10-7-99 -- Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, Long Island, New York

Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 21:40:07 EST
From: NICU86@aol.com
To: dws@archive.phish.net
Subject: review on 10-7-99 show, trust me,
     read thisBut I was wrong. They came back on, &

Well, I'm writing this review on 12-6-99,(which is birthday, by theway)
even though the show I'm writing about is from 10-7-99. I am writing about
it because it was an amazing show, & I advise you to get the tape as quick
as you can.

    Well, me, my brother, & two of my brother's friends were off to a late
start, on the ticket itsaid that the show would start at 8:00, but of
coarse Phish didn't come on untill 8:42 exactly! If you are wondering why
they make you wait, it's because the crowd gets more excited when they
first come on, because they have been waiting for so long.

Well, when they came on, I am surprised that the Nassau Coliseum did not
colapse! But they kicked it off nice with.....

NICU... God, I love this song, it's just the song that gets you so ready
for a Phish concert! This is not one of there jammers, but it's sure a
good way to get things started! I was really happy when they came on with
this, because on the way there I said to my brother's friends that Phish
is gonna open with NICU, or they are gonna play it in the first five
songs!

My Soul... Now, I am a fan of this song, but I wasn't really expecting it,
expecially in this slot! But, no matter when they play it, you gotta love
when Trey wails on the guitar, & when they go, "My,my,my,my,my,my soul,
it's my soul!"

Dirt... What a perfect place for this song, I saw it coming sooner or
later, but I was predicting about 2nd set, 2nd song, But if you think
about it, they pumped everybody up with NICU, then got everybody rather
wild, with My Soul, then they just calmed everybody down with Dirt! The
jam was awesome, as it allways is with Dirt. The good thing about this
song, is that it is never to long or to short, it's allways just right!
After this song, I was ready to dance, & I needed a long jammin' tune. And
I got what I asked for...

David Bowie... once Jon started hitting the hi-hat, I knew it was time for
Bowie, & he was hitting them for about 2 minutes, while Page, Mike, & Trey
were makin' a soft spacey sound. After a minute of listening to the
hi-hat, I thought to myself, if this could be Maze, but the way he was
playing the hi-hat, I knew it was time for Bowie. About a minute afetr I
thought about that, they blasted on with Bowie, & it was one to remember.
I'll idmit the jam, was a little dragged out, & they've played much better
Bowie's, but it wasn't anything to get upset about!

Frankie Say... This was a gsong I really needed, after dancing for about
twenty minutes from Bowie. So I took a bathroom break, because at the
time, I really wasn't a fan of this song. But when I came back from the
bathroom, I just sat there and listened to the song, & I really started to
like it, & ever since then, that song just keeps growing on me!

Possum... I don't care what song I want to hear, I wills allways settle
for Possum, I was expecting either a Chalkdust or a Hood, but I need this
song! It just has such a good rythm to it, it's so hard to explain. But
the jam was amazing, & you could see that Mike & Page got really into it
at the end.

When The Circus Comes... What an awesome song at an awesome slot! Again
Phish was continuing their slow,fast technique. This was what everybody
needed. This song really has a nice jam. Now I needed something, not so
fast & heavy, but not a slow gon. Again, I got exactly what I wanted....

Gotta Jiboo... What a great tune. Yes, the jam was a little to long, but
it is such a great song to dance to. Now I wanted to hear a song I never
heard live before, I either need Lizards, AC/DC Bag, or a Wilson. Now I
kind of knew that there wasn't gonna be a Wilson tonight, inless they
shocked everybody with a Wilson for an encore. I really thought they might
do Lizards, or AC/DC, but they hit me with a nother song I never heard
live...

Fluffhead... When Trey started with those first couple of notes, I flew
out of my chair, started screaming. The jam was amazing, & the I love the
ending. I think that Hood & Fluffhead have the best endings out of any
other Phish songs. This was also a great way to end the first set!

Set break: This break was a lot longer then a usual set break, I thought
maybe they were backstage learning  a cover song to do. But I was wrong, &
when they came back on, everybody was ready to start the next set. They
kicked the next set off, with one of my favorites...

Boogie On Reggae Women... I LOVE this song, even though there wasn't much
of a jam, besides Trey soloing for about two minutes. I needed this song
very badly. I knew it was coming soon, and I was right! Now I wanted a
very relaxing song, just a little bit more melow than Boogie On, and my
wish came true again...

Heavy Things... I love this song, it is allways played at the right time!
The good thing about this song as soon as it was about to get boring. Now
I really wanted to hear something fast, ans something a little bit more
rock-ish. That must of been my night, because i kept on getting what I
wanted, & it kept on going!

Tube... Thank you God! What a song, & what a jam!!!!! I freakin' love this
song! Trey was really into this one, because he was the leader of the jam
here!

Get Back On The Train... What a good way to melow everybody down from
Tube! This was needed by everyone. And the good thing about it is, it went
right into...

Mike's Song... This was an absolute amazing jam, I had no complaints about
this jam excpet it was followed by...

McGrupp... Don't get me wrong, I really do like this song, but i was
lookin' for YEM or Hood or Chalkdust! But I settled for McGrupp. The jam
was preety good, but nothing special.

Prince Caspian... I think I was the first person in the coliseum to
realize what they were playing. You might think I'm crazy, but in the
beggining it sounded like Piper. But then I realized what it was, & three
guys behing me thought it was YEM! But anyway, it was a pretty good
version.

Golgi Apparatus... What other way to follow Caspian, then Golgi? Everybody
was on their feet for this one! It was a preety good jam. Now I needed
some funk, & of coarse I got it with...

Weekapaug Groove... They started this song out amazing, Mike even had a
little 10 secound solo all by himself in the very beggining. It was just
what I needed, but when they went into the jam, they kind of upset me.
Because the jam was really boring, but they ended the song and the 2nd set
of very nicely!

For the encore, I was predicting a Wilson into Chalkdust, or a
Frainkenstienn into Wilson into Chalkdust, or a Hood into Chalkdust, they
all seemed to good to be true. The only reason I kept on expecting
Chalkdust was because there were so many rumors that they were gonna play
it tonight! But my luck ended there, because they didn't play Chalkdust
untill the next night. They started the encorewith...

Rocky Top... I like this song a lot, but I was really upset, because I
thought they were going to end with this song. Well, I was wrong again,
because as soon as i heard that sounds kind of like a tow truck, I knew
what was coming up...

I Am Hydrogen... I really love this song, even thought I used it as a
bathroom break, I reaaly love to just relax in my chair & just listen to
the nice rythm. I knew they couldn't end with this, I thought Hood was
next, but then I thought that since they had a midnight curfue, & it was
allready 11:51, I discluded that from my preddiction. I then thought there
was gonna be somthing from Hoist, call me crazy, but I even thought of
Wolfman's as an encore. I even thought about Tweezer or even Fee! I must
of been really mest up! But i was right when I guessed something from
Hoist, cause they ended the night with a nice long...

Julius... This was a nice way to end of the night, even though I was
lookin' for something else. Trey really got into this one, cause he was
whalin'! It was a very nice jam, & it was probally one of the best shows I
have ever seen!

I advise you to get this tape as fast as you can!!! It was an amazing show 


Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 14:33:56 -0400
From: "Sanseverino, Greg M, GRWMK" sansevg@att.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: Nassau night 1 & 2 review

  10-7-99
  Uniondale, NY

SET I: NICU, My Soul, Dirt, Bowie, Frankie Says, Possum, Circus, Jiboo, Fluffhead
SET II: Boogie On, Heavy Things, Tube, GBOTT, Mikes>McGrupp, Caspian, Golgi,
        Weekapaug
ENC: Rockytop, I am Hydrogen, Julius


Collisieun was about ¾ of a way full when they stepped onto stage. Our
seats were right on the railing of first row in lower section, stage left.
I was happy b/c sound in NC is always awkward to me and hoped this would
be best spot They jumped right into NICU which is personal favorite of
mine. Great way to start the set. Nice and bouncy, was hoping the entire
set went in this direction. This came to a halt. Was hoping for something
new, but then blues of MY SOUL. Fairly standard version. Some like it.
Some don't. Isn't this true about every phish song? This eased into DIRT.
Very chill. Set was going different then initial thoughts.  Treys solo
very powerful. At close of dirt, it got a little spacey, then the high
hat's, and right into DAVID BOWIE. No long intro like previous Bowies this
tour. Crazy ending that peeked many times. But I say that about every
bowie ending. Just too good. Really picked the crowd up. This spaced a
little and segued nicely into FRANKIE SAYS. I still like to label this
song 'relax' just b/c I don't feel comfortable writing such a silly name
for such an amazingly moving song. Prefer this one outside on the lawn but
indoors is sweet too. When this came to a close, they rolled right into
POSSSUUUMM. Pretty sweet possum. Was thinking that the set was taking many
strange turns. Up's and downs' if you will. Not saying nessecarily that
the ups are good and downs are bad, just a rollar coaster ride of a set.
Possum came to a halt, when up started CIRCUS. What can you say? I usaully
consider this song along the lines of Dirt... and happy to see either.
Both in a set was a special treat. Again the Treys solo mind numbing
goodness. We were catching on here.....we knew something fast was up. And
fast it was, those intro notes to JIBOO: This song has so much bounce its
unreal. Finally a new song.  The jam section before they bring it back was
very tight. Only saw one other prior so not much to compare it too. This
song had the whole place shaking. The mystery of the lyrics in combonation
of funky as hell guitar work over nice tight rhythm will keep this song
alive for a long time. I thought jiboo would end set for sure, but to our
delight. Fluffy head makes an appearance. Very well done. I was talking to
someone (BB)  about fluffhead and it was said that you always forget about
the little parts in fluffhead. It's completely true. The little pings,
echos, and "check this out's. Lights came so alive...and nassau was in an
uproar.

