From: Charlie Dirksen
11/11/95 Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA Thanks Marcie, for the tapes! MikeS begins right after the CarsTrucks opener. This is
the first MikeS Song to be played in the first set since 12/1/92 (I wrote Mike last summer and inquired about why they hadn't
played MikeS in the first set in so long... I'm sure he forgot, though, and that this was just something that Trey randomly decided
to call.. ;-). Opening is exciting.. a bit upbeat, with the crowd going ape (as expected). Otherwise standard opening, with the
tramps jam beginning around the usual time (2:38). Mike and Page do their thing in the opening 30 seconds, before Trey comes
in. Trey wails from the start, with no off-key sustain crap (which suggests to me that he was NOT on the tramps for this -- were
they on the tramps for MikeS at all this past Fall? I don't think so). THIS MIKE'S SONG IS EXTREMELY HOT!! Trey is
jamming like all hell, as are the others. Indeed, it is an incredibly powerful jam! Not terribly melodic, no harmonizing, gorgeous
segments -- just raw power. Intense. The MikeS ending theme doesn't come in until 7:03 (!), and the post tramps jam kicks in
at 7:20. The opening of the tramps jam is typically monotonous, dark and eerie. Trey employs some wild effects, and then
heads for the percussion kit around 9:30. It is very Free-like around 10 minutes, although Mike is very prominent, melodically
grooving in here. Very psychedelic and ominous. Trey comes back in after sustaining some effects around 11:40 or so. He is
letting loose quick little jazzy licks.. Fish, btw, has just been maintaining the groove (and Page has been throwing in his usual
tramps segment two cents.. great accompaniment, as always). The highlight of this for me was Mike's "soloing" over the others
around 10-11mins. By 13 minutes, the jam basically fades out completely and Day in the Life starts up. What a first set so far,
EH!? (I would have been shitting bricks at this point..) This Mike's Song was an excellent version, especially in the tramps jam
(and Mike's 10-11 min melodic "soloing"). I was not THAT impressed by the rest of the post-tramps segment, but those of you
who follow my reviews know that I'm rarely ever moved by the post-tramps segment (after having heard 12/30/93). This
MikeS is certainly well above average as a whole, though. If I were rating it alone, I'd have to give it an A-/B+. Day in the Life
is typical. Poor Heart is regular speed (fast), but Fish starts Weekapaug before it completely ends.. a Poor Heart ->
Weekapaug! ;-) Niiice. Mike's opening solo ain't here, because of the Strangeness of it all (but he still jams hard.. Trey just
comes in early). Well, the opening jamming is typically melodious and engaging. After about 2 and a half minutes, though, the
jam sortof drops into a more relaxed mode (it quiets down, and Trey visits the lower reaches of the 'doc), but Trey is still *ON
FIRE* in here, and everyone accompanies the groove fantastically. Trey, quite blunty, kicks serious butt on the 'doc in here.
Who was in the audience? Was he showing off for someone!? ...just exceptionally good jamming (even given what he is capable
of). At 5:30, Fish still hasn't let go of the 'groove, and this jam is still very hot and melodious.. hasn't really climaxed at all yet. At
6 minutes, the jam returns again into a more relaxed or quiet mode, only this is the real thing (Suzy Greenberg-esque jam
segment chords from Trey around 6:15..). Clavinet action from Page. Severe funk from Mike. Fish is still pounding out the
groove.. actually, he didn't get that much quieter (he did at first, but got louder). Serious Suzy Greenberg Jam Segment
Chording from Trey again around the 7:15 point .. and for some time! This is niiiiice.. ;) Weekapaugian Hose.. slow & steady
build, and then Trey breaks out and starts wailing around 8:48 or so. TO THINK THAT THIS IS THE MIDDLE OF THE
FIRST SET!!!! (sorry, I just had to put that in..) Spectacular jamming in here, folks.. Final chords at 9:40 or so, and the final
verse comes in at 9:50 ish. Final verse is standard (great!), and Weekapaug ends at 10:51. Well, I certainly like the 12/31/95
Mike's and Weekapaug better than this pair, but GOD DAMN.. this is still Amazing. A-/A for this MikeSWeekapaug combo.
HEAR IT!! I still can't get over that this was in the first set... just mad. Ellis, you want to comment some more!? Marcie?
Others? I hope you people who were there can talk about the scene.. two cents