess we need to give it time Heavy THings: was hoping for this one, but not right here. just too slow to follow two slow songs that never really took off. still a good version, and it got the people in the know groovin' Bug: another bad placement. just not the way to get the set going. i kept on feeling like i was waiting for something else to come up, something meatier like a SOAMelt or a Maze. oh well Bathtub Gin: good song, but not as the main song in the set. interesting version though, kind of a dark jam w/ great drumming by fish. not that he isnt always on, but especially here. Simple: another one i have heard too much, shelf, please. Free: heard this one in albany too, the NY version was better. but i have been deprived of free's, and enjoyed it all the same. Suzie: did not expect this one at all. i thought i saw trey say gumbo, and almost shot myself. but i guess they felt bad about playing all those "filler" songs. good rocking version, but page came up a little short and was visibly frustrated during his solo. maybe too much ganja or whatever, but he didn't seem to pull it together and trey definitely noticed. ---- Walk Away: this was a first for me, and i loved it. good rocking version, and was glad to dance hard again. it wasnt really finished, trey didnt take a solo at the end but it seemed better not to anyway. Rockytop: ahhh, more bluegrass. love this one, and page ripped it up this time. it put a good ending on a rather weak show. General comments: i though the setlist was real weak, with no big hitters other than bathtub, which was slow going for a while. the scene inside was weak too: TOO MANY KIDS!! jesus, its like a high school dance in there. and there is no way i should feel like that as a 19 year old college sophomore. and i think its time to chill on selling drugs to kids who obviously cant handle them. too many kids passing out and shit, just really annoying. so many there seemingly just for the drugs/scene, you'd swear you were at a dead show. anyway, my rating, out of 10 as the best, would be a 6.
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 22:34:25 -0800 From: Michael R Barrett [email protected] To: [email protected] What is up with this show 5 songs from opening nite 3 from the night after that. What happened to variation?
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 18:36:12 -0800 (PST) From: Bart Tantillo [email protected] To: [email protected], Subject: Review 12/7/99 I. Farmhouse, First Tube, NICU, Funky Bitch, Punch You in the Eye, Nellie Kane, Halley's Comet, The Squirming Coil. II. Wolfman's Brother, Jennifer Dances, Heavy Things, Bug, Bathtub Gin>Simple, Free, Suzie Greenberg. E:Walk Away, Rocky Top Expectations were at an all-time high, after all, this is New England, home sweet home. I don't have time to analyze every last detail, but I'll do my best to give you all my take on the show as a whole. Set one felt like they took a whole bunch of show/set openers and played them in a row. They pretty much seemed to be going through the motions for the first few songs, which came as a huge surprise considering the incredible vibe that was emanating from this venue. Them starting flat was the last thing I thought would happen. Then Halley's Comet changed the night for good. Though I wasn't keeping time, I would say that this version was between 20-30 minutes long, and showcased the most visible talent the band has going for them these days; The ability of each member to know exactly which direction the other three members are going at any moment, a true sign of how tight they have become. Sometimes I forget this is only a four piece band. Anyway, Halley's was by far the highlight of the night, with Jennifer Dances coming in a close second. I have seen some people already bashing this song, but it's not surprising. God forbid they don't write another You Enjoy Myself type song, all of a sudden they are a Top 40 act? Get a life idiots. Set one ended with a stale version of The Squirming Coil, another song in dire need of a vacation. Set two was commendable for the tightness of the songs played. Not one note was off, and certain moments were truly magical. Bug comes to mind, I really like this song, same for Heavy Things. Simple was oddly ended before the slow outro, and Free brought down the house before Suzie Greenberg ended things on a happy note. Walk away was cool as an encore, and if Bob Walicki's theory about Rocky Top ending great shows is in fact true, then add this one to the list. A confusing show, two sets so different, almost like two different bands. But that's why we go isn't it? I walked out feeling disoriented, not sure exactly what the band was up to, but knowing full well that whatever it was, it was a conscious effort on their part. A good show, not the glorious return to Maine I was looking for however.
