8-15-04 - COVENTRY, Coventry, VT

...there is alot of emotion here, you may not agree with what people are 
saying, but please try to review the show, say what you think, dont judge 
other people, let them have their say too...

Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 18:58:38 -0400
From: Rob Kohn 
Subject: Phish show review 8-15-04

well, well, well...
 
so trey is fucked up on (so far...)coke, heroin, molly, jack, pills etc. 
how is this a known fact?  are you all psychic?  i digress.
 
this band has done more for music, and more for their fans than any other
band i know of.  they are human.  they are not machines, nor gods.  this
show was not perfect in a technical sense, but in an absolute sense.  i
feel for all of you who feel "jipped" somehow.  im sorry.  i can't help
but feel that there is a "spoiled brat" element at work,. though.  i
had'nt seen Phish since last show pre-hiatus, and i think that's a good
thing.  four-plus years is a long time to not see your favorite band, and
it was nothing but GOOOOOD to see them one last time.  i don't know, but
if those jams did'nt move you, you might be a tad bit jaded.  all good
things must end, and it has.  if telling trey to "go fuck himself" is
your way of saying thanks and goodbye, so be it.  what loyal "phans". 
makes me sad.  see ya,
 
jeremy



Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 12:39:53 EDT
From: SUGARMAG5656
Subject: Phish show review 8-15-04

I have already posted a review, I just wanted to openly agree with Jamie
Redda on the 8-14-04 page about the scene.  I haven't been to too
many Phish shows (around 9-10), but I have been to hundreds of other
shows.  The "stereotype" of the scene is not a stereotype anymore.  First
off, thank you to Clean Vibes, the Coventry Crew, and ALL of the other
people who did as much as clean up after themselves, like normal people. 
For all the slope-ass slobs who trashed the highways and everywhere else,
take it elsewhere.  I followed hundreds of people in line during traffic
who would just opened their doors and dropped their cans and bottles in
the middle of the road.  And how hard is it to toss your cigarette butts
in one of the bottles that you would be throwing in the road.  The way
that this "crowd" is heading, we won't have to deal with things like
Coventry again, because they won't be allowed to happen.  And one more
thing, you can do the same drugs at home.  Don't flood the scene with
them.  If you have to snort a bunch of stuff or smoke your crack, or
whatever you do to enjoy the show, that is just PITIFUL!!
 
Thanks again to Phish.
 
Unknown. 


Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:37:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: Daniel Raznick
Subject: Phish show review 8/15/04

I didn't go to Coventry.  I didn't see the simulcast.  I just want to
appreciate the contrabution to my life that Phish has been over the
years.  Trey set a standard of musical excellence in that group that took
alot of work to maintain.  I'm very happy I got to participate in that. 
Trey has shown us clearly a little bit of our potential.  And I think
many of the thinking members of the Phish community felt that it was
time.  THe rhythm of life is to move forward.  All kinds of awkward and
disturbing things happen when we settle for less.  For those who don't
recognize this fact, I'd like to remind them of what happens when you
wear an old pair of shoes too long-- although they may feel comfortable,
they give you back problems.  Again, if you sit on the toilet for too
long, you simply get used to the smell.  I think that this was happening
to Phish as well.  How many disasterous versions of Fluffhead does one
need to hear before they realize that it wasn't it?  Simply wishing for
the band to bring it back couldn't justify it if the newest rendering is
inferior to what's come before.  We don't need to go back to the good old
days.  The present and the future have greater days to look forward to. 
Trying to reclaim the past or have it again undermines the human
experience, degrades oneself and others, and offers much to be confused
about.
 
Phish are moving forward.  Phish consists of many many individuals
working together.  It is not up to any of us to determine what they will
become, where they will go, and how they will develop.  I'm sure if they
had come back with a complete and healthy package superior to what
they've done before, they wouldn't call it quits.
 
Last May, I spent three nights at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles seeing
Larry Coryell perform with his trio.  The music was technical, emotional,
exploratory, and downright dangerous at times.  I asked him why it is
that so many musicians reach a certain age and start forgetting their
songs, lose their technique, and so on; a concept which kind of scared
him.  The night before, I'd seen him nail some riffs that seemed
downright impossible.  He's 61.  I wanted to know how he's maintained his
chops for so many years.  He said, "I don't want that to happen to me."
 
IN the fan base, and particularly here, there are so many critics and so
few friends, it seems.  We milk the band for excellency, pay a load of
money, and complain when they don't come through with something great. 
At the same time, though all of the complaints, we go to the shows as
though it isn't even a choice.  We attend out of some strange obligation
deep in our lives.  Why is this?  As an artist, I feel that Trey has been
something of a mentor to me.  A mentor is a teacher.  A teacher
introduces us to things that we don't know.  He educates us and teaches
us something we didn't previously know about being a human being.  It is
ordinary that a great mentor would take a responsible action that we
would hate.  In the long run, it will all be a great benefit.
 
It is my hope to see Trey emerge with a new project that represents where
he's really at in his life, demonstrate that it's perfectly o.k. to leave
the past behind, move forward, start something new and interesting, take
a huge risk for better or for worse and offer everyone a great
opportunity to grow.  Living in the past offers us none of that.  The end
of Phish is truly a good thing, I believe.  If they feel like a reunion
at some point, that's their business.  But why live a one-sided life when
there's a whole world, a whole universe to explore and enjoy?
 
TO the band, crew, and all the nameless individuals who have made the
Phish organization what it is:  Thank you for all your efforts!  You are
truly great! 
 
In this instance when we have to break out of old attachments in order to
live a better life, let's do everything we can to create a happier, more
hopeful age.  Without courage, this is impossible.  Therefore, now is a
time for courage.
 
Respectfully,
Daniel


Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 12:17:07 -0400
From: Jesse Brady-Davenport 
Subject: Phish show review  8-15-04 Coventry

Good day to all...

This is my first review, so I'll try to keep it focused and to the point.
Just for the record, I've seen 26 shows, with my first being on the top of
a parking garage in Pontiac, Michigan in June of 94.  That show was in the
rain - general admission - and me and my buddies managed to get front row
center...cuz no one else wanted to wait in the rain - their loss!!!  One
of the best concert experiences ever...

Anyway, like I said, this is my first review.  After seeing the debacle
(mind you - on screen at one the theaters) that took place other day, I
felt compelled to write this.

I was thoroughly embarrassed for Trey, and everyone in attendance.  It was
a very different experience simulcast on screen.  It gave us close-ups
that we've never seen before (in attending a live show, anyway).  This
allowed us to see just how f***ed up Trey really was.  To anyone who can't
come to grips with the fact that Trey was COKED OUT OF HIS MIND (and who
knows what else) - you're completely delusional.  I kept trying to tell
myself that it was just the emotions, possibly some booze, etc....but he
was so out of his gourd, it was truly sad.  Phish has given my so many
great times in my life, it's hard to recount them all.  However, this
concert (and the first night of Vegas this year, for anyone who was there)
was an outright embarrassment.

One can argue that you gotta go out like a "rock star", but that's about
it. There's no other excuse.  For Trey to tell us all that it's all about
the fans is a total lie, apparently.  It's obvious he's taken a much more
selfish path.  Like I said, I think a little leniency can be given,
considering the circumstances.  However, I'm convinced Trey's drug use is
at the crux of why they are breaking up.  I think it's why they went on
hiatus in the first place, and why they are breaking up now.  The other
members of the band are trying to get Trey to wake up and get some
help...and they're just plain tired to playing with a guy who's NOT
putting everything he has into it.

The rumors had been circulating for some time - which I tried to deny,
personally.  But now, it's clear that those rumors were true.  This is
about the saddest thing in my life right now...a rock god, whom I've
worshipped for 10 years is taking the same path that so many other
absolutely brilliant artists have before.  I feel sorry for Trey, his
family, the other members of the band, and the fans.  After all we've been
through together, it was a complete disappointment that will linger with
me for a long time.  I just hope Trey gets the help he needs and can
continue to do the things that have given me goosebumps of musical ecstasy
in the past...

JBD



Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 17:21:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jeff Casale 
Subject: Phish show review -coventry

well ... i made it in there for sunday night and i have to say i left with
a feeling of indifference. i hardly moved all night. nothing was moving
me. trey used to make me crazy with the way he used to wail on his axe,
but all i heard was missed riffs, weak notes and keys being changed with
no rhyme or reason. in a way i feel cheated, as i'm sure many other people
do. i never wanted trey to go the way of jerry. that the drugs would just
destroy what he did best, which was make music. i'm listening to big
cypress and i'm listening to a man in command. this band was tight. page,
mike and fish are still tight ... trey lost it. he thought he could just
rely on his pure skill to rock ... instead he looked and sounded like a
tired and lost soul.

get well t ... we need you.

j



Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 03:24:01 -0400
From: Eric Finkelstein
Subject: Final Show review and thoughts

I fought with the decision for awhile, but thankfully stayed away from
Ebay, and watched the show at the movies.  I had seen the IT PBS special
and one thing that stands out when I plan my thoughts about what to say,
is an excerpt in which Fish notes that the festivals are purposefully out
the way for many reasons, and that it inspires the band to play tighter
to reward the fans for their travels. 
 
With that said, I feel absolutely awful for anyone who trekked through
the hell hole that was northern Vermont last weekend.  I have been told
all the stories, and while fun is always had at these events, the music
is the icing on the cake.   Not this time.  I will write below about the
trends I saw in the band, but initially I think the thing that upsets me
most, and mind you I didnt go to the festival, was that the boys thought
they could pull this off.  Did they really think that after 20 years of
performing under the banner of Phish, that they could close if down with
ice in their veins.   Yea right, the emotional baggage was clearly to
much for Page, Trey and to a lesser extent Fish and Mike to bear.  This
shouldnt have been the final weekend, they shouldve known how hard this
would be for them, and not have set the final show on such a large
stage.  I think that is the most irresponsible aspect of what musically
was a fiasco of a show.  End it one final night at MSG, play a set
devoted to the staff, and tell the fans that the show will be more pomp
and circumstance than regular phish shows.  To put 70,000 people who sat
through days of traffic, slept in mud and rain, and shelled out obscene
amounts of money through the anticipation and subsequent letdown of
Sunday night was inexcusable, and should never have happened in my
opinoin.
 
Im not going to review the songs, as I have read the many reviews already
posted and generally agree with what appears to be the vital criticisms. 
I will say this.  Since the hiatus I have seen 7 shows.  Some like 2nd
night Deer Creek this summer and IT last summer make my top 10.  So while
the consistency may have been in decline, certain shows still held their
own.  Trends I saw, where most importantly a real movement away from
certain phishy tunes, most of the bluegrass, and alot of the running
arpeggio filled compositions that dominated albums like Picture of Nectar
and Rift.  For awhile I assummed the band was just trying to get away
from their old material and force feed the new songs to their audience. 
Now I am more inclined to think that the band, Trey most obviously
couldn't play the songs anymore.  And it wasnt just songs like Glide in
which a song of the Phishiest variety, slowly faded from the
playlist....it was the opening notes of YEM that although played 1000s of
times, were becoming rushed, blurred, and rarely crisp. In the place of
older tunes that depended on tight play, was an abundance of 7 below,
piper, rock and roll, and Twist.  Of the shows I have seen recently the
songs I just mentioned were all jammed out at one time or another to
heights that most other tunes havent reached in years.  These songs are
all compositionally easy, and allow the band to explore without worrying
about missing notes in SOAM, Fluffhead, or Ice. 
 What I m trying to say is that skill level within the band was sagging. 
This in turn precipitated declines in the originality of the sound, the
depths of creativity levelled off.  Im not going to play the blame Trey
game, I think Trey's role in the band was the most obvious to the fans,
and thus is most closely critiqued.  His leads were the essence of the
band, so even if Fish was a beat behind, or Gordon missed a slap, it was
Trey's flub in SOAM that we all heard.  Now these flubs become
commonplace, and reached a disturbing height in the final two sets of
music at Coventry.  Nerves was a big part, but as many have said before
me this was a not a good show.  At one point in Glide, I turned to my
friend jokingly asking" is this a cover band?" With the candor Phish has
always shown toward there experiences as a band, we as fans will soon
find out what precipitated the general ideas I have just discussed. 
Books will be written, behind the music's will come out, and the millions
of fans who left the field and theaters last weekend will better come to
understand what has happened.  I for one think myself lucky to have the
wonderful fortune of touring, sleeping in tents, scouting out the tanks,
calling a song, random meetings, setbreak adventures, driving and
driving, insobriety, CK5, miracles, Tubes, dancing to the move and moving
to the dance,  and ummm Mound on 12.31.02.   Let the new chapter begin.  
Peace    Eric


Date: Monday,23 Aug 2004 3:26pm
From: Tad
Subject: Phish Show Review - 8.15

The radio knows all - End of the world is playing as I write this - Ha Ha
ha really.  When they gave away the trampolines I burst into tears - then
went numb.  Rest of the weekend was a blur.  Prevailant mistake - yes. 
"You are not busy being born are busy dying - " if you see this you know
who you are. I tried to find you but . . . You live in my heart forever
more

tad449@localnet.com



Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 15:47:17 -0700 (PDT)
From: dave
Subject: Phish Show Review - 8.15

THANKS to everyone who worked their asses off
around the clock at Coventry to make it a success.

