Mikes review - 11/8/91 Ivory Tusk, Tuscaloosa, AL

Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 13:43:56 -0700
From: Charles Dirksen cdirksen@earthlink.net
Subject: 11/8/91 Ivory Tusk Mike's Groove in review
 
11/8/91 Ivory Tusk, Tuscaloosa, AL
 
Thanks very much to Kevin Shapiro for playing this version of Mike's Groove on
his Cypress Archives 12/29/99 radio show (broadcast 10pm-midnight).  Very high
quality copies of this radio show (and the show on 12/31/99, which was aired
between 7pm and 9pm) circulate these days. And I strongly urge you to check
them out.  The shows include some excellent jams, as well as some really
amusing... things (like the 9/22/99 Dicky Scotland Song ("aggie"/ode to the
Timer, ZZYZX.. and a bit of "Jewgrass".. very amusing soundcheck jam..).. and
like Chris Kuroda singing "Possum," which Phish performed at his wedding).  
It's also SWELL to have such a high quality copy of the 12/31/95
Drowned->Lizards.  Those of you who have never been able to hear the obvious
Fire on the Mountain tease before (which occurs in the final few measures of
the jam out of Drowned, before Trey starts up Lizards) should definitely check
out this high quality version from the Archives show.  Maybe you'll finally
hear it, and join the ranks of thousands of other Phish fans with ears. ;-)
 
This Mike's Song is typical for versions of the period:  dark, raw, powerful,
and not very melodic (intentionally).  Trey eerily sustains and distorts a
note here and there during the "tramps jam."  (I have no idea whether they
were on trampolines during this version, or whether there was fog.. if you
were there and remember anything I'd love to hear from you!)  The closing
chords to the tramps jam segment come in wicked early, around 4:35, and the
post-tramps segment jam starts up at 4:46. (ok, not that "early" by 1991
standards.. but "early" by 1999 standards)  The post-tramps jam segment is
merely a continuation of the spooky, sketchy, erie, unmelodic-but-powerful
tramps segment jamming.  Closing chords to Mike's Song begin at 5:26, and
Hydrogen comes in > at 6:10.  The Hydrogen is uneventful.
 
This Weekapaug is why I bothered to review this Groove. It begins around
9:20ish.  Mike takes the opening solo/lead.  It's drawn out for an extra few
measures, even though it isn't even vaguely as impressive an opening lead as
you hear him routinely play nowadays (as you might expect). Still, Mike has
almost never taken an opening lead this long before (his opening lead usually
lasts 30 seconds tops). Simpsons theme tease at 10:27, before Trey and Page
start singing the lyrics. Jam segment begins at 11:12.  Another Simpsons theme
quote around 11:25, before Trey really starts soloing.  It's remarkable how
more advanced, or complex, rather, Weekapaug has become since 1991, generally
speaking.  I mean, sure, Trey could play very accurately back in 1991.  But
his solos contain a hell of a lot more creativity and variety nowadays.  
However, Trey's lead soloing in this version is actually more inspired and
creative than some versions from the last few years, for damn sure!  This is
one of the best 'paugs I've heard from before 1993.  Trey's soloing also
contains some SOUL. :-)  (14 mins)  Check it out! (thanks again, Kevin!)
 
At 14:28, Trey stops soloing and the "closing segment" to 'paug begins, but
very softly. Trey is not quite ready to quit, and starts playing some catchy
chords, which Mike and Page accompany very well (Fish keeps the 'paug rhythm
going strongly).  They get into this amusing jam wherein they play quietly for
a few measures and then jam very loudly for the next several measures, with
Trey alternating between "A slice of pizza" and "A Bucket of Lard" lyrics.  
He throws in a few "WHoooa's" and "Check it out"s, too.  They finally break
into the closing 'paug lyrics around 16:48.  Trey sings "Sharing in a bucket
of lard" and Mike sings "Sharing in the lard" in the last minute or so... LOL.
Total time:  17:29.
 
This was an exceptional version of Weekapaug (in context) and should be
checked out by any serious 'paug fans.
 
two cents,
charlie


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