SET BREAK: Tom Waits : Mule Variations. Saw my folks. It was their first
show and they were curious as too why I see them so much...so being nassau
is hometown show they decided to go. When I first saw them at their seats
my dad was like "that possum song was really good" Which threw me for a
loop. My mom was like they are great muscian's but I couldn't take all of
the Marijuana.(they are both very straight people) She liked jiboo a lot.
My dad also commented that some of the security was being jerks b/c they
were trying to hold back folks from jumping the rail to go to floor. Way
to go dad! He also got a kick out of the guy in front of him who....came
to his seat yelling and cheering>introducing himself to everyone>jumping
up and down for 2 songs>then sleeping in seat till setbreak. They left
after first set but b/c of the drugs not the music which is all I could
hope for.

SET II 
They jumped into BOOGIE ON. Very nicely done. It fired up audience for a
string of songs which would leave anyone flatened with funkness, laughing
the whole time. Boogie jammed out a little. Pause, then the beep, which
has become sure-fire way to spot this diddy.  HEAVY THINGS. Probably cream
of crop of new songs they've incorprated into the rotation. Great lyrics.
Great jam section before the shoop shoop wawa part. This was the best of
the three I have seen. Or at least longer then other two. Complete
insanity.  A few mintue pause to catch breath then. Asteroid
crashed...bam! TUBE: This sent the place, the set, the audience, myself
all into a frenzy. Fantastic tube. Jumped very well into and out of the
bluesey part. Next up, as if you weren't dancing enough, a well placed GET
BACK ON THE TRAIN. Started out slowed down a little but then got picked
up, mainly lead by Fishman. He simply plowed through that song, frequntly
getting ahead of trey/page. The place was beaming with cheers as they
huddled a little...to come up with MIKES> Simply unrelentess. Jamed
through the 'simple' part which was good cause I was hoping for a
Hydrogen. When Mikes slowed, I am positive I heard the sinking notes of
Hydogen, but instead an unbelievable McGrupps. Very beautiful. This segued
into PRINCE CASPIAN: Very relax. They didn't go to crazy with it. They
finished it. I've noticed the changed the ending a little to kind of
crumble into the ending instead of...pause> bring it back. Kind of like
vice versa as to what happened to the ending of Limb. This fell right into
GOLGI. Fun to hear. The place was rocking.  We all knew we had a weekapaug
to follow. Mikes intro flawless. So fast. Weekapaug was a nice exclamation
point on a powerful set. But the real clencher was in the encore.
ROCKYTOP. I was thinking a rocky>bouncn encore old skool. Had feeling we'd
hear another..but nothing could prepare me for the I AM HYDROGEN: Was I
dreaming. I had flash backs to the McGrupps where it was supposed to be.  
It was so surreal. Floating on every note. What a treat. Would they end it
like this? Just out there? Nope, they kicked into JULIUS: At this point I
was thinking three song encore...holy crap. Gotta love it. Julius rocked.
I haven't heard it in some time and coming off that Hydrogen it was
absolute bliss.

Sansevg@att.com 


Date: Wed, 13 Oct 99 11:11:47 -0600
From: Joshua Samuels samuels@ucsu.colorado.edu
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: 10/7/99 Nassau

30+ Show veteran, 1st review
10/7/99 Nassau Coliseum
Let me start by saying there are way too many people that are critical of
tyhe band and waht they play. We should feel lucky just to have a chance
to be a part of something extremely special. Nice scene outside security
tight at first but as soon as the lights went
out, non existent.

NICU - Great way to start things out. Mike dropping bombs from the start
and band seemed playful with a solid version of this song

My Soul - A surprise, didn't expect to hear it. Nice version Trey had
some new licks that make this tune even nastier.

Dirt - Slows things down nicely, a bit of a surprise after the energy of
NICU and My soul but played nicely

Bowie - Back on fire, great intro played flawlessly with a nice long
experimental section

Frankie sez - Another surprise. I really thought they would use the
energy from Bowie to drive into another fast song but nicely done by Page

Possum - Solid, the fast slow thing continues, Mike takes charge again
dropping bombs, seems like finally playing with Phil allowed him to learn
the true definition of dropping the bomb.

Circus - Could have done without another slow song but Trey really seems
to like this one. Short with nice little jams throughout

Gotta Jibbo - Great tune, saw Trey do it solo but this just shows that as
good as Trey is, Phish just makes him better. Much better than any of the
past versions with fish singing backup and the boys laying it down solid.

Fluffhead - Now we are talking. One of the best versions I have ever
seen. Tops the amazing version from the Clifford Ball. Each member taking
great solos topped by a firery solo by Trey to close. There was nothing
left to do so they took a break.

Boogie On - Great tune, this one seemed really short, almost like thry
could have played it on the radio. Can't complain because it is always a
treat.

Heavy Things - Great new tune. They obviously have worked hard on the
vocals because this was just beautiful

Tube - Extra funky with mike and Trey fighting to lay down the thicker
funk. One of the better versions I have heard but a little strange to see
in this spot in the 2nd set.

Get back on the train - This tune just keeps getting better every time I
see it. Like tube a strange spot but played quite well

Mikes - We knew this would be coming sooner or later and it was a solid
version nice work by page and trey over mike's vocals.

McGrupp - Quite a surprise and most of the crowd was pleased. One of the
better versions I have seen with some great jamming and back and forth
between Trey and Page

Caspian - Made the night. I used to be a big fan of this song when they
first started playing it but recently it has not been my favorite. This
one put me back into the fan category. Solo after solo brought the song
to another level that would be hard to top.   

Golgi - Nice placement. Standard version with the obvious fireness

Weekapaug - finishes a great mike's groove. Played well with Mike leading
the charge

Encore: Rocky Top - Bummed that this could have been the only encore
short and sweet but then

Hydrogen - I have read some of the other reviews and how some people
complained about this not being the end of the show. Listen, any time
they bust a song in a place they haven't done  it since 1987 there should
be no complaints

Julius - Great version left the crowd rockin

Solid B+ show, band seemed to really be enjoying themselves and fans
benefitted.

 
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 20:53:46 -0400
From: raina olexa rxo123@psu.edu
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: (no subject)

First set - weird but nice

Second set - blew my freakin' mind

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

my 60 something since '94 and my first since hampton '98 (unfortunately
i was in jail this summer) so it was my first time for some of these new
trey tunes

NICU - killer opener, always makes me think i'm about to enter a world
of shit!

My Soul - not too into it, never really have been but it was definetely
tight

Dirt - I'm one of those kids who doesn't understand why they slow it
down that early in a show, at this point i was realizing the two tenths
i had where not that great and it seamed that the first set was going to
be like the roll, up and down

David Bowie - so now i'm thinking, yeah here we go, and i was right that
bowie was sick-ass, sweet intro and tight loved it

Frankie Says - i've liked this tune since everyone was calling it relax,
and i was psyched to see it, but again i was kind of looking for melt or
something hard to go along with that bowie

Circus - i think i understand why the guys like to play this, but no one
seems to dig it, i know i don't except for the one in san jose '97, but
that had some jerry significance

Gotta Jiboo - my first one, i heard that it's been better, but i loved
it, had me bouncing all over the place, i really really really like this
song!

Fluffhead - it was my mama's first, and for that reason alone i was
super psyched, it did seem a little sloppy, but who gives a shit, was i
to wrecked or were they singing the bundle of joy part, and if so when
was the last time they did that?  I also wonder what kind of powerful
pills page had for that bad ankle?

22222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222

Boogie on - who doesn't love little stevie, come on, way to kick of set
two boys!!  could of been longer, but i'm not complaining

Heavy Things - my first one, again i love it, had me hoppin all over the
place

Tube - not the longest, the best tube i have ever heard and there have
been plenty, i'm so into this song, and i'm convinced it was tighter
than ever, the transition between the jam and the last verse was so
intense i thought the lid was gonna blow off and land on shay stadium

Get Back On The Train - Sweet beat, after this started and hearing mike
drop bombs on boogie and tube, i think alot of people knew what was next

Mikes - PHATASTIC, not the best but there's been so many who cares it
always always always a treat

McGrupp - perfect complement to a great set, technically outstanding,
page you give me wood, my cats tela and beast say thanks for the shout
out!