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 14:55:56 EST From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/7/99..... I am reading these "reviews", and I am wondering if these people well most of them were at the same show as I was. Anyway I really don't concern myself with the other people at the shows, unless I'm making a new friend, it seems that everyone is so ready to shit on someone else we're there for the music, right? I go to shows to get away from politics, I go to shows for simply one reason, to see four guys make incredible music that pushes me through a realm only they can open, enough said, here is the review. I can say that for my 50th show, it was a fuckin' unbelievable anniversary, that rivaled my first show atop Sugarbush. Farmhouse-it was real sweet and set the tone for a fun night, I love this song and was shocked when they took it into First Tube- everybody tie your shoe laces and get ready to rip, love this 99 newbie, and it was obvious that the band was on as Trey relaxed a little and let Mike and Fish just rock the rhythm right into NICU- for those who say some songs should take a "vacation' give me a break I'd be happy if they played this one twelve times in a row, Page was really upbeat, sneaking in a few funk riffs in the chorus. Setting up Funky Bitch- Trey went old school taking over the song and just rippin it on his axe, it sounded like he was really pumped up to let this one rip, maybe he remembered the last version here with Warren Haynes, cause he was on fire!!! PYITE- was a welcome as the boys continued to work us into a frenzy it seemed like the energy kept rising with every song, and I didn't think it could go any higher after Bitch, thank god for Nellie Cane- cause I was ready to fall down, everyone where I was sitting was ready for a breather, cause we were rockin, solid Nellie. Then there was the highlight of the show Halley's Comet, probably the best Halley's I have ever heard, I always though that Hampton 11-22-97's Halley's would never be matched but, all I can say is oh my god!!!! This was one of the best showings of the band's ability to make four instruments sound like one machine, I couldn't tell who was the lead or playing what, I just heard a continual flow of the sweetest sound, I realized that the band was taking us on a journey that had started with Farmhouse, the show kept building up then letting off and building even higher and it seemed that they were telling us this is the high point right now, we're gonna take a break so just enjoy what we are giving to you and enjoy I did, Halley's had to be 25 minutes long and was the tightest jam I've heard in a long time, simply beautiful. And just to top off one of the best sets of 99, the give us a great Squirming Coil which I always love at the end of first set, Page gave us a little extension on the jam and I was happy to see that everyone was into him, after all Page is the man. So the first set ended and I sat in my set drenched with sweat, what a rockin' show so far, could they sustain. Oh yea they could: Second set opened with Wolfman's- some times it seems that the song is so-so, but that's because everybody and there mother wants to hear the exact version from Slip stitch and pass, well not me, isn't that why we go to live shows? Anyhoo, great Wolfman's, Trey sticked to the rock, instead of funking it out from the get go, he kept a lot of his toys on hold and the boys simply gave Wolfman's and old school rock feel, loved it. Je nnifer Dances- came a long way from Rochester where it was like four minutes long, sweet jam for a solid ten minutes after the final chorus had a Dirt/Fast enough jam feel, but with a little more jump, I really like this new one, got me emotional. Heavy Things- one of my favs from Trey Tour, and you could hear during setbreak, which feature really nice latin beats, this Heavy things tease in the music it was so weird. We decided there was no doubt we would hear it. We did!!! A little more up tempo than usual, Fish really rocked during this one throwing in a lot of subtle beats, and Page sped it up a little to match Fish, great version, good timing. Heavy things went right into Bug- I can't get enough of this song, though it seemed like nobody had heard it as they sat down at the opening, and when Trey built it up into "Bug!!" everybody jumped up and was like, "Oh, Shit!" needless to say I think there are a lot of new Bug fans after this show, extended chorus on this version, as it seemed like Mike and Trey were really connecting after the last, "Overrated". Then they brought on Bathtub Gin- I thought Page was going to break his keys, I mean he was going Pete Townsend on it, just hammering it, The intro went way longer than usual to let Page have his fun, great song, Page was rocking it hard right into Simple- which I can say I was shocked to hear out of Mike's WEekapaug, and also delighted, what a great time to play it, nobody saw a Simple coming, they really fledged on this one, and again I could here the long voyage theme in the music. Free- was great, I wish they would play it a little more, I was feelin pretty Free during this one. Alas, Suzy Greenberg- I love the funk approach they've taken to Suzy lately, it seems they have reinvented it a little in order to want to play it again and are we happy. Huge energy, I don't think anybody expected anything after Free, so we rocked Suzy hard as did the boys. The encore featured Walk Away which was cool and pretty nostalgic, I got that old school feeling. And then Rocky Top, which was killer, I've become a huge fan of Rocky top after this summer's Polaris show, if you were there you know what I'm talking about. So the show ends and I can barely stand, what an unbelievable time, they really went all out tonight. One of the best of the year, the jams were so tight, it's hard to explain, but just imagine taking a bunch of sounds and squeezing them into a tight fist and when you open it there is one beautiful instrument there that combine's all the sounds. It was perfect, one of the best performances by the band as a whole. In closing I'd like to say, we're there for the music, not to criticize other people and the band. It baffles me why so many people want to be critics, I like every song and couldn't care less in what order they play it in, or when the last time they played it was. We're there to have a good time, so just give it a try, cause there's some of us who want you to. Long live Phish!!!!
