THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610270313
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music review
SOURCE: BY JEFF MAISEY, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: 46 lines
Phish, one of rock music's top-grossing live artists of last year, delivered in every way possible Friday night during a sold-out show at the Hampton Coliseum.
The free-wheeling, improvisational performances of the dynamic Vermont quartet give their shows an element of surprise. Each is different from the one before.
There are many aspects of the Phish experience that parallel those of the Grateful Dead, from the caravan of faithful following the band from town to town to the small village of amateur recording engineers whose self-professed duty is to document every show.
With spectacular visions of colored light, Phish opened the evening with the easy-going and humorous ``Ha Ha Ha,'' followed by the deliciously upbeat sound of ``Taste.''
Knowing every word to each song, the sea of Phish-heads enthusiastically cheered every dramatic change in lighting and improvisational tangent, like that of ``Maze.'' The new ballad title track ``Billy Breathes,'' with its enchanting melody by vocalist/guitarist Trey Anastasio, sent jubilant dancers into a cicular ice-skater-like motion.
``Guelah Papayas,'' with a funky approach, was followed by a brilliant exercise in vocal harmonies seldom found in today's rock music world. The a cappella ``I Didn't Know'' was a stunning pleasure for the ears, mind and soul.
The invigorating first set came to a close with a melodic piano solo by Page McConnell on ``The Squirming Coil.''
After a 40-minute intermission, Phish reappeared with more of the same genius, but with a little more island and jazzed-up funk from the rhythm section of bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman.
Those who chose the seated sections of the coliseum at the general admission show were, well, unseated and dancing with arms raised throughout the night.
The highlight of an evening filled with so many bright moments was ``Free.'' Complete with a keyboard improvisation enhanced with an additional percussion instrument by Anastasio, the new Phish single came across as a true classic that just may stand the test of time.
For the Phish-heads, the evening with Phish was a spiritual event to be relished, whether is was their first show or their 105th. by CNB