2013 Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA (Myke Menio, @LawnMemo) #Phish

Selection: “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley->2001”

From Myke Menio:

07/27 and the Gorge. This was the most excitement two things had given me since the first time I undid a bra (it took me a solid 5 minutes). Both the date and the place were a first for me. I was finally seeing Phish on my birthday and at the legendary Gorge. There was another huge factor the incredible anticipation I had for this show, I was bringing one of my college roommates, Gibby, to his first two Phish shows. Gibby gets music, he is an excellent bass player and is into Pearl Jam about 1/100 of how much I am into Phish (so a lot).

After spending the week in Seattle with Gibby and catching 3 games of my beloved Mariners (they actually went 2-1, I know, I couldn’t believe it either), I couldn’t have been in a better mood heading to the Gorge. Our crew rented two vehicles and the beautiful drive was on.

The Gorge was everything I had dreamed about and more. The moment I walked over that hill everything else in life seemed so small. Seeing something so beautiful puts life in perspective. It’s hard to not be pumped for a show when everything around you looks like a painting.

@kernelforbin and @millygrace42 in front of me

Gibby instantly gelled with my Phish crew, and everything was set. He was a bit quiet at first while taking everything in. Gibby knew a decent amount about Phish and all he wanted a “Down With Disease” for some deep Gordo bass. Night 1 was an absolute blast and recapped so well by @taopauly yesterday.

A couple quick notes on night 1 of the Gorge…

“Secret Smile” has new found meaning for me. Always one of my least favorite songs, it was played at the perfect time, at the perfect place. Played right as the sun set, the song now has intense emotional connection for me. What a moment!

Gibby thought the “Character Zero” with the lights turned off and the band howling was one of the most awesome things he had seen.

My friends bought me a cake and brought it with them to the Gorge. They gave it to me within minutes of arriving (a day early) due to the fact it was 100+ degrees and was melting. I was so confused.

When I woke on my birthday and the second night of the Gorge in front of me, it was like waking up with an IV of coffee. I was ready. I spent the day walking around shakedown and even filmed this….

All my friends bought me stuff, and really made a guy that wears a helmet to shows feel special.

Walking into the second night’s show a funny thing happened. Gibby BECAME a Phish fan. He started talking to everyone while we were walking in. “What did you think of last nights show”, “Hoping to hear some DWD tonight”, “You live in Seattle also!!!” I was laughing so hard, it took my friend one show to connect with the community. It was beautiful, and I felt like a proud father.

The first set had some key moments for LawnMemo. I saw my first “Curtain With” and the debut of “Say Something” was awesome. I loved it from the first note and was pumped it was now associated with my birthday. Midway through the set I looked over at Gibby and he was on another planet. Soon after he spoke to me, “I haven’t smoked weed like that since college”. Then he told me had to go the bathroom. Finally after about 30 minutes, he came back to us at setbreak. When I questioned him about where he went, he said he “Crushed some chicken fingers and fries, and it was amazing.”

Set 2 fittingly, kicked off with Gibby’s “Down with Disease.” There was no better present I could have received than watching my good friend get his song. One of my favorite feelings is knowing my friends favorite songs and watching their faces when it starts. It warms the soul.

The “Disease->Undermind>Light” trio was no joke and was almost what I chose to review. “Undermind” contained my favorite improv of the night and has a couple of extremely interesting sections. The set was kicking some major arse before my selection dropped and all hell broke loose.

When I think of things that “get the party started” I think of Laguintas Sucks, Tara Reid, Tywin Lannister, The Naked Gun, and “Sneaking Sally Through the Alley.” When it drops, everyone loses their mind and dances like nobody is watching. And they are drunk, and they are on drugs.

There hadn’t been a lot of chances to cut loose and bust a move in this show up until this point. Dancing like an insane person is one of my favorite things to do and a big reason I wear a helmet. I strapped the strap on my helmet, and it was on.

This “Sally” was perfectly placed and brought the ultrafunk. There a couple of songs where I have a specific dance assigned to it. “Sally” is one of them. The best way I can describe it is moves slow like Ali’s “Rope a Dope” then explodes with a lot a of horrible contrived hand movements.