Prince Caspian - when a set rocks and they play this it brings me nearly
to tears, and it rocked, the boys were so tight this set 

Golgi - Sweet, especially since everyone that showed up on long island
that night had a ticket stub in there hand

Groove - like mikes, always sweet and always a treat, sounded great, not
the greatest, but again there's been so many how can you even start to
compare them all, always a good way to end the set

ENCOREENCOREENCORE

shitty top - atleast you know something else is coming

Hydrogen - unbelievable placement, super tight, i've never heard it out
of mikesgroove, SWEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julius - always fun, especially after HYDROGEN

For my first one back in almost a year (i'll never let that happen
again)  They rocked my freakin' face off, i don't think i spoke anything
intelligable for about an hour or so afterward, and Friday was better,
THANKS ALOT GUYS!

Pauly

ps. if any one wants to argue or discuss any of this with me i'd love it

pauly4201@go.com 

Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 15:23:34 -0400
From: Oliver Euga otisk@earthlink.net
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: 10-7-99 Nassau

did any one else feel really patriotic with that huge Stars and Stripes
over the band?
-O

Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 01:27:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bart Tantillo btantillo@yahoo.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: 10/7/99 Nassau Coliseum

Due to the usual showing of last minute incompetence displayed by certain
friends of mine, I was forced to "commute" to and from the Nassau Coliseum
from my home here in Pennsylvania the past two nights. It is a three hour
drive, and consequently it is now 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, and I am
tired and agitated. With my departure for Albany only hours away, it is time
to rest my bones, however, I wanted to get some thoughts out there before I go
to sleep, so here it is kids.
  The Nassau Coliseum, by name, doesn't exactly conjure up images of a great
arena for anything, let alone a Phish concert.  Aside from the four Stanley
Cup banners hanging from the rafters, there isn't really much to brag about in
the place.  It has that outdated, bad acoustics, Def Leppard and Kiss played
here too many times feel to it, and probably hasn't hosted a quality sporting
event since Mike Bossy, Bobby Nystrom, Dennis Potvin, and Billy Smith manned
the ice here almost twenty years ago.  I was here last year for Phish's
"Island Tour", for the first time since a 1987 Islanders/Flames hockey game,
and left realizing why it had been eleven years between visits. The shows were
superb, and though the sound is far from the worst I have experienced, it
isn't the best either.  I'd say probably somewhere in the middle of the pack
of the indoor venues I have seen Phish play in, way ahead of such atrocious
places as the C.S.U. Convocation Center in Cleveland, Bryce Jordan Center at
Penn State University, and the Fleet Center in Boston, however, it pales in
comparison to such magical places as the Hampton Coliseum or Madison Square
Garden. It is hot as hell inside, and the combination of general admission
floor seating, and reserved seating all above provides it's usual dose of
mayhem as soon as the house lights go down.  I say either make these shows all
reserved or all G.A., the combination never works.  Too many imbeciles jumping
over and around, only to make their way into that melting pot of patchouli and
body odor known as the general admission floor.  Add the always interesting
threat of a crippling strain of encephalitis brought on by those lovely New
York City mosquitoes, and you have a great pre-show atmosphere.  
Incidentally, I heard that Governor Pataki called off spraying the area around
the Coliseum for the weekend, citing that the natural aroma of the Phish crowd
would be more than enough to ward off any attacks from killer insects.
  The parking lot "scene" here, and I use the term "scene" very loosely, is in
actuality quite nice.  A large lot area, virtually police free, and visibly
lacking of the "us versus them" mentality that seems to be present when 20,000
Phish fans meet 500 cops in many other cities the band plays.  However make no
mistake about it, this may be New York, but it is not Madison Square Garden,
or even Knickerbocker Arena for that matter.  Nonetheless, after the Deer
Creek shows in July, I was counting down the days until these shows, and
coupled with the promise of two potentially classic nights in Albany tonight
and Sunday, I was once again ready to see Phish live again.  So here
goes......

I. NICU, My Soul, Dirt, David Bowie, Frankie
Says>Possum, When the Circus Comes, Gotta
Jiboo,Fluffhead
II. Boogie on Reggae Woman, Heavy Things, Tube,Get
Back on the Train, Mike's Song>McGrupp>Prince
Caspian>Golgi Apparatus>Weekapaug Groove
E:Rocky Top, I am Hydrogen, Julius
  NICU is without question one of Phish's best show/set openers, and
Thursday's version was no different.  High energy, great Page organ solo, just
what the doctor ordered to start what I am viewing as a four night run.  My
Soul was a nice treat, with another high energy jam in the middle, and thus
the stage was set.  However, Trey must have had a flashback to the sound check
after My Soul, because after a minute or so of conferring with the band, he
broke into Dirt.  I am as big a fan of a Phish ballad as anyone, but this song
just didn't seem to fit, a buzz kill of sorts I would say.  Those sentiments
faded quickly as Fish laid down the beginnings of what would become a great
David Bowie.  I'm not an encyclopedia of song placement, but it seemed early
for a Bowie, and to me meant that things could get very good, real fast.  I
was right.  Aside from another oddly placed ballad, When the Circus Comes to
Town (a subpar version), and the horrendous Frankie Says, a song much better
suited to fill space in a Mike's Groove (see 10/31/98), or as part of a
multi-song segue, the set was hot.  Possum ripped, Gotta Jiboo quickly
dethroned Twist Around as my favorite Phish song, and Fluffhead was just the
icing on the cake.  An odd set as far as song placement, but how can I
complain with a Bowie, Fluffhead, Possum, and Gotta Jiboo all before the
intermission?
                            Set two started out nicely.  Boogie on Reggae
Woman is cool to hear, but there is nowhere for the jam to go.  It's just the
same riff over and over again until it comes to that abrupt halt. Not that I
am complaining. Tube was awesome, the middle portion longer and less standard
than usual.  Two more Trey tunes, Heavy Things and Get Back on the Train,
followed, both great songs, constantly evolving, and settling nicely into
second set slots.  These versions were both very strong, especially GBOTT,
which seems to be getting a harder, edgier feel to it, which is cool.  The
crowning glory of the evening however was the

Mike's>McGrupp>Caspian>Golgi>Weekapaug that closed the second set.  The
highlight for me was McGrupp, which they absolutely, and somewhat surprisingly
nailed.  Am I the only one who wishes I could be Trey when he sings those
opening Prince Caspian lyrics with the spotlight on him?  Anyway, Golgi never
disappoints, and Weekapaug, though shorter than usual, was hard driving and to
the point.
	Rocky Top is great to hear, the crowd goes bananas. The oddest
occurrence of the evening though was the I am Hydrogen, making it's first solo
appearance in twelve years.  This is a great composition, and had little
trouble holding it's own, pretty cool actually.
 Julius, complete with no lyrical flubs from Trey, closed the night on a happy
note.  Overall a damn good show, nearly three hours of music! Seemed like it
would be hard to top on Friday, but you guys know as well as I do to always
expect the unexpected, and that's exactly what happened......


Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 18:42:25 EDT
From: KAZDEYNA@aol.com
To: dws@archive.phish.net
Subject: 10/7/99 Nasau review
 
--------------------------------
Phish - Thursday, October 7, 1999
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
 
Set 1:
NICU                                      8:04pm
My Soul                                 8:09pm
Dirt                                      8:15pm
David Bowie                         8:22pm
Frankie Says                        8:39pm
Possum                                8:39pm (what da? uh, watch broke!)
When the Circus Comes
Gotta Jiboo
Fluffhead
                                           9:35pm
 (hopefully shook watch enough during break to make it work again)
Set 2:
Boogie on Reggae Woman    10:22pm
Heavy Things                      10:30pm
Tube
Get Back on the Train
Mike's Song ->
McGrupp & the Watchful Hosemasters ->
Prince Caspian ->
Golgi Apparatus ->              11:23pm
Weekapaug Groove
                                           11:47pm
Encore:
Rocky Top Tennessee
I Am Hydrogen ->
Julius
                                          12:00am
 
 
  Just the highlights tonight:
 
   A very pleasant show, had it's ups and downs, but overall very enjoyable.
The show overall had a very mellow feel, after every song there was a pause
and group stage discussion on what to play next giving the show a very
loose, easy feeling.  When the band wanted to they really let it all out, as
they can, with full energy, but during much of the evening we received very
tame versions of songs.  The arena is still as dump and still extremely
smokey!!!!!!!  But it is the easiest arena to get to and drive away from.
 
 
   NICU had a very boomy bass sound throughout and closed well with some
happy upbeat harmonies.
 
   My Soul contained some new early chords at the very beginning of the song
which I haven't heard before.  Page played a wonderful Jerry Lee Lewis old
time rock and roll solo, all he needed to do was to run his hands up and
down the keyboard to end it, and Trey reciprocated with a good steady bluesy
solo. Overall a good number to get the dancing muscles working.
 
   Dirt was good, I have seen better but Trey's solo was nice and the
addition of Fish singing the "shout your name into the wind" part fits
nicely and reminds me of Fog that Surrounds.  The crowd seemed lost with the
mellow feeling that this one produced.  I'm beginning to question whether
the "lets get wasted and groove" crowd appreciates the softer side of Phish
which I'm sure with age we will see a lot more of.  I'm sure some will call
it a buzzkill, but I know you can get off on these songs as much as you can
on the Guyute's, Loving Cup's and Golgi's of the world.  A similar thing
occurred during McGrupp with the crowd getting restless and yelling things
out during the soft playing.
 
