7-26-01 - Hi-Fi Buys Ampitheater, Atlanta, GA

Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001 10:17:37 -0400
From: "McCormack, Steve" Steve.McCormack@sciatl.com
Subject: 7-26-01 Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater Review
 
About 20 minutes into the second set of Trey's Atlanta show I was totally
mesmerized as Trey's band had turned Mr. Completely into fantastic
psychedelic jam in which Trey did something I'd only heard him do once
before, during the legendary Bomb Factory show of '94. He delicately placed
notes looping over other notes, and just like that he had arranged several
layers of loops that took on form for him to jam over. For a short minute or
so in the midst of a breakthrough performance by the band, Trey was jamming
all alone, and from many of these reviews it appears few of us even realized
it -- it was old Trey, new again.
 
I had read so many mixed reviews before this show, some so scathing it really
had me wondering, but I knew that given an open mind to play to Trey would
not disappoint. First set was for the most part just solid, straight-ahead
rock, exhibiting many of the various textures Trey has shown us repeatedly
since Phish's hiatus began. I was pleased to hear the song selection, though,
unlike many people at this point of the tour, and it really just had the feel
of some magic cooking for the second set. The magic came a little early,
however, as Last Tube stretched itself comfortably into interesting realms,
foreshadowing what would come in the second set.
 
Setbreak had me relieved to be at Trey instead of Phish. The restroom floor
wasn't so flooded in various uncertainties, and I was able to stroll up to
the lawn unsardinized.  In fact, I'm not sure I physically bumped into a
single individual I did not intend to, and at the end of July in Atlanta, any
breathing room at a show is welcome.
 
Second set started out of the gates with a roaring Mr. Completely, which I
had hoped to see. I think this version was really groundbreaking for the
band, because it exemplified what Trey has described as his ultimate
intention: after unifying on several grooves they finally punched through to
a netherworld. After a very Floydish guitar driven jam, Trey moved over to
his keyboard to lay computer sounds over Paczowski's keyboarding. Then
Markelis came back in with a bass groove that would evolve into a seamless
segue to First Tube which peaked high before descending into the eerie voodoo
blues of Every Story has a Stone. Then a bit of banter from Trey (always
nice) introducing a Happy Birthday jam of sorts for Kuroda. I thought this
might close the set, but then they fired up an unexpected Sand closer. At the
Gazebo is not my ideal encore song, but it is always so beautiful, and this
was probably the best version I have heard. A peaceful easing into the
post-Trey evening.
 
I don't know if people genuinely do not like what Trey's new material is like
or if they just can't get over Trey conceiving a new musical identity with
new musicians and are afraid that if they open up to it they might love it as
they do Phish. Like it or not, though, Trey is on a tear. He has got a
certain new music in his mind, which he no longer had with Phish, and a
roadmap for how he intends to get there. If we can hang back and enjoy the
ride Trey will take us to some great places along the way, but those who
can't accept that there is currently no Phish on the menu are going to miss
the trip completely.
 
Peace,
Steve
csmccorma@email.msn.com

Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 15:28:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: ryan myers rmyers77@yahoo.com
To: dws@netspace.org
Subject: Trey in Atlanta
 
I was stoked for the show at the newly named Hi-Fi
Buys Ampitheater.  I will say that it was without a
doubt the smallest crowd that I have ever seen at this
venue.  There was an awesome vibe throughout the lot
despite the severe absence of dank.  I cannot remember
the songs enough to give a song by song review, but I
do rememebr the show itself.
I saw the Monday show at the Fox during the winter
tour and was THOROUGHLY impressed.  So I was was
looking forward to hearing his new songs that he had
written between tours.  With saying that I was
disappointed with the first set in hearing songs that
I had already heard at the Fox.  All in all I thought
that the first set was extremely weak!!  Push on Till
the Day was good(always gets me moving) but Trey
botched the lyrics and that dance,while funny for
about two minutes,went on for way to long.  Was it
really a dance, it seemed to me like they were just
moving their legs side to side.  I did enjoy the Last
Tube.  I had never heard this song and had been
wanting to hear it for sometime.
The second set made up for the meloncholy first set
ten times over.  Trey can flow on that damn guitar
when he wants to get spaced out and funky.  I totally
dug Mr.Completely and that First Tube was sick!!  The
jam in Sand was off the hook as well.  Those new
loghts that CK5 has added, the ones that shine on the
background, are awesome!!!!!  All in all I felt that I
got my money's worth.  I will tell you what I am sick
of.  I am tired of everyone comparing this to Phish.
Of coures it is not going to Phish, this is a whole
diffrent feel.  Also to hell with all these people who
are giving Trey shit for doing his own thing.  Phish
did the best thing that could do by breaking at the
height of their popularity.  Nobody gave Jerry shit
when he did his own thing.  Trey is writing the
soundtrack for the new millenium.
 
