7-18-99 -- Oswego Cty Airport, Volney, NY
review submisions [email protected]
or [email protected]
Date: Thu, 05 Aug 1999 13:31:47 PDT
From: wilson linker [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: reveiw of my first wilson oswego
Hi my name is Wilson, It's a family name for me, coming from both sides of
my family. It's my cousin David's middle name and my Uncle Chet's as well,
but it goes back much further than that. I am the first in my family to
given the moniker for a first name. No king of prussia no evil nipple
slicing tendencies. But none the less when 75 thousand of the finest rock
and roll afficianado's yell out your name it will really make the hair stand
up on the back of your balls. I remeber chilling after the 2nd set with my
close personal freinds cat and adam in the shadow of the 2nd speaker tower
trey side. All three of us were pretty spun, then they gave me a thumb
print of the sass. We puffed a bowl and then the chanting began, some girls
behind us were doing some weird song that really sounded like they were
saying {mari seni juana milla} or something like that. Then my crazy homey
adam put a jug of water on my chest and cat twisted my toe and it was really
weird as well. We speculated what would be the opener and since the second
set was reggeacentric Maki Supa was high on the list. Something in my head
kept saying wait "you'll have to wait until toronto...wait until toronto" We
said a prayer type thing to our freinds dog Sequoia "queen of aptos" and
wished jessica a happy dream as she was in new zealand. I forgot to mention
the Marley for the set break!!!!!!!!! Adam was so happy, and so were cat
and I.(Maybe Toots for the set break at the Gorge) Well i digress, All three
of us embraced and held tight wishing love upon ever corner of a six sided
star. And then MY SOUL busted out. I hate to break this train of thought
but I can't finish this till I hear the tape again. If you have it please
email me at [email protected]....
much love to caeryn(i think)from near rocky hill connecticut please email
me. eagle1u
Date: Sun, 25 Jul 1999 17:47:08 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Thank You
Oswego.
Second Night.
Second Set.
Whoever let those beautiful balloons float oh so slowly up into the night
sky
during "Free",
Thank You.
Very appropriate.
PK
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 21:59:41 -0400
From: John J. Hogan [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Camp Oswego
Well, I just wanted to say that I spent 9 days at Oswego County Airport
working my ass off to help further the Phish fans' experience. I live
in Bolton Valley, VT. and was one of 3 people who did all the power
generation and lighting for "The Green".
Six days of trenching, laying underground cable, lighting the
"teepee's", the "streetlights", the Echo Lodge sign, tents, running all
power outlets, etc, etc. I really didn't appreciate the Phish
"experience" until my foray up to Stage Right VIP Seating on Sat. THE
BAND BLEW ME AWAY!!!!! I was in awe. I couldn't stop groovin, and I'm
a 41 yo Led Zep diehard!!! After my almost religious experience, I
honestly felt bad for the 75,000 who weren't as lucky as me to watch
pure music and magic from 20 ft away and above!!!!
Hell, I even had to fix the Fleet ATM Mobile power cables on Friday
night, but I digress... Standing backstage of the Second Stage was just
as moving. Looking out from the rustic "fence" that weekend, I saw a
community of music lovers just getting off on the experience and the
music from such diverse bands. Hell, even the "Hank Williams Cheatin
Hearts Club Band" drew a crowd of a few thou. Each evening I toodled
around the various campgrounds and was totally blown away. What a cool
group of folks. The vibes were there and everywhere I stopped I was
welcomed no questions asked.
I'm a company executive by job and took a vacation to help a friend do
this. I sincerely want to take my hat off to the phans who endured
hardships to be there, the folks who slaved their asses off to make it
happen and to the experience as a whole. It won't be my last! I'll be
in Florida in Dec!!
In parting, thank you all for the entire experience, good and
bad...........
John J. Hogan
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 02:44:36 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oswego day 2 review
Many people's reviews have concentrated on the scene, which was definitely
very sketchy. But with all the bad stuff that happened, the music was more
important. And it was excellent. These were the two best shows I have ever
seen, and two of the best I have heard on tape. day one was amazing in
itself. right from the opening of tube i knew we were in for a fantastic
weekend. and the show did not disappoint. each song had a little extra
spice in it, from mso and roggae to son seals singing about his funky bitch.
highlights were the tender Have Mercy (out of Tweezer), no less, and the
Wolfman>Sally. But the second day was where the real action took place.
When the band gets into the ambient groove they can take it some great
places, as long as they concentrate and not let it get boring.
07/18/99 Oswego County Airport - Volney, New York
I (1:40): Punch You in the Eye, This Is a Farmhouse, Water in the Sky,
Bathtub Gin, Get Back on the Train*, If You Need a Fool*, I'm Blue I'm
Lonesome*^, Beauty of My Dreams*, The Moma Dance, Reba, Chalk Dust Torture
II (1:00): Runaway Jim -> Free, Meatstick**, Guyute, Axilla***, Llama
III (1:50, incl. E.): My Soul, Piper^^ > Prince Caspian > Wilson ->
Catapult^^^ -> Icculus^^^^, Quinn the Eskimo, Fluffhead
E: Harry Hood#
Set I PYITE: I had called AC/DC as the opener, just because they had played
PYITE recently, but in no way was I disappointed. I got off my seat on the
big lawn by the sides and started to groove, watching the huge crowd of
people below groove as well. The landlady came knocking, and I answered
without words. Typical PYITE, but it definitely got the crowd going.
FARMHOUSE: Or as I like to call it "No Woman No Cry". A great tune. I sat
down and listened. WATER IN THE SKY: I dont particularly care for this
song, but Phish was so on that weekend that it was still great. They
started jamming, and pretty soon I heard a noise that neither Trey or Page
could have made. It was a fiddle! There was also a banjo. It was the Del
McCoury Band, writers of the fine tune Beauty of My Dreams. They proceeded
to play GET BACK ON THE TRAIN, IF YOU NEED A FOOL, IM BLUE IM LONESOME, and
of course BEAUTY OF MY DREAMS. Very nice especially Get Back, which I had
never heard before. A great new song. MOMA DANCE: This was a total bomb.
The crowd jumped with Gordon's first hit of bass, and it was off. A funk
party, just like the disco booths in the lot which ran until all hours of
the morning. REBA: When the opening started i said a silent thanks for my
dear Reba, which I had never heard before. This was prefect placement and a
magical event. Did I mention that even from the side, there was perfect
sound? What a setup. As they eased into the chill all i knew was the bass
of Michael Gordon. It was nourishing. It flowed through the air and made
the plants grow, made the people below dance and live. It was summer. The
sight of all those people grooving below was like some drawing out of the
sixties. It was amazing. It was woodstock. I cannot explain how
incredible it was to see all those people gathered in one place, all basking
in the glow of four people playing music on a stage. Musically, Reba was
nothing special but it did not matter. It was still amazing. CHALKDUST:
This just tore apart the crowd, everyone was dancing away, even the crazy
guy in the mud. great closer.
What a first set! Not many notable jams, but it definitely set the tone for
the concert.(If you can call it that). And the sun was still high in the
sky.
Set II RUNAWAY JIM: This was where things got really interesting. They
glided through the lyrics and settled into one of the tightest grooves
imaginable. It was kinda ambient, but it was definitely not soft. They just
traveled in this path, moving up and down as they wished. The entire band
was a spaceship, fitting together perfectly. It was stellar. The jam
soared for a while, until a perfect segue into: FREE: Wow. Another song
that I dont really care for but that was taken to amazing heights that
weekend. It was amazing. Any song that went near Phish became charged with
magical energy. The jam was amazing. It was a totally new kind of music,
ambient funk rock. There was one part with the band funking away and Trey
doing this fabulous ascending and descending thing. Just spectacular music.
I was totally Blown Away. I was free. It was destiny. I was a noble on a
balcony, watching my subjects. I was a rock star. The energy that this jam
gathered in the venue was incredible. It was tragic when it ended, but it
was time to break a record. MEATSTICK: Oh yes. This was a vital element to
the weekend. Oswego could not be complete without 100,000 people dancing to
a hilariously vulgar dance, all while being videotaped for the world record.
This was terrific. I learned the meatstick from Trey and Mike and did it
for all I was worth. GUYUTE: This was what we had been waiting for. It was
the highlight of the weekend. Phish had gathered so much energy from the
crowd that they needed some way to release it. That fell on Guyute, the
ugly pig. This was without a doubt the best Guyute ever, and definitely one
of the greatest performances of a song. Guyute is one of the hardest songs
to jam because of its composed nature, but Phish did it. And did they ever
do it. It was noise rock. It was jazz. It was incredible improvisation
and control from a 16 year old band. It totally blew my mind. They locked
into the raging horns of Guyute, those angry builds, and would not let go.
It was the sound of robots throwing up. It was aliens landing. Everyone
around me was freaking out. But when they launched into the final release it
was the most beautiful thing in the world. I was a believer. AXILLA: I was
expecting a downer after that Guyute, but not tonight. Axilla upped the ante
for the set, taking the energy of Guyute and kicking it skyward. This song
just raged and I loved it. I danced wildly, moving and improvising my
axilla dance. What great placement for this song. LLAMA: No let up.
