YEM review - 12-18-99 - Hampton VA

Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 15:55:15 -0700
From: Charles Dirksen cdirksen@earthlink.net
Subject: 12/18/99 Hampton Enjoys Itself

I don't think I ever sent this one out...

12/18/99 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia

Thanks to Chris Harris and others for telling me about this YEM!
(and to Cameron for the discs!)

YEM closes the first set of this very popular show.  Trey fudges
substantially within the first minute, but so what.  The pre-Snoopy
segment (the segment which begins with Fish whipping the hi-hat) is
spacey, harmonious and beautiful.  Page, Trey and Mike create some
cool sustained notes.  SNOOPY at 4:07.  Page's piano playing is
gorgeous as always.  Trey flubs a wee bit (just a note), but no big
deal, of course.  Mike's solo section is very unusually active -- he
plays a shitload of notes in this one, all over the frets!  Brad
brings out the trampolines as the pre-charge section begins, and the
crowd roars its approval.  Trey sounds a little behind in this
section at first, but actually plays quite well, overall... as does
everyone.

"Boy" at 7:29 after a thrilling scream.  Crowd joins in, as always, on
the BMGS "lyrics." Shiiiiiiiiiiit.  It amuses me to no end that people
continue to cheer after "Shit."  You'd figure the audience, as a
whole, would eventually just collectively (and magically) realize that
cheering after Trey says "shit" is juvenile.  But, noooooOOOOooo. ;-)
But seriously, this BMGS/WUDMTF segment is strong.  Much more upbeat
than this section was in the 12/8/99 version, for example.  They all
sound far more animated.  At 9:46 the trampolines jam begins and Page
takes off on the organ as Trey and Mike hit the tramps.  Page just
GOES TO TOWN on the organ!  Inspired playing from him!

Jam segment basically begins around 11:30.  Trey, once again, which
has been common for him in the last year, plays rhythm guitar as
Mike plays lead bass.  At around 12 mins Mike starts teasing/playing
that RIFF again (you know the one -- that one! this is the riff from
C&C Music Factory's "Things That Make You Go Hmmmm."), and just
sticks with it for quite awhile, as Trey's rhythmic chording becomes
increasingly ska-like (he plays them a half-beat off or so.. very
cool to hear in YEM!).

At 13:17 Trey starts soloing like a rock star.  Page is still
hammering the organ, fwiw.  Fish's accompaniment is excellent, too.
Mike continues to play that RIFF, basically.  Trey's soloing is
awesome, just awesome.  Around 14:30 he repeats this riff that sounds
familiar -- repeats it for two measures. But I can't place it.  He
continues to passionately solo overtop fantastic accompaniment by the
rest of the band.  This jam just COOKS!!  (15:30)  What a set closer,
huh?!! =^]  WE'RE IN HAMPTON, BABY!!  The energy just doesn't quit.
There's basically a climax on top of a climax, and at 16:30 Trey
quotes some "Johnny B. Goode" chords!  =^]  They just RIP THIS ONE
UP!! Trey teases some more JBG riffs around 17:10 or so.  Christ,
almighty!!  This jam just doesn't let up!!

Around 17:40 the jam finally lets up (Trey throws out a few ska-like
rhythm chords), and at 17:52 Trey starts vocal jamming, and the others
join in.  (once again, no closing WUDMTF lyrics, in other words.. see
also 12/8/99's YEM)  By 18:20 everyone is vocal jamming.  The vocal
jam starts out as many other 1999 vocal jams have, with the band truly
"jamming" by maintaining YEM's rhythm.  But it doesn't take long for
them to chill and just start harmonizing on a variety of tones and
vocalizations.  Total time: 22:47.

This is an easy must hear A- version. The jam segment was one of the
strongest ones of 1999 without question (though not as thrilling as
10/10/99 Albany's, IMO.. that version had TWO jam segments, really).

Chris Harris, thank you so much for recommending this one, and
Cameron, thank you so much for the discs!! =^]

two cents,
charlie


p.s.  Do any of you live in the Philadelphia area?  There's an
EXCELLENT band who plays regularly in your area called METAGROOVE
and I urge you to go.  Their music is a few parts Crimson, a part
Zappa, a part Yes, a part Tool... EXCELLENT musicianship.  They play
regularly at Abilenes (420 South St in Philadelphia) for only $3 a
pop (e.g., this wed Aug 1 they will be there.. also Friday Aug 3 at
midnight).  They are one of the best "new bands" I've heard in the
last few years, easily.  Wished they played out here in San
Francisco.
 


hits (many)