November 09, 2002

{[(< Well, phony names will only go so far. >)]}

^^ This 5 show midwest run to finish up the tour is something to remember! From Cleveland(and it's complete 'CWB' through St. Louis(tour closer and immense setlist); it's a great chunk 'o funk of the highest order and should be on all of your devices. If this show was mistakenly labelled as 2001, it would make the top 20 of the '01 list easily (IMO) ^^

I must say that I listened to 2 different SBDs of this show and one is not that good unfortunately but the Sunset Media CD rips are pretty good. The bass is oversaturated and the levels are too hot. Perhaps the crowd source will suit you better or if you can, perhaps a matrix.

There is a SO MUCH to cover in this manically beautiful 3 setter at the awesome Vic. that it will take a 4 page essay. Therefore some reminders and pointers in a brief way is the best approach the roach.

--The ''7-11 ->'' Very good! The first jam is a swinger. Barber is nimble and ready that's for sure. Such a gorgeous jam to start off our first chunk of segued tunes. It's gets nice and mellow until the explosive segue ~> --[><] B & C -> this tune is great but when the inversion is done right, like here, is a thing of beauty. Some tasty blues chords chompin' along with RLH teases and all. The final groove in psytrance in nature and getting larger by the second. ~> -- -> Ladies - I love the hectic nature of the last 5 minutes or so. Things get tight n' creepy. Very nice tension release until the last chorus. Dance fever.

1st set: 7.70 / 10

-- The Merry Poon -> nice ambient synth jam entering the tune out of the 'Stone->Waltz'. It doesn't get stretched out but the outro is purrty. -> -- Triumph ~> - nothing too amazing other than Sammy and Mags creating great pasta at the end of the tune. Yes, the last half is pretty odd but me likey. -- Basis!!!! - Best tune of the 2nd set and one of the better ones from 2001 / 02. I mean it! Nice tension-filled intro as per the times, then the big drop into the anthem that is....Bay, sis! Btw, does "Eye In The Sky" (Alan Parsons Project) remind anyone ,other than me, of the Art Bell show? It was a staple of his commercial breaks. Nearing 5:30 into Basis, Marc demonstrates some fantastic bass playing. It's like the same 5 bars on repeat but damn!, it is so effective. It definitely lays down propositions for the rest. This jam just grows and grows. They found the G. The last 10 minutes (aka the backdoor oil change jam) is the Biscuits sound and approach we all love and fell for...hard. Please, let it wash over you...it's a special version with endless "levels". -- Grass -> the 5 minutes in jam is on schedule. The most satisfying section has to be 8 or so minutes into the Grass jam. It has it all, while staying in a sweet mid-tempo pace. Great dance off music here. Psychedelic, fusion and lots of tension & release. -- SJSS - full marks for the closing half. perfect set closer. lots of positive emotion coming through. The sound of Barber and Marc giving it the full monty at breakneck pace all the while, overhead, Mr. Mags has these long and luscious sweeping synth waves going back & forth. Truly wonderful jamband etiquette :)

Set 2: 8.1 / 10 ~~ Set 3 is the highlight of this consistent show. These are facts.

-- 'Froglegs' - JACKPOT!! Firstly, this is the best 'Frog Legs' of all time. OK, for me it is. Every break from the lyrics in this version is SUPER high energy in every way. The 1st jam is a masterclass in patience because everything you hear is effortless and original. It's a soundcheck on steroids. Just when things may drift off course, it seems they all adapt and overcome at the exact second. This Froglegs is out there! It is such a beautiful version I may cry. Now, at 11:20 or so one of the finest jams commences. Go listen. You deserve it. -- ~> {><} Reactor ~> How perfect was that Froglegs ending into Reactor !? Great stuff. Magner really shines here. ~> -- ~> I-Man (incomplete) ~> Super Sexy Disco Version. Again, Magner chooses perfectly. This isn't a building block I-Man. It's quite mellow but just works. Especially the way they incorporate the '7-11' into it. It starts of quite differently, alot slower and such but when it comes down to the "never enough, never enough" part they are to be saluted. -- SOTW - perfect encore. nothing trimmed out...full on determination. A+ encore

Set 3 w. Encore: 9.0 / 10

^^ The Strain That Is Kind To Your Brain. Summertime Blues ^^ [Bruce Banner #3] aka BB3. Euphoric tendencies -> Deep Relaxation. This herb does not let you down. Creativeness is the word of the day here. OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel were crossed to make the third version of the popular strain.

Have a Great Day and Learn to forgive yourself. Pace