, attached to 1995-11-19

Review by kipmat

kipmat https://forum.phish.net/forum/permalink/1377893007

Trey: "...Page's piano is what sets us apart from the million other two-guitar bands out there. Moreover, no other rock pianist plays with as much incredible understatement as Page, who also has a new synthesizer layering style that has opened up a whole new world of colors and textures we can step into. He truly makes the band something special." (The Phish Book, p. 87)

Mike: "Sometimes I'll look over at Page for a cue, get this big smile from him, and think, "What a funny situation. We're in this rock band now, when we could just as easily be working in a chocolate factory". Page used to paint white chocolate patches on dark chocolate cows for a living." (The Phish Book, p. 95)

Fishman: "It was kind of awkward (when Page joined Phish). Then it was like, "Who are we kidding?" But it worked out pretty good. I'm glad we didn't fire him. I think down the road it wouldn't have worked nearly as well not having a keyboardist."
Page [dryly]: "Thanks, Jon!" (Phish: The Biography, p. 46)

Page McConnell is a complex personality. He is the introverted romantic stepping forward to croon songs of love or leisure, and the rock-and-roller who handles the lead vocals on songs by Traffic, The James Gang, and Led Zeppelin. He's the mad scientist ensconced in a technology laboratory, and the earnest fellow waving and making eye contact with phans in the "Page Zone". He is the chess player and the Keytar player. His own sense of humor is dry, but his laughter is unmistakable on many early Phish SBDs. He is always mild-mannered and polite, yet he is the one who picks up the axe when tough decisions are to be executed. Above all, he is a vital component to the chemistry and superior musicianship of Phish.

It's a safe bet that Mr. and Mrs. McConnell were in attendance at this show as they were the night before, because the spotlight shines on their son frequently during this excellent show. @Mikesgroover's review does a good job of covering the highlights. While this Stash isn't as amazing as the version five nights earlier in Orlando, the tease is cool (I agree that it sounds more like Secret Agent Man than The James Bond Theme). Page also shines during the spacy It's Ice jam, and he tears it up on the Hammond B-3 during a nice, deep Tweezer jam. In addition to the plethora of piano solos, his vocal talents are put on display during Strange Design and the Life On Mars? encore. This is definitely an underrated show, much like the man himself.


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