Date: Wed, 05 Feb 97 15:59:00 GMT
From: "Hefler, Andrew (MS-Mail)" 
Subject: Review for 7/15/96     

Living in Europe for nearly three years had deprived me of a lot of Phish.
In fact without 'A Live One' or tapes sent by my friends I wouldn't have
been able to follow the evolution of their sound post 1993. In 1993 I saw
six shows, four on a West Coast swing through Southern Cal and two at the
end of the summer tour in Oregon & California. So not until they returned
to Europe in 1996 had I seen them since 8/28/93. Perhaps being my favorite
band to see this was, as I'm sure you can relate, maddening. They finally
came across the Atlantic again and I had tickets to 8 shows, five with
Santana, one at the Dour Festival in Belgium and two Phish shows,
Amsterdam and Sesto Calende. Follows is my account of the jubilant effort
that was Sesto Calende.

On this Monday I met my now 'turned on to Phish' Italian friend at his
home in Milan, Italy. He had traveled throughout Italy the week before
with me seeing the Phish sets at the Santana concerts. We drove about 25
miles northwest of Milan towards the hills to the small village of Sesto
Callende. We came to a lake right as we entered the town and saw this tiny
building set amongst the trees and the lake front. To the left was a
pavilion and eatery and we were confused which was the venue. We got out
of the car and walked along the lake towards the small building and saw
some familiar faces from the other shows. Faces that included Mike and
Page. We sat down and began to converse with them. I had met them every
show of the tour thus far so we had some running conversations going
between us. My Italian friend had now seen them five times or so and he
was blown away on how personable and friendly everyone in the band was
despite their popularity in the States.

It was a stunning sundown on the lake and I noticed that garage door-like
opening from the 'beach' into this tiny, tiny venue. Imagine ten of the
best places to see such a concert and I'd bet most everybody would imagine
a place like this. Just perfect for a 1996 Phish show! La Marna was a
discotech moonlighting as a concert venue. Cheesy baby blue, peach and
chartreuse tiling, disco ball and all. It could house maximum 500
comfortably and we must have been around 300 people altogether. That is to
say it was cozy and at the same time roomy, a fine combination for a Phish
show. Shortly after the (HFB snubbed) soundcheck (I believe a 'Character
Zero' and one other) everyone piled in for the ride. It was a ride indeed!

MY FRIEND:  This as I feel it is always is a vicious opener. The playing
following the beautiful intro was sinister. What a fine rendition this was
and a great kickoff-type of tune. Wild noodling throughout the final
minute or so.

PYITE:  A very welcomed second tune. Super groove got rolling from the
opening seconds and the whole joint was jumping despite the 'luke-warm'
reception in Europe. Fish a poundin', guitars ablaze; the LANDLADY jams
were outstanding and the opening 15 minutes of this show was already out
of hand. I wish they would suprise us with just a LANDLADY again sometime.
If they don't I feel they are burying one of the best pieces in their
repertoire. Sometimes it's just not enough sandwiched inside of PYITE.

FAST ENOUGH:  This was sweet. Just a flowing crafted song. Exceptional
placement and this set was getting ahead of itself. I was blown after
three tunes.                                               

GUYUTE:  They were blowing full steam ahead. This song was crisp and
jammy. The vocals were holding tight as well. I just love when Trey goes
into those rolling-type riffs in this tune. Considering this was coming
after such a gutsy show in Amsterdam it was just intense that they were
scorching this early in the evening. So now where...?

POSSUM:  Subtle beginning with that ever so tender repetitive riff then
all hell broke loose with this fancified blue grass jam. Good rendition
and an energy injection to the stunned crowd.

I DIDN'T KNOW:  Broke things down a bit and showed off some barbershop
prowess while goofing it up quite a bit. A fine Electrolux solo!