Another rocker for Phish to tear through. And they did. The energy was so
high that it threatened to destroy us all. Llama was just a continuation of
the destruction that the second set had laid down. A terrific closer.
After this set we wandered around in awe for a little while. Set II was up
there with the great Phish sets, in the company of 5/7/94 II and 2/20/93 II.
Not quite as all-encompassing as those, but definitely as powerful. Everyone
was feeding of the great, improvisational magic Phish had put into the air.
the water truck guy came to fill the water station, with flashing lights,
and even he was jamming on the horn of the truck. People were frolicking in
the mud. People were sitting on the hill discussing philosophy (hopefully).
It was almost utopian. And still there the feeling of more, of a final
fantastic culmination of the weekend to come in the third set. We waited,
trembling in anticipation.
Set III MY SOUL: This seemed a bit typical, but it still held its own.
Nice jamming from all. PIPER: I had been expecting this after the
brilliance of set II, and I got it. Trey played the opening and the crowd
trembled in anticipation. Unfortunately I was not able to fully appreciate
this Piper, since I was still trying get back to my friends. It did seem a
little short, and the post lyric part segued uncomfortably into: PRINCE
CASPAIN: One song that should not have been heard this night. It killed
the magic. Phish was no longer the superhuman prophets of the new
millennium, leading desert people to face the future. They were just a
typical band. They would regain some status, but never reach the peak of
the second set. WILSON: Great to hear. The crowd didnt really seem into it
on the opening chant. Unfinished, and a segue into: CATAPULT: Awesome. I
love those lyrics, and hearing Mike sing them was awesome. Eventually trey
started talking about how you should stop watching TV and read a book, and
it was time for: ICCULUS!!!!!!: First since 95. Definitely a highlight of
the show. Lots of crazy banter in here, including short renditions of Smoke
on the Water and Cat Scratch Fever, with narration about how they were the
same songs. The transitions were flawless, and you could really see the
band was together. Eventually trey said the magic word and they launching in
that mysterious song. Trey said something about breaking the world record
for the longest concert, but I guess he was kidding or some thing. After
the song there was lots of banter. trey introduced everyone lounge band
style, talking about how that last number was off our first album, Junta.
Very cool. He said it was by request from everyone backstage, who requested
it the most. Too bad they didnt want Harpua. (Note: All show I could see
the people seated in the boxes directly on either side of the stage. Very
cool.) He said the next one was chosen by Mike. QUINN: Always glad to hear
Mike singing. Not one of my favorite songs, but I liked hearing anything
from Phish that night. FLUFFHEAD: Horrible, horrible, horrible. This was
the worst placement and the biggest disappointment of the entire weekend.
Not because Fluffhead is a bad song, but because it is just a good song.
Nothing special. And this was how Phish treated it. To end the third set,
to make the evening truly legendary, Phish needed something truly legendary
to end the third set. Something out of this world. Something so great and
powerful, it would make everything else played that weekend seem like
nothing. A jam to end all jams. And it was not delivered. Instead we get
a Fluffhead. Not that Im complaining, its still a good song. Just good.
Encore
HOOD: This made up a bit of lost ground. I called it during the break, but
I take no credit since it was such an easy call. great choice, since it was
me and my friends private song for the weekend. The fireworks were a
terrific finish to the weekend.
Overall, this was a frustrating show. Frustrating because nothing earth
shattering happened in the third set. As great as the first two sets were,
they still seemed like a build up, a buildup to something great and
monumental that was to be delivered in the third. Something totally
amazing, something that would change each of our lives after we experienced
it, and it was not delivered. Instead we got a lot of banter and goofing
around from Trey, a solid Piper, a rarity, and some middle of the range
songs. Nothing outrageous. No crazy vacuums. No Bowie. No galactical,
awe-inspiring Slave. No Harpuan revelations. Nothing to live up to the
splendor of the first few sets. It was heartbreaking.
Was this a great show? yes. But it was not the show to end all
shows. It came close, but did not live up to its potential. Any other
nights this would have been great, but Phish raised the ante and the
expectations in the second set so high that I would have been very hard not
to come away disappointed. I was saddened by the fact that Phish had not
totally taken us away musically, have gotten to the threshold and then
fallen back. Oh well. Still a fantastic, fun, weekend. If anyone caught
Rob Moses and his band, they were fucking amazing. So was Ozomatli,
Lemongrass, the disco parties, 81/2 Souvenirs, and that bluegrass band.
Definitely worth much more than I paid. Oh well. -Felix "RoxyReba"
Gottdiener
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 00:06:06 -0400
From: Kathy Greenwood [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: phish
well i had a overall great time with the exception of your common
pitfalls but i did just want to say i was glad to see on the reviews that i
was not the only one who saw Trey ride on a horse i was beginning to
wonder ya know? thanx again everbody for a good weekend!
sg
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 22:53:15 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7/18/99 review
Wow. what a show! This was the perfect climax to my mini tour run from
mansfield through oswego. I had such a blast!!! me and my friends went to
the gates at around 2:30 and as we sat on the butt-blisteringly hot runway
the mounted patrol told us how they had enjoyed the fans. One mustachedguy
was asking us trivia and when anyone would get a right answer he would throw
them an apple, it may sound like a weak treat, but believe me, it was the
best thing possible in teh heat, a cold juicy apple. When the finally opened
the gates we rushed through the "security" and my friend was the first one
to get to the rail. all the big security guys at the front had placed bets
on who would get there first. the security were kind of bitchy, one of them
said," I must say, you all smell quite foul today." I bet we did after being
in that heat for 2 days!! Also, one of them called a short phan an "evil
troll". But, they were also pretty cool because they threw sandwiches,
water, cookies, and chips to us during the 2nd set break. They also didn't
give a damn about everyone sparking bowls as soon as it got a little dark.
The crowd cheered when the big guy who had said we stunk threw a big beach
ball back into the crowd when it hit the front. They would throw back
beachballs but they kepr the giant inflatable penis, the huge inflatable
ride on killer whale and the 5 foot inflatable milenium falcon. There were
also a bunch of penguins a huge frankenstein, and a big spiral-y worm that
they didn't get. before the show started a group of kids distributed masks
and other accessories that they had made from pieces of random trash and uno
cards to the front section. It was really funny hearing someone yell" WHO
WANTS TRASH??" and hearing a chorous of "OVER HERE's HEY's" and such. I LOVE
PHISH fans!
It was such a surreal experience being that close to the band, it was truely
amazing. At one point during PYITE Trey looked right at me and i just stared
back and smiled and he kind of raiesd jis eyebrows and smiled back. WOW.
that was worth the drive from fayetteville AR. After this i noticed how much
mike and page would look at and acknowledge audience members. you can really
tell that they are really happy to be playing for us. I REALLLY enjoyed
seeing the guys jam with the del mccoury band! Beauty sounded fantastic and
i really really liked this bluegrassy version of get back on the train, i
love that song! One of the kids next to me on the rail, had been holding up
a paper plate with REBA! written on it the whole first set and I'm sure all
the band members saw it because he was pretty persistant. When the busted
out those first four notes of reba i looked ove rat him and he just stared
back at me dumbfounded and then burst into a huge smile and started dancing
his ass off. Might have been a coincidence, but it's funner for me to
believe that they played it because he held up a sign. the second set was
crazy, it was so much crazy fun to be doing the meatstick right on the front
row of somewhere around 70,000 people for Guiness (the book not the stout)
with trey mike and sophie standing right infront and above of me. LLama was
awesome to hear since this is one of my favorites, but trey started it off
at the wrong speed and then kind of flubbed the lyrics a bit, but then made
up for it by just ripping it up, he got CRAZY with his guitar at the end!! I
know alot of people think that was him being a "big rock star" , but No!
this was trey having a great time, all the other guys were having a good
time too. third set took the cake. laid me out. blew me away. My soul
started it out just right and Piper, Wow, just wow. The glow wars in this
and harry hood were awesome to watch from the front! (wow, i still can't
believe i was at the front!!) I think they did a damn beautiful job going
from the high energy jamming in piper down to the mello-ness of prince
caspian. BEAUTIFUL! I GOT TO HEAR ICCULUS!!!!! yeah!!!!!trey had been
talking about the guiness book during catapult and went from there to saying
how we should read more books, especially aone particular book. I knew what
was coming and i just about shit my pants!!!!! This Icculus was great! It's
definately not a musically compicated piece, it's beauty lies in that it
gives us nice dose of the band's humor.I thought the part about "smoke on
the water" and "cat scratch fever" being "the same fuckin' song" and smoke
on the water being a better song was just hilarious. I love hearing trey
splash his imagination onto the crowd through his littel stories and such,
no other band does that that i know of. I was disappointed though in the
lack of crowd enthusiasm before the encore, it seemed like everyone just
took it as a given that they were going to play an encore and that there was
no use uing what littel energy the draining sun had left us to cheer and
yell.The Harry Hood encore was kind of expected, but nonetheless, wonderful
and the fireworks at the end of it all were awesome, the perfect end to my
glorious week long run from mansfield. I had a great time meeting all the
people i did, this was really an awesome experience, one of the best ever.