  David Bowie gets the FIRST STAR of the night.  The intro was great!!!  I
can't wait when they just play the David Bowie intro jam for 15 minutes at a
show.  Trey goes to the keyboard and lets out a loud yell with it that he
loops for a short while and Mike plays just some great hard hitting bass
lines.  Less than two minutes is just too short for this uncommon
improvisation.  Anyway Bowie leads into some wonderful jamming.  It seems
like I have seen too many first set Reba's, Gin's, or Melt's, so I was very
happy getting this Bowie for the jam session of the first set.  It opened
very upbeat and contained a lot of bounce (not Bouncin') in the beginning.
Then explored many different tempos but the soft tempo jam was tremendous
with the steady beat Mike produced (nice and loud) and the soaring Trey
solo!
 Had me dancing the hardest of the evening!
 
            Frankie Says came back to it's original breakout home (song
first appeared on 4/2/98 Nassau and at first was called by me World Will
Spin and by others Roget) with a lull.  When it first appeared it came out
of a nice tight Mind Left Body jam and becoming a swirly, spacey groove.  
Tonight's version was lame at best, Trey teased Mind Left Body, or should I
say MLB was screaming out to be let loose but in the end it wasn't and the
song just faded away.
 
         Possum was pedestrian, Circus was good, but even though Los Lobos
doesn't do it, the solo should be extended, Trey knocked the lyrics down
well however.
 
          Gotta Jibbo wasn't the monster that I had seen on the Trey tour
and having seen those May versions this one is best described as tame.
 
            Fluffhead livened up the place, it took us into set break full
of energy, very well done a definite highlight.  Page (still on crutches
after his softball accident) had a longer than usual solo prior to the
Bundle of Joy part.  Great way to end a set!!!!!!
 
 
  Set 2:
 
    Boogie On Reggae Woman the shortest version I have ever seen, this was
the 70's FM Top 40 Radio 3 minute version for Phish, another tame effort.
 
    Trey tests his doo-doo pedal twice and we get Heavy Things. Solid,
nothing spectacular.  And I really like this song especially the 5/11/99
9:30 Club version which may be the best.
 
     Tube picks things up in a very funky way, Trey almost raps the lyrics
now and scratches out the funk on the 'doc.
 
      Get Back on the Train begins to pick up the energy in the set, with
Fish speeding things up as the song (train) rolled along, very well done,
but no train whistle sound....Trey flubbed second verse just a bit, began
singing first verse and then caught himself.
 
      Mike's wasn't the strongest version of all time, Trey fiddled with the
keyboard throughout the jam, and the rest of the band played the standard
solo, nothing breakthrough here, nothing much really here, may have been my
worst Mike's Song.
 
     However McGrupp was a pleasant surprise, fantastic piano work on this
one by Page. Very mellow version but a nice fit in place of the expected
Hydrogen.  Crowd seemed restless however and again during the soft piano
work began to yell out, especially somewhere around or near section 320.
 
     McGrupp went into a wonderful, long Caspian, the SECOND STAR of the
night, Trey fulfilled his soloing obligation which he  omitted in Mike's
Song, in this Caspian.  The song was just a steady groove, solid, and fun.
Not soaring or spiritual like some other versions, just a solid groove.
Fantastic playing by all four members!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
 
     The rest of the night was standard, however I really wished they
would've ended the show with Hydrogen.  You just expect something to come
out of this song and it would've been a real funny treat just to end it on
the last note of Hydrogen and say "to be continued tomorrow."
 
Thanks for sitting through the post show, late night ramblings.
 
Peace,
Kaz
Kazdeyna@aol.com

Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:24:38 -0400 (EDT)
From: fucci@webtv.net
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: where was the energy
 
this was my 51st show 1st since 12-31-98 and i must admit i was a bit
letdown. the band was very tight but the mazzoleum just didnt seem to
get going. i think if i was on the floor there would have been more
energy but there were a few take a seat songs to make me happy i wasnt
on the floor on with the show-
 
NICU- a great opener  very well played and well sung by trey. I was
having a good time at this point dancing to the phunk that had started
then came
 
MY SOUL- to me this one seems overplayed but "my soul" sounds like my
buddies last name and he was next to me so we always get a good laugh
screaming his name during the chorus,trey had some good licks seemed
like they were picking it up
 
DIRT- cigarette song already it was well played trey sung beutifully and
the beginning has changed slightly sort of threw me off honestly i can
do without dirt but it is a sweet song
 
DAVID BOWIE- here comes the rockin and the boys didnt disapoint ,Bowie
was wild very spacey early on then space rock was definate that it was
maze but like always pick one get the other. CK and the lights were
tremendous and Bowie smoked
 
FRANKIE SEZ-guess they were tired after bowie or something heard this
here last year not much into it it does sound floydish to me though
 
POSSUM- my first live song i ever heard possum was possum great intro
soe phunk and a whole lotta rock,a good possum
 
WTCCTT-i can do without circus sat almost the entire audience down. i
sit there smoke a butt and think why dothey do this cover so often it
has no energy i havent liked it since they started doing it and thats
not changing
 
GOTTA JIBOO- i really dig this song it was well played and got the crowd
back up and dancing this is a great song soon to be a 2nd set song great
rythym great jam just a good song altogether.I really came here cause
its my home area and ive wanted to here these new ones they been doing
this one was excellent
 
FLUFFHEAD-the first song i ever liked and i love this song this version
was the tops i only catch one a year yep littkle over 5 years on only 5
fluffs thats what makes this for me. This was TIGHT,it sounded like a
studio recording perfectly played and ended with a big bang a great
climax to soso 1st set  i give it a 3 out of 5 mostle because of FLUFF.
2ND SET normal 40minute brak and back to the wacky song selection.
 
BOOGIE ON RAGGAE WOMAN- my first live i like this song its got a great
feel to it but i think too many expected 2001
 
HEAVY THINGS- another goodie this one sounds radio-phriendly and it is a
great song well done made me say i gotta get this siket disc
 
TUBE- long break before tube and tube phunked out i love tube have heard
it more in two years then i think i have on tapes and ihave alot of
hours.Great song keep playin it boys
 
GET BACK ON THE TRAIN-a beautiful song i liked this one alottowards the
end i turned to my buddy and said Mikes
 
MIKES SONG- i was right i heard it i swear mikes raged ive heard better
but the lights and the insane rockin got me pumped up i wanted hydro but
got
 
MCGRUPP- i guess its a M-M thing i dont know a little let down
 
PRINCE CASPIAN- long caspian it seems to me they make the ending try to
sound epic but i sit there knowing its caspian and waiting for the next
 
GOLGI APPARATUS- an oldie but goodie i do get this one alot so it seems
still one of my favorites
 
WEEKAPAUG GROOVE- standard groove not the best but tight and fast didnt
wind up as much as i would have like but this wasnt one of those what i
woldhave liked nights SET 2 i give a 2 out of 5 good songs but not
enough jamming
ENCORE(S)
 
ROCKY TOP- very fast knew they werent ending with a two minute plus song
 
I AM HYDROGEN- i wanted it and i got it. Not sure if i wanted it here
but very surprising none the less cant remenber when it was played
outside of mikes-groove.
 
JULIUS-i have always found julius to be a crowd energy song and it
seemed everybody wanted to get out to the cold not much with julius.
 
All in all i give it a three out of five mostly because i got some new
ones(the highlights for me) and fluffhead. Friday nite i guarentee will
be jammyi can just tell till next time peace

Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 12:30:48 EDT
From: SUSEE210@aol.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: Review of first Nassau show
 
Last night's show was somewhere around my 30th show...haven't seen a show
since New Year's at the Garden, so my personal energy level was pretty high
going into the show.  The lot scene was pretty weak...TONS of tickets
available and not much partying going on...it was cold, though, so that
maybe made a difference.
 
NICU was a great show opener...got the crowd moving and grooving early. Real
nice opening sound.  My Soul was next and kept the energy going....I don't
think this song has been played much at all on this tour, I was happy to
hear it.  After those two to start the show, I knew something slow would be
coming up...Dirt...it's just that, Dirt.  Time to smoke a bowl and chill
out. Trey's guitar sounded nice during the song and when Bowie! started you
easily can forget about Dirt.  Bowie sounded great...real spacey at times,
but held together nicely.  It seemed lilke a long version, but I have no
idea. Frankie Sez was another slow song...smoke a bowl...but definately
helped me RELAX...I like the words to this relatively new Phish song.  They
went right into Possom which surprised me because they just played Bowie.  
Possom is always great...there were a couple of really phat grooves that the
band fell into.  Next was Circus which was yet another slow song.  The crowd
seemed to like this one...the set was beginning to get a kind of
fast-slow-fast-slow feel to it.  They'd rock us and then give us a breather.  
Gotta Jiboo sounded really nice and full.  It was my first time hearing this
song at a Phish show...I think Trey was playing this on his solo tour in the
electric set (not sure, though).  The harmonies were on the money and the
song had great energy and a really full sound.  Fluffhead as a set closer
was phat.  I was really surprised...did not expect to hear this one at all.  
Played well. All in all, the first set was FUCKING AWESOME...it was lengthy
(about an hour and a half) and they played some SERIOUS tunes (NICU, Bowie,
Possum, Fluff).  I was real interested to see how the band would follow a
first set like that.
 