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 22:29:22 EST From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: First nite in Portland After much debating on school and loot, the gust of excitement and anticipation came over me as I hopped in Steven's car at 4pm. Burlington traffic is a bitch, but so is Steven so we managed ok and got movin down Rt 89s at approx 100 mph, mellowing at 85 through NH and Maine. We arrived in the ridiculous time of 7:35, and entered the show. This being my first time at the Portland venue, I was impressed by its intimacy and acoustics, as well as the ever mellowing vibes surrounding the scene. For all you negative too-cool-for-phish flamers, keep walkin, we don't want your sorry asses passed out on dope while we're trying to dance As for the gig, it was the best I've seen in a while, having struggled through much of the summer's muck and the fall's confusion, and I was pyched to see the band communicating so well and so happy and vibing within. Song selection was a little better than average, but the execution was exemplary. Never heard such a rippin' FIRST TUBE, and its been a while since Trey was such a shredding blues hawk on BITCH. I am always annoyed by NICU, so it was an excellent chance to sit down and puff, and notice all the passed out dopeheads around. Now kids, I like to get high at shows in several ways, but come on, keep it together, or just get high and give your ticket to that smokin' girl begging at will call. She wants to dance, not writhe on the concret in a opiate trance. Anyway, back to the tunes,HALLEY"s with a different, groove-oriented loop feel, rather than the raging rockfest that normally happens. I love the old way, but the new jam is dope. A quality Nelly Kane and a average COIL, yet y'all need to shut up and listen when Page serenades us to the setbreak. How rude!! Second set, same story. Average setlist, Above average perfomance. Decent WOLFMAN"S, but JENNIFER DANCES is pretty wack. A corny ditty Trey made up after hooking up with a groupie, maybe. However, the HEAVY THINGS was quality, a pop ditty that still grooves and moves. GIN was pretty good, moved for a while but did not ignite. SIMPLE sucks, but the jam out of it is usually the stuff dreams are made of. FREE is the shit, and they band rocked it down. A fun SUZY to close was appropriate, and the fans appreciated the hearty effort by all four players and the fifth Phisherman, Kuroda, who keeps amazing me show in and show out. My first WALK AWAY was sick, and I was goin' off, along with the rest of my section ( I relocated to get away from the lot kid shelter of the first set), and ROCKY TOP sent us to DJ Logic with shit eating grins. Oh, by the way, Logic was sick at the brewery around the corner. A Mike Gordon cameo (not onstage) and the bartender charged him for a drink!! They're not the Stones, now. A word to leave all you naysayers with. Yes, the band has off nights, even frequently now. But we are human, so are they, and the shows are about a good time, not some intense critical performance. The Dead were the band to quote, to live by, to hold every thing up against. Garcia blessed us, and we have not forgotten. So enjoy Phish while we have them, it just a party, they are just a good rock band, so have some fun and stopped getting so worked up over the song choices, people, it makes y'all sound like snobs. Remember gutter punk lot kids, keep walkin. BGETZ NJ 4 LIFE VT 4 NOW