Ryan Myers

Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 21:46:22 EDT
From: TNACJED@aol.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: 7/26/01 Atlanta review
 
To say the least, this show COMPLETELY kicked ass.  The only other Trey show
I have ever seen was 7/20 in St. Louis.  I thought that was an incredible
show, then I went to Atlanta.
 
The first set was LOTS of fun.  I really enjoy Actin the Devil, and It Makes
No Difference was very soulful.  But it didn't start to get nasty until Last
Tube, which completely smoked the St. Louis version.
 
Set 2 started off with Mr. Completely.  I knew it was going to be a good
opener, but I had no clue how good it would be.  That keyboard jam was just
completely out of control, yet very tight at the same time.  I thought the
Kuroda's light solo was kinda weak, but he did have some wonderful work
throughout the show.  He had some new effects that I haven't seen yet.  The
Sand was nothing close to St. Louis, but still pretty good.  I have wanted to
hear At the Gazebo since hearing the tapes from spring tour, and this version
was absolutely beautiful.  I can't believe some people thought it was a bad
choice for an encore.  I thought it was great to end such a high energy
night, with such a beautiful piece.
 
For those of you who will be attending upcoming Trey show, put on your
dancin' shoes.
 
Peyton

Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 12:20:41 EDT
From: DrEudaimonia@aol.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: review of 7-26-01 Trey
 
There is no credence to anyone's opinion who says this show was anything less
than spectacular. They were probably set off by the bland lot atmosphere. The
front lot was almost barren and people were pissed off they couldn't find
their nugs. But the show was raging. The first set was short, but still
packed full of fun.
Push On Til The Day had a nice, rearranged jam, including start/stops, which
were very fun. The Last Tube was the treat of the first set, it raged.
The real treat was the second set. The Mr. Completely started off incredibly
fast paced and groovy and slowly melted down into a psychadelic keyboard
frenzy, with Trey utilizing his delay pedal like never before. Anyone who
says this nearly hour long song was boring is full of it. Nowhere will they
probably ever see anything like this again. Trey was showing off his musical
diversity, and until I read these reviews, I had not heard anyone complain.
Everyone at the show was floored; they were ecstatic at the rendition.
All I had wanted to hear all night was First Tube, and sure enough, when I
saw Trey yell to Tony from my sixth row seats, and Tony put his finger on
that fifth fret, I saw it coming. A good, tight version. Trey was really into
it, bouncing up and down and such.
I called the acoustic encore to my friends, but I couldn't decide what it
would be. At the Gazebo was one of the most beautiful versions I've ever
heard. My friends complained that he ended with something so tame, but I
couldn't complain after seeing something so beautiful. The show was a gem, a
true spectacle of musicianship, with Trey really allowing his band to show
off, while still taking the stage himself.

Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 13:41:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: donald baxter fluffdon@yahoo.com
Subject: NC show
 
this is a review for the NC show.
 
The funk was definetly in the house.  I didn't know what to expect...  Trey
is still the king.  it is very different then PHISH. Different is good.
 
The light show is so rockin.  During simple twist up dave...the spirals
behind the stage kicked ass.
 
