Mikes review - 12-11-99

Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2000 16:31:43 -0800
From: Charles Dirksen cdirksen@earthlink.net
To: rmp@archive.phish.net
Subject: 12/11/99 Phili Mike's Groove

Happy holidays!

(sorry this one isn't that interesting, but I reviewed it awhile ago but 
never sent it out...)


12/11/99  First Union Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

First set Mike's Groove.  Harry Hood opens the show.

Don't have much of anything to say about this Mike's Song. I dig the
groovy way the jam segment begins (despite the digital delay loop
note, which gets a bit annoying.. but at least it is in the
background).  It's very repetitive, though.  It's a collective jam at
first.  Trey doesn't solo over the top of everyone else.  Just plays
rhythm guitar, basically.

It's a good version, but IMO, as "average great" as they get.  There's
just nothing especially interesting about it at all.  My mind wandered
and I started to read an article about Sonny Barger's new book about
being a Hell's Angel... and then toasted some English Muffins.  [I
just listened to it again and there's nothing more to say except
"average great" version.]

Closing chords kick in at 8:15, and Simple starts at 8:34. Simple is
very pretty, but like the Mike's, nothing exceptionally or unusually
so.

Fish begins playing Hydrogen's drum line around 19 mins, out of
Simple's mellow, harmonious jam segment.  Like the Simple and Mike's
before it, Hydrogen is straightforward, pretty.  It seems a wee bit
slower than usual.  It is performedly very preciously, as if with
"kid gloves."

Weekapaug begins at 23:08.  Mike's opening solo elicits a roar of
approval from the audience, who is likely pretty damn psyched to be
hearing 'paug after a 22 minutes of pretty mellow music (all things
considered).  From the beginning of the jam segment onward, Trey plays
wonderfully.  The accompaniment from Page, Fish and Mike is very
strong, too, and around the 26-29 minute period, there's some great
jamming.  But this 'paug doesn't go anywhere or do anything that, IMO,
would place it in the upper echelons of versions.  There's nothing
type II or exploratory.  There are several periods where Trey just
heavily, quickly and almost violently strums the same note over and
over again, as if to build the jam..  but it still never truly
"climaxes."  This is definitely an "average great" 'Paug in that this
rock star Trey version never goes anywhere special, yet is still very
well played and GREAT.  (as is to be expected)

Closing chords around 29:48... total time 30:45.  (nothing unusual
about the closing segment)

Easy "B" rating for this average-great Mike'sGroove, IMO.

two cents, please add your own!

charlie



hits (many)