Customer Reviews

Live Phish Vol. 14: 10/31/95, Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have very mixed opinions about these Phish Halloween live releases. First off, kudos to the band. I have to appreciate any band dedicated to its audience enough to rehearse up an entire albums worth of music for a single show. And it's a clever concept, having the band go in disguise on Halloween not via costumes but by covering a classic album by another band. But here's the down side: The actual music is not that good. The problem is, constrained by both the amount of material they need to learn as well as their attempted fidelity to the original, a band like Phish, appreciated for their improvisatory skill and energetic style, is not playing to its strength. I was beside myself with anticipation prior to hearing Phish covering the Beatles White Album (10/31/95, Live Phish Volume 13). But what I ended up getting was something a little less than the Beatles White Album itself and a little less than Phish playing Phish.

However, of the series, this one was my favorite. On October 31st, 1995, in my old backyard of the Rosemont Horizon, Phish played the Who's Quadrophenia, and it does not disappoint. Something about this Who album translates well to Phish plus horn section.

Even minus the Quadrophenia, this is a live show worth owning. In all fairness to Phish, I should have mentioned before that they do play a generous amount of their own music before and after the Halloween cover album in these shows. Volume 14 features a marathon You Enjoy Myself, A Day in the Life, My Generation (A Who cover but not part of Quadrophenia), a nice Sparkle into Free, and Divided Sky. Buy it and enjoy. Gotta go, nighty-night.

I went to this show and it still ranks in the top 3 concerts that I have ever been to. There are moments in this show that are still etched in my mind nearly 12 years later...

Aside from the Quadrophenia set there were many great performances at this show. Every set was very solid and had lots of energy.

I will never forget when the second set started with the storm and waves...I knew immediately what they were going to do. As they moved more into it and even into "The Real Me" there were still younger "kids" looking around not sure what album it was. I was 30 and this is the first time that I truly felt old. I suspect that is was obvious I knew what album it was because this guy came up to me and asked "dude, what album is this?"

They did such a great rendition of the Quadrophenia, I was really floored. I disagree with the earlier negative comment about Fishman singing "Love, Reign O'er Me". This was absolutely the right choice. The emotion that he had and the reaction from the audience still gives me goose bumps thinking about it all these years later...it was so intense. I could have left after the second set and been perfectly happy.

When they came out in the third set and did the 40 minute YEM I was speechless. After they finished the encore I really was in awe...

Phish's Halloween 1995 concert is a great show. It has an excellent first set, highlighted by Trey's jazzy solo in "Ya Mar" and a sweeping "Free." The group's famous spoken word pieces "Harpua" and "Icculus" shine throughout. Unfortunately, I can't comment much on the Quadrophenia songs because I am not familiar with the album, although they are very well performed with the Phishy twist to them, although extended improvisations are missed. The 10/31/98 show featuring the Velvet Underground's Loaded was better in my opinion, largely because I am familiar with the tunes on Loaded, but Phish jams them out on that show.

What I can comment on, however, is one of the crown jewels in Phish history: the epic 40:10 YEM. Yes, I paid 25 bucks for this 4-disc album, but hearing rumors about that YEM made me buy it. It lived up to every expectation and more. Throughout 40 minutes, Phish explores the heights of manic, speed-fueled guitar jamming (listen to the audience go completely nuts around the 15-minute mark) to the depths of space to monolithic blues-derived slow rock. The group's entire history summed up in less than an hour. Equally legendary is the 12/29/94 David Bowie, which is fortunate enough to recieve release in this series.

The show closes with an amusing (if predictable) cover of "My Generation," featuring one Jonathan Fishman gleefully trashing his drum kit (surprise!) Kieth Moon-style. Fun way to close the show. But if not for the YEM, this would have been simply a very good Phish show. The YEM made it a show that would go down in Phishistory. 'Nuff said.

Probably the most obvious place to begin a review for a Phish halloween show would be Set 2. The cover of The Who's Quadrophenia is just amazing. It is so close to the original yet has that Phish twist to it. The vocals were surprisingly similar to Roger Daltrey and the horn section added that old 70's touch to it. The only thing that was off was Fishman singing Love Reign O'er Me. Granted we've all come to love his boyish playfulness, his voice just doesn't really cut it during the verses.
Set 1 was typical Phish, opening up with a Halloween version of Icculus and jamming out from there. The highlight would have to be their encore, a bluegrass version of My Generation.
All in all the album was tight and clean sounding, however sometimes the instruments are drowned out by each other.

Quadrophenia is one of the most complex albums made, and also one of the best. I am honored, as a who and phish fan, that phish did a cover of quadrophenia, my personal favorite who album. I know it was tough for trey to sing as daltrey and play guitar as townshend at the same time, but fishman had the hardest job of taking keith moon's job. Either way, phish played awesome and if you are a phish or who fan, buy this album

I can't believe how bad this is and people actually like this. Some of the Phish songs are ok but the Who covers are really, really bad. It may be a grand joke and all in good fun but musically it's horrible in almost every way. I'm really sorry I wasted my money on this. If you want something far better try the recent and fantastic 10/31/2010.

The Halloween of 95 had Phish with the major task of finding a new musical costume, and it seems that Quadrophenia was the perfect choice. One of my favorite musical costumes of all time, it was an energy-filled night with a mixture of The Who as well as Phish classics. "Icculus" "Run like an Antelope" as well as "A Day in the Life," and a bluegrass "My Generation" help this halloween to be one that should be treasured!

As any fan of Phish knows, they can take a cover song or in this case, a cover album and make it their own. This isn't just Quadrophenia, it's the version you wish the Who put on album. Every take on each song is jammed and extended especially Drowned. Phish maybe experimental but, this is a true rock and roll album and Phish does not disappoint. They rock and roll the ... second set. Also, the YEM in the third set is mammoth with a very strange subliminal message during the vocal jam. See if you can hear it, it's quite bizzare. Overall, another rip-shredding Phish experience.