From: Charlie Dirksen
8/17/96 Clifford Ball, Plattsburg, NY I haven't talked about this show very much at all, because I've only recently received a
copy of it (thanks Scott M.). I agree with Everyone that the first show is **AWESOME**, and is probably easily within my
personal Top Ten. I would, if forced at gunpoint to make such a terrible choice, still prefer 5/28/89, 10/31/94, 12/31/95,
12/30/93, and 2/20/93, though. The second show's second set is above-average and wonderful, but I really don't think the
second show, all things considered, is THAT amazing. Still, these two shows -- generally speaking -- were definitely tighter
(musically) than the 8/2-8/7 shows that I saw *live* (to be expected, as Kimmula pointed out). And I wish I'd have been able
to afford to go. :( Opening is very tight, and the pre-Ebeneezer segment contains a nice melodious lick or two from Trey, that
bodes well for the jam segment! Lots of clav from Page, taboot. No screaming after Ebeneezer. Jam segment opens at 4:28,
and Trey immediately begins repeating a groovy lick on the 'doc. Within twenty seconds, he has started melodiously soloing, but
is still fairly repetitious (typical for Tweezer's jam segment early on, of course). The accompaniment is Typical Tweezer Fare
within the first few minutes. Trey's soloing stays mid-range on the 'doc until about 6:30, when he climbs an octave or two, and
temporarily holds a pleasant sustain. He's very active on the 'doc, and this version qualifies, certainly, as non-spacey, powerful,
and even "upbeat." Around 7:30, Trey is repeating this one lick on the 'dock over and over again, with intense, strenuous
cymbal-work from Fish, and otherwise typical Tweezer accompaniment from Page and Mike. Trey begins climbing the 'doc --
slowly and steadily -- again around 8 minutes or so, finally climaxing around 8:36ish, and jammin' high on the 'doc for the next
thirty seconds ... before returning back to the mid-range with some fiery, stormy licks that are again accompanied by serious
cymbal-work from Fish. Trey actually trills a bit in here, too, and generally smokes that 'doc, climaxing yet again, around 10
mins, in the upper reaches. But, this sounds about ready to ... THE NOTE at 10:19.. wow. This version of Tweezer was
frighteningly akin to The Early Versions, and wasn't even close to as magnificent as the Red Rocks '96 version. Dying out of the
main theme ending.. how original. ;-) (I'm just kidding.. I enjoy these endings!) Total time of this version is about 11:54 or so.
Day in the Life starts up soon thereafter. This version was clearly only minimally above-average, and then only because of its
power. There are no especially melodious theme-jams, and nothing unusually awe-inspiring occurs. 5.5 rating. (above average
because of its power, but not nearly as enchanting as many other versions of Tweezer, that contain beautiful, counterpunctual
melodic play -- this version is just a powerful, active version of Tweezer.. nothing all that special, imo) two cents
"whitemailwindbag"420