From cdirksen@earthlink.net Sat Sep 12 23:35:40 1998
Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 22:43:53 GMT
From: cdirksen@earthlink.net
To: dan@netspace.org
Newsgroups: rec.music.phish
Subject: 8/9/97 Alpine Mike's & Weekapaug

8/9/97  Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI

Mike's opens a bit slower than usual, otherwise a typical opening.
Tramps jam kicks in at 2:45.  Trey sustains a note through the
beginning of it, before he begins soloing in the lower octaves. The
jam is fairly steady-as-she-goes, deep, phaaat Mike's song.. somewhat
on the Dark side.  Nothing too flashy from anyone, but they all appear
to be listening to each other... Trey picks up his soloing a bit
around 5:30, but he's still in an ominous mood.  This version is
similar to versions of Olde in this "dark" sense, but doesn't contain
the off-key, erie, obnoxious soloing from Trey (which those olde
versions usually contain).  The jam begins to soar more mellifluously,
thanks to Trey primarily, around 6:30.  This doesn't last long,
though, since at around 7 minutes, Mike seems to lock into a theme which
Trey joins him in on -- and it's malicious!  Fish and Page
groove along with it, Fish changing the rhythm for a few measures to
complement the new theme.  Back to solid Mike's Song jamming by 7:45.

Still no tramps segment closing chords at around 8 minutes, even
though it sounds like Page wanted to play 'em at one point in here.
Trey's still tooling around, theme-less, aimless, wandering.. Trey
starts repeating a lick around 8:45 (nothing catchy though), overtop
typical Mike's accompaniment from the Others.  Mike starts playing
"that theme" that they jammed on before around 7 mins.. Fish plays
along.  Trey is apparently off in his own space until 9:47 when he
joins in, too, briefly... Trey launches some effects...

At 11:15 Trey's soloing becomes more catchy and repetitive.. Mike is
still playing "that theme" I mentioned earlier. Fish is into a
hi-hat-laden funkin bottom.  Around 12:30 the groove is unusally
melodious and enchanting for a Mike's Song... beautiful, light, gentle
soloing from Trey.. and a smooth segue at 13:20ish into "Ain't Love
Funny" (JJ Cale cover;  Funny As It Seems is apparently not the
correct title).

[Ain't Love Funny; Simple; Swept Away; Steep; Scent; Slave]

Right out of > the haze that is Slave's ending, Fish starts up
Weekapaug.  Mike takes a typically snappy, funky and quick opening
solo before Trey begins playing the opening 'paug chords.  Trey's
soloing after the opening verse is unusually unmelodious and
rhythmic.. still awesome, though!  Mike and Fish just play the usual
'paug bottom at this point.. At about 3:30 the jam launches back into
true Weekapaugian Groove, and Trey begins mellifluously soloing
mid-range.  Good, but not great, Weekapaug jamming ensues, until about

7 mins, when things take a more interesting turn.  Trey starts soloing
as if his life depended on it!! =^]  Jamming akin to the Greatest
Weekapaugs.. Mike, Page and Fish fiercely accompany Trey, as well!
SMOKIN' PAUG!!!!!  Awesome set closer!!!! Christ!!!!  Trey goes
**OFF** in this closing jam (8:40), and at 8:53 Trey starts playing
Can't You Hear Me Knockin' chords.. WOW!!!  This is JUST
SPECTACULAR!!!  THEY ARE NAILING IT!!!  This is sooooo much better
than the 7/31/97 'paug.. damn!!  At 9:45 or so, though, they dump
CYHMK, and by 9:57 Trey's playing Weekapaug's typical closing chords.
Trey thanks the audience for coming before singing the closing lyrics
with Mike and Page. An unusually dramatic ending, taboot!!! Not the
traditional ending.. =^]  Total time about 11:30 for this amazing
Weekapaug.

Well, the Mike's is pretty average great B, but I have to give this
Weekapaug an A-.. just an incredible version. It doesn't deserve a
straight "A" because only the final few minutes are must-hear
material, imo.

two cents
charlie