And thanks to the entire Phish crew.

Julian Watkins, Lighting Crew Chief
Kevin Brown, Keyboard Tech
Brendan Wahlberg, Dry Goods
Jason Colton, Dionysian Productions media relations
Jason Stenta, Dry Goods
Jamie Ingerman, Dry Goods
David Rowles, Beth's fiance
Adam Wiggin, Dry Goods
Amy Skelton
Pete Carini, Carini, Phish's drum tech
Chris Kuroda, Phish lighting director
Brad Sands, Phish road manager
Kelly Longfield, Dry Goods
Craig McKenzie, Dry Goods
Melissa Stoddard, Dry Goods
Danelle Miller, Brad's girlfriend
Kit Blanchard, Rigger
Jill Larson
Sam Gibbs, Dry Goods
Rob O'Dea, Dionysian Productions
Mark Reinke, Stage Manager
Eric Larson
John Paluska, Phish's manager and head of Dionysian Productions
Cynthia Brown, retired from Dionysian Productions
Hadden Hippsley, Production Manager
Brett Hughes, Dry Goods
Paul Ingwerson, Rigger
Megan Saver, Dionysian Productions
Beth Montuori, Dionysian Productions
Karen Drabkin, Dry Goods        35. Nichole Alexander, Dry Goods
Elizabeth Meyer, Caterer
Lisa Sharpe, "Eat Your Hearts Out" Catering (Phish's catering)
Mark "Bruno" Bradley, monitor engineer
John Langenstein, Phish Security Director (aka "Head of Security")
Bart Butler, Venue Security Director (aka "Head of House Security")
Alan Demonbraun, Bus Driver
Dominic Placco, Bus Driver
Leigh Fordham, Lighting Technician
Kevin Shapiro, Archivist
Gary Radkovich, Lighting Technician
Bryan "Shoop" Dyck, Lighting Technician
Roger Pujol, Lighting Technician
Tim Ehrlich, Merchandise (Amy's husband)
Paolo Rodrigues, Audio Technician
Tim Maclarty, Caterer
Mickey McFall, Caterer
Paul Kennedy, Caterer
Peter Luther, Audio Technician
Tom Marshall, lyricist
Richard "Dickie" Glasgow, Tour Manager
Jimi Stout, production assistant
Sue Anastasio, Trey's wife
Aaron Stevenson, Lighting Technician
Languadoc, "soundman"
Shelly Culbertson, Dionysian Productions ticket goddess
Dina Anastasio, Trey's mom
Tavi Black, Lighting Technician
Chris Russo, Audio Technician
Brian Brown, Guitar Tech
Henry Schwab, Waterwheel (formerly Green Crew)
Matty Beck, works for Henry and Waterwheel


AND
Thanks PHISH for being the best band ever,
(even if "Glide" was butchered)

You will be missed.


Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:23:41 -0400
From: rotto
Subject: Camden to Coventry- add as review for final show all as one 
thanks

Since these last few days have all blurred together into one amazing 
journey, I have chosen to review these shows together. My friends-bros, 
left for the Camden show from NE PA at noon on Thursday. We made good 
time, and after some negotiations made our way into the corporate lot 
next to shakedown. We partied, met friends, and mingled in the warm 
sun. As the hour began to draw near, we began to walk to the venue. 
Camden is one of my least fav spots for a show, but for the last Phish 
tour, one has to suck it up. Got inside, and began to run into all the 
friends we had lost along the way, serendipity was already in motion. 
We found a good spot on the lawn, and began to wait for the lights to 
dim. The energy level was strong, the night air sweet, and then.....the 
lights dim, and the boys enter the maelstrom

Wilson opener! nice way to begin the festivities...I felt the entire 
set was well played, sometime tight, sometime loose and funky with 
exploratory vibes. After all these years they can still open it up to 
rip or get a little discordant and weird. I remember the first shows I 
was seeing in 92-94, when dissonance and off beats where common, and 
this show had a bit of that feeling. We danced and enjoyed it all, I 
dug the moma, and the yem>ghost especially. 

Chilled for intermission, found more friends, hit the head to find a 
sauna...super hot, back to the show...second set...TASTY

I thought is was an excellent set, good mix of jams and tight play, the 
boys were definitely on and having fun. I love Piper, and the Cavern 
was really sweet. At the end of the set we set off to find the car and 
begin the Coventry journey. We listened to the fist encore and then 
began to move to the car. Into the car, drive, escape the darkness that 
is Camden, on the road.....On to Coventry

We enter the Northern Kingdom at about 7AM, thinking we have made great 
time from NJ, NY, CT, MA, and VT. THEN.....we hit the traffic on  I91, 
a road I am now intimately aquatinted with. From 7AM Friday till 9ish 
AM Saturday we were on the road watching the cars inch by. At about 3pm 
Friday our car breaks down and must be towed. Luckily a friend walks 
by, we see him, and he has room for our stuff about a mile back. When 
the wrecker comes, we take the basics from our equipment, and move it 
to the side of the road. Now we are standing in the growing gloom, no 
car, no shelter, only a bit of fading hope to somehow achieve Coventry. 

It begins to rain, we rush to set up a tent to keep our stuff dry, it 
pours, all our stuff is now wet, we crawl into the tent on the side of 
the road, and pass out after being up for 36 hours. I awaken in the 
night afraid our friends may have passed us, and treck up I91 in the
rain to see with a bro. It is the biggest shakedown, party, sleepfest 
highway in history. People are drinking, singing, sleeping, fuming mad, 
hooking up in campers, you name it, its going on for miles, its an 
amazing sight seeing the line of headlights off into infinity. We find 
out friend, he has hardly moved in hours. We head back and crash out 
again, all sleeping in wet and puddles. We awaken the next day, and 
begin to organize. The cops across the way are swarming in ever greater 
numbers, but the day promises good things. In 16 hours our friend has 
moved a half a mile, not good, THEN Mike come on the radio...the 
announcement of dooooom. We are all stunned, in shock, people cant 
believe this has happened. Across the way cops with AR-15 assault 
rifles and shotguns are begining the closure, we rush to get the 
minimum we need together to walk in the show. Many people are moved 
before they really wake up and understand they will miss the last Phish 
shows if they go. We begin the journey to Coventry with the thousands 
of others who wouldn^Òt be denied. 

Walking.....walking....walking we go from the exit to Coventry airport 
road in a few hours as the sun shines overhead. We meet many travelers 
on the road as they all move toward the show. As we turn onto the dirt 
Airport road, a local guy offers us $5 ride to the show, a bunch of us 
jump on board happily. We begin to drive again in joy, out first time 
in a vehicle for may hours, and we all begin to spontaneously laugh as 
we cruse along...bliss as he lets us off in COVENTRY!!!!

We make it! We walk to the entrance, meet some guys in line and they 
give us some beers, of course we had 7 cases of dank beer left behind 
and on the way to jersey now, but that miller lite tasted like a Siera. 
We get into the site, and begin to relax, we plot our perfect point to 
create base-camp, and move towards it, and begin to get aquatinted with 
the mud of Coventry. Now I must say I am not a big mud fan, but if your 
were at Coventry you most likely had a very close relationship with 
allot of mud and began to understand the ways of mud, from the firm 
grassy kind, to the soul sucking, my shoe is about to pop off kind. 

So we found a good spot and began to set up, turns out though it was a 
great spot. Right next to us was Sally's Alley Bar, run by some very 
cool friendly people with whom we partied all weekend, and became 
friends. I ordered a rum and coke for all, we set up, dropped off out 
burdens, and relaxed ourselves for the show. It was a beauteous day, we 
had walked many a mile, and we had made it to Coventry...we were 
worried about our friends as they had left after us, and we thought 
they wouldn^Òt get in, but we later learned that they all got in, some 
by back road, and two of our friends walked 15 miles to get in, so it 
was all good. So we got what we needed, and headed into the final Phish 
weekend.

Sat show...Delicious. I read some of the reviews that carped on the 
boys or on Trey for miscues, but for me this was not only our last 
show, it was theirs, and to bitch about small stuff seems petty. These 
four guys from VT have blissed millions of people over 20+ years, and 
took us on their backs and delivered us to joy so many times, how can 
one complain. For me, it was blissful, painful, sad, joyous, muddy, 
fun, and crazy...We were living in the Bitter Sweet Motel for one last 
glorious weekend, and I loved it all. All three sets were unique. On 
the way in I was on the plank path over the mud and lost my bros., but 
I found sweet spots to listen all three sets, and met some cool people 
along the way. First set was awesome, the interplay was intense, the 
giving away of the trampolines, the crowd energy...all good. Second set 
I was in the beer garden for awhile, tending the lemon table as the 
lemon people headed into the show and asked me to mind the table, 
talked about Phish and the situation with many, then moved to the other 
side of the field for the end of second and third sets. I thought third 
set was rocking, I was with some really cool people, and we all had a 
grand time. When Trey and Mike got up on the rocks to be closer to us, 
I thought it was emblematic of the emotion and love they were feeling 
toward each other and for us. Sweet!!! 

I made my way back to the camp, through endless mud and trials and 
travails, but it was all part of the amazing Coventry experience. Got 
back to Sally's Alley, met friends, chilled, enjoyed the eve, talked 
about the show and the band, and just enjoyed the night and the warm 
feeling of friendship and love for our favorite band. The rumor was 
that the next day would bring downpours and cold weather, alas.

Sunday...awaken to warmth and SUN!!! It^Òs a beautiful sunny day. We 
hang, get together, find some food, march through the mud, hang with 
friends, joke and laugh, and prepare for the final Phish show. Its a 
hot day, the ground dries somewhat, and then as the time draws near, we 
walk to our last Phish show, to bid our Brothers hello and farewell for 
the last time. 

We get into the venue once again, and find a good spot a few hundred 
yards back, and await. The first set is sweet, with high moments and 
some fluffs, but all can be forgiven. This is our last Phish show, but 
this is their last time onstage as Phish as a touring band, how can the 
mistakes be anything but forgiven, this is not for us, this is their 
day, to meet us in the special place in our hearts and dreams, and take 
us there one more time. From Reba through Taste is electric, sad, 
awesome, and fun. The second set at Wading where Page just cant sing, 
it takes the emotion level to a very sacred place, as he looks up and 
smiles through tears, cant sing, but keeps playing as the rest of the 
band slips in to hold up the music. The speeches by the band of thanks 
and reflection, Trey wiping away tears as his voice breaks, Fishman 
thanking all of us who walked in as the greatest compliment, the blow 
off steam jam...all of it was transcendent. A couple of times I just 
had to close my eyes and recover as the emotions rolled over.

