From: Victor Szalvay
Subject: Antelope in Review Pt.18 3/12/88
Hi Pholks! Well, I finally did it!! I implemented a new grading system that may even work for me. So far this is the only version that I have graded, but I will get to the others soon enough. If you want to check out the criteria, I have it posted on the AIR homepage to save bandwidth here. Check it out: http://weber.u.washington.edu/~vlaszlo/AIR/AIR.html Well, this legendary show is well worth a hearty review... actually, the second set Antelope finale is probably the most insignificant event of the second set, entirely because the second set contains, for the first time in it’s entirety, the Gamehendge narration. It is funny to listen to this tape however, and notice that all those Nectar’s goers are chatting away through all the narrations and songs, just goes to show you don’t ever know!! Antelope was the finale at the Baselodge show the previous night (see AIR pt. 17), and it appears again tonight. I think the boys are seeing it’s value as a crowd pleaser and great way to bring up the intensity for a nice bash at the end. Since most everyone in Lamehendge out there ;-) has a copy of this show, break it out and follow along! Let’s have a look: 3/12/88 Nectar’s Cafe- Burlington, VT Antelope -- Intro: Trey digs in first with a rather cheesy tone, I might add, or so it sounds on my tape. Page comes in as well, they are in control of this intro, no doubt... Mike comes in after some delay and Fish adds his little playful percussion. Nothing out of the ordinary, as standard as they come. Opening theme: (2:13) No switch to the distorted tone for Trey in the transition, so that is a partial disappointment right there. Of course the desired effect is lost. Nice riffs and melodies from Trey in this opening... very controlled and focused with his phrasings, nice to hear. Trill!: Sweet, even without the distortion. Nice and crisp, with no noticeable flubbing. Key Change to Em: (2:46) OK, there is the distortion tone. Nice effect and powerful at that. Trey dives into the deep stuff at once with some dramatic soloing. A little riff ends up in the middle east... Nice Page jamming simultaneously... pretty solid all the way. Trey and Page are doing a dual solo, which is new to this song at this point. It is really a must hear! If it weren’t so punchy and not all that together, I would go ballistic about this version just for this dual solo. The essence of the song is captured so much better in this version then in past ones; the idea of jamming is really coming together, Page and Trey climbing and they are approaching the top... almost... yes! Second Gear: (5:45) Wow!! A nice double climax from both Trey and Page... the dual stuff is sticking throughout this whole jam! It is pretty nice, but not as tight as we could hope for. The major problem with this band at this point in time is that they are lacking in tightness and experience with each other. Sure they have been playing together for a long time, but this kind of ultra-complex dual soloing and jamming is not easy to pull off live. They once again head for the natural peak in the music and hit it right on... third gear: (6:15) A nice extended climax, with the intensity up like this they are headed for another very soon and sure enough.... Fourth gear: (6:41) Wow what a nice climb together with Page and Trey... Trey trilling all the way. This would be a great jam if it weren’t so loose and flaky at times. Pre-Marco-Groove: (7:00) Groovy as Trey and Page funk it up with some sweet sounds, and of course Mike and Fish are there laying it all down. We don’t see too much of a groove before Ry, Ry, Rocco!! pausing before... MARCO ESQUANDOLAS: (7:34 for the desired effect! Happen you to have any Spike, Man? (note it is no longer Spleef!) High Gear Theme: 7:45 Decent, the Runs sound more cohesive then in the past and seem to come off a lot better. Trey:- Set the Gear shift into the highgear of your Soul.... Pretty standard all the way to the end. End: 9:15 or so... The disturbing thing about this version is that it seems so rushed. If I seem a bit hasty in the review it is because the song itself is very hurried... the Em jam segment was nice with the dual soloing, but even that was not all that explored and the gearshifts came one after another in rapid succession. All in all, one of the best versions up to this point in 1988. Overall though, I would give it a 5.0 on the new Victor scale, or whatever. ;-)