From: Victor Szalvay
Subject: Antelope in Review Pt.21 7/24/88
Greetings Pholks, I was thinking today about what people might think of these “reviews” as far as my attitudes expressed. In case this isn’t obvious, I just want to make clear that I am being utterly anal in my reviews!! I mean, I am just taking the intricate details of the song to absolute extremes when I critique it, but I do realize that I am doing this. I know that if Trey flubs a part it is done so with humor, no big deal, that was pretty funny! Or if Mike’s bass line disintegrates, I am sure that after the set he is not back there holding his head, swearing up and down and contemplating suicide. My point is, I am just taking this far too seriously. But that is the fun in all of this... so please don’t take whatever I say to be a cut against the band or a harsh comment, I am just bs-ing about a song I like very much! On to the important stuff: today’s Antelope is from 7-24-88 at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT. It is a finale again in this 3 set show. Some great tunes in this one, pretty much recommended overall, second to last Burlington show before they went abroad to Colorado. Antelope -- Intro: this one evolves out of a beautiful McGrupp and Trey just rolls into it very smoothly. Calm intro with nothing too exciting as far as intros go. Mike and Page do a great job collaborating in this one... Trey delivers an above par transition > Opening theme: ( 2:20) Nice build up and trans, but lacked the power, as usual... the riffs are really Allman-esque here. Something nice and bluesy about the entire feel that is lacking in other versions. Trey twanging around... > Trill!: 252 Decent showing... we roll smoothly into > Key Change to Em: 2:55 Interesting move from the band as the opening notes/chords in the Em theme seem reminiscent of something different... something dark and melodic, almost hints at another tune I can’t really place... very experimental as far as chord structures go and wondering into new territory. An extremely mature jam... both Trey and Page exhibiting their melodic prowess, something missed but not altogether needed in other versions. The jam takes a turn for the standard near 4:50 as they head to the standard chord progression and begin the building/climax process... Interestingly this jam segment seems to have a little intro to it (the melodic segment outlined above)... kind of cute. Trey and Page start reaching for some wild lines and then Trey and Fish lead the boys into a double time build. Page is all over the scene with his roaming fingers... pretty Door-esque lines now from Page and jam is similarly Light My Fire-ish for a while. Trey is now looking for the build to kick it into second gear (7:30)... but unfortunately, the jam flubs out as they transition poorly again into the > Pre-Marco-Groove: 7:45 Or so it seems.... Page is still absolutely alive and wildly soloing in a quiet sort of way and soon Trey joins him with a nice jagged counter riff. Mike even lends a soloing hand and rips out the riff. So where are we? The transition was pretty evident, but Page seems to saving them!!! He is pulling them out of a weak PMG trans and we are back in the>>>> !!! Em Theme: Nicely done, Page! No PMG anymore! Trey climbs right away and heads again for that gearshift. Page is backing like mad, determined not to let this one fall down the sh*tter! Page spiraling upwards now!!! Totally taking the control, falling back, coming out again!!! Wow, he might even produce the shift!! (11:58)... YESSS Second Gear: 12:07 Page induced shift is in effect!! I’ve never heard this before and it jams not incredibly hard, but definitely has some merit. Unfortunately my copy cuts at this point, but the PMG is impending and almost everything is standard from there, so I won’t be able to give a final time.... This one, I estimate, runs very long... on the order of 15- 16 minutes. The noteworthy thing about this jam is the Page revival. First, out of a badly botched PMG transition, and then, out of a comic book, the Page induced gearshift!!! Wow, if you have this one, take a listen and let me know if Page really led that jam or if I am just hearing things. Since I don’t have it all, it’s kind of hard to grade, but I could imagine this one sitting at around a 5.5 on my scale! Take it easy everyone, -Victor