peace
A.K.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 18:05:29 -0400
From: Chris Rash
To: [email protected]
Wow! Sunday was my third Phish show ever. The first time I saw them was at
the spectrum (12/2/97) in Philly: shitty venue. That and the fact that I
had only ever heard Junta and Lawn Boy kind made for a boring experience. I
decided to stick with them and force myself to get into them. Thank God I
did because I would never have heard that heaven sent second set. I've
never heard or saw anything like that Llama. It freaked me out. Trey was
possessed by Jimi Hendrix for that guitar solo. The rest of that set was
great too. The Meatstick Dance was fun I had only hoped that it would have
segued into Fire On the Mountain or Fire Up the Ganja (a perfect song for
the situation.) For the third set: you had to be there. It was funny as
hell but I bet it won't sound as good on tape. Trey had some truly
inspirational words. The Smoke on the Water/Cat Scratch Fever comparison
was very thought provoking. I wish Trey had drawn Icculus out more with the
backing vocals from Mike and Page. This weekend was the best of my life and
I have four special musicians to thank for that
Chris
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 16:56:48 -0400
From: Rebecca Bly [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oswego
This was only my 3rd Phish show, but I had a great time. I'm used to
Dead shows, I've seen about 30 of them. I must say that, there were
times when I felt like I was at a Dead show. The energy level of
everyone there was excellent. The only down side was the traffic
getting in. I waited 5 hours to get into the airport. However, after I
did get in, I have not a single complaint. It was phunky!!!!
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 08:01:13 PDT
From: Michael Copeland [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7/18 review
What a wonderful weekend full of wonderful people to celebrate my 50th
show. All i go tot say is 3 words Llama, Piper, and Icclus. Llama was so
sick and Trey was in rare form this was the fastest most ripping Llama
I've ever heard on tape or live, just total sickness it got faster and
faster and as it did the crowd was going nuts and Trey was feeding off
this big time! Havent heard any mention of this yet but Trey actually
played his gutair first between his legs then behind is head and finally
with his freaking teeth! Truly amazing! Then there was the Piper, and i
have to say this was the best Piper ever played! And yes it was better
then the 07/06/98 Prague Piper. This one had Super Firey Volcanic Trey
playing note after note for what seemed like and eternity, I thought it
would never stop, it was Trey as good as he gets! Total sickness and
totaly unbeleiveable! Finally ICCULUS, ive waited 50 shows to catch this
rare gem and it was worth the wait this had to be the longest ICCULUS
ever, and if you know ICCULUS its not about the music its about Trey
opening up his head of thoughts and leting them spill out onto the crowd.
He went on and on about this great man (he also said that it was the most
requested song backstage so thats why he played it) it was so nice that i
finally got my little gold nugget of phishtory. Such a great time THANK
YOU PHISH!
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:03:44 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: oswego icculus and other
first of all, who said trey was messed up? i certainly didn't notice it at
all in the third set. is it because he displayed a sense of humor. in
addition to making me dance, phish made me laugh. when i can laugh my ass
off because of their antics as well as dance my ass off because of a smoking
groove, well that's a perfect show. what was the best part of last year's
lemonwheel encore, the "harry hood" or the madness when ths huge elephant
got up and walked away? what about getting ben and jerry up on stage to
butcher an excellently-played "brother?" or any "harpua" or "sanity" or
"icculus" or even "scent of a mule?" it was FUNNY. anyone who thought that
trey was being an ego-maniac by declaring he had 230 channels on the bus is
missing the point. if you weren't laughing hard during icculus or the
meatstick dance world record, you probably didn't see the absurd beauty in
over-sized marshmallows, on-the-spot art, a ferris wheel, or a huge hot air
balloon randomly rising and falling in a huge concert field. these huge
airport shows are a showcase of wit and humor and beauty, and it has been
reflected in the music. everyone goes to shows to hear different things,
with different expectations. i was hoping to hear a "scent of a mule"
because it's been three years and twenty concerts since my last one. they
didn't play it. but what is my biggest disappointment of this past weekend?
that i didn't tape the show to listen to the absurd beauty of sunday night.
that, and the seven hours it took to drive the last 10 miles through fulton
county. other than that, i laughed and danced and felt sooooooo appreciated
as a fan this past weekend. phish set this up for us. they didn't make
millions on this weekend, but they showed us fans the respect and love that
we have showed them, whether it's been for fifteen years or less than one.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:59:57 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jeff Hoelter [email protected]
To: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Oswego Day II Trey Discourse
I would like to comment on the narration after Wilson->catapult and also
after the Icculus.
After the Catapult is I think where the narration began, or maybe at the
end of Wilson. But anyway, like someone said, Trey started
talking...first he thanked everyone for coming, etc, and then mentioned
about the meatstick record. Then, he started talking about getting away
from in front of the TV and getting away from the computers and actually
reading a book. Now, at first I didn't know what he was talking about,
but then I came to realize he wasn't saying "Read a fucking book you
moron" he was saying "Read the Helping Phriendly Book!" But he didn't say
that specifically , he was saying that you should go to a bookstore or
amazong.com, and search under author because you probably couldn't find it
under title. Then he was saying you should go to the bookstore and ask
the little guy with the computer if he could find the book for you.
"Avoid the magazine section and go right to the little guy at the
computer!" He kept mentioning the little guy with the computer and he
was saying "authored by..." and kept teasing starting Icculus FOREVER and
then finally started and they did Icculus.
Then after Icculus Trey was being silly as shit saying "Thank you, that
was Icculus." "That last number was Icculus." "On that last number Page
McConnell (sp?) played keys." and ON and ON. Then he introduced the
rest of the band plus Chris and Paul: "That last tune was Icculus and
Chris Kuroda, CK5, on the lights." It was silly. So then Trey
saying something about how the HPB said to play Deep Purple so they go
into a (very good) version of Smoke on the Water. Then, after that, Trey
mentions how it's the same song as "Cat Scratch fever" so they go into
that one for a second, but then Trey says that even though they're the
same chords, Smoke on the Water is a better song. : ) I agree. Then,
They then tease the Stones "Miss You" complete with "o-o--o-oh"'s. I
dind't know the title of this one, I just know the "oo"'s. : ) Then,
Trey was talking about breaking the world record for jamming on one chord,
which he said would be 3 or 4 hours. I was looking forward to hearing
what Page and Mike could do. : ) But they didn't do that for more than a
minute. Then finally Trey said "Okay, now we're gonna wander around
aimlessly and figure out what song to play next." and while they did this
Fishman was playing a little something and also said "I have to pee" and
then finally Trey came back and said that Mike had requested this Bob
Dylan song and they went into Quinn. Overall, Trey's banter was
tongue-in-cheek the whole time, and it was funny as hell. It was awesome
to hear Icculus.
By the way, all of that was from memory so I can't guarantee 100%
accuracy. I can't wait to get the tapes to hear it again. Highlights of
Oswego day II were: Gin, Runaway Jim > Free, and an awesome LONG Piper.
Day 1 highlights were Set I (tube had a nice jam in it and I loved Taste),
also Son Seals, and the Wolfman's->Sally->Timber.
Also, to those who didn't like the show(s): I find that whatever attitude
I take into a show, that's what I get back out. I KNOW I can't expect the
most profound, amazing jam every night, so I go in hoping to hear a few
songs I like and I've never been disappointed. : )
Later,
Jeff
[email protected]
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 17:49:46 -0400
From: Frothy Cap [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7/18 Phish review
Here's my review of the last show from Oswego:
I'd write the setlist down, but there's too many asterisks to put down!
Great show!
Set 1:
PYITE: Somehow, I don't get sick of this song. I really love when they
funk out the intro!
FARMHOUSE: First time I've heard this since they sort of changed it
around. I like this tune, but too much of it and will become tired.
WATER IN THE SKY: Am I the only one around here who loves this new
version? They really seem to go off lately in this song and jam it
out. This version didn't even come close to the Camden version, but
a sweet one nonetheless.
BATHTUB GIN: Knew we had to get one of these sooner or later! This was
a great gin. It seemed that they were trying to really grab hold of
a theme like the 8/17/97 Went Gin, but they never really held on to
one, and played around with different ones. Not over the top but
enjoyable.
(next 4 songs with the Del McCoury Band)
GET BACK ON THE TRAIN: Love this new song, I like it with the Del
McCoury Band, but I wish I got a few more times to hear just Phish
play this. Hopefully I'll get to hear it in the next 3 shows I'm
seeing.
CALL ME IF YOU NEED A FOOL: Don't really care for this song. Somehow,
even the title is annoying. (Still, the DMB are doing a fine job!)