Another interesting thing about “Sneakin’ Sally” that I have noticed. Everything feels sexier during that song; the girls around me instantly go up about 2 points on the rating scale. I evn feel sexier during “Sally.” I feel like I could walk up to any girl and get a phone number I wanted. I don’t feel that way during “Winterqueen.”

One thing I really love about “Sally” is how it grows. Phish loves to start out real slow as Trey works into it and then when Page hits the clav it explodes.

The crowd moves slowly before the entire place erupts into full Soul Train party.

A typical rocking composed section gives way to an excellent vocal jam. This vocal jam carries the energy well and even adds plenty of its own. Exactly what I am looking for!

The “Sally” Jam gets rocking at the 5:25 mark, and Gordon wastes NO time throwing down. Plucking and slapping with no regard for human life, this jam takes off within the first 30 seconds. This funk is not your average tomfoolery. Nope this the serious stuff. Play time is over, this the Gorge and there is serious business is at hand.

Within the first minutes I have had 3 heart attacks, given myself whiplash, and forgotten my twitter handle. At 6:49, Trey starts to interject hints of the Denver 11 “Guy Forget” and the jam starts to build some tension. Soon after Trey’s guitar starts crying out for some more dancing from the crowd.

A couple of chords from Trey at 8:03 allows the band to build the funk back out, before releasing into a peaky/blissful section. At 8:40, Page moves to the grand piano and things build yet again. Page knows LawnMemo loves the piano….happy birthday to me! Actually he probably doesn’t know that, he is just a genius and knows when to switch during jams.

The end section of the “Sally” is one huge build/peak that releases all the funk buildup from earlier in the jam. Other than first minute of ultrafunk, the ourto/segue of this “Sally” is what really does it for me.

Page first drops in at 10:26, and sprinkles in rays of beauty to the Gorge. Phish drifts into space quickly while Page gives a touch of light from the heavens. Its spacey and beautiful all at the same time. It’s the chocolate of a Klondike Bar mixed with creamy vanilla custard. It’s Walter White and Kate from Lost. Don’t ask me to explain any of that.

By about the 11:27, everyone know what is about to happen. It’s my birthday and you if you know me, you know all I wanted was a “2001”. There a sign overhanging behind reading “2001” and I knew it was fate. I remember thinking at this exact moment, “YOU HAVE TO DO DROP IT HERE”.

When it dropped, three things happened. 1.) I felt like these guys when they saw their card

2.) The showers of hugs and glowsticks thrown at my helmet were too many to count.

3.) I cleared some dance space!

It was happening!!!!! Gorge, 2001, birthday!!! Ain’t no party like a Gorge “2001” birthday party! Not to mention at 12:27 right at the segue, Page drops notes penned by God to make the segue perfect. Seriously, those few notes he plays are perfect. I want to be Page McConnell.

At the 13:00, Page gets evil and fires up the clav. Things get dirty. I’m talking Jenna Jameson in the mud dirty. I’m talking wook dog dirty. I’m talking Camden and Atlantic City dirty.

The intro section (although not nearly long enough) is one of my favorites in quite some time. The jam section starts off with Page taking control before revisiting the “2001” theme from MSG ‘12 (which seems to be quite popular now). It’s bad ass and very easy to dance to, and Gordon does a great job of mixing in some colorful rhythms.

Trey pulls the cord a bit too quick for my liking, but still I was washed over with pure awesomeness for 18 solid minutes. “Sally>2001” brought incredible energy to my favorite set of this summer. Start to finish this set has no let downs, and this jam brought it a new level. Sometimes 18 minutes of funk is just what is needed.

From LawnMemo:

I wrote The Daily Ghost where I reviewed every “Ghost” played every single day for like 5 months. Then it took me 6 months to review MSG 13 “Ghost”. I am terrible at spelling and at grammar, and can’t even run my own site. Luckily I know people. I do like to party, dance, and hug. I was voted “Ideal Teammate” on my Varsity Golf Team. One time during an awesome jam at SuperBall, I put my arm around my buddy during a sick jam and tried to say “I love Phish.” I said “I love Facebook” instead. I have yet to live that down.

I often feel like Troy Tulowitzki in this gif