Third set melted together, and the whole time the band was still 
experimental, trying new sounds, not a band following the music, but 
living in it one last time, making up songs for their crew, being 
Phish, raw, real, and on the edge. Imperfect, sure, but I couldn^Òt 
imagine the effort of will it took to hold it together and keep playing 
as their emotions swerved from sadness to joy and love for one another; 
it was a privilege to see and an honor to be there. Finally, after the 
fireworks, and the jams, the trials, and the joy, The Curtain With 
closer to end it all, not perfect technically, but a work of art that 
at this moment still resonates in my soul. 

Walking back, the music still resounding, memories of the last decade, 
all the shows and moments shared, the friendship and the miles traveled 
to meet in the jam. Hang with friends as the night passes, the next day 
awakens, its time to trek out to the world again. More miles to walk in 
the rain, a lucky ride to our car, on the road home, laughing, 
recovering, happy to be alive and to have made it to the show. Was it 
worth it? Each will come to know as the days pass to the future. For 
me, it was an amazing journey, and all I can say is thank you Trey, 
Mike, Fish, and Page for all the jams and for one last glorious weekend 
which I will never forget. I love you guys, and I know that I am a 
better human being for having made it to Coventry, is there any better 
praise than that?

Rich Otto

Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:08:26 -0400
From: brian 
Subject: Phish show review 8/15/04

After reading many reviews, I will be brief...

 

Tickets: thought 150 was a decent price, if you paid more somewhere else,
God bless ya, but you know the risks.

 

Traffic: Don't follow, lead. The bands site listed 91 as the ONLY route
from any direction. THINK PEOPLE! This is America, land of the highways
and byways. We took the NY Throughway and cut across the top of NY into
VT and hit the site from the North and waited 4 hours in an almost
constant roll. If even one tenth of the drivers took out a map or asked
questions no one would have waited on 91. I am not trying to sound like
an automotive genius, I am just shocked so many people who have gone to
these things before didn't learn from the last shows.

 

Scene: Honestly, I am discussed at the scene. Lucky for us we were camped
near a lot of families and old time concert goers who were not only
respectful but helpful and a pleasure to have a beer and a jay with. The
rest of the tarmac was a mess, I mean lets be honest here. I am the first
person who would help out someone in need, as we all did, pushing cars
out of mud, handing out sandwiches and glow sticks, etc, but I can't and
won't help you when your falling all over me, reeking of Jack with powder
all over your face, yelling incoherently. Finally when I figured out what
he was saying, he was trying to get me to buy some of his coke, and he
was getting annoyed that I would not. I am surprised he had any left.
Anyway, that was one of several uncomfortable moment with the kids in
this relatively new "scene".

 

Music: Yes, Trey was definitely not on the whole show. DEFINITELY not on
but, that's right BUUUUT... he still had moments of Godlike axe playing I

Am listening to Character Zero right now, and there is no doubt. The
energy was there, it just came in long blocks instead of shorter waves.
Yes Trey did seem a tad drunk (at least) at times, I just hope and prey
that it was just booze. Overall, it was not the best Phish show, but it
was a Phish show which is better than any other live show you can go to
for solid rock and roll.

 

Final note to the band: Thank you boys, hope to see you again sometime.

 

-Poyla



Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:48:01 -0400
From: Alisa McCloud 
Subject: Phish show review 8/15/04

    It was Trey O.K.  Mike killed...Page killed...Fishman Killed...It was
Trey.


Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 15:56:57 -0400
From: "Claffey, Richard" 
Subject: Phish show review

Date: Wednesday, AUgust 18, 2004
Subject:Phish show review 8-15

        
        I have been to 26 shows now and i must say these were without a
doubt the worste i have been to. Its just a shame that phish (mostly trey)
didn't put enough into it so that they could end on atleast a good note.
Dont get me wrong, I was lucky enough to catch the entire two legs of the
tour and it was maybe the most fun i had at any of the shows i have been
to. The jams were incrdible at some points, and there were entire sets
that were flawless. Not was the band sounding better than even since the
hiatus but it seemed as if the people who really appreciate phish for
their music and dont just go to the shows to roll their faces off were
coming back. The vibes were getting better and better and so was phish. I
dont know what happened at Coventry but it definatley wasnt the phish i
was listening to the entire tour. The first thing i thought when they came
on stage was "wow trey is fuccckkeed up", for the entire weekend he had
not one bit of color on face and his playing got to the point where he
just stopped and basically said "fuck it", it didnt even sound like notes.
Personally i was offended listening to phish butcher every song they
played that show, i was offended that i traveled so long and worked hard
to go to a concert that if i had another chance i would think twice about
going. Another complaint i have is what happened to phish having diverse
song seletions and set lists. I thtink the only song that wasnt a repeat
from the last to legs was fire which they didnt even play well any way.
What happened Guellah papyrus, it's ice, Lizards, Mound ANYthing! and im
not going to even mention Fluffhead because im sure they dont even
remember how to play it or even know what key its in. I was under the
impression from reading the interveiws from Trey that one of the big
reasons they were stopping was the fact that they wanted to end on
somewhat of a good note, i guess they blew that one. I love phish more
than anyhting in the entire world but if thats how they were gonna play
for the rest of their musical career im glad theyr calling it quits.


Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 19:49:19 +0000
From: cal roach
Subject: Phish show review -- 8-15-04

in the aftermath of coventry, i've been in a strange state of mind...i
almost feel like a part of the past ten years of my life, a part that had
come to mean so much to me, was only a dream, and that once phish walked
off the stage for good, i woke up, and began to realize that none of it
was real all along.  i guess it's easy to submit to feelings of loss--for
things that phish represented, for things they might yet have done, for
things i thought were true but really weren't--for figments of this
hopeful and happy dream world that no longer exists.  but in the final
analysis, i'm glad it's over.
  it would be worse to keep living that illusory high life than it is to 
arrive in the reality that the band, and trey in particular, for whatever 
reasons, just couldn't pull it off any more.

going into night two, i hoped for the best and prepared for the worst.  
trey's performance on saturday night reduced him to a laughingstock by
night's end.  whatever substances were flowing through him, the phish vibe
was not one of them, except during the first set, when he still seemed
lucid and in control.  i really thought tonight would be better.  i missed
the opening of "mike's->hydrogen" and walked in to "weekapaug," which was
a pretty standard version, but the band was definitely in a groove.  
"anything but me" is a great song, and it felt good to hear it--the only
problem was that trey was singing every line a beat or two behind the
rhythm, which was a bad sign--if last night was any indication, that meant
he was already wasted.  i silently hoped he got hammered before the show
and would gradually sober up, the opposite of last night.  "reba" was a
real crowd pleaser, and the band definitely pulled it off.  it's a great
emotional jam, and this one didn't break any new ground, or launch us into
the stratosphere, but it was a nice, comforting, familiar jam, reminding
us that wherever we were, we were at a phish show, and good things WERE to
come.  i was really happy to hear "carini", even though the band didn't
seem to well rehearsed, and again, trey was pretty sloppy.  his vocals
were slurred and sometimes forgotten, and even his guitar playing was
patchy--hard to believe this man, one of the great guitarists of our time,
was having trouble with those two little chords.  but oh, well, it's not
supposed to be a tight, precise song.  but then came a pathetic
"chalkdust."  it was as if trey wasn't even trying.  he stumbled through
the opening riff, flubbed lyrics all over the place, completely forgot or
didn't bother with the last verse, and led the band into a jam that never
got above a low roar and petered out after maybe five minutes?  not to
even finish the final "chalkdust" of all time seemed really shitty to
me...again, there were no real segues all night, but lots of
disintegrating jams that would sort of make way for the next song.  
still, "possum" really brought the energy back up.  trey's playing somehow
really improved for this tune, even though his singing was still behind
the beat, and he couldn't hold a note for more than a couple seconds
(that's sort of important for this particular song).  he played a hell of
a solo, though, and the band brought the song to a nice ending together.  
then came a pretty run-of-the-mill "wolfman's", aside from explaining the
meaning behind the song and bringing the moms out to dance, which was very
entertaining, actually.  but the band didn't really try to take the jam
anywhere, so it was time to close the set with "taste."  trey was
extremely shaky at first, but he came out of his stupor for a rousing jam.  
his solo reached some stunning peaks and reminded us all what trey can do
to a song when he's really feeling it, bringing set one to a raucous
conclusion.  however, the potential for a meltdown was already apparent;  
all we could do was hold our breaths and hope trey would pull out of it.

we heard the opening strains of "disease" and were hopeful, but trey's
singing was terrible right off the bat.  to be honest, he looked dead
tired, if nothing else.  i really love it when they bring "disease" back
to its true ending, but i wasn't expecting it...still, i was disappointed
in the jam; it started off with a lot of energy but i felt like mike and
page were looking to their fearless leader to take it somewhere and not
much happened;  they all trailed off and went into the emotional high
point of the night, "wading," during which page could hardly sing he was
so choked with feeling, and so were we.  another one of those stretches
that brought home the feeling that these moments are slipping away
quickly, that we had to hold onto every note before there were no
more...it was a poignant piece, and the crowd roared in support of page;
it will always remain a beautiful memory.  then came "glide," a song i
really had been hoping for...but although they sang it very well, trey
massacred his guitar part, a real travesty in a song where the guitar part
is so essential...so emblematic of how phish guitar sounds.  i was
shuddering and then trey gave a very tearful speech and it was then that i
realized that it wasn't that he didn't CARE; i guess he just didn't know
how to deal with the emotions he was feeling about this most momentous of
occasions of his life, the breakup of his band, and it seemed to just be
making a wreck of him in every way.  everyone in the band said some
heartfelt words, but trey was more broken up than anyone.  still, i feel
there's no way to justify getting all fucked up and playing like
shit...even though there were highlights yet to come.  "soam" was not one
of them.  another case of trey picking and plucking at his guitar, looking
at it as if to say, why isn't this thing making the sounds i want it to
make?  another jam that went from sloppy to nowhere and disintegrated into
nothing...for blowing off steam, this was lackluster and without a spark
of heat.  and then, they ended the set with "ghost," which just did
nothing for the intensity level of festival.  they needed to get offstage
and re-group, and before very long, they did just that.

