December 29, 2002

--- this is my Veneta '72 ---

{{ Great show. So much happened on this New Years run. So many new approaches and / or trimmings of tunes. This one is definitely one hot nitrous balloon. }}

1st Gangster or techno jam? well, it seems like it has a large structure of the Gangster we love today. Not every nuance but the main sections are there. Not quite the "Mindless Strobelights" of Sept 2001 type situation but in the CD disclogic trading days, this was a fun point of contention.

This 1st set is without a doubt the most delicious of the NewY's run and possibly the year (well, perhaps hand in hand with Haymaker day 2) anyway...apologies for the runoff. Every song is a milestone in this 1st. When have you heard a jammed out "I Remember When" like this!!?? never? And later Humu changed a lot too (worldbeat-ish/Fela-ish) The Helix mid section will soon leave us too. Oh and the 2nd set? Well it's honestly almost as good as set 1, in fact some prefer it to 1...it's all good baby. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

• The 'Hope' jam leading up to the 'Vassillios' atomic drop is all shivers and quivers. That 'Hope' is like the monster version from the exact day 2 years earlier, that good. 2000-12-29 go there. -Vassillios will always be a fond memory of when 'Uncivilized' came out in the spring of '98(i believe) and the amount of times we played that CD/tape on tour to whatever show, whatever band. This one is very psychedelic and laid back with Atari "Joust" sound effects at the end. Of course by the end, the engine is floored for there is a little 'Big Happy" jam, creating a perfect bridge towards the phenomenal version of 'IRW' which resides on either side of an inverted "Ape" -This "IRW" is unreal; with 'Spacebird" teases at several spots. I'm not sure if Mr. Mags was trying to jump on the Matingcall and inviting his bandmates but they didn't bite. Jam after amazing jam....they did not want to let go of this masterpiece and I don't blame 'em.
• Ape - Whatever happened to "Your Head's Pretty Big But Not As Big As Your Thighs" ?lol. That's what we heard in Plattsburgh spring '97 at Finnigan's(sp). Did the woke police give a knock on their door? So as usual the inverted Ape goes bonkers for the last half with some nasty solo efforts from Barber...so crispy.
• more "IRW" :) These sets are why the majority of Biscuits fans are skinny. This calls for some intense boogying...and a nice Blodwyn Pig flute patch. wow.
• 'Humu" - the style and approach to this version is stupendous. Psychedelic electronica calypso dubbed out funkyfried magic. Truly one of my favorite versions and yours. Sammy mastered this song. His versions are so varied and fun.
• 'Robots' ending. even here, they do not let go of the momentum as the jam gets hugely manic and just gets bigger and bigger like a teenage pimple ready to pop. This is a true highlight! = I'm in awe.

rating 1st set:: 9.75 / 10 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Set 2 is a highlight as a whole but the I-man, Pygmy, Munch and the Helix jam>I-man are not only the best of the set but without overstating it (way too late man) they are all timers (well for me they are).

• wow, are you serious! the final 5 minute I-Man Jam. Mags is king.
• 'Hurtin' for sleep in the Quaalude Moonlight' magic. The way Sammy attacks this song is inspirational. This 1.0 PT is first class. It's 2002 so the start-stop "method" works great with Twylyte. These mini resets are much more fluid and appealing in comparison to running a tune face first into a wall. This is one HUGE gift that Dr. Sammy had. He could stop shit from running downhill. This percussion heavy version will be in the Biscuits Recipe Book forever.
• 'LLai' fantastic pallet cleanser here. Although a great version with power and passion it ranks next to last in the set's best...a good sign :) The only reason is probably the middle portion which kind of stalls out but that's really picky 'cause right after they take off onto a nice jam with sweet 'n slappy Brownie bombs and unreal drumming. The visuals I get sometimes when listening to Little Lai is the mysterious briefcase-opening scene in Pulp Fiction.
• "Munchkin" starts pretty trippy and laid back including a Mozart tease which I am clueless about. At 13 minutes in it gets nice and heavy. It cannot be overstated how good Sammy is here. Such a cool ending.
• (inv) Helicops - the first half is standard I suppose but nothing is really standard on this night. Pretty good until the very ending jam and segue when it gets nice and spacey for the re-entry into I-Man
• I-Man 2 - more island percussion on this fabulous calypso ending to this huge song and segment. Eventually we are led to the end of the show. This I-Man ending is cranked and ready to make a mess. Marc's bass is so loud and crunchy it's beautiful.
• solid B+ for the 'Little Frog Legs in a Conga Line" I have no more adjectives. I'm out.

Set 2 rating:: 9.60 / 10

Dear Mr. Steele et al, this was recorded on multitrack and mastered, therefore, can we please, PLEASE get this particular show re-released? The present release is good but there needs to be a crowd source injected at a higher volume for ambiance and a more stretched out soundstage and out of mono. I'll probably win a lottery before this would happen but it's all lined up: sound , incredible playing , historical , monster versions. A 4cd package. Perfect! If the boys are allergic to money then donate it.

51% smartass / 49% dumbass, Much Love, Eduardo The Penguin