IF you like dirty funk jams then go to a show.  Dont listen to all the losers
who have nothing to say except negative things.
 
i remember thinking to my self during the show that the funk is just so
sick.  Trey is the captain of the mothership of FunK.
 
DOn Baxter

Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 13:22:28 -0300
From: Ben Foster benphoster@yahoo.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: HiFi Buys Review
 
Well, this was the 3rd show of my tour, and definitely the most
disapponting.  Trey must have taken one of the wrong Peachtrees(which is the
name of every freakin' road in Atlanta) and got lost, because the band was
not on tonight.  After destroying Push On Til The Day, he decided to revert
back to some of the older lyrics which just left everyone confused.  But not
as confused as Mr. Completely.  After seeing Trey Band play this song to
perfection at Alpine and Deer Creek, I was psyched to tell my girlfriend that
this was the song I had been talking about ever since returning from Deer
Creek.  Alas, as half of the crowd sat down yawning, Trey continued on his
merry way of self-fulfillment with a visionless jam that went deeper and
deeper to find itself, however, it never revealed what Trey was trying to
do.
 
To make the kidz get up and dance First Tube came on, and we all loved
it...but then it was more sitting down through Every Story Has a Stone...and
unfortunately....Chris's birthday celebration.  I saw the first Chris
birthday celebration with light solo at Deer Creek two years ago and I was
thrilled (I thought) to see it again...but it went nowhere....boring horn
solos and a so-so light show...the lights were much better during the start
of Mr. Completely than during any of the Chris Kuroda light solo.
 
I'm not complaining...I really like this band...but everyone should know that
this show was average at best...I wouldn't seek it out.  There are plenty of
other gems on this tour, and no real rare hits here.
 
Feel free to comment, I love constructive input
 
Ben Foster
benphoster@yahoo.com

Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 01:34:39 -0400
From: Warren Gray warrengray@yahoo.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: trey in atlanta  7/26/01
 
This was my third trey show, first 2 were 3/4-5 at the fox.  I knew trey
wrote some new songs for this tour but tried not to listen to any of it,
hoping that it'd be even better when i heard them live.  The lot scene was
great, i was suprised.  If you take a look at the set list, all the songs
from set 1 were played last tour, and the new ones, along with incredibly
powerful jams were in set 2.  Trey said himself that this was a very special
night, and thanked the croud and said how much fun he was having.  Set 2 was
one of the best sets i've ever seen.  here's a song by song breakdown:
Set I:  In the Wee Wee Hours - I dont like this song very much, it was
alright.  I dont think it was a good choice for opener.
Push On Til the Day - Nice placement, and really great jam.  I think trey
screwed up on the words, he said the a little bit of mary line and some other
one twice i think.  they changed the jam somewhat, i really liked it. very
syncopated, tight as hell.
Tops Off - Pretty good.  Cool key changes, nothing special, nothing bad. Very
chill.  I think trey was teasing the mymymymymymymymy soul line on guitar
during a solo.
Acting the Devil - Energetic version, I love this song.
It Makes No Difference - A bunch of people started to sit down here.  I dont
think the croud enjoyed this one as much, but i did.  great soulful song.
Last Tube - I LOVE this song!!!   this is when it started getting real sick.
Great song to close the set.
Set II: Mister Completely - This was my first time hearing a new trey song,
it was so groovy!!! I absolutly loved it!!!  they went into some sick jams,
with loops going on his boomerang, then trey jumped on keys.  and i have to
tell you right now...... the new guy on keyboards is really really awsome!!!!
him and trey played so well together.  This type jamming, with no drums at
all, just keyboards, maybe guitar or bass occationally.... real ambient.  it
lasted for like 20 minutes.  they segued directly into...
First Tube!!!  I was feeling a phish cover, i knew it was gonna be something
ambient with loops and stuff-- this version was SICK.  great lights here.
trey was wailing on guitar, jumping around like crazy, still had the same
feel and energy from the last jam.
Every Story Has A Stone - real good.  slow groove.
Happy Birthday Jam - it was dave grippo's bday, and kudora's.  there was the
soul version (everyone playing), the dave grippo sometimes wont shut up, fast
as hell solo, jenn's sexy solo, then kudora's "first time ever" lights solo.
pretty cool stuff, nice solos.
Sand - unbelievable sand!  sick sick sick sick, long, intense, danced my ass
off.
encore:  i knew they were gonna play at the gazebo, i was hoping for a second
song or second encore, people cheered pretty loud, and they kept the lights
off for
a while, after a minute or so they turned the house lights and music on....
it wasnt bad, but we got at the gazebo encore in atlanta last tour, but i
really cant complain.  this show was GREAT!!!!
--
peace,
Warren

Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 06:43:12 EDT
From: Yamar81374@aol.com
To: dws@netspace.org
Subject: trey atlanta
 
To all those people saying this show was weak...you are all f--king nuts!
This show rivaled some of the best phish shows i have seen.  Trey was
psychedelic jedi master as always.  I liked the psychedelic/big band/euro
trance mixture.  It raged and totally blew my mind.  I was hesitant of going
and got my tix the day of the show only to find that they were THE BEST SEATs
in the house...dead center pit (right under the lights and whale/ballzack
war.  Trey looked me in the eyes a few times as i was raging and it totally
made my night.  Mad props to all the kind folks in our section.  TREY THANK
YOU YOU ROCK!!!!
 
a breath of fresh air,
mikey s
(sarah dolsey where are you?)

Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 23:13:02 -0400
From: Marc Ginsberg goonie@arches.uga.edu
To: dws@netspace.org
Subject: atlanta review
 
First off, the setlist being posted everywhere gives very little insight
into the show.  "Push on ..." was not the original lyrics ... Trey
flubbed the lyrics and then reverted back to the "Glass table" line out
of frustration, I think.  The setlist also lacks the Happy Birthday to
CK segment, where Jen, Russ and Dave all did solos (sexy, tough man, and
fastest, respectively).  The lights were *SICK* all night long, and when
they announced that it was CK's birthday, it all made sense.  The
highlights were the usual ones ... "Push on ..." was great, the end part
was intense, and Trey and Jen's dancing was hilarious.  "Tops Off" is
such a fun tune to hear, too.  "Last Tube" was incredible , as the band
minus the horns locked into a very intense groove and refused to get out
of it.  "Mr. Completely" opened up the 2nd set, and it was nuts.  It
rocked hard for a while, then got funky, then got spacy, then Trey
messed w/ the keyboards for too long, then stopped for maybe a second
and Russ counted off "First Tube" .... rocked, as always.  I was pumped
to hear "Every story" because my buddies and I had been discussing the
lyrics earlier and laughing about them.  "The moss is reaching up to you
..."
Sand was great and the groove got really intense again.  Knock Tony all
you want, his bass pounds through you like a bulldozer and that was
enough for me.  While "Gazebo" is a great musical piece, it sucks as an
encore.  It really sucks as an encore.  I hate hearing slow songs in
encores, so when they did this at the Fox back in March i was pissed,
and then I was doubly dissatisfied last night.  Save it for the B98.5
Adult Contemporary/Elevator Music tour or something, Trey.  That's a bit
harsh, I guess, b/c it is a really great piece, but after "Sand," nobody
in Atlanta wanted to hear "Gazebo."
All in all, that show was great.  Trey is the man, and him and his band
were loving it last night and having a blast.  Russ was really getting
into it on the drums and banging them *hard* and making Trey-esque
jam-faces all night, and Ray on the keys is a great new addition and
lends a whole new level to this music.  I'd like to hear some of these
songs w/ a percussionist sometime, too (not Sand, etc., but some of the
new tunes ... it'd be interesting).  I had a blast and I definitely will
continue to see these guys.  Give them another tour or 2, and they will
be MUCH better, b/c this is a completely different band than the one
that played @ the Fox in March.


Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 12:42:33 -0400
From: bjrobe72@aol.com
To: dws@gadiel.com
Subject: 7-26-01 Atlanta review
 
The Trey Anastasio show at Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheatre was an average show.  It
certainly had its high points, however those were almost outweighed by the
dull ones. This was my second time seeing Trey, I've seen Phish eighteen
times.  I have several shows from the Spring Tour which have been in regular
rotation in my Jeep for months, I can't get enough of them.  This show
couldn't compare.
 
The show opened with Wee Wee Hours, a fifties sounding tune.  I really
didn't care for it, but hey, I was up and moving because I was stoked to be
at the show.  I really don't care for any fifties tunes, so I guess I'm
biased.
Following was Push on Til the Day, a song with which I'm familiar.  This is
a shrewdly crafted song with excellent horn breaks.  Trey and Jennifer did a
dance in the middle of it, which the crowd seemed to love.  Why?  I enjoy
Trey's quirkiness but this looked so contrived, so tired.  Badly
choreographed or intentionally cheesy? Neither is interesting. Anyway, the
music was great, I still love the song.
 
I cant remember Tops Off.  I do remember Acting The Devil, which was a
pretty funky ska sounding number. Followed by It Makes No Difference which
was not a very good song, everyone was breaking into conversation, sitting
down, digging into their stashes, etc.  Major low point of the show.  Trey
can do better than that.
 
Last Tube was the set closer and I loved it. It rocked, great vocals, would
have been better had I not just been waking up from the previous song. Set
break occurred a few minutes after nine.
 
The band came back out and ripped into Mr. Completely.  I had found a
favorite.  This song completely rocks and has some awesome jamming. It kept
me up and dancing around.  The major drawback was it went on for about forty
minutes. Also, it sounded just like the long jam in Last Tube.  So, there
was basically an hour of the same hypnotic jam.  I enjoyed it, but once
again, I know they can do better.
 
Anyway , Mr. Completely raged on.  After twenty minutes or so Trey got on
the second keyboard and started hitting this horrible, cacophonius,
way-too-loud church organ sounding chord which was just terrible.  It was
like a haunted house organ tolling the death of the jam. Which was rather
prophetic because the last fifteen minutes or so were unacceptable, boring,
droning, keyboard drivel.
 
First Tube rocked as always. I've always liked this tune.
 
Every Story Has Its Stone was not a very good song either.  All I can really
remember is the goofy lyrics.
 
The Happy Birthday for Kuroda (who, by the way, gets MVP honors for the
show) was a nice touch, and all the horn players took a turn with HB solos,
Jennifer doing a sexy one, Grippo doing the fastest one, etc.  Kuroda than
displayed a quick light solo for the crowd.
 
Sand closed the show and was tight, with an awesome jamming outro by Trey.
One of the highlights.
 
The encore was a quick instrumental that was a waste of time.  Neither
interesting nor entertaining, the band might as well have sent the roadies
up to do a kickline and say good night.
 
The crowd was silent after the show.  I didn't hear any first hand
complaints, mostly people diverting their thoughts through the third person
(i.e. "A lot of people aren't liking this")  Then again I heard some people
state the show was pretty good.
I still love Trey's music and will see him again when I have the chance.  I
just don't think a lot of the music last night was indicative of his overall
talent.

Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 00:32:56 -0400
From: stsharp1 stsharp1@vt.edu
To: dws@netspace.org
Subject: Hifi Buys Ampitheatre-Atlanta, GA
 
Wow-even though I was expecting a great show, I sure wasnt disappointed.  Even
though some people talk about the show being avg, being relatively new to the
whole concert scene (I've only been to 1 previous Trey show at VT for the
Winter 2001 tour and no phish shows)I was still flabbergasted about how much
fun I had and how I just plain danced my ass off.  I brought my girlfriend to
the show and she was new to the phish type music and she had a damn good
time-parking at the ampitheatre was incredibly good as I got in and out all in
a matter of minutes.  Smokin and drinkin were definitely occuring all around
the ampitheatre and on the inside-overall a great scene.  I found the whole
show to be damn good-although I wish the encore was a more jumpy song-overall
though-good show and I'll continue to see these guys whenever they come
around.


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