Tweezer review - 11/28/98 Worcester Centrum, Worcester, MA

Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 11:52:01 -0700
From: Charles Dirksen cdirksen@earthlink.net
To: rmp@archive.phish.net
Subject: 11/28/98 Worcester Tweezer
 
11/28/98  Worcester Centrum, Worcester, MA
 
Tweezer's opening is pretty standard.  This is really late in a show
for a Tweezer, fwiw.  It's the next to last tune in the second set.
Laid-back, punchy rhythm to this version.  I think I just heard Trey
sing "It's gonna be -- " out of place just now, but I'm not rewinding
to check.  I don't think I imagined it.  Page gets on the moog at 3:35
and plays a bit (see also the 8/1/98 and 8/15/98 Tweezers for
appearances by the moog;  I have no idea why Page doesn't use the moog
more often during Tweezer.. or especially during it's jam segment.. I
can't think of a single Tweezer with moog in the jam).  Good screaming
from the crowd after the Ebeneezer lyric.
 
Jam segment begins at 4:59.  It's very mellow and aimless for the
first few minutes.  Trey kinda noodles around in the lower octaves,
overtop a full, rich groove laid down by Page (mostly on piano), Mike
and Fish.  But there's no ear candy, IMO.  The jam gets interesting
around 9:30 -- builds into a strong, climactic jam.  But it is still
nothing terribly gripping.  At 10:14 or something, Trey sustains this
chord, basically killing the jam, for no apparent reason (maybe he was
getting bored, too?).
 
The jam sounds really aimless for the next few measures, but Fish
maintains the rhythm steadily. Maybe there's hope yet. Mike gets a bit
spacey. Trey starts shredding in a Fripp-like manner (see also the
10/30/98 Tweezer).  It still sounds haphazard.  There's a digital
delay loop in the background (I don't know when it was launched).
Page plays a chord here and there on the piano.  Mike accompanies as
well as one could in this aimless jam (11:40).  Spacey at 12 mins..
Sustained tones from Trey and Mike.  Fades out to nothing.  There's no
segue at all.  Cavern kicks in at 12:51.
 
This Tweezer was pretty weak, frankly.  Particularly in light of the
last few years.  It still gets a 5.5 rating, though, since it is more
musically interesting and adept than most early versions, IMO.  And
Trey shredded a bit in the last few minutes.  But just a bit.
 
two cents,
charlie

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