From: yancy davis 
Subject: more review---10/8/94

You could ask for a better show, but it would be tough.  I hadn't seen a 
show in a few months but this one more than made up for lost time.  I 
brought a friend and his girlfriend along for their first show.  I'd 
hyped them up the whole time about how incredible it was going to be 
while we drove up to the Patriot Center (they drove and alas, I couldn't 
even get them to play any Phish for the ride, but they were not as of yet 
enlightened, so I suppose I understand) and I was worried I had built the 
show up too much.  Thankfully, Phish did not let me down and both my 
roommate and his lady left in awe.

As far as pre-show activity went, the security was way too tight.  I 
remember walking by a cop-car with a passive-looking young couple 
handcuffed and sitting in the back seat.  In front of the car were two 
cops analyzing a pipe and what looked to be about a dime bag of pot.  I 
looked to see if there was anything else, but that was it.  Needless to 
say, I was very careful for the rest of the night.  Little or no food was 
being sold, except by those at the "legal" stands up front, and many 
people walked a half mile or so to the nearest eateries.  There was a 
fine drum circle up front, growing up until the final minutes, when we 
went inside.  This put me into just the right mood for the awe-inspiring 
sounds of Phish.

Chalkdust opened up the show, and set the pace for the evening.  The 
volume seemed a little low where we were sitting, but that was fixed 
quickly, and other than that it was a nice strong jam.  Horn, Sparkle and 
Down with Disease followed.  Good versions, but nothing to write home 
about.  It was after these that I first heard the ugly pig.  Yes, I'd 
missed the night before where they brought out Guyute and I was hearing 
him in all his splendor for the very first time.  Starting slowly and 
softly, the song built itself up until the climax, where I swear it felt 
as though the whole place was just crackling with energy.  It was good to 
hear a new song with a lot of theme and length as well.  By the time it 
was over I was exhausted and had to sit down.  When I first got this tape 
(and it's shitty quality too, in case anyone with a HQ feels like 
trading) I swear I must have listened to Guyute 7 or 8 times in a row and 
it just got better every time.  As of September 1995, they haven't played 
it in over nine months and this is truly too good a song to dump.  
Anyway, Trey announced that it was a new song and told us all the name, 
but I couldn't hear him at the time because the applause was so damn 
loud.  From there we got an average Fee followed by It's Ice.  Nothing 
spectacular about it at first, but the jam towards the end gets nice and 
funky.  Lawn Boy allowed me to sit and catch my breath, which I sorely 
needed to do, but only for a second because they went right into Antelope 
which kept me moving until the end.  Nothing really unusual about 
Antelope, but there didn't need to be.  It's a hard song for Phish to 
seriously foul up.

By the set break I could tell my friends were hooked by the looks on 
their faces.  I was a little worried throughout the set because they sat 
the whole time, but they simply explained that they don't like dancing at 
concerts.  Who am I to criticize?

After the token half-hour "15-minute break" the boys got right into 
things with Also Sprach Zarathustra.  I know there isn't the jamming 
potential in this one as in some Phish tunes, but it has got to be my 
favorite set opener.  There's this power that builds throughout the song 
and when I feel it, I know I'm in for an incredible set.  Normally, 
Sample doesn't do that much for me, but coming after that TSZ, I just had 
to love it.  Rift was average, but I was still floating on the opener 
which got me to those beautiful opening notes to Mike's Song.  It was 
bliss.  I looked to the ceiling and gave the obligatory thanks and 
prepared myself for the ride.  It was here that I was in for another 
treat.  Simple was still a relatively new song, and I hadn't had a chance 
to hear it yet, so I wasn't exactly sure what Trey was going into, but it 
was definitely a nice jam and one all its own.  All of a sudden the music 
starts getting lower and lower while a squad of eighth grade cheerleaders 
come to the front of the stage and begin to chant "People ask us    who 
we are     where we come from     so we tell them     north  south  east  
west   Muppets are the best."  

Apparently, the "muppets" were in town for some kind of junior 
cheerleading conference and I believe it was Trey who happened across 
them.  None were avid phans, but a few had older sisters who were so 
they immediately crowded around him asking for autographs, which he was  
happy to give.  Obviously I don't knowthe conversation that passed 
between  them, but at some point Trey invited them to do their chant on  
stage and they were more than happy to do so.