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 12:28:15 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/7 review Well, I'm not one for lengthy song analysis so here's my piece. It's been a while since I've experienced an indoor show,(workload doesn't allow for touring, so i am partial to the outdoor/festival shows) but I must say, the CCCC is such an intimate setting you can't go wrong. I know where you're all at with the no beer/boxed in/seating complaints, they can be downers if you let them; but the close, comfortable space that's created in a venue as small as this outweighs all of that for me. My highpoints: Set I: NICU - had been talkin about wanting to hear this one all day, sometimes when you ask you will receive Halley's jam - I agree with Matthew Cardullo, no idea how long it lasted but oh how sweet it was. My one gripe is on Coil, mainly to the crowd, I wish they would chill during Page's solo....every time I get to hear this the crowd ALWAYS anticipates the end, like every 5 bars and it screws up my phlow and connection with it. While I know it can sometimes be a predictable solo......it is so simple and pure I thoroughly enjoy it every time. I guess I need to work through this on my own, because I am sure it will continue to happen! Set II: Wolfsan's - always good, no matter how many times I've heard it. Jennifer - I agree with the "top 40 is" thing, but I think this may have some potential. Heavy Things & Bug - I had never heard these two before and loved em Simple - again, one of those "man, it would be great to hear...." Free - hello, this is like my theme song for why I go to shows. really connected with "feel the feeling I forgot" line and Mike's work was fad. SUZY, SUZY, SUZY!!!!!!!!!! - I think this made my year. was the first tune at my very first show 6 years ago and hadn't heard it since....think i sweated about 2 buckets dancing on that one. NEC: Walk Away - they continue to amaze me with the covers they do and how well they do em, very often way better than the original. Rocky - always a good closer, could only do my high energy hoedown through about half (Suzy really drained me) Overall, great show (i am a little sore this morning though, and in the WEIRDEST places). Looking forward to tonight, going to try and get there a little earlier for better seats...hoping for a possum or theme, meatstick would be great (haven't heard it since we tried for the record in oswego) but they did it sunday so probably not. we are all sunshine and laughter, take joy in the simple things, find connection and peace, ignore the rest. In love and light, Kristen
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 14:46:56 -0800 From: Justin W Henry [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Reviews 12/7 Poertland Having not been to a show this tour I would like to chime in on the current reviews. I have been to over 125 Phish shows since 1989. I have seen and heard almost everything, and after reading some of the reviews I can say I truly have heard everything. I would like people to remember that music is a collaborative art form. It flows and ebbs with its participants. And we must remember that the participants are Page, Trey, Jon, Mike, Chris, the rest of the organization and then the phans. We do not quite get the right to try and dictate how the bend we have grown to respect and nurture over the years behaves. It is not our place for a moment to suggest a band any band shelve a song because it has been played a number of times. That is completely disrespectful and just mean. Perhaps the band should ask people not to come because they have see you at to many shows. Please show respect. The musicians are human too and they like us are trying and striving to find that perfect groove. Do not reprimand them for it. And on a more personal note if yo don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all.
Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 12:48:36 -0500 (EST) From: Matt McGrath [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: the road not taken.... Fantastic show last night, my first show since Oswego. But as you go back over these tapes in the weeks to come, listen to the end of halleys, and convince me that a segue into "I found a Reason" would not have been a stroke of genius....
