Anyone who dismisses Phish as a loose-limbed "jam band" will be completely taken off guard by this slamming, ferocious performance. Those who compare Phish with the Grateful Dead or String Cheese Incident need to hear this document to realize, Phish were a rock band that could blow your mind into a million pieces.
The first set starts off with a mellow "Song I heard the Ocean Sing," then into a frankly clumsy "Dinner and a Movie." But then - WATCH OUT!!! - they give you an outstanding "The Curtain (With)," a song that plays such a vital role in Phishtory that they chose it to be the final song they'd ever play together onstage in Coventry, VT., two months later. The remainder of Disc (and set) One is amazing, with Mike Gordon giving you a great distorted bass solo in "Free," the band harmonizing gloriously on "Nothing," a rousing if unsurprising "Maze," and closing out with the beloved cover "Frankenstein." LIVE IN BROOKLYN is an essential purchase on the merits of Disc One alone.
Disc Two starts with what is (for me) the set's only weak spot: A "46 Days" that loses steam around 7:00 and wanders on for another 10 minutes. Who knows - Maybe Phish were just giving the audience a breather prior to the frenzy awaiting them!
"Possum" is a delightful folksy romp, and "Oh Kee Pah Ceremony" shows Trey to be one of the most nimble pickers on the jam band circuit - the rare rock player who can play bluegrass that actually sounds like bluegrass. From there, all hell breaks loose with a "Suzy Greenberg" that slams and jams and POUNDS YOU IN THE FACE for every one of its 18-plus minutes.
The rest of Disc Two is great, with "Axilla" showing Phish to be capable of fierce punk rock, a "2001" sure to keep many lava lamps aglow with its subtle groove, and "Birds of a Feather" offering a shredding guitar solo from Trey. "Kung" is fun if maybe a little bit corny, but Phish built their reputation on silly antics that don't always translate so well onto tape. No harm there - many phans may actually enjoy having such an episode on disc.
Disc Three is a stunning conclusion, kicking off with a full "Mike's Groove" of "Mike's Song>I Am Hydrogen>Weekapaug Groove." The "Weekapaug" here is of special note: Mike's bass is nothing short of miraculous, a combination of Flea and Bootsy Collins that brings a whole new dimension to the instrument, and the band jams out perfectly with their man. "Divided Sky" ends the show on a mellow note, as it began, and one can only assume phans left Keyspan Park that night thinking they had just witnessed a high point in this band's existence.
Such a shame Phish had to end its storied career two months later with the sloppy, unremarkable Coventry Festival. Phish were THE GREAT BAND of the 90's, as this document proves. As a listener and a Phan, I'm thankful that Rhino has chosen to release the deluxe package of LIVE IN BROOKLYN, a gift to phans of a band that gave so much to so many.