Anyhow, they started right back where they'd left off at the beginning of 
Simple, only the theme was fully going now and the little break must have 
given the boys up front a boost of energy, because it was NICE.  I was a 
little confused during the second verse, as I did not get the song yet 
and kind of expected to see a saxophone player come out, but I wasn't too 
let down.  I am Hydrogen was as relaxing as ever, but nothing to write 
about.  Weekapaug could've been a little longer, too, but as they played 
the opening notes to Fluffhead, I couldv'e cared less.  More relaxing 
this evening than usual, but that does not mean boring at all, just 
peaceful.  All was bathed in deep purple for Purple Rain, which I always 
enjoy in concert, but damn it if I don't fast forward through it on every 
tape of it I've got.  Just my opinion.  I distinctly remember thinking 
"I'd sure love to hear 'Hood right about now," though I didn't really 
expect to.  But sure enough, as if we were on the same wavelength or 
something, those quick opening beats had me right up on my feet again.  
It was beautiful and moving throughout until the end where they went into 
a tight jammy Susie G.  The perfect cap to a perfect evening.

When I saw the stage hands fiddling with the upright bass, I knew we were 
in for an acoustic treat.  They started off with a beautiful instrumental 
commonly labeled "Foreplay" which I've heard Trey explain as the first 
song he learned to play (maybe first classical guitar piece? I'm not 
sure).  From that they smoothly slipped into Long Time, the classic 
Boston tune, though in a fine new style when played acoustically.  The 
kicker was, I thought it was just a new Phish tune until the chorus, when 
I realized what it was with a deep grin.  I love a good unpredictable 
band.  Finally, they put away the acoustics and strapped on their 
electric for one last time at the Patriot Center and played a nice 
electric Rocky Top, the perfect complement to the first part of the 
encore.  All in all, if you haven't guessed by now, I liked this show a 
lot, and strongly recommend finding the tapes.


Yancy Davis
yance@wam.umd.edu
----------------------------------------
10/8/94   Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA (Charlie Dirksen)
	Their new tune "Gyute" is incredible.  Sort of an Irish folk/heavy
metal/Yes/Floyd-like composition.  It is excellent!  Everything at this
show was well-jammed, except Sparkle, Sample, and Rift (as usual).  The
Fee->Ice was really well done (again).  I am so glad they are grooving on
Ice now.  Makes the song so much more fun..  Gyute is indescribable,
really.  Just an all around "Show off our talent" type of tune that -- if
you have musical training -- will nearly make you cry.  Just an excellent
work.  The jam on DWD was a little longer than usual.. I can	Everything
changed of course, though, with the Mike's Song.  Just incredible, folks.
I have heard so many damn versions and they just keep getting better!
During the second Mike's Song, after a resounding Simple (with a neat
little addition that you'll notice if you saw the summer Simples.  I will
let you be surprised), these kids about 11-15 yrs. old came out in red
polo shirts and started screaming stuff chanting/screaming).  They were
inaudible because of a severe microphone problem.  It was really weird.  I
was front row, and I still couldn't hear what they were screaming.  A
friend seemed to think it was their theme song or something (soccer team?
I don't know).  Anyway, it failed miserably and the audience was like
"What just happened" when Hydrogen came on.. (Trey and Mike did the
walking-to-different-corners-of-the-stage-thing instead of playing on
their backs).  The Purple Rain was good, but not one of the best I have
heard.  Fishman unfortunately didn't appear to me to be as inspired as I
know he can be.  The Harry Hood was for me the highlight of the evening.
It was played flawlessly with beautiful improvising.  It is simply
incredible what they do with this tune.  The Suzy Greenberg was
well-jammed but because Fish's vocal mic was out, there was no screaming
by him (no "Forgot My name.. FORGOT MY NAME....YEEEEEEEEOOWOOOWWWW!"s), so
, of course, I DID IT.. and appeared to have got a smile from Mike.  Trey
just went up to Fish to see what was wrong.  Anyway, it was an ok Suzy.
Nice closer. THEN THE ENCORES!!!!!
	I heard they did this Friday at Lehigh (Gyute as well), and so I
was psyched to hear it myself from so close to the stage.  Page on upright
bass, Mike on banjo, Fish on washboard, and Trey on classical acoustic.
They did Bostonversion, and therefore more enjoyable!!  Rocky Top was
actually jammed on a little, too.  Much better version than the Mann Music
version last summer. But still short and sweet. (don't be wanting to take
them bluegrassy tunes and stringing them out on fiery electric jams now do
we) Fun show!