HARRY HOOD:  I was sent for a loop. What timing for this to come out. At
first I was skeptical just because to me it seems this song (although
always super-human) needs proper setting. That is why, IMH Humble O the
London version lacked a tad because it opened set two. This was
monstrous! No possible way of overrating this version. Absolutely the
bomb. Extremely melodic and musical with the most sensitive and flowing
jams I heard in 11 shows in Europe. The crescendo sequences at the end
just shredded and the very tight sound and acoustics of this setting just
abetted the performance. One of the best versions of this songs that I
have ever heard live or on tape. It was sharp like some the HARRY's of old
'91, '92.

CAVERN:  Saw a lot of this one in Europe. I love the song and it was a
welcome warm down from the ecstasy that preceded it. A funky chunk to send
us of to rest for set two.

DOWN W/ DISEASE:  Bumpin' bass and then that swirling sound...This was one
of the first super jammed-out issues that I heard of this song. Other than
my NYE '93 post AULD LANSYNE > DwD JAM on tape I didn't know where they
had= started taking this song. Ouch! This was smoking and a suitable set
two opener.               

MAZE:  Which was epic in London was really was of the best songs of the
EURO '96 tour. It was also out of control at the Pistoia Blues Fest. This
was a powerful rendition and knocked the room down. Following that wild
DwD with this was overwhelming and it was very clear that Trey was liking
the fact that he had two sets to show his stuff. Page terrorized the
keyboards on this tune and the first two tunes took us up towards 25
minutes.

LOVING CUP:  Mellowed us out and made me so happy I came. This is what it
is all about to me. Going to these shows and seeing great musicians play
great music. Creating a distinct craft from themselves for you on any
given night anywhere in the world. Segued into (also missing from HFB)...

MAKASUPA POLICEMAN:  Sound was blowing me away at this time and this
groovy flow of music was excentuated by the kind that carried us through
this show. I absolutely love this song and how well they perform it. This
LOVING CUP
>
MAKASUPA suite was just such a treat. The show set list was just sick  
already to this point and that lead to these thoughts...

This is why they are compared to the Dead and this is the reason I love
both bands. It isn't what, it is how. It is that night after night they
are writing, changing, risking and producing unique bodies of music/jams
with new set lists and new tunes and surprises left and right. It is
excellent and understandable to compare them to the Dead. Musically it is
not a contest, it is simply identifying the medium or method through which
the band shares music with it's audience. A lot of what I feel people love
is the format or the package that it comes in. (Sorry just my retort to
those who are defensive of Phish being frequently compared to the Dead)

IT'S ICE:  It is a fun song. I have seen it quite a bit and honestly hair
doesn't stand on my neck when I think of it, like it does for certain
songs. However, the two versions of this Amsterdam and Sesto were
absolutely funktified! The mid-part jam (closing sequence in A'dam) was a
rumbling bassy organ jam that just lifted this song to a level I had not
yet heard.  Page and Mike were ripping it to shreds and the drums really
came across loud and snappy on this song.

JULIUS:  Was an absolute rocker. They jammed this tune out as well. They
got a rollicking response to this one from the Italians, too. I went crazy
over this song and the way they had built towards the jam with IT'S ICE
was ingenious. Now came Fishman's spotlight...

PURPLE RAIN: Using the discotech set up, the disco ball was fired up and
Page, Mike & Trey started a disco jam for a minute or so along the lines
of Michael Jackson's WANT TO BE STARTIN' SOMETHIN'. PURPLE RAIN, why not.
I've seen this song maybe 5-6 times in my live Phishistory. I always dig
hearing it. Fun time for one and all an we just couldn't get enough of the
Electrolux so out it came again!

UNCLE PEN:  Love the bluegrass and to this point we had had none so what
the hell. Strong playing here from Trey made for a solid version.           

ANTELOPE:  I saw a lot of this in Europe as well. Everyone as strong as
the other. Pure rock-out dance jam. This was a potent rendition that
jammed for a good 12-13 minutes. What a sweat was built up in this disco
house.

GOLGI:  Well, it's good song anyway. I might have hoped for something more
eclectic, but it might be greedy of me.

This show was ferocious. They had a blast playing it by their looks and
statements and we had a blast enjoying the setting and sounds.