YEM review - 7/25/99 Deer Creek, Noblesville, IN

Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 08:01:54 -0700
From: Charles Dirksen cdirksen@earthlink.net
Subject: 7/25/99 Deer Creek Enjoys Itself
 
7/25/99 Deer Creek, Noblesville, IN
 
This is one of the finest shows of 1999, arguably (in spite of the
YEM).  The Suzie is awesome, and contains heavy "I Wish" (Stevie
Wonder) quoting.  The Purple Rain is arguably the finest version *ever
played*, by virtue of Fish's ad lib lyrics and scream.  I've heard
more amusing vacuum solos, but it's still a hysterical one.  Even the
following HYHU is insane!!!  Maybe even the most insane **ever**! 8^}
Whoa boy! ;P
 
The opening of this YEM could definitely be tighter, and has been on
most occasions.  The pre-Snoopy section contains some peculiar,
almost semi-siren-like sound effects (presumably Trey-inspired).  It
isn't otherwise very interesting, though.  Snoopy at 3:07.  Mike's
solo section at 3:53 is strangely melodic and slow.  The crowd goes
nuts during the pre-charge (when Brad brings out the trampolines).
It's pretty strong.  Fish plays very fiercely!
 
"Boy" at 6:23 after an excellent scream.  Very good BMGS/WUDMTF
segment.  Trey really noodles around, and Fish, Mike and Page all
punch out solid accompaniment.  At 8:11 the trampolines segment
begins, and there's a roar from the crowd.  No clear signals for the
tramps moves from Mike -- he just tools around.  Page is fairly laid
back on the keys for these opening measures, but picks things up
a bit around 9 minutes.  Just a bit.
 
Groove cools very quickly around 9:22, and Trey gently comes back in.
Mike takes off around 9:50 with some snappy and quick licks (that once
again remind me of the 'You've Got the Look' theme from the late 70s
or early 80s.. which I think stems from on a tune on the original
Studio 54 album from the late 70s.. which also eventually was used to
advertise a hair styling spray, if memory serves).  Mike just takes
off and Trey rhythmically chords along in the background beneath him
(10:30).  Fish and Page stoke the groove.  At 10:50 Trey starts
chording in a Ska-like off-beat manner (read: NICU-like), which is
quite cool.  Mike is still TEARING IT UP, folks!!  Very cool!
[Editor's Note: Kevin Flinn (kflinn1@ic3.ithaca.edu), at around 11:00
into this 2nd set-closing YEM, before the "Boogie On" jam comes into
full effect, hears Mike playing a bassline from the Herbie Hancock
song "Bring Down the Birds," better known as Dee-Lite's "Groove Is In
the Heart." Thanks, Kevin!]
 
At 11:35 Trey lets loose a boogie on reggae woman riff very high up
the frets, and, indeed, within thirty seconds, Page lays down the
Boogie On chords.  Will it be a Boogie On groove?  Not really (12:48).
 
They are modestly toying with it.  Trey starts vocal jamming around 13
minutes and Mike, Fish and Page join him pretty quickly.  The
instrumental accompaniment dies down, and down, and drops out at
13:40.  They are just vocal jamming now (13:51) softly.  Audience
starts clapping, out of time (stops at 14:16, fortunately).  The vocal
jam is very reserved (14:30).  Not that impressive.  It actually gets
more dull as it ages.  Dies out at 16:55.  Didn't end soon enough, in
my opinion.  Overall, this wasn't that great a YEM.  It was short and
not terribly inspired. B/B-.  Somewhat below "average/great".  Sure,
Mike was once again INCREDIBLE in this version, and the jam segment
rocked for a bit, but, uuhhh.  Just a bit.  It was just for a bit.
And they didn't really rage before Trey started vocal jamming.  It
never climaxed.  It isn't an especially memorable version at all.
 
two cents,
charlie



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