From: Charlie Dirksen
8/11/93 Eastbrook Theatre, Grand Rapids, MI (Rvwd 9/95) Damn these August 1993 shows are sooo hot! The MikeS is
really eerie with an odd theme jam in the tramps segment that really isn't at all typical. The jamming is very clever, but nothing
moves me in any special way (except the fact that Mike is more active than usual in the opening of the tramps segment). Trey
comes in sustaining darkly (as usual). This version is about as raw and deep as Mike's Songs get. It is certainly better than a lot
of the pre 1992 MikeS, but it is not nearly as good as the versions of the last year or two, in which Trey has tried to do more
melodic stuff during the tramps jam than the typical off-key sustain crap of old (and of this version). The post-tramps segment
doesn't start for what seems like an eternity (tis longer than usual, but honestly not by much). The odd theme that Trey and Mike
dwelled on during the tramps jam continues into the post-tramps jam, which is too bad, because it isn't that interesting a theme
(4 notes). The jam is especially peculiar around the 8 min point (it is really a lot like the 8/7/93 jam). It is as chaotic as usual at
this time. Fish, I think, says "Kill they probably will" soon after the 8 min point (not the Games Without Frontiers music, mind
you, just Fish saying that little lyric from that silly tune..). Trey is on a theme that is similar to the Irish folk theme from 8/7, but
not the same thing (it is as if he knows he can't get away with jamming on that same theme so soon..). At 10:45 or so, a solid
groove returns, and jamming with intent returns .. well.. sortof. It actually gets really flaky after hinting like it (the jam) was going
to take off. Then Fish, thank God, kicks the MikeS beat back in, and everyone (especially Trey) wails away. Trey is great on
this final MikeS "chorus" (you know, the ending theme jam to MikeS that is usually, though not always, played). Another long
MikeS. Great Gig comes in around 12:30. Fish speaks the opening "lyrics." Gig is OK, but it is not at all as great as it usually is.
Fish's voice sounds unusually hoarse, weak, scratchy. Gig is always amusing, and I would have loved to have heard this *live*,
but, in comparison with other versions, this ain't as professionally done... plus the vacuum soloing isn't as majestic as it often is.
This version ends with Mike starting his solo, quite groovily, I might add, around 18 minutes or so. He doesn't do anything
special, just funks a long (it is not the straightforward bass solo opening). The Weekapaug jam is awesome as usual, with fiery
and interesting licks from everyone, especially around the 21 min point. Trey in particular is very active over the others (well,
Page is out front, too). Mike is hard to pick up in the mix, but he is still wailing away. This is a great Weekapaug jam, for
certain, in the first few minutes. It gets kinda weird and jazzy around the 24 min point, and unfortunately doesn't sound that great
(they clash with each other.. perhaps intentionally, I don't know). My version cuts completely at 24:40 (it was filler). I imagine
that this Week went on for a few more minutes, but I don't know. Anyone?? Did anything all-hallowed happen after this point?
If I had to rate what I've heard, C+/B-...