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 10:22:37 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected], [email protected] Subject: 12/7/99 review Here's my review of Portland,ME, 12/7/99. Well, my last shows were at the end of fall tour in Albany. I went there with high expectations, they were the tour closers and all, and left somewhat disappointed. Going to Portland, I had no expectations at all. I was ready for whatever Phish would give me. This was also my first time going back to Portland since my very first Phish show(12-30-93) and I knew the venue was very small and would give a great vibe to the show. Plus, its general admission, which I really love. I went up to Maine by myself, ended up running into some friends and went to the show with them. I had originally wanted to get in line early in order to get up front, but its cold in Maine. Not as cold as it usually is at this time of the year, but cold nonetheless. We actually ended up going in at around 7:15 or so. Much to my astonishment, we were able to walk right up front and get spots about 3rd row, Trey side. The band started up right around 8:15 with Farmhouse. I like Farmhouse, they've been playing it quite a bit, but I don't see that many shows so I don't mind. I feel its very representative of the types of songs Phish writes now. After that, they busted into First Tube. Sometimes I think Trey songs are meant for Trey tour but this song just packs so much energy that I love it. It just gets the crowd going. Looking at Mike during the song, he seemed kind of bored. Its really a Trey showcase. Next up, NICU. I haven't heard this since Great Woods this summer and it was a welcome treat. After that was a ripping Funky Bitch. The energy level in the venue was pumping. A great version of this classic. PYITE started up with a nice long intro, and of course, was rocking. A little bluegrass break was in order, and Nellie Cane did not disappoint. I have always liked Nellie Cane, I sometimes wished when they were playing Ginseng Sullivan a lot that they would break this one out, and so I was having a good 'ole time. The song that made the first set was next, Halley's Comet. I don't know what the length on this was but I would imagine it was around 20 minutes. Just a great jam that had me dancing my head off. It was epic. They closed the set out with Squirming Coil. You have to love Coil. It was nicely played, and Page had his solo down par usual. I thought it was a great first set. During setbreak we decided to move to the back of the venue, so we could appreciate the light work of CK5. It just shows what a great venue the CCCC is, there are no bad seats. The second set really showcased the work of Chris, and it was very mesmerizing. Set break was about 45 minutes or so, and then the band came out and started up Wolfman's Brother. It was a pretty decent version, I find a lot of the Wolfman's from the past couple of years to be very similiar. Slow, funky jams. This one wasn't too drawn out. The band next gave us Jennifer Dances, a new tune that just debuted in Rochester. I had heard that it was very popish and that is true, it is. Its not my "type" of Phish tune, but maybe it will grow on me. My theory is that as Phish gets older, their style is changing. Its not that I would want Phish to be on the radio all the time,and attract the DMB -type crowd but I know Trey and the rest of the band would love to get some radio airplay. Trey has always said that he would love to hear himself on the radio. Next up was Heavy Things. I like this catchy tune, its got a good beat, and I find it to be a great one to dance to. After that was Bug. To be honest, I was clueless what this was until the chorus, but man, the chorus sure does rip. CK5 was working his magic in tune with the band. I find myself liking Bug more all the time, its really grown on me since the first time I saw it this summer at Great Woods. The band next jumped into Bathtub Gin. This was an interesting version of Gin to say the least. I really felt that they were showcasing CK5 in this tune. The jam was very ambient and Chris was improvising along with the band. Whereas some fans might not consider it a great Gin, I thought that the jam was all about Phish's love of the ambient style of music. They weren't playing a lot of notes, but it was enjoyable and CK5 was really working it. Simple rolled in next. I love Simple. I like it so much more when its not part of the Mike's groove. It was a pretty short Simple and then the funk started. Free. There is no song that has benefited more from Mike being turned up in the mix than this one. He just drives this tune now. I like this song so much more than I did in 95 when it came out. Mike had a fat solo, and Trey was letting him control the reins of the song. It was great. Suzy G was up next. Its been a while since I've seen this song, and while no version can match up to the versions with horns, this one and the one at Deer Creek this past summer were both great. Page was working the keys and I love the extended jam that they've put into this song. Very nice. The band ended up ending the second set at around 11:30. After a little break, they came out and ripped up Walk Away. I have never seen this song live before and it sounded just as awesome as it does on the tapes I own. Very great version. The energy was high. I thought they might be all done after that but we got a little added bonus, Rocky Top. What can you say, classic tune. All in all, I found this to be a great show. The show ended at 11:40 and I was on the highway back home to NH by 11:45. Breezed right in and breezed right out. I can't wait for tonight's show. I'm really hoping for a Curtain, Sloth, McGrupp or Sand. Any of those would make my day. If anyone happens to come across these shows, I would be forever grateful for a B&P. Thanks for reading....peace.......dull
