[1] Days Between jam from Page and Mike, several If I Only Had a Brain teases from Trey and subsequent strange lyrics from Mike and Trey, including an Uno reference. [2] Unfinished. [3] Ended akin to Coil, with each member of the band leaving the stage until only Page was left.
Notes: Birds included a Days Between jam from Page and Mike and several If I Only Had a Brain teases from Trey. Birds subsequently featured strange lyrics from Mike and Trey, including an Uno reference. Caspian was unfinished. During Meatstick, Trey and Mike put down their instruments, came to the front of the stage and taught the crowd The Meatstick Dance. Simple ended akin to Coil, with each member of the band leaving the stage until only Page was left. At the beginning of the encore, Fishman came out holding the Electrolux vacuum and the band launched into Terrapin (first since July 11, 1996, or 212 shows).
It used to be that "Birds" was played a lot, so much so that its presence, along with the fact that it was released as a radio friendly single, made it a downer for many fans. If I ever felt that way, it was gone after this stunner to open set 2. One of my favorite "Birds" ever, this one just rocked before settling in to a funny Fishman If I Only Had a Brain. If you're not into the whole show, at least check out this BOAF.
True the lot was not a fun place to be, very much a police presence. But I must reederate, this show is nothing to look past, or put in a catagory of, worst show. Number 1, the worst Phish show I ever seen, was still pretty darn good.
First set was really good set, and of course the Julius opener, in its rarity now as an opener, followed by Fee, and the nearly 15 min jam they put with that. Its as good as a start to any show Ive seen. It just set the pace for the entire show in my opinion.
And what can you say about the second set. One of the best BOAF out there. Page and Trey's interplay on Jesus Left Chicago works well, and lays down that bluesy feel. And to get a late set Tube-> and Simple closer, just phenomonal. I think this show, is more consistant than the previous years show(was at both) its just the encore from 98 makes pholks think the show was as good as that encore. From start to stop, I'll take this show over 98, anyday.
Over all a really good, high quality show, with no true low points, a show worth having, and puting in the rotation. There were alot of good summer 99 shows, and this is def one of them.
Where as 7/7 was a dud 7/8 is a stud! The lot at Virginia Beach was a dangerous place to be due to oppressive security. We briefly saw Mike on the cart but he quickly retreated back to safety. As a result of the bad vibes outside, the boys treated us to an excellent show. You can't beat a julius opener and this one set the pace in fine fashion. The fee is a must here for it goes places usually reserved for jam songs. Stash is very solid as is the cavern closer. The second set is amazing! Birds takes us to the outer reaches of the musical galaxy . . . way out there . . . into if I only had a brain which had everyone laughing. I'm not a fan of Caspian but this one is well played with a beautiful ending jam that falls into Jesus Left Chicago. We get a maetstick lesson before a tight tube>simple ends the set. Tubbs treats us to the then rare Terrapin. A funny prank based on the Dead's Terrapin last year. A blistering character Zero sends us off to Merriweather Post happy as a clam. A fun show and a good listen especially the second set.
Probably the worst show I ever saw. However, check out the Fee->Jam and the incredible Birds of a Feather on this night. The Birds had a key change somewhere in the jam that still sends shiiiiivers down my spine. Both songs are EPIC. The Simple is also real nice, and the Stash is fine. The rest of this show is forgettable. Horrible venue, horrible security, and poor song selection. I have a copy only because I was there.
As mentioned for 7-7, these shows were my lowest point with Phish. Fortunately, I stayed on tour and was generously rewarded for my efforts a few days later. My one and only Fee contained a spectacular jam that I come back to again and again. This proves that even on a night where everything isn't clicking, one jam can bring the magic. If you haven't heard this Fee before, stop reading and go to phishows.com right now. Kevin, please release the 23 minute soundboard so we can throw the muffled version away. This jam deserves it!
truth be told, this show didn't really do it for me. it started strong early on, including a cool jam out of "fee", of all songs. but if i had to sum up the whole evening in one word, "lethargic" might be it. it's unfortunate too, because on paper it certainly looks like an intriguing setlist. maybe i was just in the wrong mood or something, but this was one show i wouldn't have felt bad about skipping....
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attached to 1999-07-08
It used to be that "Birds" was played a lot, so much so that its presence, along with the fact that it was released as a radio friendly single, made it a downer for many fans. If I ever felt that way, it was gone after this stunner to open set 2. One of my favorite "Birds" ever, this one just rocked before settling in to a funny Fishman If I Only Had a Brain. If you're not into the whole show, at least check out this BOAF.
