Theme from the bottom review - 12-07-97 Ervin J. Nutter Center, Dayton, OH

Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2000 12:21:25 -0400
From: Harryman harryman@bellsouth.net
Subject: 12/7/97 Theme From the Bottom
 
Hi, this is my first foray into the world of reviewing an individual
song. I have attempted to start a review of a particular YEM or a
certain Stash before, but decided it would be better to recommend them
to Charlie Dirksen and allow him to do them justice. This is the
beginning of what will, hopefully, be a long series of Theme reviews. I
chose to start with 12/7/97 set I because it is my personal favorite. I
chose Theme as the song I would contribute reviews for because it was
one I continually skipped over on Billy Breathes and never gave a real
chance until I heard a majestic live version, though, unfortunately, I
don't remember which one it was that hooked me. But to me, this version,
which occurs in my favorite set of all time is just phenomenal. Pardon
me if this is not a good review, as I am new at this. :). On to the
review!
 
0:00 This Theme almost segues out of the ending of It's Ice, which
itself had just pulled back out of Swept Away>Steep 1:49 before. It
sounds like Fishman decided what would be played next, as there is maybe
one second max from It's Ice to the hi-hat beat that serves as the intro
to Theme. 0:08 Page enters, and at 0:28, Mike enters.
I feed from the bottom, you feed from the top at 0:50. At 1:42, the
chorus kicks in and Trey starts his wonderful noodling, but as with all
Themes, it settles back down after bringing the audience up oh so
briefly, back down for next verse at 2:02.
Know who's your friend at 3:00. Trey starts it back up and Fishman
accentuates well, Mike is hitting those wonderful deep notes as Trey
chords deliciously. At 3:48 Trey gets back to that noodling progression,
and it really starts building intensity almost immediately, at 4:14
Fishman fills and brings us down a little bit. Trey starts soloing low
on the 'doc and finds a theme at 4:50 and plays with it a few times, and
at 5:09 has found some Hood sounding themes. This one is heating up!!
At 5:37 Trey is really noodling as in the ending composed section to
Hood, and by 6:13 he is really getting some great sounds from Page and
Mike! The Phab Phour all lock together gloriously at 6:33-7:40!! Around
here Trey really begins to open it up!!! And Page starts adding spices
in here that if you don't listen you might miss. Oh man! This is pretty
damn intense! At 7:43 Trey has broken with the others and just begins to
wail! 8:05 is some fire! Page is banging away at the grand! 8:24 is just
full throttle!!!!!! At 8:32 Page really lets that piano have it! While
Trey keeps up the trilling, Page takes over and just bangs away like
there's no tomorrow! And just like that at 9:09 Fish starts to hit the
cymbals to bring it into the From the bottom from the top harmonies that
I just love! They come in full at 9:13, everyone right on!! Fish again
at the hihat at 9:28, Trey guitar at 9:30, Mike at 9:35. Crescendo again
at 9:45!!! Page is now on organ, and Fish is all over the crash cymbals
to end it at 10:15. Total Time: 10:15. This is not the longest Theme by
any means, it may not even be the most awe-inspiring, nor the most
intense, but to me it defines Theme From the Bottom! Subjective and
meaningless grade: A+, 10 out of 10! By all means get this show! It is
one of the best ever! The next song in the set is Tube>Tube Jam, Phunky
Phall 97 cannot be beat! Thank you for your time and if you think you
know of a Theme I should check out, let me know. The next planned review
is 5/16/95, the first Theme!

Peace,
Dave



hits (many)