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 12:13:59 PST From: Andrew Rose [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/7/99 Review 12/7/99 CCCC, POrtland, ME I (8:05-9:30) Farmhouse, First Tube, NICU > Funky Bitch*, PYITE, Nellie Cane, Halley's^->Coil *slowed down, funky ^25 min, insane, Trey on keys II (10:10-11:25) Wolfman's, Jennifer Dances, Heavy Things, Bug, Bathtub**->Simple, Free->Suzie E: Walkaway, Rockytop **ambient jam I just wanted to get a word in about the two amazing days I spent in Portland Maine on December 7 and December 8, 1999. These shows were two of the most intimate, energy packed, musically mind-blowing shows I have seen in a while. People can say what they will about some of the song selection or or placement, but the fact is that the boys were ON and they knew it. When all four of them turned on during the Halley's on the first night it was bliss. I was front row the whole show and I just have to say here that Mike is a fucking ROCK. The Halley's was absolutelty phenomenal. To give any of you reading this an idea of what it was like (for me anyways), I'd say it topped the Went Bathtub Gin, which has been number one in my books since I heard it way back in summer 97 (seems like such a long time ago now, don't it?) At any rate, I'd bet my Florida tickets you won't find a better Halley's out there. Blows Grand Rapids 98 out of the water, and makes the Hampton 97 version (my previous fave) look boring. Oh, and I was also sober for the show. Of course you don't have to take my word for it. Hear it yourself! The Bathtub was beautiful, long and very ambient. Free->Suzie was even better. Again Mike showed us just how solid he is and how much sound is in his brain. He just went nuts during Free and Trey fed off it beautifully. Suzie was incredibly fresh ... like the Nassau version only better. Page got on the clav and the neo-funk came out. Great way to end a great show. There were moments of course that kept this show from being absolutely epic, (ie Jennifer Dances, Heavy Things, Bug) and the beginning of the first set (although First Tube was quite hot), but I got the feeling that the boys were holding back here because they KNOW they've got an intense developing sound - just hear the Halley's and tell me it isn't so. I think part of the reason is that they're gearing up for what just might be a new champion of shows on the whole, and I'm talking about Florida. Time will tell...
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 09:53:07 -0500 From: "Watkins, Bill" [email protected] To: "'SMTP:[email protected]'" [email protected] Subject: Review of 12/7/99 We decided late to head up to Maine hearing a rumor that Trey said not to miss the "Maine Shows". As we arrived from Boston the streaming blue lights were out and about after the last toll and had pulled over several groups on there way to the Civic Center. Never have Maine's phinest been amiable to Deadheads or Phishheads in the past so why would they begin now. The organization of parking seemed pretty good as we rolled right into a lot and only had to pay $5 for parking. Being 7:30 it was time to go in just in case they decided to start this one a little early. Shakedown St. was filled with undercover cops flashing their badges and asking people to dump beers and put their vending goods aside. So, missing the scene didn't seem like a huge loss. Access in the building was fine except a shocking reality that they DON"T SELL BEER. what up with that? Our GA tickets are okay if you have two things; height and strong legs. Luckily the former gave me a great view of the venue and it's sound system and set up. Small venue and extremely boxy. I wasn't sure how that would effect the sound but I couldn't wait to be the judge. Security was visible but really non-eventful as we worked our way to Trey side and rested for the 8:10 start. Farmhouse opener seemed justifiable as we found ourselves in the farming part of Maine and looking to shake some corn from the stalk. I feel Phish is really working this one lately b/c they have played several versions of this for at least the last the last two tours. I liked the tempo and it got people ready for something sweet. Sweetness arrived in the form of my second first tube. Great song and clearly a favorite as Trey jerked around and got the crowd into the funky, trancy hypnotic beat. Slammin energy and Trey was milling the crowd like (hood) and looking around for approval. We gave it to him as he queued up for song three. NICU proceeded and I knew this was going to be a short clean mean set. Less bang for the buck as some others NICU's but not shabby to say the least. The Funky Bitch that followed was really tight and the keyboards from Paige were great. Totally different Funk jam then I've seen in a long time. A higher pitched groove that really seemed to click. A quick ending and "bam" an easy call-Punch. Seen far too many lately so I figured I would slow the system down and see what they had to offer next. From Wilson's reign to Nellie Kane. The diversity of this band brings me back and the country flair is always welcomed. Nellie Kane was short sweet and a fresh change from the Ginseng Sullivan or Dogs. As you get older and creativity is needed there are always songs that immediately bring a smile to the face