BLUE AND LONESOME: Seems like a nice song you'd like to hear out in the
desert plain in the middle of the night (A la "Three Amigos"). I've
heard this on some '94 tapes, but that's about it. Nice tune.
BEAUTY OF MY DREAMS: Especially like how Trey introduced the tune by
saying, "Now this is how it's supposed to be played." Don't really
like this song, but it changes things up a bit, when you have a
guest up there on stage.
I thought I heard Trey say before "Beauty" that it would be the last
song, but I guess he meant the last song with the DMB
MOMA DANCE: First time I've heard this since the Lemonwheel. (Fell
asleep in my hotel and we missed the entire first set at the
Worcester show where they played it last year!) This version seemed
rather sluggish, sort of like how Weekapaug and Character Zero were
rather forced on 12/2/97. Always in the mood for the dirty funk of
this tune, but this one sort of sucked.
REBA: The perfect outdoor tune. A complete and rather beautifual Reba
Nothing really to say about this version, except we have the usual
part near the end where Trey struggles to find the right crescendo
to end the song with (before the whistling part).
CHALK DUST TORTURE: Another song you really can't get tired of. (Well,
me at least). I knew this would be the set closer. Excellent version.
setbreak music: Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" album.
set 2
RUNAWAY JIM: Man, I love this song. After hearing the 8/11/98 Star Lake
version, I have new found attraction with this tune. This one really
jammed for the first several minutes following the vocals, then
segued into...
FREE: Looks like the beginnings of a phat set! For some reason, I
really haven't seen this played in concert a lot. After I saw it at the
Spectrum in Dec. '96, I never saw it played again until Hampton '98!
Man, love the funked out middle section following the lyrics. Good 'ol
Mike was dropping some serious bombs during this part (ahhh, what the
heck, he was doing it for the whole song!). Can't wait to snare the
tapes of this show and pop this tune in my car! They didn't really mess
up the vocal ending the song this time out - usually Trey and the rest
of the band aren't in sync when going back to the ending vocals. The
next tune, we were all expecting at some point...
MEATSTICK: I feel bad - i didn't dance. Not my cup 'o tea. I hope
they still broke the record though - this is a much better song than
the Macarena song. Love the Moog sound from Page at the beginning
of the tune - reminds me of 80's Dead, with Brent Mydland. I don't
know - could be wrong, but that's what it sounds like to me.
Wouldn't it be sweet if they segued from this into Fire On the
Mountain?!!! Anyway, the rest of the set...
GUYUTE: I am so sick of this song, it's not even funny. But, that
said, no one can say, that this version wasn't very tight, because
it was a dead-on Guyute.
AXILLA: hey, it's Axilla.
LLAMA: Love this song and its energy, but the jam was too convuluted
and fucked up for me to get anything out if it.
Pretty good set, but a tad short. The next set would make up for that!
setbreak music: Marley
At this point, we were pretty tired, as were a lot of people around us.
We needed a big, energetic start to the next set in order to keep us
plugged into the here-and-now....
(By the way: for this show, our seats were on the grass, Page's side,
about 40-50 yds. from the stage).
set 3
MY SOUL: When not played too often, this song has a tendency to kick
ass, and it almost lived up to that billing tonight. Good way to start
a set. My call was a Julius opener, but this will do. Not too long and
not too short. It had the usual sweet Page noodling, followed by the
vocals, and then the Trey noodling. This song used to be overplayed,
but now that they use it in moderation, it's a very good tune to place
in the set, when they want to get the crowd going.
PIPER: I don't think I'm mistaken here: This is the best piper ever!
You know how you see those "Best Gin" threads on the RMP and
everyone usually puts 8/13/93 or 8/17/97?; well this one will now be
know as 7/18 and get used to it. What really made this one really
smoke, is not only the band went all out, but the crowd, I think got
the band to play in a different manner - and that's what's so cool
about a Phish show: the band (we know Trey definitely does!) feeds
off the energy of the audience. Basically, when the opening notes
of Piper echoed throughout the concert field, the glow war started.
The bunches of blue rings that were tossed up near the front of the
stage, probably started everything, and the band just seemed to feed
off that, jamming faster and faster for probably 10-15 minutes. And
it also seemed that the crowd new when to stop this time, because as
soon as most of the sticks/rings disappeared, Kuroda put up the
lights and the jam took on a different feel. But man, oh man did
this jam kick ass. Eventually, it settled down into a quiet jam
leading into...
PRINCE CASPIAN: I really wasn't in the mood for this tune. Everyone
needed a breakdown after the energy-fix of Piper, but I was sort of
hoping for Tela, McGrupp, or maybe a Mountains in the Mist. This
version was impressive however, with Trey's towering and towering
chord progressions, this song does move mountains. But they never,
did get to the end of the song - (you know, the last few chords
following the silence), just a little ominous notage from Trey, and
we know it's...
WILSON: This set can't seem to go wrong! Wilson tends to come at
inopportune times in the set, but they seem to mix this up all the
time lately and place it in the set where it is 'needed'. (I liked
when it opened Camden the other week). Again, this song went
unfinished, as we never did get to the Blap-Boom, blah, blah,blah
part that Trey sings. Instead they stick to the same chord, and
while this is going on, Trey has a little discussion with Mike, and
you know something cool is coming up...
CATAPULT: Not really much to this song, but when it's played rarely as
it is, you enjoy it...
...now Trey starts talking about the Meatstick dance record, and
informs us that the tape of the dance is on the way, and that there
should be a picture of all of us in the next Guiness Book of World
Records. Then Trey starts talking about the importance of books and
how we should turn off MTV. Then he starts to emphasize a certain
'other' book that shall go nameless until later and the crowd
suddenly knows that something is up...
ICCULUS: Yes, my friends, we get the first Icculus since 10/31/95! And
what a hilarious version it is. I need the tapes to remember, so I
forget a lot of what Trey said, but I know that Mike actually did
say something! Trey was talking bout Amazon.com and Barnes and
Noble; and eventually the band went into "Smoke on the Water," "Cat
Scratch Fever", and "Miss You"(Rolling Stones) jams, before finally
getting to the Icculus lyrics themselves. But, man you had to see
this because it was so cool to be there. And of course, we hear the
end of the song as well, which is frustrating because that small jam
they play at the end could be so much more! But, I digress.
Icculus was just good fun.
QUINN THE ESKIMO: This was a first for me. I've heard the tapes from
last year though. Trey introduced this song, by saying that it was
a request from Mike. (He also said (after saying "that last song
was Icculus" a million times!) that Icculus was a request from
somebody backstage). Finally, somebody backstage makes a good
request! At this point, we were all having an excellent time. I
thought that Quinn would be the final song of the set, but....
FLUFFHEAD: What sucks is that I just heard this in Camden, so I wasn't
really yearning to hear this song. I also was hoping that they
would play Bowie or Slave. What the heck happened to those two
anyway? I still never get enough of "The Arrival" section of this
song as Trey really gets into it and goes off!
At this point, I was thinking, 'man, what a show!' I was hoping that
they would do Harpua for an encore, but also knew that they hadn't
played that other song that starts with an 'H' in several shows.
encore
HARRY HOOD: This song and Guyute are at the top of my list of "Songs
that I am really sick of". Does Harry Hood have to be the 'big finale'
of every summer festival they play, or what? We got the encore of Hood
last year at the 'wheel. At the went, we got Hood following that
already mind-blowing set and the Art Jam. And then there was the ball
Hood with the fireworks. This song just sticks to me like glue! It
didn't really put a damper on my spirits because unlike Guyute, this one
has a jam section and fluctuates each time they play it. Not really
much of a glow war (thank god). I really was hoping they would play
Bowie here and then have Fireworks, but that was not to be. The
fireworks at the end of the song were great.
What a weekend. I'd say it was a success. I just wish I knew how many
people were there. I still hope that they play Limestone once again,
next year. Anyway, I can't wait to grab the tapes! The Piper from this
show will do down in Phishtory!
-Paul B.
[email protected]
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 16:57:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: MicHeLlE hILkeN [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: My Experiance
This was my first phish show ever. And I thought it totally kicked
ass!!! I had the greatest time ever. The 70,000 people there were so
cool, i never saw so many happy faces in one place before. Despite the
5 million degrees heat, the waiting in line for hours for ice and the
myst tent, it was all good. I just loved the campy theme with the huge
marshmellows on those bendable stix and the little houses where you can
tag your name and sayings on the wall. Also the little dance parties
around the camping area, the rave klcked ass, i was feelin it!!! And
yes the coolest band in the world PHISH was incredible, i never been to
a concert before where so many people gathered to see 4 guys just
jammin away, it was great. The music was awesome, and i was about 30 ft
away from them, center stage, it was sweet as hell. This is one
experiance I'll definently remember forever, and i hope I'll be goin to
more phish shows in the future. Now when I look at pancakes I'll always
more phish shows in the future. Now when I look at pancakes I'll always
think of god...... (those of you who camped out in section 3A or near
there, know what Im talkin about!!!)
Take Care phellow phish phans.........
