From cdirksen@earthlink.net Sat Sep 12 23:35:40 1998
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 05:42:50 GMT
From: cdirksen@earthlink.net
To: dan@netspace.org
Newsgroups: rec.music.phish
Subject: 7/31/97 You Enjoy Myself!!!

7/31/97  Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA

I was *very* surprised that they played YEM at this point in the set.
And even more surprised that they played such a long version.  This
nearly one hour and forty minute first set is still one of the longest
first sets in Phishtory. (wasn't there a longer first set the other
night in Europe??)

Trey isn't as tight as he usually is in the opening segment of YEM.
The pre-Nirvana section contains some spacey & enchanting playing, as
usual.  Nirvana at 3:20.  I never tire of this section.  Page is very
patient and inspiring in this section -- he doesn't STORM through it
as he usually does.  Gorgeous and original.  Mike's solo-section
occurs at 4:03, and he climbs his 'doc thoughtfully, but it isn't all
that hot, imo.  Pre-charge section is solid, but not as impressive as
it can be.

"Boy" at 6:40. Groovy BMGS/WUDMTF segment.. but nothun over the top.
Tramps jam at 8:47.. Good groove.  Page is more mellow than usual,
though.

Jam segment starts at around 10:30 I guess (the tramps jam was pretty
mellow.. no real "ending").  At nearly 11 minutes, Trey immediately
starts repeating this queer theme while employing a Strange Effect on
his 'doc.  Mike, Fish and Page patiently accompany this goofy little
repetitive melody.  It has an ominous feel to it, though.  Trey dumps
it for 20 or seconds, before returning to it anew around 12 mins.
Mike starts phaaaatly accompanying him  Very unusual interplay between
Trey, Mike and Page in here (12:39).  It is a *highly* *irregular* YEM
jam segment -- I can't even do an ADEQUATE job of describing this
peculiar jam.  Fish picks up HIS accompaniment, adding a bunch of
fills, too.  A bewilderingly DIFFERENT YEM jam segment.  You sure as
hell wouldn't be able to tell it was a "YEM" jam segment (14 mins).
It is very experimental (but not spacey).

At about 14:30 Trey teases "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" in an
extremely odd and unusual key (very queer).  At 14:57 Trey kills the
effect and chords as if to signal a return to more of a Proper YEM
jam.  Fish cooperates.  But Mike and Page resist.. and the jam returns
to a very chaotic, aimless groove (sounds like they are all just
fucking around, frankly, around 16 mins).  At 16:20, the jam starts to
mellow.. Fish slows the rhythm a bit.  They are all still screwing
around at 17 mins.. improvising I should probably say.

At 17:30 or so, though, a groove finally develops after Trey finds a
theme.. and by 17:43 the jam begins building in intensity.  Quickly.
And returns to something one might ordinarily hear in YEM.  (good
segue back into *YEM*)

The groove around 19 minutes is AWESOME, imo -- funky & danceable &
upbeat.. Trey begins soloing a la Carlos Santana (Page throws out some
Oye Como chords).  Yeah! (19:40)  The jam begins to soar with tasty
licks from Trey.. =^]  By 20:20 the jam is just COOOOKIN!!!! YEAH!!
Jam chills a little at 21:11.. And Mike begins to take over. :) Not
for long, though.. At 22 mins they are in a mellow groove, with no one
taking center stage, although Mike is the most prominent.. He doesn't
really "solo".  You just have to hear this.  (yes, this is a MUST HEAR
YEM in my opinion.. a work of art!). I'm failing miserably at trying
to describe this at all well.. Trey starts playing along melodiously
aroudn 23:30.. Mike plays along with him.  Excellent interplay.  Fish
and Page and being very quiet.. listening carefully to Mike and Trey,
who brilliantly play off each other.  AHHHHHHH!!!!  This is just such
a great fucking YEM.

At 24:30 Trey starts scatting.. :-)  Everyone continues to play
gently, though.  Mike and Page begin scatting too... everyone
continues to play along.  Softly.  What a god damn work of art.
Everyone is still scatting by 25:45.  At 26 mins they have all stopped
playing their instruments, and the scatting segues into vocal jamming
(that's right.. no closing WUDMTF lyrics). Trey appears to vocalize
something towards the end of this harmonious vocal jam.  I can't make
out any real words, however.  Total time 28:58.  As I said, must hear,
work of art.. it isn't really in the same league as the vast majority
of YEM's given the improv in this mothuhfuckah, but I'm still giving
it an "A".  Not all of this YEM is beautiful, but there's some
sahweeet jamming in it.  BTW, just because I'm giving it an "A"
doesn't mean I prefer it to other "A" versions like 12/9/95 and 5/5/93
and 11/18/95 (because I don't).  It just means I think it is a work of
Art and you should try to hear it.  Definitely a YEM to sit back and
enjoy with the headphones on, in spite of the weak opening.

two cents
charlie

p.s.  For more YEM reviews, check out http://www.phish.net/hpb/yem.