Mikes review - 7/10/98 Zeleste, Barcelona, Spain

Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 08:11:29 -0800
From: Charles Dirksen cdirksen@earthlink.net
To: rmp@archive.phish.net
Subject: 7/10/98 Barcelona Mike's Song
 
 
7/10/98 Zeleste, Barcelona, Spain
 
There were major sound problems during the first set (if you can call
it a "set").  Mike's Song was started in the first set, but aborted
because the problems were so fierce.
 
There's some modest feedback in the opening of this Mike's, but it
isn't that bad. Standard rhythm to this version (unlike the somewhat
slower 7/1/98 Grey Hall).  Tramps jam begins around 2:48 or so. Trey
doesn't wait very long before beginning a solo.  There's not much of a
bottom to this version (sound issues).  You can hear Mike but he's not
phaaat. And Fish's kick drum isn't as rich and deep as usual.  There's
also not as much power coming out of the keys.
 
Trey doesn't do much with his solo, and it is actually really weak
around 4:30.  He picks things up a few measures later, though,
fortunately.  Still not much inspiration behind this version yet.
Mike is pretty melodic, though. Fish tries to pick up the pace around
5:30.  Seems to get Trey's attention, and the groove picks up a bit.
Fish is really trying, hitting the crash practically every measure in
here.  Trey gets very repetitive around 7 mins, but appears to be
building up steam.  He lets loose some nice licks around 7:25 but then
promptly returns to repetitive strumming... and then back to some nice
riffs!
 
By 8:30 Trey trills quite a bit, but for whatever reason the rest of
the band doesn't sound too into it.  (?)  Still some really nice
riffing from Trey at this point (9 mins).  FINALLY!!  Trey trills like
madman around 9:32!  But still, the band doesn't climax with him.
 
Closing chords at 9:45 and they are again sloppy (see also 6/30/98).
Weird.  Simple begins at 10:08 or so.  It's an average-great version
with an average-great jam, until about 22:50, when it dies out and the
Jam is All Effects. Ok, not ALL effects.  Sounds like Trey might be
scratching the frets a little.  Fish starts drumming again around 25
minutes.  Crowd begins clapping along.  Around 25:40 the rhythm Fish
is playing begins to sound more and more like 'paug.  Trey is
repetitively chording on his 'doc.  Interesting, upbeat groove at
26:30, like something you might hear in the midst of Weekapaug,
frankly.
 
It's repetitive but it's catchy and gripping at the same time. Doesn't
really go anywhere, or gain in intensity, though.  Which is a shame.
It's frankly very Sand-like (29 mins) in its repetitiveness. Fish is
now almost into a true Weekapaug rhythm (30), even though Trey
continues to chord here and there without so much as hinting at
'paug.  Very dark chording, actually, from Trey at this point.  Evil.
(30:30)  Wild! 8^]  YEAH!!  Trey's dark chording in here takes on a
purpose that reminds me a lil bit of my favorite normal lengthed Stash
(5/19/94).  Damn!  This isn't complex.. but it is NASTY! (32 mins)
Fish is still going to town on a Weekapaugian rhythm, and Trey still
refuses to kick into 'paug chords. (22:30)  Come on!  Where's the
Weekapaug!? Trey starts tearing shit up at 33:30 in a manner that
reminds me of the 12/2/95 Tweezer!!  This intensity only lasts a few
measures, though, at most.  Fish is completely rockin' on a 'paug
rhythm!
 
FINALLY!  At 34:13 Trey changes key and begins strumming Weekapaug's
opening chords.  They play the Weekapaug opening chords for awhile
before beginning the lyrics.  Jam segment of Weekapaug begins around
36.  Trey immediately finds a riff to repeat and strum.  Jam kinda
drops down in intensity.  Page takes off on the clavinet around
36:50!! Great stuff from PAGE!! 8^]  Trey soon begins soloing in a
typically melodic 'paug fashion. Great jamming around 39:45 or so, and
frankly, from thereon out!  Around 41 the jam drops down into an
quiet, mellow "On Broadway" groove for a minute or two (led by Mike).
 
Very melodic around 43, as Trey kinda plays around the "On Broadway"
melody line without actually playing/teasing it.  At 43:42 the jam
BLASTS back into Weekapaug at full-force, and the closing lyrics begin
a measure or two thereafter.  Total time 44:58.  B+/A-.  Mike's wasn't
that great, but I'm including the improvisational jam segment of
Simple in this rating.
 
two cents,
charlie


hits (many)