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:12:12 -0400
From: SUZANNE [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Thank You Phish
I have to state that I LOVE Phish. I do not use this word lightly.
What Phish is as a band and what they try to accomplish as caring human
beings is beyond what words can convey. They are glad to be alive and
glad that everyone of us is living right along with them. The energies
that came togther this past weekend were epic! Of course not every
energy there was positive but forget those energies and focus on the
positive ones. The music they created this weekend blew me
away...ESPECIALLY the second night third set. I am very grateful to have
been given the chance to witness all of the beauty that swirled through
the air that night. Let go of the critical judgements and open yourself
to this amazing world...this is one of the things that Phish is trying to
help people accomplish. Anyone who says that the crowd was "dead" is
completely wrong. Out of 50,000+ people all put together in a "small"
space you are guaranteed to meet many many beautiful people. If this
statistic was wrong the world would be a gloomy place. I was abolutely
absorbed in the music, beauty, and explosions of the weekend. One of the
crowning momments of the weekend was during Sunday after the show when
Trey went by on a horse while I was spinning (DJing) to a large crowd in
the middle of the run way...everyones' spirits in that area were so high
at that momment! One guy stated to me, "Do you realize what you just did
man? You entertained Trey!" That makes me feel incredible. In a way I
was returning a favor to Trey. Ohhhh and by the way I literally
discovered my Soul Mate that night, I'll always love her. Once again
what Phish is and has accomplished is wonderful. Thank You Phish, Brett.
"What a wonderful world"
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:49:55 -0400
From: Heit, Mark COGRA [email protected]
To: [email protected] [email protected]
Subject: 7-18-99 Review
I'm sitting here at my desk, crying. It seems as though the scene
is falling apart, and this fact causes me so much pain that I am having
difficulty articulating exactly what it is that I feel. The shows this
weekend were, in my opinion, some of the finest sets that I have seen
Phish play. I'm not going to bother mentioning how many shows I've seen,
nor am I going to try and convince anyone that I am an authority on the
technical aspects of music. However, what I do know, is that the band
that I saw this weekend played some amazingly crazy music. I'm not going
to go song by song, and give everyone the details, that's what tapes and
personal opinion are for, but I will say that the Piper was absolutely
ridiculous, and I'll leave it at that. See, the real purpose of my little
note here isn't to give the low down, nitty-gritty on the shows, but
instead to try and gain some understanding of what is going on in the
Phish scene.
Admittedly, the crowd this weekend at Oswego was not one of the
strongest that I've seen. It was disgustingly hot, and although I can't
deny the fact that I took part, there was an excessive amount of Molly
around, and I believe the combination of the two pretty much zonked the
crowd. I'm not sure where I am trying to go with this. Perhaps this is
just a futile attempt to vent my frustration and sadness as I watch so
many beautiful phans turn their backs on the band that has brought us all
so much happiness and so many smiles. What happened to everyone being
entertained by Trey's onstage antics? What happened to everyone getting
ridiculously excited when the man in the mountain comes to life after 4
years of hibernation? What happened to the pure jubilation at seeing the
first Have Mercy in what...5 years? Why is it near silence before the
encore these days...what happened to an encore being a special treat that
the crowd has to earn? I know there are many things that are having a
negative effect on the scene...I know it's getting bigger and Trey is
delving into a whole new world of mind expansion, but is that really at
the heart of the problem? Or maybe it's that we've grown to expect so much
from these guys, that they are no longer allowed to be one of us, but must
instead dance on a whole different superhuman plane, and never venture
down to the mortal level again.
I don't know what it is folks, I don't know the answer to what is
going to make all you disappointed phans happy again. But let me at least
say this, and perhaps it will raise all of your spirits just a little.
It saddens me greatly to watch so many people turn away from the scene.
Not because it means the scene is taking on a new direction and straying
from how I once knew it to be, but because I will miss all of you. The
reality is that I don't know more than .05% of everyone who is going to
read this, but that doesn't change the fact that I feel that the Phish
community is essentially my family, and all of you are my brothers and
sisters. Without you guys there...the energy that you all claim to be
disappearing, will be almost completely gone. I spent the weekend with my
best-friend for the first time in a year. Not just any friend, but the
kind you only find once in a lifetime. We danced, sang, and cried with
each other this weekend, just like at my first show. I watched as the
music and the love for the band brought smiles to not only his face, but
so many around us...and I remembered exactly how it had felt the first
time I shared in the groove...I remembered the first time I got excited
hearing those opening notes of Antelope at one of my earliest shows...I
remembered what it felt like to be a head. It made me so happy that I
danced away every ounce of sadness that had even remotely bothered me
throughout the weekend, and when I emerged on the other side...I found a
sea of smiles waiting to greet me. And I guess that's all it comes down
to. No matter what walk of life you decide to take, whether you are
excited or hurt by what you saw this weekend...never forget what it feels
like to dance away all your sorrows....never forget how many happy faces
await you on the other side....and most importantly, never forget exactly
how it feels to share in the groove.
peace and love,
Mark
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:20:23 -0500 (CDT)
From: Gandalf [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: From one brother to another
dear mark
Hey man, read your post on phish.net, and i have felt that way twice, once
about 15 years ago, and once this weekend. Once for the Dead, once for
Phish . Both times I have come to the same realization: We have had, in
succession, very possibly the two greatest bands ever to inhabit the
planet. Thats a pretty cool thing to be a part of. I saw the Dead about
50 times and Phish about 20, and am very proud to have contributed to the
great thing we have going. Unfortunately, nothing lasts for ever,
especially perfection. The scene changes. We are no longer teenie bopers
and they are no longer kids either. The eighties dead scene was bunk and
the '00's Phish scene might be just as bad, in comparison to other times
with the same bands, but I , to repeat an old bad joke, a bad Dead show is
better than a good day at wok, and god dammit, no matter how many people
were rolling this weekend andmay not have been having the purest fun, in
the end, I don't really care. I hung out with my best friens in the
world, all 70,000 of them, and had a ball. If it ain't perfect, make the
best out of it. Be happy to be a part of this great party we call Phish.
and god dammit, have fun. Thats all i've got to say
Much love from a brother who knows what you are going through,
Josh
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:46:59 -0400 (EDT)
From: Daniel Alford [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7-18-99
I just got back from the shows (which were great; saturday was my 50th
and I'm a hard core phan) and I want to know who you people are? It
doesn't sound like people who enjoy music out there, it sounds like a
bunch of hyper critical trustafarians... If you guys don't like seeing
the same song twice, don't go on tour! That seems pretty obvious to
me... I don't know about you but I was listening to 4-2-98 and that
night when they did Wolfman's > Sally I was exstatic... I certainly
didn't think "Man I just heard this on tape" and that night I listened
to another Wolfman's. Do you guys not listen to tapes on the way to and
from shows? I take drives where I cue up a bunch of Gin's so I can just
keep listening. Really you guys need to take a break, listen to some
music that is supposed to make you angry and bitter. This doesn't mean
that every review has to be great, not all shows are great, but if all
the shows are so bad in your opinion, STAY HOME! Come back when you're
ready to have fun... Those who were realistic (Frothy Cap, YEM176,
etc.) are of course excepted from my comments.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 01:53:51 -0400
From: Thomas Tatum [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oswego 7/18 highlights for me
I have been to the last 4 summer festivals (plattsburg, maineI,II and
oswego) and out of the 4, I think this weekend
was the best(venue and music-wise). We got there at ~4pm on Friday and was
in in 30 minutes and left Monday morning ~10am and was out in 10 minutes.
Definitely the best setup for the festival yet. You didnt have to walk 2
miles like the other tarmacs. The other acts on the second stage was a
welcome change this year too.
The highlights of the 7/18 show for me were:
Set I: Farmhouse.( I first heard this on conan? one night and thought it
was a yawner. Last fall at Farm Aid I started liking this song more. Then
in Atlanta 7-4 this year Trey wah-wahed the ending and it was the highlight
of Atlanta for me.) This was almost as good as the Atlanta Farmhouse.
Wah-Wahed ending.
Get Back on the Train*, Call Me If You Need a Fool*, Blue and Lonesome*,
jam*,Beauty of My Dreams* I spent the morning watching Del McCoury on the
second stage and his band put on a great performance. It was nice to hear
them jam with Phish for the these songs. These guys are grade A string
pickn bluegrass masters with great vocal harmony. I don't know the exact
lineup but there was a guitar(Del), fiddle(Tim Obrian?), madolin(Ronnie
Mccoury?), stand up bass. The opening part of Get Back on The Train when
Del McCoury and his band started jamming with Phish sent chills up my
spine. The mandolin, stand up bass and fiddle had very good sound and you
can hear them great in these songs. I want to get these tapes and hear
these songs again. Very entertaining. At the end of Blue and Lonesome,
Del McCoury broke a guitar string and almost immediately the fiddle and
banjo started playing a hoedown interlude. Get the tapes and listen to
this little diddy. I was watching Trey check the two out as they were
jamming both jamming in the same mic and he seemed impressed and the crowd
was stomp'n and they got a roaring applause after that. Beauty of My
Dreams was cool. Before the third verse Del said "Sing one Trey..." and
Trey did... and they finished the song and it was fun. Im going to check
out the Antioch show too. Is Get Back on the Train a phish song?