"fast enough" opened the second set in a way which i felt was totally
appropriate and lovely; the boys' harmonies were a highlight all weekend,
and this was a great showcase, and a way for trey to sort of ease back
into doing some guitar improv, it seemed.  "seven below" is one of my
favorites and i was pumped to hear them play it, and while it was
refreshingly crisp and started off with a nice jam, it descended too
quickly into "simple,"  which might have been the low-light of the whole
weekend.  i guess i can understand why they would play it...but are the
words THAT hard to remember?
  couldn't they have run through it ONCE quickly backstage?  every time
trey would fuck up, i'd expect him to laugh, or at least smile; instead,
he'd look at mike like a lost child, trying to figure out once again where
he was.  it occurred to me how OLD he looked...when during set one on
saturday, he looked so energetic and full of life.  now he looked
completely sedated and exhausted.  and he could barely coax a note from
his 'doc.  thank God for "piper."  finally, the whole band was able to
kick things into warp speed, and trey was noodling up and down, wailing,
mingling with his three bandmates, CREATING sound, CREATING energy, making
us dance with a frenzy, revelling in our final phish experience.  it was
the best jam of the night, and it seemed to finally bring trey out of his
stupor.  what followed piper was a frivolous jam extolling the virtues of
various technicians on the phish crew; trey was conducting the band and
the audience, just having some fun with people's names and taking a break
from playing, for the most part.  it was an odd way to approach the end of
the final night of phish, a little anti-climactic, although no one could
fault trey for wanting to give props to the unsung maestros of the
organization.  but then the band launched into the final "wilson,"
thousands upon thousands of voices crying out one more time.  it was quite
a rush of emotion, and a real sadness came over me when "wilson" was
over...i couldn't conceive of never feeling the energy of a huge crowd
chanting that evil name again and again.  but without delay, the band went
into "slave," and i was so happy, having never seen the tune before and
ALWAYS wanting to.  and as the jam built up and trey was just barely
pulling it off but still keeping up, still going strong, still knowing how
to build and soar and reach that height of passion where you just feel the
song has to end, i never wanted it to end, i wanted them to build that jam
up for hours, i somehow felt it would be the last song of the set but i
HOPED it wasn't, i hoped it wasn't over...but they ended the song
triumphantly, and they bowed solemnly, and they walked away, and the
fireworks started, and we all thought, they HAVE to do one more.  the song
that had been written at the same time as "bowie," the OTHER song that
trey felt was the beginning of this new kind of music...i admit it, i
thought it would be "fluffhead."  i couldn't conceive of them NOT playing
it since the hiatus, to end the existence of phish never having played it
again.  but it was "the curtain with."  and what can i even say about it?  
how can i describe what i felt when i knew beyond doubt, after trey's
speech and the beginning of the song, that this would be the last song i'd
see phish play?  what was going through my head as trey fumbled through
the song, missing more notes than he hit?  what was the look on my face
when he had to stop the band in the middle of the slow part because they
were in the wrong key?  when playing this song seemed to mean so much to
trey, but it seemed as if he couldn't remember how it was supposed to be
played?  everything up 'til that encore would have been fine.  i could go
home feeling like it had been a fitting end.  but not like THIS.

and afterwards i realized that it could only be this way.  phish had come
full circle in more ways than trey had even realized, perhaps.  we've
heard those super-early tapes, when the band muddled their way through
psychedelic pop songs and a smattering of goofy originals, never HINTING
at the greatness they'd achieve.  when joking around was the only way they
could make it even INTERESTING.  the world saw them develop into a tight,
almost mathematical musical machine, playing intricate fugues and
arpeggios faster live than they did even in the studio, flawlessly.  we
followed them as the precision gradually gave way to an emphasis on taking
the songs on journeys no one had dreamed were possible, laying down a
basic framework and then pulling out all the stops, making us come back
night after night...they could've played the same songs over and over and
we STILL wouldn't know what would happen next.  some nights, they took
themselves and their audience so high that it felt like they'd never come
down.  but EVERYTHING has a come-down.  now, finally, as the mud dries in
vermont, the echoes of what the band became still linger: in the thrill of
improvisation, the gambler's delight in the unknown, the lack of rehearsal
in hopes that they, PHISH, could still make things happen, they realized
that they had to quit before they went in the hole.  and at that exact
moment, after a weekend of highs and lows, after riding high for so many
years, they finally came up even and went home.  hopefully, satisfied.  
because with the stakes that high, to keep playing for 20 years and come
up even, has got to be the greatest thrill any gambler ever knew.

okay, maybe they came out a little bit on top...



Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 03:45:27 +0800
From: mossman
Subject: Coventry 8/15/4

Yeah, it wasn't a great show. Near the end of the first set I thought Trey
was waking up, tightening up and ready to go for the rest of the night. It
seems like Wading, beautiful as it was, took something out of him. The
jammier songs were interesting and the flubs were frustrating, but the
weekend was obviously about closure and not about one last smokin' show.
Nice at lest to get one last fun Possum, and Slave was pretty good too. It
was a Bittersweet Farewell (best shirt on the lot, IMO). Life was always
better with the prospect of Phish tour on the horizon, but I'm betting
that Phish has saved us alot of money, time and disappointment in the
future. I'm glad I got in and said thanks and goodbye.


Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 13:14:03 -0500
From: tmlplus
Subject: Phish show review - 8-15-04 - Trey needs help. I'm angry but I
    love him.

Wow. That's all I can say about the experience of seeing the second day
of Coventry by the cinema simulcast. Sitting in that theatre in
Lincolnshire Il, everything was in place to enjoy a show like almost
never before. Unlike the Keyspan Park tour opener, the levels were
perfect (especially Page, who was suppressed last time).  I really felt
like I was in a much luckier position than the people that drove all the
way there, then had to stand for hours, then didn't have the kind of
viewpoints and closeness that we got in those theatres. So there I sat,
waiting to sip from the holy grail one last time. I was a little
cautious, however, to get my hopes up. I just had the XM radio installed
on Friday so I was able to hear some of the Saturday sets live, which
left me a little underwhelmed, specifically due to Trey's performance,
which was topping out at mediocre. I had listened to a lot of the June
shows and, except for a solid, tight 2nd night Alpine, Trey's performance
throughout has been sorely lacking. So I actually turned off the radio a
couple times right in the middle of Saturday's sets.
Let me preface my thoughts by saying that as a guitar player, I have to
say that Trey got me into Phish. The first time I heard him play I felt
like someone up there finally heard my call, as I've always wanted to
hear guitar music played like that. His responsive, intuitive, perpetual
motion style was the perfect compliment to the style of music that
actually moves like the species its name represents. Undulating,
serpentine grooves that even the best of the neoclassical 80s rockers
could never keep up with. Neither Carlos, Jerry, Pat Metheney, Robert
Fripp, Gilmour or any other could hang in a mid-nineties Bowie jam.
Neither Van Halen, Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen, Navarro, or Slash could
follow a 1997 Taste. In the purest sense of 'Jamband', there's never been
an equal to Trey in his prime (92-98).  Many would favor Jerry here, but
as a fan of rock music, I don't think Jerry was anywhere near as
explosive and powerful as Trey could be, so that's my bias. So getting
back to 4:30 p.m CST on Sunday...
I was still excited to be there, because I figured, Trey delivered well
at the only show I attended, so he can give me a parting gift here.
My spirits were kept high when the opening Mike's Groove kickstarted the
day like a badass Harley. Very good, very good jams, 90% perfect Hydrogen
(its usual succes rate, even in their prime) and a Weekapaug that
actually had the old-school ripping flow. Well, that was about it, folks.
Musically speaking, it was all downhill from there. Well, to be fair,
Mike Page and Fish played awesome all night, all tour, all the time. I've
never been at a bad Fishman show, or a bad Mike show, or a bad Page show.
Maybe if I was an expert drummer, bassist, or keyboardist, I'd have a
different opinion. But these guys are so good and tried so hard to carry
the day, but couldn't avoid drowning in Trey's muck. Trey said he was
actually nervous for the first time. Was he nervous the whole year? Was
he nervous in April? Nervous in Coney Island, Nervous in Saratoga,
Nervous first night of Deer Creek or 2nd set of 2nd night of DC?
Nervous first night of Alpine? Nervous at Hampton?  Completely forgetting
how to play song after song, Trey really embarrased and shamed his legacy
as a musician. I will not support his solo career after this, after he
completely wasted the time and effort of Mike, Page, and Fish who never
failed to do their damn job as long as Phish has been around.  The
biggest hint that something is wrong is when Trey is jamming. Whether its
Phish, Bonnaroo TAB or Dave & Friends, or whatever, he just doesn't jam
like Trey anymore. The huge dropoff between 12-31-03 and 4-15-04 is
almost unfathomable, unexplainable, and unexcusable. If it was just
screwing up the songs, or forgetting something here or there, that would
be one thing. But being completely disconnected from the instrument in
whatever vehicle he's involved in can't be shrugged off. I start to think
it's something with his hands, like arthritis or something, but he is
still able to move his fingers very quickly at times and his right hand
still seems able to strum or pick very fast, but it's the inability to
flow from lick to lick in the seamless, effortless manner that has always
been automatic for him. It's a lot more than simply being unpracticed. I
could take a year off playing the guitar and get back to normal in about
3 hours of practice, at least in terms of basic jamming, basic core
ability.  If this is a drug thing, which most people speculate that it
is, then when has he been doing this? When he was supposed to be hanging
out with his family? When he was writing for orchestras?  If he can't
play with Phish without needing to dope up to the point of incoherence,
then fuck him. This was so unfair to the other guys in the band. It's not
fair that Mike Page and Fish don't get to play anymore. This breakup is
about NOTHING more than Trey sucking. The other three guys would play
together until they died of old age if they had their way. Bands have
always taken time off and played with other musicians, so this excuse of
being too consumed by the Phish beast is rationalized crap to gloss over
the real reason for the end. Anyone listening to either day of Coventry
or most of the tour knows the reason for Phish's breakup as clear as day.
I doubt that Trey's parts are any more hard to remember and master than
Page's Mikes' or Fish's. If they can kick out the jams than there's no
reason Trey couldn't have. All his rhetoric in magazines or talkshows
have been watered down lies. Lies. All those guys were emotionally choked
up, but only Trey was completely unable to remember the songs he told
self-promoting stories about. Only Trey was too 'weary and tired' to play
them right. Once Mike's Groove was over, Trey played EVERY song poorly.
EVERY SONG!
 
So that's my review, I guess. The other people told you the rundown of
songs, or about Page getting too choked up too sing Wading In a Velvet
Sea in their reviews. All I know is that between the theatre experience
and the great camera work and soundmixing and getting to see that
beautiful Vermont landscape and feeling how special it was, this could
have been one of the best concert experiences we've ever had. Instead it
was the saddest studies of human decay ever witnessed. Mike, Page, Fish,
I love you guys. You guys are heros and role models and shining examples
of human potential.
Trey is a study of sadness and frustration, but I think he can be saved.
 
Only one action could ever rectify this situation, whether it would
happens seems out of the grasp of speculation. Trey needs to come clean
with his problem. He needs to get clean or do whatever to get back to
physical or mental health. If it turns out that he does have a
degenerative illness or something then I think the fans should know it.
If he has a physical or mental illness that can be cured, then after he
gets right he needs to commit to at least one more year of Phish to set
the record right. Wanting to move on with Phish is not a reason or excuse
for the horrible performance of 2004. There is a term for accepting or
forgiving this type of behavior. It's called facilitating, and any mental
health expert would agree that facilitating does not help the addict, or
subject in question. We as fans can only help Trey by making him come
clean and helping him clear his soiled name. If fans continue to support
his TAB project and go and get their ears pissed in time after time,
then they will also be showing disrespect to the other guys in Phish who
were so dissed. Make Trey earn his keep by showing tough love.  I know
Page wrote a letter that reinforces some of Trey's reasons, but he's made
so many comments about the peace of mind he feels playing in Phish, where
he knows his role and is so comfortable with it. Neither Fish or Mike
have ever stated they wanted Phish to end. If Trey said he needed to get
back on the horse and stay off the "Horse" then the other three guys
would jump at the chance to give it one more whirl. If Trey came to
practice ready to play like he can, nothing would give the guys more
pleasure. 
 
So I guess those are the choices, Phish and Trey phans. Go to Trey shows
and facilitate his problem while disrespecting Mike Page and Fish,    OR
Boycott Trey, and write him letters telling him you will not tolerate his
denial and disrespect to Phish and the Phish audience.
 
If you think I'm overreacting, then listen to any disc of IT, then listen
to any disc of Coventry, then judge.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but we as fans have to do
something. We have a vote here. If you love Trey and Phish I trust you'll
make the right decision.
 
Tom Law




Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 14:11:50 -0400
From: Steven Rich
Subject: Phish show review  8/15/04

My 1st show was 7/12/91, My last show was 8/15/04, I have been listening
to PHISH for almost 14 years now. I watched them turn into something and
witnessed there crowds growing by the tours. I think PHISH is an amazing
band and I am grateful I got to see them.

>From 7/12/91 - 9/12/00 I saw PHISH under the influence of something. In
the early 90's it was shrooms & lsd paper or liquid or gels with herb &
booze through out, throw some gas in here or there that was usually after
the show and then from 98 on molly was introduced and I use to take that
and shrooms and some liquid or paper or gels. I never had a bad show, I
thought all the shows I attended were pretty sick for the most part. Then
The band went on hiatus and just before I died I got sober in September of
01. The hiatus ended and I went to Worcester,IT,Boston 20th anniversary
and could not get the feeling I had prior to the post hiatus shows. I
thought the scene was pretty lame and I have been to about 40 phil and
friends shows sober and have had a blast scene and music wise so it's not
the sober part of it. So I was looking forward to GreatWoods 8/11/04 to
see if things have changed. I was so happy I went to that show as I type
this I am listening to Divided Sky from that show. They were tight and on
and the PHISH I'd thought I missed.

