Review from HPB 8-13-93 Murat Show

[Schwa.]

Interesting.

From: Charlie Dirksen

8/13/93 Murat Theater, Indianapolis, IN (Rvwd 9/95) The Bathtub Gin at this show is easily my favorite version [next to

12/29/95]. It has a tease of MikeS Song in it, plus a Weekapaug-like intense jam, and a fantastic segue into Yamar. This is

Phish at their Most Glorious. If you don't have set two of this show, then no matter how many hours of Phish you have, your

collection is worthless. WORTHLESS. ;^) There is no Weekapaug at this show (just an intense Weekapaug-like jam during

Gin), but there's an interesting little jam wedged in the middle of MikeS (that sure is NOT Leprechaun.. your tape is probably

mislabeled, as mine was). The beginning of this MikeS is one of the hottest I've ever heard, with some great opening licks from

Trey before they come in on the MikeS theme (not to mention some "Yama yama yama yama yama.." ing from Mike.. that's a

reference to Yamar, btw). They are really psyched in the beginning of this version. It is more upbeat than usual by far, and Trey

is singing along with Mike in the background (it sounds like his voice might be amplified via some radio device or something).

Mike goes into the "yama" -ing once more. When the tramps segment comes in after 2 and half, Mike smokes his pre-Trey

opening licks. He is AWESOME!!! He doesn't just plod away on the bassy typical tramps theme. Trey comes in and blows this

tramps segment out of the water. It is soooo sweeet.. sure, he sustains now and then, but it is NOT the typical off-key bullshit

that means nothing and sounds like shit. TREY IS SERIOUSLY WAILING in this version, especially around 4. He gets stuck

on a sustained note for a while around 4:15 or so, but he's forgiven, given the enthusiasm he showed earlier. The jam heads into

post-tramps mode early at around 4:45, and frankly sounds almost like a pre-SIMPLE jam (I think someone out there

mentioned this before.. this is not the first SIMPLE tease in MikeS, though.. there was one in an earlier version that I reviewed

from this year.. I think there was a tease in late March 93). This post-tramps segment gets progressively mellower, and segues

beautifully into a mysterious, ominous, somewhat quiet jam. IS THIS A TEASE OF SOMETHING?? This is absolutely

positively NOT "Leprechaun," btw, in case you have your tape mislabeled. Leprechaun is a significantly more melodic affair

than this piece (and is also an instrmental, unlike this). Was this really improv'ed!? If so, it was one hell of an eerie improv jam..

this is WILD! They start "singing" during this jam (not really "singing," I guess... you have to hear it yourself)! I have no idea

what the [expletive] Trey (and Mike, I think) is singing, but it is really creepy and quite interesting. This weird "jam" goes on for

a few minutes around the 6-7 min point, before the final MikeS theme segment comes blasting in. Just before MikeS returns,

though, the jam gets really psychotic with Trey screaming "YEAH!," among other things. The jam kinda sounds Black

Sabbath-esque at this point (9 mins or so). At around 10 mins, this Black Sabbath-like jamming is absolutely fantastic, with

everyone rockin fiercely. This is great improv. The licks are fantastic! MikeS returns strongly at 10:50. The final MikeS jam is

incredible, with Trey wailing more impressively than usual in this segment. This is a must-have version of MikeS. A- rating.

MikeS ends at 12:05, and Lifeboy segues in. This is probably my favorite version of Lifeboy, btw. It gives me chills whenever I

hear it. I basically had a spiritual experience when I first heard this version..(as much of a spiritual experience that an Xer can

have in the mid-nineties).

Have you had a spiritual experience at a show?

[Booche]

Ah, the Murat Gin set. The almost 05-08-77 second set.

Personally I always thought 04-16-92 took that mantel but we all shop at Phans R Us so it depends on the salesman we happily run into. Really, can any one of us complain about this release? I look forward to cranking the bastard on my stereo. As far as I am concerned, this Bathtub Gin is the equivalent of the Dark Star > MLB Jam from Dicks Picks 36.

I have a boner. Thanks Schwa.

[Schwa.]

my personal favourite Gin is from 12-2-99 in Detroit.

i really liked the Fluff>Foam in the first set but thats all i've listened to so far. i haven't gotten to the Gin from this one yet....likely listen to it tonight over some euchre.

I think i feel another phish kick coming on.