Set II: Runaway Jim was good and type II and jamming and very long, but it
still aint got nothing on 6-16-95.
Meatstick. Where I was standing for this set, I couldnt see the band. Our
group knew the dance from Atlanta and from other friends on tour, so we
were ready. I looked around and saw a lot of people doing the dance and
everyone was at least in unison on the clap part. It was very cool. When
we left the venue Monday morning one of the cops said that there was over
100K people in there. Not that I beleive him, but I think there were at
least 50K people trying to do the dance, enough to break the record. Also
about cops at the show, I had two of them at different times come up to me
and thanked us for coming and told us to come back and do it again. Very
well done! The paper on sunday said there were like 350 cases of illness
(mostly heat stroke) and the last sentence said something like: there was
1 drug related arrest. HA!
Guyute, Axilla, Llama were perfect and left me breathless from boogying,
not any slowed down jams from what I can remember in these three.
Set III: Ive been to about 40 shows and It was cool to see an Icculus and
Quinn...During Icculus, from my memory Trey was ad libbing a lot about
"reading the book" and said Chapter Two of the book you learn that "Smoke
on the Water is an E chord" or somethiong like that. Then they go into
smoke..then he said something like Chapter 4 is where you learn that Cat
Scratch fever is the same song almost as Smoke on the water.. and they went
into Cat Scratch fever..and then he said "but in Chapter 6 you learn that
Smoke on the Water is a much cooler song though" .. and everyone was
laughing...ha ha... These are rare songs to hear live,fine,..... but
PIPER: As far as phish all out jamming their hardest, PIPER was the
highlight of the weekend from what I could tell. The jam went strong early
and grew stronger and stronger and hard for about 25 minutes. I remember
looking around and not believing what I had just heard. It was special
They sort of tapered it off at the end and didnt really finish it proper
from what I remember, but it didnt matter. It was the best jam for me for
the whole weekend. Totally worth the trip up from NC. Down with Disease
on the night before was a close second. Get the tapes and check these
two out.
Thomas Tatum
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:15:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: mIKe h. [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: think for a second
For all the people complaining or whining about the
fans lack of participation in the meatstick, or for
lying on their backs during the show; keep in mind
that it was above 95 degrees, with nasty humidity
levels and a viciously bright sun the whole weekend.
People were hot... people were fucked up. A
combination which tends to lend itself to complete
exhaustion. Regardless, i was hot, i was fucked up,
but i danced my face off the whole weekend.
And another thing: I'm of the belief that if you've
gotten to the point where you critisize the band more
than you rave about them... its time for you to take a
couple months or years off. Don't go see them for a
while. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And that
also means more tix for me. :)
Trey was fucked up during the third set... so what.
It was funny. I closed my eyes and I imagined that I
was at nectars in like 88 or something. That's how
phish used to be. They were fun and funny. I'm not
saying that they aren't now... but Trey deserves to
get up on stage and make an ass of himself once and a
while. How could you not have laughed when Trey kept
saying "that last song was... Icculus." I thought it
was fucking hilarious. I kind of got into the mindset
that Trey was a mellow cat who only spoke when the set
or show was ending... and even then it was only "stay
right there, we'll be right back!" I thought it was
great to here him ramble on about random shit. It was
Icculus... come on! Anyone who didn't enjoy Trey's
Icculus... come on! Anyone who didn't enjoy Trey's
diatribe during the third set needs to go back and
revisit the end of disc two on Junta.
keep on space truckin...
mIKe h.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 08:46:42 -0400
From: Matt Tobey [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: review for volney
In response to many of these negative reviews:
This past weekend was my first live phish experience.
Simply put, Phish took me on an *amazing* trip.
A trip with some of the most intense and joyful moments of my entire life.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 01:44:15 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Trey stay OFF THE PIPE
Oswego was fun as hell.
A few observations......
Trey PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!
Take three hits of the pipe instead of 30!!!
You embarassed yourself in the 3rd set Sunday nite
SHUT UP AND PLAY YER GUITAR!!!!!!!!!
Everyone please lighten up.
I know everyone thinks that the BIG SUMMER SHOW (Oswego, Went, Wheel) is
supposed to be the end all of all Phish shows.
Everyone wants to hear their favorites, but it is just not possible. I know
alot of the songs played were Trey tunes.....soooo???
Just go to the show with an open mind and enjoy!!!
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 22:24:30 PDT
From: Eric Gamache [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7/18 review of reviews
Right on, Chadd.
You don't have to dance around in order to be completely into a show!
Sometimes the music moves you physically, other times it takes you deep
within yourself, if you let it.
I think Mike had a PHENOMENAL weekend, and just because he only sang lead
once doesn't mean he was left out. To me, Mike is at his all-time best as
far as his musicianship goes.
As for Trey being too over the top, Trey is Trey and always will be! What
did he do that was any different than in shows/years past? He has always
taken the most leads, sung the most, talked the most, etc. He is the main
creative force behind Phish; the rest of the band know this and respect it.
They've been together this long without anyone leaving in a huff, they each
know how they work best together, and I think that if any of the other 3 had
a problem with Trey, they would tell him or simply leave. These guys are 4
of the freest thinkers around today, they would NEVER let themselves get
into a situation where somebody was unhappy and stiffling it.
As for song frequency, so what if they played a bunch of these songs last
week? They played 46 songs this weekend! Some songs were bound to match!
Perhaps you'd be happier if they only played each song ONCE and never got a
chance to try for that one, magical time when the song clicks and they take
a bow. I'm just glad that I FINALLY got to hear Guelah - after 43 shows!
Let go of your expectations. If they become too much, don't go to the
shows!
Finally, I thought the scene was the MOST BEAUTIFUL Phish scene I have ever
experienced! I went by myself and found that all I had to do was open my
mouth to just about anyone, and I had a new phriend.
Please everyone, enjoy the shows or don't come at all so I don't have to be
shut out ever again!
eric
[email protected]
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 23:36:18 -0400
From: Nicole Gabai [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Too much of a good thing
This concert was the longest Phish show ever and it felt that way. I
appreciate that Phish does not pander to its audience and challenges them
ever night, but you need to feel a crowd and know the mood. I did not
drive ten hours and sit in a four hour traffic jam to hear four songs with
Del McCoury (four songs!). Throughout the weekend the song selection was
baffling. No Suzie Greenberg, No 2001, No Possum, Antelope -- many songs I
heard in New Jersey two nights before.
By the end of this marathon the crowd, having fryed in the sun was
exhausted and barely with a pulse. The band also seemed dead tired and
bored (how to explain the silly Smoke on the Water cover and endless
chatter on the Guinness record). I think they may have thought in the
third set of playing more crowd favorites, as opposed to b-level cover
tunes, long solos or obscure tunes (Icculus??) at this late hour to keep
the crowd into it. There was no applause before the encore. I think
people just wanted to go to bed. No mas. Too much of a good thing is
still too much.
It was also quite odd that the band made no mention whatsoever to the fact
that all these people had dealt with a three hour traffic jam to get in the
facility and were camping for two days with them. I felt like I was just
at every other show to the band.
I would have thought the energy and excitment in Volney would have been
unique, but the New Jersey shows earlier in the week had much more of a
buzz. Next time I stay closer to home and sleep much better.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 22:15:44 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Eric Helming's 7/18 review
Having read Eric Helming's "review" of Oswego, 7/18, I felt compelled enough
to spend five minutes commenting on his commenting. Having seen Phish 30+
times since '92, I have become a well devoted phan who also collects tapes
and makes it a goal to see them 6 or more times a year. I have met people at
shows with attitudes, or I should I say opinions who mirror his. It's
puzzeling the difference in opinion from person to person. I guess it all
comes down to what you look for in a Phish concert experience. In my
opinion, Phish is the greatest recording and live act there is today. They
only become more adventurous, more dareing, more creative as the years pass.
No one comes even close to Phish. Each member excels at their individual
instrument and create a work of auditory art of which becomes greater than
the pieces combined. I don't expect Phish to be "on" every time I see
them. And I realize that musicians such as Phish realize that to let go
completely of all direction and melody, sometimes leads to pure blissful
perfection. Improvisation = on the spot creation, like Jerry Garcia during a
1969 Darkstar. Totally new and unplanned. Thats Phish at their best. No
structure. What Trey might be trying to say is that a bad night of Phish, is
better than a good night in front of your MTV. Mind altering drugs are a big
part of letting your brain and body enter a state of no structue where
dormant parts of the brain have the opportunity to open their eyes, show
their faces and create.
You know, maybe people who share Eric's opinions should stay home in front of
their TVs. Leave the extra tickets to those of us who will appreciate a bad
night with a truly great band. Even better, though, open your mind. Listen.