and Haley's is one of them. I am a bigger phan of the long slow funky Haley's like Lemonwheel so when I got a combo funk>jam I was getting more than I bargained. Trey got the loop going on time and merged several delays into a playful jam as he began and to catch eyes with the rest of the band. The jam was very extended and worked it's way into a great seemingly trippy ending. Leo was strong in the first set, so the Squirming Coil should have been expected. Great for the crowd but I knew the first set was done and done it was. Very short ending to Coil with Trey walking off quickly-almost in a huff?. Mike was looking around for some direction but had no where to go but backstage. Not sure if there was a curfew but it seemed the set was a little rushed so the halls were philled with expectations for set 2. Set 2 came after a lengthy set break with no BEER. Wolfmans was funky and pretty long with two jams that intertwined and then melted back into the ending segment which transitioned nicely. I thought the second set would be a few songs and some long jams but the band had tricks up their sleeves. New Song-second time!-Jennifer Dances. I was in the seats at a 45 degree angle from Trey on his side and the crowd wasn't sure what to do with this one. Similar repetitive lyrics like Birds but they took a jam that has been present on tour for years and created something magical. Will the song develop? Hope so-and it has plenty of room to grow! Heavy things-beautiful lyrics that made me think that these guys can really do almost anything their hearts desire. New tune again-Bug! I guess this isn't in the genre of new one like Jennifer Dances but still only me second or third version. This got me going knowing the oldies but goodies may be creeping out of the bag of presents Phish brought on this holiday tour. Bathtub erupted and Paige staked his claim. They didn't do the huge jam and in fact they cut it short to work in a Simple which got the crowd in a different state of funk-Skyscrapers are Grand. Simple ends. Band looks at eachother and pulls out a Suzy Greenberg? Bring it ON! I was really psyched to hear this because the last one I heard at New Haven in 98(?) was coupled with "The Dude of Life" and far from hot. This one was the A-bomb. Paige pulled out some Stevie Wonder jams and Trey let the jams fly in between the lyrics. Everyone was dancing and even the Event Staff was rocking to this one. Oops-that was just a shirt-no event staff near-phew! We worked our way to the exit to ready ourselves for a clean take off and was floored when "Walk Away" started. Could the rumor of not missing this venue be done? Not on your life. Great choice for a tour with few shows and plenty of touring kids out of school. Walk Away we did but only to walk back in for a few lyrics from Rocky Top. Back to the country twang and the fun which will not end until FLA. All in all a great show with surprises and songs new and old. Phans come back for the littlest things and in life those little things can consummate prior decisions. In making the decision to come to Maine-I have no issues. Only great memories with Hartford and Provy to look forward to in the upcoming week. Hope the surprises continue tonight and that funk don't stop. Billy Ray
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 08:35:24 -0500 From: Matthew Walsh [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/7/99 Cumberland County Civic Center A new apex. I first witnessed the transformation at Great Woods this summer (second night, 7/13/99?) Most songs I see as frameworks, outlines, forms for the true sound: the jam. And besides a few exceptions, the chords and arrangements are just the structure: A guide for explorations, A path to find during peaks and valleys and intricate meanderings. Halley's has become the essential outline. The new trail to the summit. (Such frameworks: Antelope '92, SOAM '93, Chalkdust '94,'95, DWD '96, Taste, Theme '97, Piper '98, to suggest a few) And last night, In front of an ephemeral mood of blues and reds and golden Kuroda hues, The essence was still there, Halley's was still there, somewhere, hidden in the rich Textures, vibrant, alive, a rhythm, a funk made from the four of them and the Thousands of us, pulled from the night air and channeled through Languedocs. Never wavering, never losing emphasis or strength. Steady, deliberate, ecstatic. It was all that it should be, it was the communion we came for. A single moment of truth, a brief transcendent truth, everything clicking, all pistons firing. A great tribal dance with the purest of smiles. Limitless.
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 12:16:42 -0800 (PST) From: Dana DiMarco [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: portland 12-7-99 thought/review I don't have much to say, although there are a few reviews that i read that summed up what i felt. first of all hurray for Page. he was phenomenal. i stood there at the end of squirming coil with tears in my eyes, i was amazed at his talent. second of all i thought both sets were awesome and i couldn't have asked for anything more. i've only been to 7 shows, but it seems strange to me that people are actually trying to dictate what these artists should and shouldn't play. i'm not saying that dissappointment isn't optional, but my god, don't be so heartless! enjoy these guys while they're here, you never know when your last show will be. untill then relax and bask yourself in the notes that flow from their souls. it's something special that they share with us and appreciation is the only thing that should be felt.
