In order to review the lengthy Phish Live in Brooklyn DVD, without writing a book, I had to split it into two parts, the first of which can be found here and the second, here:Coming back on stage to the sounds of a roaring crowd (still getting soaked with rain) an appreciative Phish opens the second set with a spirited rendition of 46 Days. With the sun completely set, the stage lights and psychedelia reach their full effect as the jamming recommences......
......and seventeen minutes later, the band shifts gears and starts playing Possum. With a country music twang, Mike Gordon takes over lead vocals, letting Trey Anastasio relax and play his guitar (or in this country case, his geetar).
Without missing a beat, the band segues into The Oh Kee Pah Ceremony, a fun, goofy track and then directly into Suzy Greenberg* - the song of a million Suzies and ridiculously funky keyboards, care of Page McConnell.
Sliding into Axilla I, 2001 and Birds of a Feather, the band exhibits their Energizer Rabbit skills, as they just keep on going and going and going. And then comes the odd, strange and weird Kung. I’m not really sure what this one’s about, but it’s most definitely odd, strange and weird.
Mike’s Song does away with the strangeness as the band settles back into its groove and as Mike settles back into lead vocals. With the tempo ever ascending, the track crescendos and then transitions into the laid back I Am Hydrogen and then the funky Weekapaug Groove. With crazy bass licks, Mike Gordon’s skill once again shines as neon glow sticks fly through air.
Which brings us to The Divided Sky, the final track of the set. With a capella pieces, fragile melodies and staccato oddities, the track is Phish in a nutshell, complete with synchronized bouncing. Fin.
*It was during this song that my wife said, “you know, Trey is kinda sexy," which is why I must learn how to play the geetar.
