, attached to 1998-07-29

Review by dr_strangelove

dr_strangelove The Riverport Gin is infamous as it should be, but this show as a whole is monster of its own. Particularly, set two really shines as its own stand alone piece. Highlights:

1) Bathtub Gin: Jam starts on in full hose mode, typical Gin fare, then morphs into some dirty funk by 15 min. Everyone here is locked in. Mike's bass tone is incredible, Page is peppering the whole affair with organ licks and then some baby grand, Trey is alternating between brief swirling leads and funk chords, and Fishman is holding down a steady groove while executing hits and rolls seamlessly. This is a masterclass of a jam that evolves without ever feeling forced. The return to the main Gin theme is excellent and by the end of this funk excursion, the boys could have just walked off the stage for set break. Amazing start to the show!

2) Dog Log: Who doesn't love a song about dog shit? Would go nuts if I ever saw this tune.

3) Buried Alive: Alright! Bowie opener! Start those hi-hats Fishman! Wait... WTF?! Fishman, that's the wrong drum beat... oh hot damn, buried alive emerging out of some Bowie-esque dissonance! That intro is a strong hint that this not going to be your typical high energy blues fest. After experiencing a more dissonant than usual take on the song proper, the band leans into the rollicking Buried Alive beat and push into high energy psychedelia. Trey is on an unrelenting shred fest while Page and Fishman are providing lots of pounding noise. Things eventually begin to drift towards more ambient territory, well beyond the bounds of Buried Alive, although the main melodic theme is amazingly maintained in bastardized form. Two phenomenal set openers. This is a hell of a show! Buried Alive seamlessly transitions into...

4) If You Need A Fool: ...a fun and energetic take on this great bluegrass/folk tune. Too much fun!

5) AC/DC Bag: Short, but amazing Bag! The band feels confident and locked in, every note lands with purpose and Mike is really plucking the feathers out of that bass line. The song eventually hits two huge peaks and from the crowd cheers you can tell everyone is raging face!

6) Tube: Extended funk and grooves galore. Great version of a song that is always a welcome treat in any set. I particularly love Mike's solo breakdown over the delay loops before the band slides back into the funk like thick socks on a hardwood floor.

7) Kung> Run Like an Antelope: A spacey Kung emanating from the Tube funk wallows right into a lilting Antelope. Don't worry, this beast doesn't lilt for long. The rocking energy that characterizes this entire 2nd set is ever-present as this Antelope kicks and flails to several chaotic peaks, the tension unrelenting before finally releasing into some beautiful aye-rocco funk where Mike really thickens the room with chunky peanut butter bass. A delicious version and apt ending to a beautiful set.

8) Waste: Say what you want about this tune, but when Trey is on, this song has a gorgeous and soulful outro. Case in point.


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