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 03:09:04 -0500 From: Terry Bennett [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12-7-99 Portland /review Where do we begin? We've been to about 30 shows and it really seemed like the boys were on tonight! Set 1 Great Funky Bitch! Set 2 Jessica Dances it's more like Jessica blows! The show itself had some musical highlights unlike the entire night! Dave Letterman's Top 10 Reasons this night sucked! 10. No Beer 9. Contrary to popular belief air drums are not cool! 8. No Beer 7 No seats. 6. Naked chicks that aren't chicks. 5. block heads block vision. 4. Patchouli doesn't even smell as good as BRUT 3. No Beer. 2. Kids passing out are cool, you get their space! 1. NO BEER! Sorry this was brutal but we just wanted to be honest, just like ABE!

below are reviews of the above reviews, reviewers or the opinions expressed by the authors
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 12:11:35 -0800 (PST) From: Deacon Chapin [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: CCCC review/comment A friend of mine mentioned to me that he had read the 12/7 review at CCCC and that the majority of the reviews were negative. At once I became irritated and a thousand thoughts flooded my head. Today I had the chance to peruse some of the reviews and I was amazed at the responses! Apologizes in advance for the rants: [email protected]: This is aimed at you and everyone else who overuses the word "standard" in their reviews. Who the fuck do you think you are, Dr. Evil? Did you fashion meat helmets in the spring and have your scrotums shorn? The thing that really chaps my arse is that the night of the show EVERYONE at CCCC was going nuts for NICU and PYITE, yet the next day you'd think they were lip-synching. You don't like these "standard" versions? Then here's a bit of advice for you: miracle your ticket away, sit in your car/truck/bus, pop in MSG 12/31/95 and live in the past. Guess what? they're not gonna play Terrapin Station, Destiny Unbound, or Alumni Blues every nite, or anytime soon for that matter. Sure, you may want a fluffhead --> harpua --> maze...well I'd like a toilet made out of solid gold but its just not in the cards, now, is it? Some people seem to need a serious whack in the gut. [email protected] This guy has some serious issues. This person must be soooo bitter. I bet he didn't dance all night last night, much less get out of his seat! His review had no rhyme or reason to it. Don't like Sand, Dirt, Get back on the Train, Ya Mar? Then stay the fuck home. Why subject yourself to an environment that seems to let you down? Why spend $30 on dissapointment? So here's my take on things. I thought the show was completely kickass. Pretty much every show I've attended has been kickass. Sure, I've heard some tapes that I frequently hit FF, but tapes only reveal the audio PhishExperience [tm]. Phish does not owe you anything, nor do you owe anything to Phish. I think there is a mutual agreement that we have with each other. Don't like what you get? It's a free country, follow some other band, there are plenty to choose from. Negativity is not something that is needed on tour. Hooray for Phish!!!
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 1999 08:05:34 EST From: andrew danch [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Comment This is just a comment to Justin Henry's comment in the portland review on the first night. I agree with you totally. Also, about the band putting songs on the shelve....No band should do that. JUst because you don't like a song doesn't mean that everyone else doesn't like that song. How do you know. Cuz of a couple people that put in reviews? Also, this is towards Dan Buckley ......You saw they was too many kids....How old where you when you went to first first show?...You must have been young if this was your 30 or so show...Unless you went on tour for the last yaer or so.........But I was 13/14 when I went to my first show...In 95 and I was pretty much the only on e that liked them...I had to go to shows with my brother up until 97. Not that it was a bad thing to go with my brother....I still do and I get the ride for him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I may not be as old as most of the other people at shows but I know all the tunes....get the tapes etc....I have the best time at any show.....regardless of what they play..Some shows for me mat be better than others but every one has that.....It just confuses me when people say too many kids....We were all young at one point...We just lucky enough to share Phish witheveryine else at a younger age.......... 17 old phan C you all in Phlorida p.s. Any one coming from canada?
Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1999 10:26:25 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: 12/7 Question for Terry Bennett [email protected] about his 12/7 review: Do you enjoy being a comedian?
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