Boogie on was a cool way to start the second set.  A cover tune that the
band does not play too often.  Brought me back to Dayton where they played
that song about a year or two ago.  Don't remember much about Heavy Things
because these 16-year-olds at their first Phish show would not shut up.  
Please, listen to the music, don't talk to your high-school girlfriend the
whole show...it's really annoying for those of us who are trying to zone-out
with the band.  I moved up a couple of rows to get some more space and was
psyched to hear Tube...I didn't like this song when I first heard it a
couple of years ago, but I've liked it a lot recently...happy to hear it.  
Get back on the train was nice, funky as hell, a lot like what I thought
most of the show would sound like...nice groove and it just ended with a
note of silence, I thought they'd go back into it, but instead we get the
bass line from Mike's...phat...the place went nuts.  It got real spacey with
Trey on keys...taking this song into McGrupp was a treat...I love
McGrupp...haven't heard it since Shoreline last summer...great Gamehenge
song....into Caspian...not my favorite...okay Trey we know you live the best
life ever...do I really need to see you tell everyone how much you feel like
you are Prince Caspian?...I could do without the Trey rock-star
stuff...Fishman seemed like he wanted the song to end...into Golgi...good
stuff, my legs and feet were starting to hurt because I was so cramped, so
it got hard to boogie with the band.  I don't know if it was just me, but I
felt like the energy from the band was waning a little bit...Golgi is phat,
obvioulsy, but I didn't feel blown away by it...the same with
Groove...obviously it's a great song, but it didn't seem like the band was
doing anything nuts.  It's hard to tell from the lists, but I would say that
the first set blew the second set away.
 
 
I had no clue what was coming for an encore, did not expect a Rocky Top at
all, especially as the first song of the encore.  I knew we would be in for
a somewhat lengthy encore.  Rocky Top was played nicely as always...love
that bluegrass feel, wasn't really around all night.  Hydrogen was nice,
they probably played it for 3-5 minutes although I can't be sure...sounds
like Watermelon in Easter Hay by Zappa...nice guitar sounds that come out of
the rest of the music...Julius was a perfect way to end the show...a
crowd-rocking good ole Phish tune.  Nothing crazy, just a nice phat Julius.
So, to summarize, this was a really solid Phish show.  I was happy not to
Jhear too many new tunes.  One of the best first sets I can remember
seeing...I'm ready for tonight and two more Albany.  Peace, Lee

 
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 09:09:09 EDT
From: Jpedj@aol.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: 10/7/99

I'll try to make this quick and painless and talk about some of my personal
highlights for the evening. The NICU opener brought me back to my last show,
7/13/99 at Great Woods. If you check out the setlist for that show, you can
understand that I now had high expectations for the set. It turned out to be
an up and down set, but with two big highlights. BOWIE- I'll take this over
Maze any day. The intro was great, the jam started to meander, but then it
took to a direction that was VERY interesting. Great midset placement and
enjoyable. GOTTA JIBOO- This is a fun song. They can do more with it given
the time. FLUFFHEAD- Ahh.....My first one and it was beautiful. This is a
great set closer and I was hoping that the energy created would carry over
into the second set....
BOOGIE ON- I've always wanted to hear this, and it was a treat.
HEAVY THINGS- I really dig this tune from the Trey tour, they can do more
with this song, also.
TUBE- Thick FUNK. Being partial to 97 Fall tour jams, this version is the
best one I have seen. Wow.
MIKE'S>McGRUPP- What?! I didn't see McGrupp coming. There was a fantastic,
LONG Page solo in this if I remember correctly.
WEEKAPAUG- When it started to cook, I saw great onstage communication going
on. Quite incredible.
E: ROCKY TOP- uh....OK. I'm not heading out yet..
HYDROGEN- Holy shit!
Overall, this was an enjoyable show with enough highlights to keep me
satisfied and ready to come back for more on 10/8.
Thanks, and my .02¢
-Josh

Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 19:08:46 EDT
From: LiquiCheez@aol.com
To: dws@archive.phish.net
Subject: review for: 10/7/99nassaunight 1
 
From Adam Schwartzzberg
aschwazb@muhlberg.edu
 
I got to the show late,asndmissed NICU, My Soul, Dirt,andthe first 1/2 of
Bowie. I'll startmy reviewafter Bowie (the scondhalfof which sounded pretty
good to me.
Frankie Sez- not one of my favorites.  It was niceto hear at Nassua,
however,
asit was debuted there on spring tour '98.  A nice nod to 4/2/98, one of the
better sdhowsin recent years.
Possum- slow and groovy. nothingto out of the ordinary, but a strong Possum,
noetheless.I always enjoy this one, andit was nice to hear in
amid-setposition. It is too often a second set closer or encore, so I really
wasn't expecting it.
Circus Come- slowed things down.  I've seen this too manytimes, but
apparently it's oneof Trey's favorites.  As far as this ong goes, it was
astrong version.  Nice,pretty jam. Very introspective.
Gotta Jiboo-  my first time hearing this song.  AWESOME!  Great song.  This
will definatlybe a standard for thge band in the nextfew years.  I was very
impressed.  I can't say enough how much I liked this song.  Very funky, and
a
real cool jam.
Fluffhead-man, ever since Camden, assface has found a new confidence for
this
song.  They've finally realized what we've all known for years.  This can
really end aset on ahigh note.  Not as good as the Fluffhead from msg
12/29/97, but good anyway. I've neverbeen disappointed to hear this song. A
strong ending to the set.
Overall, it was a good (and long) first set.  Nothingto crazy, but I really
enjoyed Gotta Jiboo and Fluffhead.
 
Boogie On- what a great way to start a set.  Standard version to a great
song!
Heavy things- my first time hearing this. What a happy song.  It reminds me
of the APON stuff (glide, mango, gulah). Good vibescame outof thissong, and
pretty cool lyrics.  After a year or two, this song will develop into agreat
mid-set jam. I could see it as agood song to be sandwiched between two other
jam songs.
Tube-Awesome.  Reminded me of the awesome 12/29/97 version.  I always love
this song.  But in the first sets, it just isn't as spacy or funky.  I love
those second set tubes, and this oneis no exception.
\GBOTTrain- I like this song a lot.  A nice groove.  After a year or two of
developing this song in concert, it will be a great song.
Mike's-WOW.  wasn't expecting this.  Great version, w/ Trey on the keys.
Good hjam.  This song is definatly one of their antyhems, and this was a
great version.
McGrupp-  Now this set is getting REALLY  good.  a stellar version of
McGrupp.  This is a great raresong, and i was delightedto hear it.
Caspian- this song has gotten great in the past few years.  The jam is
reaching Hood and Slave levels.  I know a lot of people are sick ofuit, but
it really is a great song.  Trey's solo was awesome.
Golgi- this one is being played a lot.  Standard version, with good set
placement.  No one was really expecting it, and it got the energy level good
and high for...
Weekapaug- Its weekapaug.  If you know enough about phish to be reading this
review, you know its always great!  Who doesn't think so?  if you don't like
this song, you're wrong.
 
AWESOME second set.  One of the better sets I've seen.
 
E:
Rocky Top- I was hoping for a better encore, so I was alittle disapointed
when they played it.  I do like the song, so I enjoyedit.  I had no idea
that
they were going to play...
Hydrogen!- Not in Mike's Groove?  what the hell  are they doing to us?
Howmuch cooler can this show get?
Julius-Great version
 
overall, one of the best second set/encores I've seen in a while.  Nassau is
a great place to see a show.  The guys obviously love playing there.

Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 01:25:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bart Tantillo btantillo@yahoo.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: 10/7/99 Nassau Coliseum
 
Due to the usual showing of last minute incompetence displayed by certain
friends of mine, I was forced to "commute" to and from the Nassau Coliseum
from my home here in Pennsylvania the past two nights. It is a three hour
drive, and consequently it is now 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, and I am
tired and agitated. With my departure for Albany only hours away, it is time
to rest my bones, however, I wanted to get some thoughts out there before I
go to sleep, so here it is kids.
  The Nassau Coliseum, by name, doesn't exactly conjure up images of a great
arena for anything, let alone a Phish concert.  Aside from the four Stanley
Cup banners hanging from the rafters, there isn't really much to brag about
in the place.  It has that outdated, bad acoustics, Def Leppard and Kiss
played here too many times feel to it, and probably hasn't hosted a quality
sporting event since Mike Bossy, Bobby Nystrom, Dennis Potvin, and Billy
Smith manned the ice here almost twenty years ago.  I was here last year for
Phish's "Island Tour", for the first time since a 1987 Islanders/Flames
hockey game, and left realizing why it had been eleven years between visits.
The shows were superb, and though the sound is far from the worst I have
experienced, it isn't the best either.  I'd say probably somewhere in the
middle of the pack of the indoor venues I have seen Phish play in, way ahead
of such atrocious places as the C.S.U. Convocation Center in Cleveland,
Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University, and the Fleet Center in
Boston, however, it pales in comparison to such magical places as the
Hampton Coliseum or Madison Square Garden. It is hot as hell inside, and the
combination of general admission floor seating, and reserved seating all
above provides it's usual dose of mayhem as soon as the house lights go
down.  I say either make these shows all reserved or all G.A., the
combination never works.  Too many imbeciles jumping over and around, only
to make their way into that melting pot of patchouli and body odor known as
the general admission floor.  Add the always interesting threat of a
crippling strain of encephalitis brought on by those lovely New York City
mosquitoes, and you have a great pre-show atmosphere.  Incidentally, I heard
that Governor Pataki called off spraying the area around the Coliseum for
the weekend, citing that the natural aroma of the Phish crowd would be more
than enough to ward off any attacks from killer insects.
  The parking lot "scene" here, and I use the term "scene" very loosely, is
in actuality quite nice.  A large lot area, virtually police free, and
visibly lacking of the "us versus them" mentality that seems to be present
when 20,000 Phish fans meet 500 cops in many other cities the band plays.  
However make no mistake about it, this may be New York, but it is not
Madison Square Garden, or even Knickerbocker Arena for that matter.  
Nonetheless, after the Deer Creek shows in July, I was counting down the
days until these shows, and coupled with the promise of two potentially
classic nights in Albany tonight and Sunday, I was once again ready to see
Phish live again.  So here goes......