Now onto Coventry fortunate enough to only wait 16 hours and get a
campsite on the tarmac near the RV's. My wife and I went and we have been
to a number of shows together messed up and sober. I went to IT last year
and I don't remember the scene being as crazy as Coventry was, from all
the pharmies to the blow, it reminded me of being in Deer Creek for The
Grateful Dead in 93 and this guy trying to sell us heroin then asking us
to use our tent to do his fix..... I saw so much heroin that year and a
friend of mine died in 94 from in while at RFK. I saw a rubber band thing
that you use to tie your arm in the jiffy johns.. and for me how the heck
can you enjoy the music being so doped out?  I am surprise only 1 person
died this weekend I'm guessing of a drug related overdose. There are so
many phucked up people out there and yes I was one of them but the scene
has changed quite a bit in the past 3 years. There is way more hard core
drugs out there. Three kids yes kids in back of us 2 were near passing out
before the show started on Saturday and then the snapped out of it and
were laughing about coming out of a "k hole" Anyway onto the review, I am
just glad this is over for that reason it seems the scene and the music
are hand in hand both past it's prime.

I Love PHISH and have been reading a ton of mixed reviews this afternoon
and morning. I personally think the event was amazing, the scene crazy,
but the weather on Saturday and Sunday couldn't have been any better. Yeah
there was mud and lots of it but so what, I was there to see one of my
favorite bands for there suppose last time. And waiting in traffic and
everything else that went on was well worth it just to be there to say
good bye.  I tried to go into the event with no expectations, after being
at Greatwoods Wednesday, I had some expectations which I wish I didn't
because that's a set up for failure and sure enough the music I witnessed
both Saturday and Sunday was sub par, some of the sets look great on paper
but the sound on Saturday 1st set was awful then the 2nd and 3rd were much
better but to end the show with Friday come on... This band wouldn't be
where it is without GAMEHENGE and there was no sign of it anywhere, oh the
Wilson thrown in Sunday 3rd set, no Lizzards I could go on and on but
there I go putting expectations on people places and things NO GOOD. I
mean the 1st 2 sets Sunday I thought were great and I was saying YES!!!
Thank you then the 3rd set was about 65 minutes with encore and I thought
and still think the PHANS deserved better much better, I understand it was
hard for them and I got emotional at times but people waited 50+ hours to
get in and I think and again it's just me that they should have played
something a little more wanted from the crowd...After all it is about the
phans because without us they wouldn't be where there at.... I have
friends that have been to 300+ PHISH shows from 86 on and they felt the
same way with the 3rd set. It was depressing and to know they are leaving
us like this left a bad taste in my mouth. I wonder how many people went
into this thinking that this was going to be one of if not the sickest
PHISH shows ever and the music they are going to play is going to be the
best. I had that feeling that Coventry was going to be amazing...I was
wrong.  I think Trey needs to get some help, I have been fortunate enough
to sit up close probably 8 out of my last 10 shows and his nose is
constantly dripping and I don't think its alergies. I am glad I went but
if I didn't have The Greatwoods show to fall back on I would be really
bummed.... they use to send me over the edgeand let me forget about life
for a while and enjoy the moment.... that doesn't happen anymore well not
as much as it use to and I guess it's time to move on. Thank You PHISH and
I hope in 5 years you guys will do something and remember that it wasn't
piper and friday and all this other new stuff that got you to where you
were but the old school that started the crowds growing and turned into
the Cliffard Ball...  Anyway I am venting, I love PHISH but they can
disapoint me and I can do the same to someone so that is life and like
everything this too shall pass.

A grateful Phan that was left with some disapointment but grateful to
experience the ending.
Steve
yahtzeeville@hotmail.com



Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 13:29:10 -0400
From: Mike Patrisso
Subject: Phish show review 8-15-04
 
To be completely honest, I did have an enjoyable time this past weekend. 
All of my gratitude, however, should be directed to the wonderful people
around me that kept a positive attitude.  To be frank, the band and their
organizers gave us little to work with.  The band keeps saying they
simply can't go on anymore.  Coventry was proof positive.  This was
without a doubt the WORST Phish festival ever assembled.  Not what any of
us were expecting, whatsoever.
 
Let's start by discussing ticket purchase.  With the show sold out, I
know of many who didn't even bother trying to go.  Others paid
ridiculously over-priced costs for tickets on E-bay or similar forums
(after experiencing the festival, we know now how truly overpriced these
tickets actually are).  I heard an announcement on the Coventry radio
station, The Bunny, that people were buying counterfeits once at Coventry
and being turned away at the door.  I later learned that the band was
releasing additional tickets at the gates.  Thanks for letting everyone
know *ssholes.
 
The traffic....if that's what you want to call it, was nothing any of us
have ever experienced.  It was hell both entering Coventry and leaving. 
"We urge you all to leave on Saturday.  Everyone will get in."  "It pains
me to say this, but we have explored every option and must begin turning
people away."  Are you F*CKING kidding me?  I know of people stuck on 91
that got there early Thursday.  These are the very people who couldn't
get into Coventry for a festival that began music two days later.  What
was done at previous festivals that was not done here, and stop putting
all of the blame on the weather.  Weather is unpredictable and we must be
prepared for everything.  Especially when your presenting a rain or shine
event at $150 a head.  Did it not rain at festivals in the past?  Of
course it did.  Leaving, it took us 8 hours to move our car 10 feet.  We
later learned that the parking staff was cleared to leave earlier that
morning and that there were basically 2 people left to direct all traffic
merging at the front gates.
 
Let's get back to the fact that the tickets were $150 a head.  I'm
assuming that some of this money could go towards addressing unexpected
issued that arose.  At no point was any mulch or gravel spread along the
path that led into the venue.  Mud was ankle to knee deep in areas
outside the stage area from the beginning to the end of the festival.  At
no time did anyone attempt to deal with this.  Why not?  Muddy areas
designated as main thoroughfares always received mulch or rocks during
past festivals. 
 
OK...the music.  I read the reviews on this page and share the sentiments
of many.  I didn't need a Gamehenge to be happy.  I didn't need any
special guests that rap, dance, or breathe fire.  Rather, as someone else
put it on this page, I was looking to celebrate the music of the world's
greatest live band one last time.  I agree, the tunes were shaky as
hell.  My greatest complaint, however, was the fact that it seemed as if
minimal effort was put forth by the band to ensure that the last show
would go down in history.  These shows were average, average, average. 
Couple that with everything else I've been taking about and it doesn't
leave one with much to be happy about.
 
I did have a good time, though, despite everything I've been bitching
about.  Phish has brought a lot of people together and I enjoyed sitting
around with these people; discussing music, life, whatever.  Perhaps it
really was time for the band to step down.  Perhaps Coventry is "a sign
of the times."  Many recent shows have proven to be killer.  I won't even
try to explain it.  I'm just disappointed.  Phish gave me so much and, in
return, I gave them my greatest years.  How could they leave me hanging
like this?



Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 10:21:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Daniel Knoth
Subject: 8-15-2004 Review

I can't believe that people have written a good reviews.  Trey was
absolutely horrendous.  It was painful to watch him.  What a bag of shit
he is, whatever he was on was a complete slap in the face to every one
who took so much time and effort to go see the show.  Any of you people
who say give him a break or he was okay, or whatever excuse you have that
the show was good I would like to meet you so I can walk all over you
too.  Trey went out looking like an asshole who couldn't play anything on
the guitar, if you disagree listen to the tapes.  Sure there were some
moments but they were far a few between.  The rest of the band played
awesome especially Page and Mike, they ripped it up. Trey should have
done us all a favor and just walked off stage.  My final words to Phish
are Page, Mike, Jon thank a million.  Trey go screw yourself, I saw how
much respect you really have for your fans this passed weekend.
 
Dan
dknoth@yahoo.com


Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:14:14 -0400
From: Rob Lennon
Subject: Phish show review 08/15/04

Leaving Philly on Friday night we finally hit the line at 3 am saturday
morning.  We were exhausted, but in good spirits.  Upong hitting the
line, beers were opened and we generally atrsted having a good time
figuring this was about to be a great weekend, mud or no mud.  We were
miles away from the gate, but we'd been in this position before.  No
worries.  We occupied ourseolves with beers, red bulls, and travel
yahtzee while listening to the bunny.  When the annoucnement came we were
floored.  We couldn't believe it was true.  It just didn't seem
possible.  We were too far away and too exhausted to walk in so we bit
the bullet and turned around.  Stopped at the nearest truck stop for
breakfast, considered trying to find a way in, but we just weren't
prepared for the journey.  All f our stuff was kind of loosely thrown
around the borrowed van that we had.  We finally decided to turn around
for good.
 
On the drive back I thought about all of the shows I've been to.  So many
good times...It just didn't seem reasonable to end it like this.  My
friends dropped me of at my parents house in CT on the way back to
Philly.  I figured I'd get osme family time in since I was already up
that way anyway.  Saturday I was so tired and disgusted by the whole
experience that I dind't even bother to try and find a simulcast.  Sunday
I headed down to the movie theatre, even though they were sold out.  We
walked the lot looking for extras but there were really none to be had. 
Finally we talked the usher in to giving us some stubs and a handstamp in
exchange for two tickets to the Manchurian Candidate and twenty bucks
cash.  We missed Mike's Groove but were in for the rest of the show.
 
I read some of the reviews on RMP about Trey's condition and playing on
Saturday.  I stil haven't heard staurday yet, but I did hear and see
Sunday....
 
Was Trey fucked up out of his mind on god knows what?  I have no idea. 
What I do know is that his playing was some of the sloppiest I've ever
heard in 35+ shows.  For anyone who was listening this really isn't even
up for debate.  He fucked up song after song after song.  You can make
the argument that this was the final show, and that it was more about the
emotion than the playing, and you might be right.  But no one can say
that he played well, because he played like shit.  It was cool to see the
simulcats of the last show and get all of the closeups of the band.  It
was very emotional to see Page get choked up during Velvet Sea.  Memories
of hundreds of hours at shows and millions of hours of listening at home
came flooding back to me throughout the show, but I couldn't get in to
that place that they've taken me to so many times in the past because
Trey just kept making so many mistakes....This has happened before in the
past, but in the past they always had the next show to redeem
themselves.  This was the last show ever.  Based on that alone, I feel as
though Trey should have done whatever he needed to do to play as well as
he could have.  Does Trey owe me anything?  Absolutely not.  He's already
given me more than I could ever repay.  But the fact remains that he
played like shit for the last show ever.  Unless they play another show
some day, this can never be changed. 
 
In retrospect, I'm glad I dind't get in and didn't have to deal with all
of the mud and everything else.  If the music had been good on Sunday, I
would have been heartbroken that I wasn't actually inside, but the music
kinda sucked on Sunday.  And for me, it has always been, above everything
else, about the music.  The lot is fun, the long trips with your firends
are fun, all of that stuff is great, but it's the music that makes it all
worthwhile.  Quite frankly, the music was lacking on Sunday.  So before
you flame me, keep in mind, I'm not making any accusations towards Trey. 
I have no idea if he was fucked up or what.  All I know is that the music
kinda sucked.  And that is ultimately extremely disappointing to me.
 
Anyway, it's all over now.  All always have the memories of the many good
shows I went to, and I'll alaways have the recordings of the one ones I
didn't get to go to.  This band has given me SO much.  They were the
soundtrack to what may be remembered as the most important times in my
life as far as growing as a person.  Despite my disappointment with the
past weekend, I will remember this band fondly forever...


Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 14:10:17 +0000
From: m.v. pagano 
Subject: phish show review 8-15

Ok, this was a really interesting weekend.  As my friends and I who
traveled to VT kept saying, this weekend was gonna be an adventure.  And
it was.  Aside from the traffic, the weather, and the mud, this was a
great weekend.  Those components just added to the general craziness of
the moments to come.
  I have seen phish many times, perhaps too many, as I have become quite
critical of the band's direction since the year 2000/hiatus.  When they
announced they were quitting, I was somewhat relieved as, in my own humble
opinion, they as a collective unit had morphed into a band that was a
shadow of their former selves.  They simply couldn't play anymore.  
Granted, many phish songs are extremely hard to play, but they had lost
that tight edge they used to have.  Fast foward to the second set.  
Specifically Ghost.  Great song, great funky bassline, should be able to
jam off this for 15-20 minutes.  It was horrible.  They stuck to the basic
premise of the song (the parts that they remembered at least) for about 4
minutes until they went back to a guitar-rock jam that was identical to
the one they just stopped playing in the previous song, split open and
melt.  It was pathetic.  I went back today and listened to some young
ghosts, specifically 7-21-97 (the 1st one) and 8-13-97.  Wow, those were
the days.  I can't believe how fortunate I was to be able to see them so
often during their peak years (late96 through late98).  Anyone who thinks
that they have been anywhere near those musical levels in the last 2 years
is just foolish.  Yet, I have accepted this and moved on and agree with
Trey's reasoning when he said they were quitting so as not to become
caricatures of themselves.  Anyway, go back, dust off the old tapes and
have a listen.  Nostalgia indeed.  So this weekend was, musically, the
worst Phish I ever heard.  Trey was so doped up on some sort of pills
during the third set, first night, that he couldn't play at all.  It was
horrendous and my friends and I were amazed how fucked up he was on stage.  
Really, the last phish shows were awhile ago, with this weekend being a
send off of some sort--akin to the beautiful Last Waltz, but not nearly
close to the same standards, musically.  My highlights for the weekend
were Reba, Jiboo (can't believe they played it), Axilla I, and Curtain
With.  Curtain with did not seem to be the crowd choice (Fluffhead was a
glaring, glaring, glaring!!! omission from the weekend) but was well
played.  Always been one of my fav. jams, as I was with some of the same
friends who had attended 9-17-00 when they played a great version of this
song.  Was waiting for guelah papyrus, my friend my friend, its ice,
sloth, I saw it again, cavern, mcgrupp, meat, peaches, pyite, and the ever
elusive fluffhead but it was not to be.  On a positive note, it was a
great time, maybe the best I've ever had at a festival, the people were
friendly and everyone had a positive attitude even with the horrendous
organization of this past weekend.  I had a lot of fun, and that includes
the 24+ hours we spent in traffic.  To sum it up, they had a great run, a
five year span (95-99) that can rival any other live act ever.  Yet this
weekend was way below expectations as they only really played a handful of
songs well.  It was like attending a wake where the corpse is still alive
and having a drink was like attending a wake where the corpse is still
alive and having a drink with you, yet doomed.  Most were happy just to be
there and pay their respects to the band.  I was, I'll remember this
weekend forever, but will try and wipe away the memory of the music with
heavy doses of fall 97.  I suggest you do the same, it's really hard for
me to even listen to any phish after hiatus, it just pales in comparison.


Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 23:32:36 -0400
From: Brian Weiler
Subject: Phish show review

Alright, 58 shows and my first review.  I'm not reviewing songs b/c we
all know them by now.  I just want to talk about the scene this weekend.
I thought it was an awesome event.  The band was awesome and so were the
Phans.  My group sat in traffic for 23 hours.  I know there are people
that waited longer and then those that didn't even make it to the
campground with their cars.  You know we impressed the hell out of the
band, the local people, and the country in showing how dedicated we are
as a group.  I tip my cap to anyone that walked to the venue b/c I
would've done the same in your shoes.  This was a "can't miss" moment.
As for Trey being wasted Sat. night......let's give the guy a break.
HIS band was breaking up after 21 years of living together.  I'm sure we
can agree that it must've been emotional for him.  Along with that, I
stood around many of you who were just as wasted b/c you were seeing
these guys for the last time.  It just happens and Trey has been OUR
leader for quite some time.  The band is wonderful, but you go to see
HIM.  He killed it in Camden and he more than made up for it on Sunday.
He's a bad ass and doesn't need to stay sober b/c you traveled miles or
spent money.  This was HIS moment too.
Other than set III of Sat, the boys were f-ing AWESOME.  The
Reba>carini>etc. thru the end of the first set was sick.  The Disease to
open the 2nd was beautiful (best glowsticks ever) and the moment in
Wading when Page couldn't get the words out b/c of emotion was
incredible to witness.  Basically, those guys let it all hang out this
weekend, just as they always did for us.  I'm so proud to say I'm a Phan
of this band, so glad I was a part of this last run, and can't thank the
boys enough for all the moments they've given me.  I was with my best
friends in Vermont and I will never forget this weekend for as long as I
live!


Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2004 03:10:07 +0000
From: Seth Wolfman
Subject: Phish show review Coventry 8/15/4

First of all, thanks to my heroes, Phish. The band and the people around
the scene have been an absurdly huge impact on my life. I caught on and
bought Junta in 1992 at the highly impressionable age of 11, and since
then everything I listen to and most of the friends that I have are at
least partly attributable to Phish pulling me out from the musical
quagmires.  It's been great!

Tonight's was a tale of two shows. I thought first and second set were
top-notch. There were some throwback-style jams that smoothly went all
over the place. First set kept picking up. Mikes>H2>Weekapaug was standard
but good, Reba was a little bit better, Carini>Chalkdust was very good and
then after a quick Possum came one of the best Wolfman's ever.  The jam
went into several of those Phish-only jam areas, followed by a sweet and
rare Page vs.  Fishman jam. Trey and Mike were up to the challenge after
this and performed an equally creative duet that could only have been
played by people who have spent 21 years practicing together. Second set
didn't let off at all. DWD had to be played and it was every bit as
powerful as some of the '94-'96 DWD's that helped make the band famous.
Tough to watch Page in Velvet Sea, but I had already briefly lost it way
back during Weekapaug, so I was good for the rest of the night. Trey's
guitar playing in Glide was an unfortunate foreshadowing of things to
come, however. The loooong SOAM>Ghost was the highlight of the show,
possibly the greatest post-hiatus Phish jam. It went up and down and in
and out and was generally on point. Boy was I psyched to see what 3rd set
had to bring...

... ... ... sigh ... ... I hate to do this right now so I'm going to keep
it brief. This was probably the worst set I've ever seen or heard out of
Phish.  It started out decently, FEFY was fine and Seven Below had a very
nice jam to make up for the early miscues. Then the train fell off the
track an hour too early. I don't need to explain to anyone here how bad
this was, when you hear it you'll know pretty quickly. Simple was an utter
trainwreck.  I thought The Curtain With was a fantastic and unexpected
song to close with!  I mean, it's called "The Curtain", it's got "Please
me have no regrets..."  and it's got epic Phish composition.  But Trey
obliterated it.  Forget the hard parts, he couldn't even remember the
chords to the jam so he went into an awful "With" jam and then did the
unthinkable by stopping the band mid-jam and telling them, through the
mic, to change keys.  NO!  My god, just fade it out. I think Page, Mike,
and Fish might wake up in a cold sweat from time to time for the rest of
their lives thinking about this set.  Imagine if Brett Favre, longtime
heart and soul of the Green Bay Packers, announces this season that he's
retiring at the end of the season.  He leads the Packers to the Super
Bowl, and with 30 seconds left and the Packers on the 5 yard line down by
3 points, he throws an interception.  Imagine how he would think about
that for the rest of his life.  That's how Phish is gonna feel about this
third set.  Oh well, I think I can be satisfied to remember only the first
two sets from tonight and the 3,000 other great sets that came before.
Thanks Phish!

Wolfman



Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 22:51:16 -0400
From: paul salerno
Subject: Phish show review

There is no crying on stage...weak.....that was the most embarrassing
thing I have ever been a apart of...Lay off the drugs quit whining about
the good life..as for the the show it the best and worst show ever...I
have seen phish over a 100 times...and was not into going to mess know as
Coventry...the movie exp. was much better.....festivals r not a good
musical scene....if the band had their heads out of the rears...they
would have not have retired this way....this is the biggest load of crap
every dumped on the phans....they hyped up the tour with this retirement
crap...then laid a total egg...first day was ok...I feel for Page, I
could deal with a little break down...but trey balling like a school
girl....WEAK>...whatever the real reason for the breakup is, I hope to
hear one day.....Go Piss in your own ears TREY...the show sucked........
 
ADAM



Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 19:54:09 -0400
From: Matthew Rowan 
Subject: Phish show review 8-15

Hey there everyone.  So here's the low down.  The weekend itself was full
of many emotional ups and downs, but for me it was mostly
sadness/frustration.  Luckily, i got in to the venue in a decent amount of
time. (Snunk in on route 14, sorry for those that didnt know about that
little jem of a road.)
        Musically, these were absolutley the sloppiest phish, no actually
trey, shows ever.  Page and gordo really just kicked ass the whole
weekend.  Page never ceases to amaze me.  He absolutley has the hardest
sections to play and nails them EVERY single time.  Hes a machine, and
deserves nuch more credit.  Mike groved really hard too.  I talked to many
there and he seems to be peaking right now!  Groove machine.  I cant
believe how bad trey was.  I was beginning to become really uninspired
with the whole thing, but the second set sunday brought me back some.  
Wading in the velvet sea was definately a highlight.
        Just pick anything more than simple to play (pun intended) and
trey would F--K it up royally.  Reba-disaster, Bowie-not even close,
Glide-he just stopped playing at some points.  If this was the way to go
out, then the message from trey was clear---screw it.
        I think its safe to say that the majority of people there really
did care, and especially after waiting for sooooooo long, then having to
walk.  Maybe it was good that they went out the way they did, b/c im
certainly not sad that i wont be seeing what i just saw again.  Im so down
for a new band with just a new guitarist.  And dont get me wrong, i
idolized this guy--he changed my life and so many more lives in such a
good way, but what went down this weekend was just wrong.
       Anyway, sorry such a glum report, but the truth has to be said.  
On a good note, i think that there were still tons of great people there,
that really outnumbered the sour ones just there to eat molly and get lost
or whatever.  All in all, if this was how the new phish was going to treat
their audience, then they made the right choice.  Goodbye all, is it
really over?


ate: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 18:51:28 -0400
From: Douglas Martin 
Subject: Phish Coventry Review 8-15-04

Well, the last Phish show of all time....what a disappointment.
 
Yes, I was one of the loyal (somewhat crazy and stupid) phans who
abandoned their car on I-91 and hiked 15 miles into a mud-soaked camp
ground.  And I'm not here to review or complain about that hike one bit,
what truly aggravated me was the sloppy music Phish played all weekend.
 
I have seen about 50 Phish shows, my first being 12-29-04 at the Spectrum
in Philadelphia.  I've followed them to their musical high point (in my
opinion Fall 97-Island Tour 98) and was at one of their biggest and best
concerts ever IMO - Big Cypress 2000.  I am a musician and Phish has been
one of my greatest influences, always pushing me to become a bette
musician and songwriter.  And I am one who sees the bigger picture and is
more interested in an incredible grooved-out jam than I am in the band
nailing note-for-note their songs.  That being said, the band simply did
not deliver ON EITHER ACCOUNT at this festival.
 