Be patient and expand your attention. Then Phish will truly love you and
you will will learn to love them. Happy trails.
-Chadd
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 20:54:13 -0400
From: Captain Morgan [email protected]
To: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: 7.18.99 Rocked
Are you kidding me?! I keep hearing is all this negativity. I can't
claim to be the greatest Phish 'fan' ever and when I hear certain songs
every once in a while I go "what song is this?" but the Sunday show
ROCKED. All you people out by the permimeter speakers were missing out
on the show. Of course all those people were laying down! It's time
for them to get off the drugs and back to real life for a while to once
again appreciate what they seem to now be taking for granted. I was
smack dab in front of the stage and people were going nuts. The second
set kicked so much ass. For about a full minute after the band walked
off the stage people just stood there looking around like they had just
been transported onto an alien spaceship. What the fuck?! was the only
thing going through our heads. Anyway, I feel sorry for the people who
only consider a show to be good if it's go lots of rare shit. You guys
take this stuff way too seriously. Geez.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 20:04:04 EDT
From: address deleted
To: [email protected]
Subject: oswego night two
I was not at Oswego but I still want to comment after reading some of the
reviews from this show and other shows from this tour. I consider myself a
big phish fan. I'll admit it: my first album was Hoist. From there I
branched out and learned more about the band, it's history, and eventually
became more familiarized with their past. I even have a decent tape
collecgoing these days. I've only seen them six times. Usually, I see them
once a year when the tour came to Phoenix (now DC area... college). While
I've seen them more times than many people, there are still others who blow
me out of the water. the point I'm making here is this: NONE OF THIS MEANS
SHIT! They're a band. I like them. You like them. Some people travel.
Some people don't. Great. Fine. Good for you. However, everyone seems to
be making them out to be something other than that... some god-like creature
which never errors and when it does, seises to be Godlike. Remember this:
There IS a God, and that God is the same God who created ice cream and lower
back pain in the same day. So, in summing up my retarded analogy, cut them
some freiken slack. Let them have their fun and have some yourself. If you
find the band boring now or not godlike enough for you... STOP GOING TO
SHOWS. I'd love to see them tell the world tomorrow that they are over and
Phish no longer exists. Watch... all of a sudden you'd give your left leg to
here Wilson AGAIN while Trey was missing notes and coming down from some
high. You'd LOVE to hear Page just take a backseat for most of the show
while Trey goes apeshit. Don't wait til it's all over to realize what a
moron you are sounding like. Thanks, kids. Be good. By the way... I was at
Virginia Beach and it SUCKED. Just kidding. - Jarrett
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 20:56:10 -0500
From: "Yach, Jason" [email protected]
To: "'[email protected]'" [email protected]
Subject: phan reviews
I wholeheartedly agree with Jarrett on his c0mmentary. What would some of
you people do if Phish was no longer around. As i sit here at work
listening to my copy of the Dead at Oakland 10/9/76,you know how many times
they played samson and delilah that year,almost every friggin night, yet i
would still give my left nut to have been there, unfortunately i was too
young, i say to you please people enjoy what we have here before it's too
late and don't become spoiled.(every night is magical in some way)....
and yes these reviews, for the most part disgust me esspecially when i read
about a lot of people writing how they called the opener or how they refer
to how many shows they've been to blah blah blah, or how about the one where
the guy claiming he isn't the greatest phish phan ever, whatever why does it
depend on the number of shows and all that or when you bought their first
album. it's like people trying to brag without appearing that they're
bragging but it's pretty obvious. who cares i've only seen 7 shows and
didn't start listening until '93, and i consider myself a very hardcore
phan. i don't care what anyone thinks. sorry to bore you ,later....
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 14:52:23 -0500
From: Eric Helming [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Sunday July 18, 1999 Oswego New York
Name: Eric Helming
E.Mail: [email protected]
Subject: The Oswego Experience
As a ten year veteran of many "scenes" from coast to coast, I feel
that I may be able to offer some insights to the strange occurances that
recently took place between the hills of Volney, New York. Leaving Long
Island at 8:00 Friday, we expected to encounter little difficulty through
the 280 mile trip leading to the site upstate. Some twelve hours later,
we finally were able to lay down our tent on a dusty patch of Earth that
was to become "our" home for the next three days. Thousands of others
were in the same situation. Three hours to go twelve miles, rocky
campsites and high temperatures will put any thinking man in the mood for
strong medicine.
Approaching the cars surrounding ours, we got mixed receptions: we
asked: "can we borrow some soap?" "I've only got a little, sorry." We
asked" have you hit any other shows on the tour?" "Yeah, Camden, and they
were a travesty. They played, like" Wilson", and it was so slow. They
better play better tonight." We asked: "What do you think we will hear
tonight?" " I don't know, but it better rock!" Some what shocked at these
unkind and highly critical attitudes, we explored the grounds. Every
phisical need could be met at the site, from water, ice , newspapers and
coffee. We waited and used the phones. We examined the marshmallows on
the sticks. Well-planned, well-thought out and very very conscientious on
the part of the band and the organizers. We walked to the runway and played
catch with a baseball. The blistering sun started to set.
Entering the concert area at the last minute, we settled in front of the
last block of speakers on the right side. We were a long way from the
stage, giving us a very impersonal feel. Kind of like being at home in
front of the stereo. A LIMP cheer from the front signaled that the boys had
come out. The show begins. The sound is solid. The lights are not in full
effect, but soon. Each song sounds carefully selected and well rehearsed.
No one moves from the blankets. No one sings along. Dancing is restricted
to slight side to side swayings. Many lay flat on their backs.
This is the opposite of what is happening on stage. As each key is
reached, higher and higher, the music becomes a controlled chaos of positive
muscianship, each party contributing and then pulling back. It is not the
maniac frenzy that I had seen in places like Ames or Omaha, years earlier,
but more surgical and controlled. Professional. Friends gather and leave
the stage, allowing the band to stretch beyond the normal setlist confines
to have some more fun. Mutterings from behind me, "When are these guys
going to split?" "This is so slow, speed it up!! " Who the hell are
those
guys?"
The impersonal feel of the show begins to gnaw away at me. The band has
worked for years to achive moments like these, and all much of the crowd
can think of is how Trey bricked the ending to "Taste" the night before, and
where are all the "sick "jams. When the second set arrives, very few people
participate in the "Meatstick" dance, to our incredulous disappointment.
Which brings back the original questions. reviewing the show. I do not
feel qualified or arrogant enough to critique a show "song by song". I
just come to have some fun.
It is in the interest of fun that the band holds these celebrations.
The fun of traveling, planning, waiting, anticipating, meeting new friends
and catching up with old partners, new experiences and personal growth. Who
cares if PYITE was the also the opener in Homdel? Why do people have to
slag "Brian and Robert" as a "throw away song". For any band that will put
forth the love, care and effort that Phish did to bring seventy thousand
people together, my favorite song is whatever they decide to play next. As
long as the band has fun, I will have fun. A weekend of armchair
quaterbacking and second guessing leaves us scratching our collective heads
at five EXCELLENT sets, dissected to death, drained of fun, bleed of
emotion, by an apathetic critical throng.
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 16:37:54 -0400
From: Mallexpo
To: [email protected]
Subject: My Last Show ever!
First of all too many people! We think that Phish was wrapped up in
their persuit of getting their names into the "Guiness Book of World
Records" rather than playing music for their fans. Next Trey was too
fucked up to even play and complete any songs in the third set on the
18th.(The worst set I have ever seen) Instead of "surrendering to the
flow" he acted like a main stream guitar player. There are three other
members in the band who are equally talented and deserve the same amount
of spotlight as Super Trey. Stay off the Drugs!
Another complaint of ours is that we and the rest of the fools who
showed up for this event were ripped off by Trey. Page songs 0 Mike
songs 1, only after Treydog couldn't deside what HE wanted to play. The
other thing that scares us is the fact that why SuperTrey was acting
like a fool, all his "phans" were dancing around and acting like this
was the best thing that ever happend. We for the first time in our
lives left the show early because we as "fans" were embarassed, sickend,
and pissed off at his horrible guitar playing and his speech during the
third set that made him out to be a hipocrite.(If anybody was listening
to what he was rambling on about he told us to stop watching TV and pick
up a "fucking book" while he stood there and told us that he has 85
channels on his tour bus.) The only postive thing about the weekend was
that Page played great. Finally, this is one of the hardest things that
we have ever had to write. For the last four years we have watched
Phish and listened to them enjoying every moment. But, whatever you
guys had its gone. Everyone needs to relax, stop the pushing, cutting,
and arguing and listen to what they are actually playing instead of
being wrapped up in the fact that its Phish. This is no longer the
Phish from Burlington that we once danced to. Instead, its some
multi-million dollar rock band who has cannot even finish their songs.