I. NICU, My Soul, Dirt, David Bowie, Frankie
Says>Possum, When the Circus Comes, Gotta
Jiboo,Fluffhead
II. Boogie on Reggae Woman, Heavy Things, Tube,Get
Back on the Train, Mike's Song>McGrupp>Prince
Caspian>Golgi Apparatus>Weekapaug Groove
E:Rocky Top, I am Hydrogen, Julius
  NICU is without question one of Phish's best show/set openers, and
Thursday's version was no different.  High energy, great Page organ solo,
just what the doctor ordered to start what I am viewing as a four night run.  
My Soul was a nice treat, with another high energy jam in the middle, and
thus the stage was set.  However, Trey must have had a flashback to the
sound check after My Soul, because after a minute or so of conferring with
the band, he broke into Dirt.  I am as big a fan of a Phish ballad as
anyone, but this song just didn't seem to fit, a buzz kill of sorts I would
say.  Those sentiments faded quickly as Fish laid down the beginnings of
what would become a great David Bowie.  I'm not an encyclopedia of song
placement, but it seemed early for a Bowie, and to me meant that things
could get very good, real fast.  I was right.  Aside from another oddly
placed ballad, When the Circus Comes to Town (a subpar version), and the
horrendous Frankie Says, a song much better suited to fill space in a Mike's
Groove (see 10/31/98), or as part of a multi-song segue, the set was hot.  
Possum ripped, Gotta Jiboo quickly dethroned Twist Around as my favorite
Phish song, and Fluffhead was just the icing on the cake.  An odd set as far
as song placement, but how can I complain with a Bowie, Fluffhead, Possum,
and Gotta Jiboo all before the intermission?
                            Set two started out nicely.  Boogie on Reggae
Woman is cool to hear, but there is nowhere for the jam to go.  It's just
the same riff over and over again until it comes to that abrupt halt. Not
that I am complaining. Tube was awesome, the middle portion longer and less
standard than usual.  Two more Trey tunes, Heavy Things and Get Back on the
Train, followed, both great songs, constantly evolving, and settling nicely
into second set slots.  These versions were both very strong, especially
GBOTT, which seems to be getting a harder, edgier feel to it, which is cool.  
The crowning glory of the evening however was the
Mike's>McGrupp>Caspian>Golgi>Weekapaug that closed the second set.  The
highlight for me was McGrupp, which they absolutely, and somewhat
surprisingly nailed.  Am I the only one who wishes I could be Trey when he
sings those opening Prince Caspian lyrics with the spotlight on him?  
Anyway, Golgi never disappoints, and Weekapaug, though shorter than usual,
was hard driving and to the point. Rocky Top is great to hear, the crowd
goes bananas. The oddest occurrence of the evening though was the I am
Hydrogen, making it's first solo appearance in twelve years.  This is a
great composition, and had little trouble holding it's own, pretty cool
actually.
 Julius, complete with no lyrical flubs from Trey, closed the night on a
happy note.  Overall a damn good show, nearly three hours of music! Seemed
like it would be hard to top on Friday, but you guys know as well as I do to
always expect the unexpected, and that's exactly what happened...... 
I.
Piper, AC/DC Bag, Suzy Greenberg, Meat, Meatstick, Run Like an Antelope 
II.   Halley's Comet>Tweezer, Bug, Fee, Harry Hood, We're Not Gonna Take
It>Chalkdust Torture E: Squirming Coil, Tweezer Reprise
  In runs of shows on consecutive nights and in close proximity to each
other, there always seems to be one night that doesn't quite live up to the
other 3 or 4. I had a feeling that Friday was going to be one of those
nights.  Boy was I wrong.  Few things in the history of mankind can compare
to New York City traffic on a Friday night, it is a true test of will. After
four hours of what was just one day earlier a three hour drive, I was still
not on Long Island yet. I contemplated turning around more than a few times,
trying desperately to convince myself that if I continued on, I would not
get to the Coliseum until well after ten o'clock.  By the grace of God, the
use of every available highway shoulder, and a total of 17 (I counted)
moving violations, I pulled into the parking lots at 7:50 p.m.  A
semi-sprint to the gates and I was in, quick soda purchase and I made my way
to my seat about ten rows off the floor, almost halfway back on Trey's side.  
Aside from being very close, like in the first fifteen rows or so, I like
the first level, a few rows up, halfway back, Trey side seats the best, so
you can imagine I was pleased to be where I was.  Anyway, after sneaking a
celebratory cigarette, the lights went out and away we went.
  Piper, an unusually interesting show opening selection, began, and the
crowd went crazy.  A great version, followed by an even better AC/DC Bag,
made it obvious early that this night would be no dud.  Suzy three songs in?  
Awesome.  I heard Mike say in an interview once that the band was sick of
playing Suzy because they had done all they could with it musically, that
there was nowhere left to go.  Well this version proved Mike wrong, as Trey
ever so slightly altered his parts, and the rest of the band took his cue
and turned the song into something fresh and new.  Meat was Meat, as it will
always be, nothing too earth shattering, the usual stop/starts at the end,
but I guess we were due for something of that nature. The band never looked
back from there though, good old Meatstick, and a short rocking Antelope
closed a veritable "Power Hour" of a set, clocking in at just under sixty
minutes.
  I like Halley's Comet alot.  When Mike steps to the mike (no pun
intended), and starts that "dip-shoop-ba-ba-ba-di-doo", I get the chills,
and when the jam is as good as it was last night, I am a happy camper.  
Tweezer, a song that seemed to be floundering over the summer, is back in a
big way, as evidenced by last night's version.  Bug is another song that has
quickly made a name for itself in the rotation.  Not played as often as the
other new tunes, but equally deserving of praise for it's power and
mysteriously meaningful lyrics.  Fee was fun to hear, but all I could think
about was a fraternity party I attended once where 25 brothers sang the
chorus in unison, prompting a quick exit from me, and embedding their
appalling performance in my head forever.  Harry Hood was dissapointing, as
it has been for me all year long.  Maybe it's me, but I wouldn't really mind
this one going on the shelf, along with those harmful glowsticks, for
awhile.  I'm sure Chris Kuroda knows what he is doing when he refuses to
drop the house lights anymore, no matter how many glowsticks are flinging
around.  The morons who aim them at the soundboard and the band have ruined
what was at one time the most beautiful display of the band/fan relationship
I had ever seen.  Anyone remember the Great Went, when a choked up Trey told
the crowd to "Go get some more of those things!"? Now it is more of a
nuisance than a novelty.  Harmless glowrings are one thing, but those
potentially harming sticks aimed for the stage are another story. Anyway,
once we all felt "good" about Hood, Trey introduced Tom Marshall, and
anticipation seemed to spread throughout the arena like the smell of....well
insert your own cliche here. As Tom came dashing onstage barefoot, the band
started We're Not Gonna Take It, from the Who's "Tommy".  This was not the
usual tongue-in-cheek Tom Marshall performance, this was a genuine anthem,
performed in all it's glory.  Sure he flung the microphone around his head
like a maniac, and Trey did his Pete Townsend windmill on guitar, but the
message, whatever it was, was there, and Marshall didn't disappoint.  The
guy actually does have a great voice, and with 20,000 backup singers
screaming the chorus, it was another one of those magical moments this band
always seems to provide us with at precisely the right time.  Moving
seamlessly from one anthem of youth and freedom to another, and as Marshall
left the stage to rousing applause, Chalkdust Torture closed the set in it's
usual in your face hard as hell style.  Squirming Coil, nice to hear, not
much to offer, just something to set us up for the Tweezer Reprise show
closer, with it's head banging force, to send us home in awe once again.
	A terrific stand at the Coliseum, Trey even mentioned it had become
a place he "loves to play".  Some great moments, and two well balanced
shows.  They are, after all, still an east coast band.  Ha-ha.  Albany
awaits, talk to you all on Monday.


Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 14:55:07 -0400
From: Mark Mezrich mnm@sas.upenn.edu
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: 10/7 Nassau review
 
I ended up getting into the show quite late due to an annoying mix-up
with some friends.  I got in at the end of Possum, but from what I heard
of the setlist at set-break I don't feel like I missed all that much
except for a Bowie (and the rest of Possum).  From what I heard I got 3
new for '99 songs that I hadn't heard yet (this was my first and only
show of this tour).  Anyway, on to a short review of the songs I was
there for:
 
CIRCUS - short and to the point.  Nothing unusual; pretty as usual.
JIBOO - I'd only heard this songs from the Trey tour mp3s and I had
mixed thoughts on it.  It seemed like the gibberish lyrics were a tad
annoying and the song wouldn't necessarily go anywhere great with it's
stagnant bassline.  But hearing it with Phish gave me a totally new
perspective on it.  It's just plain fun, and even a tad uplifting. It
was a fairly lengthy jam with Trey doing a subtle lead and it was great
to see the whole crowd get into a new song like that.
FLUFFHEAD - The Fluffhead section was incredible.  They just played it
so well b/c they got the rhythm so tight in it.  In terms of simple
chord sections of songs the band is grooving so well these days
together, a lot of it I think b/c Trey is a better rhythm guitarist than
he once was, something that often goes unnoticed b/c it's less glorious
than his amazing solos.  The Fluff's Travels part was amazing as well,
as expected.
 
setbreak: could someone please tell me what that setbreak music was,
esp. towards the end if it varied?  Just listening to it you could hear
how much Phish had been listening to it and trying to learn from it
(almost copy it), esp. starting in '97.
 
set II:
BOOGIE ON: This was just too much fun!  I never got a chance to fully
appreciate this song until now.  A nice fun groove.  It was really at
this point that I realized that with this and the jiboo this show wasn't
really breaking any new musical ground but was just a ball of fun (a
bundle full of joy, if you will).  And the fun just continued with . . .
 
HEAVY THINGS - The only other time I had heard this song (other than my
Trey tour mp3 from the same show as that jiboo) was with Amfibian (Tom
Marshall's band) at the Wetlands back in january.  I was curious to hear
how this third band would play this song.  I have to say, Phish does it
the best of all 3 (surprise, surprise).  There was a nice short little
jam too, and this is just such a fun and potentially beautiful song.
Everyone really loved it and seemed to be enjoying it too, which just
made me so happy.  Towards the end of it a friend of mine and I were
saying they'd have to play something a bit less upbeat next b/c of how
fun everything had been, just to mix things up.
TUBE - not so un-upbeat, but not peppy, so it was a good change.  A good
middle jam and they pulled it back into the blues part just before it
got long in order to keep you on your toes (a long crazy jam would be
great, but if it isn't going anywhere no need to have it go on forever).
 
GET BACK ON THE TRAIN - Was I (and a friend of mine) the only one(s) who
noticed them messing with the tempo a bit.  They seemed to speed up the
song consistently and almost steadily as they got through each verse,
and subsequently each time around the progression in the jam and then
bring it back to the beginning tempo at the beginning of each verse?
Either way this song is good clean fun, with a bit of funky clav. work
as a nice twist for an almost countryish song like this.  This is a
great groove and a great song.  It feels like and instant classic.
MIKE'S - I somewhat predicted this one (OK, so I thought there was a
decent chance, I wasn't going out on a limb for it).  This one held a
nice groove for a while and some really nice drum work by Fish here and
good early keyboard work by Trey and Page.
MCGRUPP - A surprising song to follow Mike's, but a pleasant surprise.
Fun as usual, and the composed parts had a lot of energy put into them.
PRINCE CASPIAN - It always seems like a lot of people aren't so happy to
hear this song and then always seem surprised to hear a nice long
beautiful jam come out of it which is funny b/c this song always (since
at least '98) has  a nice long beautiful jam.  I was smiling a huge
smile during this entire song.
GOLGI - fun. 'nuff said.
WEEKAPAUG - I'm not such a fan of the '97 and later style of the "funked
out" weekapaug.  Well, at least in comparison to earlier weekapaug's.  I
still LOVE this song.  I prefer it as a more beautiful, less groove
based song with soaring riffs from Trey and beautiful lines from Page.
They seemed to move out of that post '97 groove eventually in this one
and get to the kind of weekapaug I like (I guess they often come around
to it) and it was a great second half of the jam.  Although the groove
part was great too, just taking it for what it was.  Trey even seemed to
find some great new riffs to focus on. At the very end Trey did his
guitar waving feedback thing and then played that final chord using his
knee!  I love the occasionally rock-god Trey thing!
 
I had to leave the encore early too to catch a train so I'll leave that
to someone who was there for the whole thing.  It was great too, 'nuff
said.


Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 10:53:35 -0400
From: Todd A. tamodeo@stern.nyu.edu
To: dws@archive.phish.net
Subject: 10/7/99 Review
 
10/7/99 - Nassau
 
The circus is in town folks...and boy did I need it. After only seeing one
show on Summer tour, I really was looking forward to this first show at
Nassau.
 
Heading in to the arena, memories of many melty moments at Grateful Dead
shows came flooding back. But I was here to forge new memories so...
 
NICU: Great show opener. Lots of fun and gets everybody going right away.
 
My Soul: Kept the energy flow going. The boys are clearly pacing themselves
and holding back on the jams.
 
Dirt: I like this one a lot. It brings some nice emotion to the Phish
catalog. But we need jams...damn it!
 
David Bowie: Here we go. The highlight of the show for me. This jam
developed so solidly and organically. There's a biblical proverb about a
house built on rock as opposed to a house built on sand. Do you see where
I'm getting at here? Here's where the boys have made the most development.
Their collective improvisational skills have gone through the roof. There
was a time when Phish's biggest gun was the big, flailing guitar jam. No
more. They built this up so slowly, patiently, solidly and
collectively...Their instruments fusing together into the sublime beauty of
the group mind. It was earth shattering. When they final get to the
didadlee-didadlee guitar climax at the end, its almost an anti-climax from
the hugeness of the improv section. Get the tapes on this one.
 
Frankie Says: This is a bathroom song for me and a needed rest after the
insanity of David Bowie.
 
Possum: Solid, fun, rockin. Nothing earth shattering.
 
When the Circus comes: Trey sings this with such passion. Beautiful.
 
Gotta Jiboo: Yet another Phish song with laughable lyrics. More fodder for
the Phish haters. However, great groove and lots of fun.
 
Fluffhead: Wonderful energy. Great way to end a very good set.
 
First set summary: Everything played solidly with a tight focus of energy.
The David Bowie could rearrange your DNA.
 
Second Set:
 
Boogie on: Fun and funky. Nice opener.
 
Heavy Things: Excellent. My personal favorite of the new tunes. Phish is one
of the few bands who can play a new song that you've never heard live and
they've never recorded and yet you know all the lyrics. God bless Mp3s. And
god bless Phish for sharin in the groove. This is a great catchy, groovy
song that had a beautiful jam. Lots of potential here.
 
Tube: What's not to like? Excellent.
 
Back on the Train: A first time for me. Reminded me of a JGB tune. This one
will grow on me.
 
Mike's Song: Here we go again with the big collective improv fireworks. What
a jam! Smokin!
 
McGrupp: Beauteous. Page and Mike played wonderfully during their solo
section.
 
Prince Caspian: Epic jam. Some complain about the Arena Rock tendencies of
this song. However, when its well played [2(and just as important) well
placed, its an intense release of passion and energy. Get the tapes for this
one too.
 
Golgi Apparatus: Again, what's not to like? A guaranteed energy payoff here
and the boys lived it up.
 
Weekapaug Groove: A nice ending to a great second set.
 
Encore: After Rocky Top, Hydrogen was a really sweet surprise. I was talking
to a young usher who seemed pretty dismayed at the strangeness of his
surroundings. (I always wonder, "What do these guys think about this?") So I
said pointing to the crowd, "It ain't the Backstreet Boys audience." He
laughed. He said the music wasn't for him but he found them interesting and
different. He said, "And that guy sure can play guitar." Oh yeah. Julius
took us out dancing and grooving. However, I felt this too was almost an
anti-climax. How much more audacious would it have been for them to end a
show with the peaceful, tranquility of Hydrogen? Someday.
 
Overall...a splendid time was had by all. I danced my face off and got even
more psyched for Friday nights show. I started seeing the band in 1992 and
they just keep getting better, deeper, more mature, more funky, textural and
more engaging. This is a completely different and I think superior band to
the guitar heavy Phish of yester year. I can't wait to see where they go
from here...


Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 10:09:37 EDT
From: BradF@aol.com
To: dws@archive.phish.net
Subject: Review 10/7
 
Well Boys and girls what a show........Here is a review..........
 
First of all our seats were amazing, pages side, right under the huge
speakers, amazing view of the stage, and I have never heard the music so
crisp and clear.  Onto the show
 
Set I: NICU, I think this is a great opening song, it has great energy to
get a show going, then My Soul........Brings the house down, flat out rocks,
good two song start, now Dirt, well, it is rare these days, what's
next.......BOWIE, 4th song? WOW great unexpected slot, it rules, I loved it,
then Frankie Says, caught a breather, then, what is that I hear, Possum,
shortly after a Boiwe, WOW, this Possum rocked and this set was really
building!!!! Then one of my favorite Ballots, Circus, great tune, at this
point in the set I am thinking ok Chacter 0 or Cavern to end a solid set,
but wait......JIBOO!!! I have been 100% dying to hear this tune!! It was
over 10 minutes of pure solid rock and roll, should end the set, well it
looks like they boys may play one more........FLUFFHEAD!!!! Amazing what a
set!! Trey was feeling so good!!!! Nothing gets me going more than the part
when they scream FLUFFHEAD, I was feeling so good, Doug Brown Good!!!!!
 