Trey must have been high on something all weekend (perhaps his choked up
emotion).  But he simply could not play the guitar at all.  He butchered
nearly every one of the incredible songs that he himself wrote.  When he
did play them right, he just barely eeked them out.  He lost the key
nearly every song.  And I can name songs that he muffed up right off the
top of my head - Guyute (yikes, a disaster), Glide, Simple, SOA Melt, The
Curtain, the list goes on and on.  And the jams were not inspiring -
there was no listening going on.  Trey refused to sit back and let the
band develop a groove and play funk rhythm, but instead had his guitar
cranked up and distorted all weekend, playing insipid solos thinking he
was Jimi Hendrix but was really just Oxyed out of his mind to the point
where he couldn't play at all.  It was embarrassing and I felt
embarrassed for him.  That's not the way one of the tightest and greatest
bands of all time should go out.  They used to NAIL these songs every
single time, it looked like they were lost.  The other guys were trying
and it wasn't really their fault - I'd put 90% of the blame on Trey. 
That's just not fair to your loyal fans who have been following you for
20 years, who walked miles and miles, paid hundreds of dollars for
tickets, drove across the country, and camped in mud to see you.  That's
not a fitting farewell to just cry up there.  We really came to hear
these beautiful songs and jams played WELL one last time, and they just
could not deliver.  It really is time for them to quit, now I am positive
about that.  I just hate for such a bad taste to be left in my mouth by
such a great band.
 
I felt the same way after the first set of Camden, that the jams were all
over the place, sloppy and not really going in any direction.  But they
proved me wrong and came out with a tight raging second set which blew me
away.  I was hoping after the debacle that was the second and third set
of the first day that they would do the same.  But Sunday was just as bad
as Saturday if not more so.  There was just no life.  Flubs I can take,
but butchering song after song is something very different.  I hope Trey
will listen to this show and realize the crap that he actually did "piss"
into 60,000 people's ears and realize that this show is not befitting the
legacy he wanted to leave.
 
I had to go back and listen to Denver Tweever 11-17-97 to cheer me up. 
Where did those days go???  Did they have to leave??
 
a disappointed phan.


Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 16:51:23 -0400
From: Rob_Fell
Subject: phish show review


Well, I've read some posts critiquing the last shows in Coventry. Also,
I've read some posts complaining about the conditions. It's so completely
beyond me that these things could even be an issue. This was the last
show by, in my opinion, the greatest live act ever. They have no
comparison outside themselves. In the past 12 years I have not been able
to attend a concert other than Phish without being bored out of my head.
Even if they played only my least favorite songs, I would still have the
time of my life. During velvet sea I was right there with Page, just
crying my eyes out. During FEFY I was remembering shows back in '93 and
'94 and thinking that I will never experience something like that again
(again, bawling like a little girl). I think the boys went out perfectly.
No frills, no special guests, no Gamehenge with the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra (good one Trey). I think that turning people away was the best
thing that could have happened. Only the people that actually wanted to
be there were there, and of course the tour rats and dirt surfers because
they have nothing better to do anyway.  And all you people that did stay
home? Come on,  you didn't think they would release tickets at the door?
Anyway, there was no way I was going to miss this, and it ended up being
one of the greatest shows I've ever been to. Sure, the musicianship was
shaky at best, but everyone was just so happy to be there and the energy
and emotion was at a peak. We were all just telling tour stories of the
past and remembering the good times. Passing around the good vibe and
making the best of things together. If you missed this, then I'm sorry,
but you never really got it in the first place. If you want to criticize
the musical quality, go see someone who claims to be the best and not the
4 boys who just want to create an experience for all of us. Either way,
that's no longer a choice. I'll treasure every note of every show and
everyone I have met along this journey. There very well could never be
anything like this again. Please, cherish what you had and know how lucky
you were.


r0b

Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 19:48:45 EDT
From: JELLOMAN2346
Subject: Phish show review

A lot of people are saying that this was a bad ending.....I agree.   I
don't know what was going on with Trey. Maybe he was just trying too hard
or nervous, (which he actually stated he was nervous to be playing for
the first time ever) or maybe something else.  Gordon was always right
on!  If they played well it wouldve been great, but they
didn't........The organization by the police, law enforcement and
everyone else running the show was below par, especially getting into the
freaking place.   All the people who drove up the left lane and cut the
people on 91 who were waiting forever suck.  I waited on intersate  91
for 47hours, and saw many people cut me.   A group of us did what we
could to stop them by throwing gatorade bottles and cursing them out, but
we didnt move anywhere for a long time because of the cutters....  The
line cutters suck,    and the people who sold their tickets on ebay at
outrageous costs should go to hell!    I almost didnt get to see my
favorite bands last show because of them.      But to say that the band
has been bad since the hiatus is wrong.   Miami new years shows were all
outstanding if anyone remembers.   I'm sad its over,  we will not see
another band like this in god knows how long.....
 
thanks phish,
                      J-man



Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 13:12:04 -0500
From: John Shepherd
Subject: Phish show review-8/15/04

I got home Monday night at 12:30.
 
I had spent 65 of the last 100 hours in a car.
 
I came home, I listened to "Velvet Sea" and I wept.
 
Thank you so much, guys, and we love you.
 
Phorever thankful,
 
John Shepherd
Saint Louis



Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 10:26:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: mitch g 
Subject: coventry review

It's hard to review a show like this one. The usual
nitpicking at flubs just doesn't seem right. I think
in the years to come we will all wish we had a show
full of minor mistakes as opposed to no show at all.
So, I'm not going to do a song by song just kind of an
over all.
The first set was musically the best, it was the last
Mikes Groove and it was pretty tight. It was
interesting to hear some explanations to the songs
Carini and Wolfmans Brother. Also I see what Trey was
sying now with the last lyric in Possum, "your end is
the road." It kind of takes on a different meaning
now. Oh and the Mom bump dance was great. (I don't
think Mikes mom was too into it though.) Overall a
tight and rocking set.
Set 2, wow what can you really say about that. When
Page broke down during Wading I don't think there was
a dry eye in the theatre. This was just a very
emotional set. Tough to watch almost.
Set 3 for me was kind of a blur sure they flubed
simple a bit but who cares. They were all a little
rattled to say the least. I think the crew songs were
a last fun improvisation for the guys. And I also
thought Slave was a fitting closer.
For someone just reading the set list The Curtain With
might not seem right as opposed to a Fluffhead maybe
but with Treys explanation it worked. The got a bit
off on the chord structure and Trey had to get
everyone back on track. But who could blame them it
was a hard night for everyone. And I think that this
is an example of the sloppiness they are talking about
leaving because of. But I don't care, I'll take
slopppiness anyday rather than no Phish. I'll miss the
band and the great people I've met through the years
at shows. Thanks Mitch

Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 15:58:45 EDT
From: HNRfunk
Subject: Phish show review 8-15-04

You'd think after so many years of hard-work and intense practice
sessions, trey would remember how to play at least some of the songs he
wrote for Phish.  After watching him struggle through almost every minute
of this show, I have a better understanding of why they're ending it
now.


Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 20:50:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Daniel Tracy 
Subject: Phish show review 8/15/2004

This was my 51st show.  I started seeing the boys when I was 15.  Thank
you Page, Trey, Mike, and Jon.  I take great pride in knowing that I will
never see a Phish show with another lineup, I will never see this band
become irrelevant.  This show was as amazing as my first show, and some
of the best shows in between.  I thank you with all my heart, and could
not dream up a better ending to the greatest rock'n'roll band of my
lifetime.
 
There is technical perfection, and emotional perfection, while they were
not technically perfect, I have never heard more raw emotion ingested
into a Phish show.  The jams had a poignancy, and such a reckless abandon
to them.  Their was truly not a moment wasted. 
 
"Please me have no regrets...."


Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:58:54 -0400
From: "Tortat, Inc - Meeting House and ONEO Bistro" 
Subject: Phish show review Coventry Aug 15th

After 22 years, Trey had to catch the biggest buzz and really ruin the
final show.  His lack of professionalism and disrespect for the people
who traveled far to see them in Vermont last weekend, really shows he
certainly does not care anymore.  Good luck Trey, because without Page,
Mike, and Fish, you are just an inflated ego amped up on cocaine and God
knows what else.  I could have played the guitar last weekend for the
band and it would have been less painful to listen too.
The only touching momment of the night, is when Page got overwhelmed with
emotion singing Wading.  That was special.  Phish will be missed, but
they were done a while ago.
CZ



Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 15:16:49 -0400
From: Kevin Garvey 
Subject: Phish show review

I'll just go right into the show this time...but i will say that Trey was
looking much better today, and seemed to have it much more together.

Mike > HYDRO > WEEK - sorry...was late having a safety meeting!!!!

Anything but me - great tune, loved this version...you could feel the
sadness in the air.

Reba - not sure if it was before this or not...think so...but trey said
that he had never been nervouse before a phish show until tonight...big
cheers...Well Trey...you should play nervous more often...this was the
cleanest reba i have heard in a long time...i mean they didn't miss a
note...keep in mind i'm no real musician...but it sounded good to me :-)

Carini - was so happy they played this...just makes you wanna get nasty.

Chalkdust - was a good version...went to some interesting places, thought
that trey might do a bit something diff, heard he loves playing it live.  
Kind of went off and then died.

Possum - Just great jammy version.

Wolfman - FISHMAN IS THE WOLFMAN!!!!  Great version...bringing the moms on
stage was fun.  Treys mom was all about the booty bumps.

Taste - for some reason wasn't real excited about this, but damn i should
have been...it was electric...boogie oogie oogie!!!!

Set 2

DWD - ROCKING SONG...really was great...have heard it alot, and didn't
mind at all hearing it again...really sounded good and kept with the
opening song of each set being long and jammy.  Some clapping with the
crowd going on to.

WADING - DAMN YOU PAGE!!!  hadn't shed a tear until now!!!  Page gets
choked up and couldn't get through the opening, trey helped...god bless
him he tried two or three times.....WE LOVE YOU PAGE!!!

Glide - was really awesome...emotions were high at this point...this was
the one time i felt like i was actually at the show...goose
bumps...tears...:-(

SOAM - took about half this song to get past the emotions, which doesn't
seem like much but this jammed out for like hours....anyways...was really
good...was just dying to hear more tunes...rocked though.

Ghost - GHOSSSSTTTTTT.....i just love this jam!!!!

Set 3  

FEFY - what the %&#$....was really nice...just a shocker.  FLUFFHEAD 
ANYONE????

7 below - what the $#%$....HARPUA ANYONE????

Simple - awesome...never really thought that i cared about hearing this
one again...but it was great...they were having a good time here.

Piper - not again :-)...been played a bunch...but hot damn they rocked it
again...was much fun.

BRUNO > DICKIE - good bye stuff...made up a song for their monitor
man...blah blah...was fun!!!  sappy last show stuff!!!

Wilson - CAN YOU STILL HAVE FUN!!!!

Slave - Great way to end...didnt want it to end...but there is something
about the melodies in this that just say PHISH!!!!  really great emotional
song tonight.

ENCORE:

The Curtain With - hmmm last song ever not my choice, but not my band
either.....but it meant alot to them and they did it right.

Well my friends, thats all...Thank you Phish for everything....i hope that
love and happiness may follow the four of you always!!!



Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 13:22:58 -0500
From: Andrew_Paquin
Subject: Phish show review

Was one of the worst Phish shows I've even witnessed, can't believe it
ended like that.....


Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 10:41:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michael Morris
Subject: Phish show reviewview

terrible i had hoped there final show would be the best ever but it
wasnt. 1st set was good but after page broke down during velvet sea it
was downhill from there. it was like trey forgot how to play guitar
during glide.split was ok but after such a rough 2nd set i wasnt in the
mood for a half hour of trey playing feedback. 3rd set was better. the
bruno and dickie songs were fun and the set list was great but nothing
sounded very tight. i loved hearing curtain as there last song. mike was
rock solid all night and page played great considering that he seemed to
be the most emotional about the last show.  fishman has sounded better
but i think he had trouble keeping time since trey was always a beat late
or forgetting words or forgetting notes. trey was the weak link. after 20
years trey should know the songs unless he' s wacked out on
heroin+cocaine. i think mike page+fishman should find a replacement that
can actually sing and keep phish alive i will miss the golden years of
phish but i wont miss trey holding a note for 10 mins while the crowd
strokes his collosal ego or his solos that always sound the same trey was
a rock god now he seems headed toward the same end as
hendrix,morrison,elvis etc. mabey eric clapton can recommend a good rehab
center. so long phish i will miss you



Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2004 08:18:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: Glenn Wells
Subject: Phish show review - Coventry (from Rt 91)

Sunday, August 15: I am waking up at home today instead of Coventry,
where I'm supposed to be now, and near where I spent the last couple
days parked on Rt 91. I drove up from Baltimore with my 15 year old
son, who finally was going to see the band I have been telling him
about for years. We prepared for days, buying lots of food to cook,
really planning to do it up right. I drove up Thursday night after work
that day. We saw the line about 7 Friday morning. I needed to get gas
so I got off at Barton and was helped by a friendly policeman. After
getting gas we lined up to get onto 91. 
Over the next 12 hours I'd say the line moved about half a mile. We
spent the day and night in the company of many nice folks. Spirits were
good despite the rain and the delay. I have seen several shows but had
not been to a festival, so it was great to hear Shapiro spinning the
archives and enjoy the Bunny's eclectic song picks. I was disappointed
by the lack of information aside from "stay in line, be patient, people
are getting in." Mostly it poured. During breaks in the rain, people
would get out of their cars and party, fix food, enjoy themselves, then
the rain would come and people would duck back inside. Tad Cautious on
the Bunny said cars were getting stuck inside the site and they were
trying to get them moving. A gravel truck and a flatbed loaded with
planks drove past heading north. 
Friday night came and went. Around daybreak a runner came south and
tapped windows, saying the line was going to get rolling. Spirits rose
as people awoke, got out of their cars, did some whooping and
high-fiving. We rolled a hundred yards and stopped. Motors were turned
off and we were back in wait mode. Then at 9 Mike Gordon came on the
radio. He seemed to hesitate. I could hear emotion in is voice as he
broke the news that the fields were flooded, there was no place to put
everyone, and all of us on Rt 91 would be turned back. I saw two girls
crying together. People seemed resigned. Nobody moved at first. I
turned to my son and asked if he wanted to hike in. He said he couldn't
make it. We were pretty drained. After about 15 minutes we drove to the
turnout and headed south. We listened as the announcement replayed
again and again on tape. We were too fried to register emotion. We
would need all our energy to get home.
Mike said the band was going to "rack our brains" to figure out a way
to make it up to everyone who was shut out. Rack 'em hard, boys. This
one really hurts.

Glenn

Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 12:55:43 -0400
From: Felonius Monkey 
Subject: Phish show review 8-15-04

DISCLAIMER: I'm not sugar coating any of this review.  If you don't
like it, then go cry somewhere about it.

After seeing that simulcast last night, I'd be aghast to see it go to DVD.

When I think about all the time and money I've blown SINCE THE HIATUS
to see Phish completely butcher their own music, I can't help wonder
why the h3ll I instead didn't just go and buy myself a 24K solid gold
T-shirt that says "SUCKER" on the front, and then walk around in the
back alleys of Camden, NJ wearing it.

Their final show was nothing short of a great example of how Phish has
completely checked out, and has been milking their LOYAL fans for
every last drop.  I can't possibly begin to make excuses for these
guys.  Whatever I've said in the past to defend the band during a
lousy show, like "they're exploring" or "wow, these guys are masters
of incohesion", just makes me think of how much dumber I am for having
tried to enjoy it.  Fishman said last night (something like), "you
guys hiking in 15 miles from the highway is the greatest compliment a
band could ever have", which really IS a sincere remark of
appreciation.  God bless the fans who came to hear the band speak
their minds.  If some fans were satisfied from that alone, more power
to them.  But after the touching moments, the band continued to play
like crap for the majority of the night, except for a handful of good
jams, like the one in Seven Below.  I found it ironic that they
botched "Simple".  If I had actually gone to Coventry, and hiked 15
miles to get in, I would have been fuming after a performance like
that.  I mean, this was supposed to be the big BANG right???  ...the
big THANK YOU to all the fans...

They prepared very little this weekend for tens of thousands of fans
who endured almost torturous circumstances to get there.  For Phish to
play as they did last night is for Trey to say to the fans, "Thanks
for all the great times, and we're really impressed that many of you
spent a lot of money and trekked through some crazy sh!t to come watch
us screw up some of your favorite songs that we didn't take the time
to practice (Trey loves run-on sentences).  Oh, and by the way, if I
start playing guitar like Keith Richards looks, it's because I'm
really broken up about this whole thing.  I hope none of you think I
wouldn't ever imagine getting too wasted to play for you at our final
show."

Despite the debacle last night, I'm grateful for all the past Phish
experiences that have taken me where I am today musically.  I'll never
forget my favorite Phish shows.  Phish really is the modern day
"gateway band", and it's terribly heartbreaking to see them go out as
they did last night.

TO THE DEDICATED PHANS: You all rule!  You've continued to show
unrelenting support to a band that has really needed it.  Through the
rockiest of sets, you've managed to make your own fun, and start some
kicka$$ glowstick wars!  Sometimes I think the band should have been
paying YOU for sticking around and supporting them through a lousy
show, instead of the other way around.

TO PHISH: Thank you for your contribution to rock & roll, and for
decades of great times.  You will not be forgotten.

-Felonius Monkey



Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 10:17:46 -0300
From: Marc Willner
Subject: 8-15-04 Coventry -- This could be the last time

So ends an era for a brilliant band of troubadours and its loyal fans.  I
experienced the last Phish show from the sterile confines of the King of
Prussia Regal theater, so I can't comment on the scene in VT, but this
ole head (my 1st show: 3/92 @ the Chestnut Cabaret in philly) has a few
observations from last night.  The show truly was a movie -- there were
poignant moments of pure emotion, daring high-wire acts, pathetic train
wrecks, brave rescues of fellow band members, back stories, wild
climaxes, and fun cameos.  There's no good place to start, so I'll give
it to you as it comes to me on this morning after when I should be at
work.  First, the ballads -- Anything But Me, Velvet Sea, FEFY --were
moving, especially Page in velvet sea unable to get the words out but
able to deliver inspired piano work.  Trey also soared during the velvet
sea.  Speaking of Trey, he was the biggest one man thriller of the
night.  Never have I seen one man reach such highs and lows on film.  At
times during the composed section of several songs -- Hydrogen, Reba,
Glide, Curtain With -- he ranged from lost to completely lost, and were
it not for the steadfastness of his mates, these songs would have
collapsed.  This was sad to see, but therein lies part of the reason for
the break-up.  As Trey explained in his Charlie Rose interview, Phish was
built on relentless practicing and they no longer have the time or the
will to stick to a strict practice regimen.  I also think Trey has some
issues.  He's either messed up on intoxicants or has some serious nervous
ticks, but that's typical of musical geniuses and I'd rather see a guy on
the edge any day. Extreme emption could have also played a part in Trey
looking somewhat strung-out.  That said, this "new" phish is at times
more exhilarating and alive than the old, super tight, rarely missed a
note Phish.  I sat there in the theater on the edge of my seat for many,
many hours with not the slightest thought of bailing.  This Phish is more
improvisational, free, and wild, as demonstrated by the impromptu and
hilarious Bruno jam and other funky improvised tributes -- dicky, dicky,
dicky.   Other inspired moments, in no particular order:  1) After
crashing and burning in Reba, Trey raged in Carini and Chalkdust.  2)
Possum was sound w/ Trey and Mike going face to face to trade a few
licks.  3) Wolfman's jam w/ Leo laying down a nice funk bump. 4) The jam
out of SOAM - a contender for show highlight with its awesome twists and
ambient turns.  The whole night had cacaphonous/divine moments of ambient
feedback/loop jams, as the band took advantage of the opportunity to
strech out and blow off the emotional steam.  At one point Trey was using
his guitar like a divining rod, shaking it orgasmically. 5) 7 Below w/
impromptu vocal refrain of "seven below" by various band members
(reminiscent of the "back of the worm" refrain of 97).  6) The four-part
vocals were generally on and uplifting. 7) the heartfelt speeches/thank
yous and stories.  After Glide, Trey, choking back tears, humbly thanked
his mates for their tireless support (patience), a thinly veiled
acknowledgement of his own fumbling.  The 3rd set was probably the best
musically, with a very potent Wilson.  MVP honors go to Mike and Fish for
keeping a rock solid foundation during moments of improv inspiration, as
well as moments, and there were many, of muddling.  That's not to say
that the muddling was bad.  In fact, it added to the thrill.  "Will they
make it," I thought. "Can they recover," and they did to the delight of
the crowd.  In sum, last night demonstrated for me all the reasons to
appreciate what Phish has done for us over the years.  Last night, like
many Phish shows of years past, was an adventure, a high-wire act of
grand proportions.  And the humor, Phish's fuel, was still there.  Also,
as I watched Trey butcher composed sections and the band miss certain
lyrics and shifts, I recognized the complexity and difficulty of many
phish songs that the boys nailed night in and night out for many years. 
I also saw the love and respect that Trey, Mike, Page, and Fish have for
each other, which enabled them to be so good for so long.  It's
definitely time for them to say goodbye, and they did so with grace,
flair, and human frailty.  Phish is human, they are us.  It was the stuff
of great movies.  Thank you all.  Peace, light, love.


Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 02:06:36 -0400
From: Brian M. Libert 
Subject: Phish show review 8/15/04

I would like to start by saying that I've been to many shows and was at It
last year. I am not a VERY experienced phan who has been to hundreds or
even 50 shows. However, I beleive this makes my perspective a little
different than those who have been to more shows b/c I'm just less likely
to be as critical.

All that said--I was not at Coventry but at the simulcast. I am not going
to review the simulcast venue or anything like that. Just going to talk
about the 3 sets and the general energy.

The Mikes-->Hydrogen--->Weekapaug was good at best. I thought Mike's the
Mike's and Hydrogen were very good, Mike specifically. However, The
Weekapaug sort of lacked something for me. I guess I've just heard too
many other more interesting versions.

I thought Anything But Me was pretty tight. From Reba until the end of the
first set was really the highlight of the show for me. Reba was amazing,
very tight awesome jam too although it did sort of lose its focus
temporarily. Wolfman's Brother was awesome especially with the
additionally information that the Wolfman's Brother is Fishman. Taste was
a perfect ending. It could have been a little tighter, but it lowered the
energy level a little but not too much.

The beginning of the second set was interesting to me. Fast Enough for You
was really great and I was expecting something really amazing to come. And
then...

Wading in the Velvet Sea--This tune is generally OK, however, the whole
band seemed very emotional especially page who it appeared to me was
crying.  This was something special. Something about phish I've always
loved is that they are "real people" and seeing them emotional about the
end was just, really reassuring that my support all this time was the
right thing. The Glide following that was completeley understandably
really sloppy. It was an attempt in my opinion to raise the happiness
level...but it was sort of ackward.

Split Open and Melt and the jam following it were very cool. Very Very
ambient...Just completely in another dimension. Either at the end of Split
open and melt or Ghost Trey was using feedback to add to the mix for
several minutes which was awesome. The technique being to swing his guitar
around...I'm sure you're all familar with this. Ghost was another great
ender. It was played well and although a really high energy song might
have been nice I felt summed up the set well.

I am not going to review the 3rd set in specific save to say once again
that it was just nice to see the band being "real people." Being emotional
and thanking people...I felt that the band was as hesitant to leave as the
crowd was upset they didn't come back out (I presume they haven't played a
late-late night set by this time).

I felt the encore was interesting choice. However, I would like to sum up
by saying that I think this show was more for Trey, Page, Mike and Fish
more than it was for the audience. We've been coming to them for all this
time asking for them to share this wonderful thing with us and although it
is a community, the band fires that. I felt the audience fired them
tonight and after all this time, they deserved it. I was glad Trey thanked
everyone, but, I never needed to hear it, all the shows and music is all I
need.

Good luck to you all, (including the band, if they'd ever read this)
thanks for all the good times, and memories.

Brian Libert -- NY
blibert@drew.edu



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