In conclusion, I am not bitter only saddend.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 06:37:46 PDT
From: pete hunsberger [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Mallexpo's 7/18 review
The review of the 7/18 show submitted by Mallexpo is beyond belief. I did
not attend the show, but was appalled by what I read. This overlycritical
review solidifies my theory that some people need not speak. What's the use
of bashing the greatest live act on the planet? I think an overused cliche
sums it up: If they suck, lets see you do any better. I am fed up with
listening to people complain about stuff. Sure, I've only been to 4 shows,
and when I goto 3 more in Alpine and Deer Creek, I really hope to hear some
rare songs and covers. However, if the shows are standard, I will still be
happy. I go to Phish shows to experience their greatness, and ALWAYS come
away satisfied, because I know what a treat it is to hear the greatest band
alive. In my opinion, your just mad because you recently realized that you
were not the only person to realize Phish's greatness, and now feel like
your not original anymore. Your ego is so big that you can't think for
yourself anymore, and instead bash the concert which is allegedly the
longest Phish show in history. Do all of us a favor and DONT goto anymore
Phish shows, especially if your going to bitch and whine. You want to be
"ripped off"? Check out a Dave Matthews show. Ridiculous-
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 11:17:13 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: This piece 'o' mail goes out to MR. MALLEXPO
Hey,
I was not at the Oswego shows and I was very saddened by this. I
would have love to have been there, dancing for hours on end in the middle
of the 70,000 other phans. That may seem a little to crowded for you but
whenever I see that many other people all coming to see the same four guys
I came to see I get a good and awe inspired feeling within. I was just
recently at Holmdel, NJ on Friday and I have a great time. The parking
area scene was wonderfull, lots of good folks just shootin' the breeze and
minimal security if any. But I'll admit, once inside and on the hill I
wondered, "what the hell is this?" there was what looked to be a mini
mall at the bottom right of the hill, a bunch of guys with megaphones
telling us to move foreward, and a National Anthem pumping loudly in my
face. But as soon as Phish came out with Sample in a Jar, I just didnt
care anymore. It was me, the phans, and Phish. I came to see Phish and
thats what I was going to do. I was not about to let surrounding elements
ruin my experience. And as for your comments on Trey acting a bit strange
and clumsy.........thats Trey for you! Whats your problem? My friends
that were there said they never saw Trey havin' such a good time. All I
have to say is why don't you let go of all your anlyzations and just go to
the shows anyway and lighten up a little.
Hey Mallexpo...... EVERYONE DOWN THE HAPPY SLIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~~~~~WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 15:05:02 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: 7-18-99 review
After an amazing saturday show, and an entire weekend that oozed with
fun and good vibes, Phish took the stage sunday with the purpose of wowing
all the cats in Oswego....
Came out after 5:30 and opened with....
Punch You In The Eye: Always great as an opener, and it rocked, but seemed a
little off-kilter or weird. I've also seen this song 3 out of my last five
shows. So I might be the only person who's sick of this song
Farmhouse: Over the years Phish has learned how to play ballads better, and
this was a prime example of a beutiful ballad. Really well placed too. Great
solo by Trey
Water: The song that foreshadowed the ho-down to come, nice version w/ a
little improv.
Bathtub:YES!! Opening keyboards were insanely weird and funky. Like much of
the weekend's music, this was slow, dark, and eerie. Nonetheless, the jam
went somewhere interesting, so it was phat.
GBOTT: Del McCroury and his band came out for this one. The crowd got
festive and
a ho-down ensued.
Call me If You need A Fool: Mike sang this one, with both bands, and it got
the crowd movin'. Nice vocal by Mike.
Blue and Lonesome: One of Garcia's favorite tunes, Done by Del and Phish.
This was the highlight of the mini-bluegrass set for me.
Beauty: A Del McCroury original, done by both bands. Really sounded
excellent.
Momma Dance: Aww,Yeah!!! The funk returns, slow and eerie, Pretty standard
version, which means it grooved hard.
Reba: This song sounds better in 1999 than it ever has. excellent spacey
version, complete with whistling and no ending.
Chalkdust: I thought the set would end with Reba, but Trey wanted to blow
everyone's heads off before set break, which he usually seems to. Rocking as
usual, great way to end the set
SET II
Runaway Jim: what an set opener!! Thet went through the standard
part, and took rightr off into some of the most intense jamming I've ever
heard. They came on close to sun down jammed all the way till dusk and segued
into...
Free: WOW!! Really well placed and epic this time. Middle funk jam was
spectacular, as the sky turned to night. Great combo....
Meatsick: Time to break the world record. First time hearing this song, very
catchy and groovy. But like others said really weak on the participation
factor for this song.
I hope we really did break the record.
Guyute: Standard rocking version. Considering how tight the band is now, it
was nothing short of breathtaking. Extra soloing in the Queenish releaser
part of the tune. always a good song to hear.
Axilla I: Great way to keep the place rocking. standard and rockin'.
Llama: Crazy , spacet set closer which got everyone movin', and anticipating
the third and final set.
Set III
My Soul: I swear everytime I see Phish play the blues,r&b, or soul I feel
Like I'm in that scene in the Blues Brothers where they play that ball room,
and they place is absolutely groovin' all over the place. That's a great
feeling. great blues jam, They sounded like a great r&b act.
Piper: Second time hearing this song and I wasn't dissapointed. The glow
stick war in this was incredible, and the jam was out of this galaxy. The
song went through turns, peaks, and valleys for around 30 minutes before the
slow start of an epic......Caspian:
The Caspian was slow and glorious, but no less better than any other
versions. They went some interesting places during the jam
Wilson: Rocking, well-paced wilson w/o the blap-boom part and instead
Catapult: complete with trippy beatles-esque music accompanying it with exta
vocal by the rest of the band. Awesome
Icculus: cool version with Trey saying to shut off the the T.V. and ":read a
fuckin' book". which turns out to be the helping,phriendly book. Trey rants
about how Heavy metal is bad, except Deep Purple, which prompts them to play
the first verse of Smoke on the water(everyone screamed the "Frank Zappa and
the mothers" line). Trey then says that song and Cat Scratch fever are the
same song, and proceeds to jam on that. They then tease the Stones "Miss You"
complete with "o-o--o-oh"'s. Trey then jokes abour breaking another world
record by playing a continuous chord, which he says is E, and hopes everyone
doesn't mind waiting 3-4 hours. really great banter. The song itself was
standard, but of course rare and cool.
Mighty Quinn: Trey says this was a request by the Bass Player Micheal
Jordan(the g is soft). This couldn't have come at a better point. Great
version really got the crowd movin'.
Fluffhead: what a way to close a set excellent version as usual, great way to
close the final set.
Encore:Harry Hood: Complete with glow stick war, pretty standard version
which means it was great. During the written section, lots of interesting
jamming during the break parts of the song
After the Hood encore, there were Fireworks wqhich were trippy and
awe-inspiring. A great show with alot of different music. The weekend was
great with only bad point being the heat, but, had a blast see you next
millenium on summer tour!!!!!
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 17:09:52 EDT
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Review of Oswego
I just got back from Oswego. I look back at the past two days and two lucid
thoughts appear in my head. First, about 75% of the songs that were played
in the last two days I had already heard 2-4 times this tour. Second, from
where I was standing both nights, which was right across from the Ben &
Jerry's, the crowd seemed "dead." Althought most people were dancing, they
seemed like they were zombies coerced into moving their bodies with the beat.
However, everything prior and after the both shows was a positive
experience
I will remember for a while.
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:17:44 -0400
From: Your Name [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: camp oswego
this was my first phish show. i read a lot of people with nothing
but negative remarks. if this show didn't rock. other shows must
have kicked ass! i personally thought it was a great experiance.
and i am definately going to more. i just wanted to say i had a
great time. the scene was so friendly and laid back. no fights ,
no trouble, nothing but a good time. i had a blast. one thing i
really enjoyed was the fireworks at the end of the 3rd set on
sunday. i was sitting on the hill close the fence. and i must say
i have never been so close and so moved by fireworks before. just
the way the band played and the lights were jammin' total
incredible show. once again, i had a great F*CKING TIME! r.i.p
robert nesta marley! peace!
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 15:30:19 -0500
From: Naughton [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: 7/18
What is with this mallexpo guy? Sellouts? Huh? I haven't seen a show
this year. The only glimpse of Trey I have had was the Phil & Phriends
run. From my point of view he looked like a completly content, lucid,
humble man that was tearing shit up. Anybody hear the UJB jam from that
weekend? What, did he turn into a jerk in 3 months? No, I think the
answer I will find this weekend is Trey is Trey. Maybe he stopped ranting
and raving and tearing shit up, because he can't stand reading about dumb
asses analyzing his every word. I guess he will have to go back to
politely saying "we will be back in 5 min. Or "thanks we had a great
time. Maybe that's why we didn't hear a word from Jerry in those last
years. I would have loved to hear him go off. That is what Icculus is
all about. Maybe you don't remember those days. I do. I hope I will be
lucky enough to see Trey with his guard down...but I am not optimistic
given the comments on the web and on the .rec page.
click here to return to the 1999 reviews page
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