This was the type of set where after it is over I sit and think, I can't
believe how sick that was and there is another set of music. WOW!!!!!!!
 
Set II: Boogie on Reggae Woman, great opener, I love this song so much. Then
hmmmmmm something new, Heavy Things, This is the next Doug Brown favorite, I
loved this song, great rhythm amazing lyrics, just a great song, will be big
for the boys for years to come, ok next.....TUBE always happy to hear that!!
It rocked!!!!! Next....what is this. in the second set...Get Back on the
Train, a BradF favorite, the boys did some new work on this one, more slow
and funky, I loved it.........Time for Mikes!!!!!!! Great Mikes, Trey played
on keys for a while and had like a dual with page it was great. So what next
Simple, H20??? What is this I here? McGrupp!!!! This song is great, and
sounded great, it is such a beautiful song and the boys played it
beautifully ecspally Page, what next?........Caspin....A fat Man once said
this song comes out only on big nights, and my friends this was a big
night!!! Time for Weak?? Nope Golgi! Golgi rocks, brings the house down, now
ahh yes the bass, amazing Weak!!!!!!!
 
That Second set was so good!!!
 
Time for the Encore. This night was so full of amazing energy I was thinking
Hood or Guyute, but Rockey Top, that was perfect, ok after Rocky Top shows
over..now wait another song..wait what is this I
here.........hmmm.........no....It can't be??? Hydrogen!!!!! Holy Shit!!!
Just proves the boys still have that amazing unpredictability in them That
is amazing what a slot not in the groove!!!!!!! Is that gonna end the
show????? Nope Julious!!! It rocked so hard!! What a show!!! This show was
so full of energy!!! I am gonna go out on a huge limb here and I am gonna
make a BOLD statement.....................................................
 
This was the best Phish show I ever saw.
 
Well worth the trip, Nassau was so full of Energy the band was full of
spunk, maybe it is a New York thing. This show felt like a holiday show or a
Hampton show!!!!
 
Peace, Love, and Good Health,
 
Brad

Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 14:28:47 EDT
From: OhioSt4U@aol.com
To: dws@archive.phish.net
Subject: (no subject)
 
Quick 10-7-99 Review.... This was my first show since Oswego, so I was fired
up. First set really took off during bowie, that was their first opportunity
to get into a meaty jam after some time off.  After that, the set rocked.  
Very solid Possum, absolutely KILLER Jiboo>Fluffhead.  Folks, get a copy of
this. Second set was even more solid.  I thought Boogie On was gonna go on
for about 20 minutes, but stopped abruptly after a short tight jam.  It was
my first Heavy Things, I've heard some bad things about Trey's new songs
*invading* Phish, but I thought these songs are great.  Keep playin' 'um, I
say. Tube smoked, that about all I can say.......
Mike's>McGrupp>Caspian>Golgi>Groove..... that's what Phish is all about,
kept you guess, and it was very tight, much tighter than the summer.  
Mcrupp especially deserves some recognition, it was very well placed and
played. Encore, what to say?  Three songs after 2:45 of playing, a Hydrogen
out of no where, and NOT A CLUE as to what would come after it.  Julius
rocked, but no one could move. Overall, a great show, it was #39 for me, and
will go down in the top 15. Very well played, I hope the rest of the weekend
is this tight.


Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 09:23:18 -0400
From: Dan Schillace dan@wssource.com
To: dws@archive.phish.net
Subject: Nassau
 
A long anticipated return to Uniondale NY for Phish. After playing a decent
pair of shows out here last April, the boys come rolling in back into town
with a bang. OK..here we go, first set was really tight ...NICU opener was
really high eneregy and you can tell right away the boys were on...no
flubs..sounding good followed by >>>My Soul  ..always a good song in my
opinion, again really tight. Dirt came in at a good point to calm us down..
Trey's guitar work during this song was amazing..the boys' are harmonizing
good tonight.  What we thought at first the next tune was going to be a
Maze, but that quickly became a rare 1st set Bowie....one word...awesome.
The main jam in the song was completely led by Mike, all I could hear was
his lead, smacking the bass with Trey noodling around his supper tight-ass
groove...Phish at their best! This lead  to the always amazing climax of
the song. Frankie Sez...not a huge fan of ths song, but again, it was
played really well like everything else ... leading into Possum. One of my
most favorite songs...tight jams, great grooves..another great song. Circus
came in again at a good time (as long as it wasn't the last song of the
set)..Trey's solo was good, not amazing..but still played beautifully.
Next, my personal favorite song off the Trey Solo tour...JIBOO...simply
put..this song kicks ass and is a welcome addition to Phish's repatoire
IMHO. I had been waiting for phish to debut this song since last spring as
they decided not to do it on the summer tour, we were all very happy.  Set
closer....a super high intensity Fluffhead....with the most unbelievable
ending ever to this song..it just wouldn't quit. Great first set..needless
to say we were psyched for the 2nd.
 
Set II
Boogie on openener, a great song as always...super funky and really tight.
Followed by my second favorite song off Trey's tour Heavy Things. This song
offers great lyrics, a great groove and great harmonizing in the end by the
boys. Another welcomed addition to Phish's repatoire. Tube followed...what
can I say about this song..its Tube..it rocks and the whole place was
dancing, always one of my favorites. The next is another one of my personal
favorite new Phish tunes..Get Back On the Train. This song has sort of a
Possum thing going on in it, same kind of groove...funkier though. Love the
lyrics!!! Play this song as often as you want. Mike's followed...WOW..this
was getting really good. I thought something was weird..later to find out
that Trey was on keys for the start of the song...Mike's led us into three
songs hardly found in a Mike's groove...McGrupp ..Caspian...Golgi ???.
McGrupp was great to hear..its been I don't know how long, Caspian and
Golgi were played really well too...as usual. An amazing Weekapaug rounded
out this great set.
 
The encore was even more bizzare then that Mike's groove...Rockytop,
Hydrogen, Julius.  What the...??   Who knows what is going on in their
heads. I think everyone in the place was dying to hear what was going to
come after H20.  We are ALL so used to hearing Weekapaug follow...so it was
sort of weird to hear Julius. All in all it was a great night. It was my
first show of this tour so I was happy with the song selection. I do have
to say that them do seem to be playing the same 20 or so songs all
tour...no real bust-outs. That's why McGrupp was so great to hear. But like
I said, it was my first show this tour so it doen's bother me.
See you all Tonight and this weekend hopefully.
HI JENNIFER
 
D Schillace

Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 02:36:08 EDT
From: PhineGrey@aol.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: Nassau 10/7 Review
 
Tonight was #29 for me, first since Great Woods '98.  Tons on tape.
 
An epic and very interesting show at Nassau Coliseum tonight.  Some Fall
tour rarities and premieres and some very original song placement.  An
unbelievable start to this New York run.  Came on at 8:05, encore ended at
11:55.  Late show.
 
First set was very solid:
 
NICU- an easy call as the opener
My Soul- first this tour?  It sounded fresh and had a cool, funky intro
Dirt- awesome, slow version.  Very much influenced by Trey's solo acoustic version
David Bowie- scary intro, wild finish
Frankie Says- a rarity now, a little bland, but I love Page's voice here
Possum- seen so many, standard, well played, Mike has fun here
Circus Comes- a good song, too many people aren't into it though
Gotta Jiboo- I like the Phish version, this one finished strong
Fluffhead- a real break-out, Trey was going nuts, jumping up and down,
amazing
 
Second set: I believe this set will be talked about for a long time as a
classic
 
Boogie On- great opener, I love this song, nice jam in middle
Heavy Things- liked this more than Jiboo tonight, I like the weird lyrics
Tube- an explosion, cool version, great placement
Back On The Train- loved it tonight, much better than Great Woods this
summer
Mike's- WHAT?!  Unbelievable.  Crazy version with Page and Trey dueling on
keyboards instead of normal Trey heavy metal jam
McGrupp- you've gotta be kidding me, beautiful Page piano solo in middle
Prince Caspian- it was fine tonight, they jam it out a little now
Golgi- I was sure it was Weekapaug time, Golfi is a great party song
Weekapaug- very fast, very good
 
Rocky Top- this song really showcases Page's and Mike's voices, I thought it
over...
I Am H2O- huh?  where did this come from? very cool, knoew something had to follow
Julius- always fun, nice fairly long version
 
As I said, this was an awesome show.  I rank the 2nd set up there with my
top 3 or 4 favorite sets of all time.  Just the sheer combinations of songs
is great, but they were all played very well too.  Nassau rocked, sound was
crystal clear, very mature crowd on a Thursday night.  Hope they play until
midnight again tomorrow.
 
Brian Altman
Brooklyn, N.Y.


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