Phish - Live in Vegas
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Movie Reviews of Phish - Live in Vegas
Movie Review: Not the best, but worth the bucks
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll agree that the show is not one of thier best by any means... ok, so we've got an average or sub-par Phish show... but, an average Phish show is still a GREAT show. As a Phish fan myself, I would have liked to see certain songs that weren't included and more emphasis placed on jams. The set wasnt ALL bad, though: Some highlights:I Didn't Know- Good one for Phish fans. A Capella delight with a little suprise... if you've never heard Phishman play the vacuum cleaner, you're in for a treat-- very interesting.
Weekapaug Groove- Rarely does one get to see Mike wail so much on bass. Not the best version of the song, but since this is not available on any Phish studio album, the dolby digital really makes it sing. This track alone makes the purchase price of the DVD worthwhile in my opinion, but shouldnt be considered a deal maker for everyone.
Fly Famous Mockingbird- Trey does a nice, funny preamble, though it does drag on a bit. The song itself if nice. Trey's guitar work on this song never ceases to amaze me.
Twist- Despite what some fans think about Farmhouse, I simply love the album; especially this song, and this is one of the best versions I have ever heard. Long, jammin, heavy. I like it.
Emotional Rescue- Just great. Love this part of the performance- the Trey/Mike thing at the end is simply adorable. I was laughing quite a bit at this... if for nothing else, the visual aspect of the disc really makes this moment shine.
The audio quality on this DVD is top notch-- I'd love to see more concert albums out there with this kind of 5.1 treatment-- a lot of effort must have gone into making this Dolby Digital mix. This is not one of those muddy, washed out, inactive audio tracks that many concert DVDs suffer from. It also doesnt use the channels inappropriately-- the soundstage remains firmly fixated in the front where it belong and the rears are used for ambiance such as the audience and the general sounds you'd normally hear from behind you at a concert like this with the ever-so-slight reverb from the sound hitting the walls. The depth of sound isnt as wonderful as it could be-- would love to see what the live Phish sound crew could do with the DVD-A or SACD format, but for a dolby digital mix, it delivers the goods.
The video is a different story. This is some of the worst live footage I have ever seen on DVD... absolutely terrible camera work and video editing-- and the picture itself is grainy and washed out. I would agree with what was said about some of the Bittersweet Motel footage being a bit better.
If you're a hardcore Phish fan, you have already picked up a copy of this or plan on doing so I'm sure. Casual fans might enjoy it despite the somewhat week performance-- I'd say rent it if you can find it or borrow it from a friend before purchasing it if you're just an occasionaly listener. General live concert DVD fans-- The audio is stellar but the video is wretched... it's a toss up.
Performance: 3 stars
Audio Quality: 5 stars
Video Quality: 3 stars
Overall: Have to give it a big 4-- the performance may be lacking and the video is definately terrible, but the audio offers some amazing quality, and this is, as of yet, the only live Phish DVD... 3.8 stars?
Movie Review: Solid effort by Phish
Summary: 4 Stars
I agree very much with the review before mine - the audio quality of the new Phish DVD, Live in Vegas, is superb in Dolby Digital 5.1 - however, the video quality is suprisingly mediocre. I too was very much looking forward to this DVD as I thought Bittersweet Motel was a good movie but a bit of a tease for live concert footage. This DVD here is all concert footage and has an interesting set list with a lot of favorites (Mike's Groove, Curtain, Maze, AC/DC Bag, Simple, Twist, Sand), but also some odd choices (Walfredo, I Saw it Again) and rarities (Colonel Forbin, Timber, Emotional Rescue). There is even some extra footage from the next night's concert in Arizona, including the songs Camel Walk and Piper. The band is in good form in concert and are animated throughout. The music is loose in spots but scorching in most others. The sound, when cranked through my Marantz SR-18EX receiver's processors is "you're there" quality with great separation of instruments, a huge soundstage, and nice crowd ambience and some neat reverb. The picture quality is so-so and had me wondering at times what was wrong with my TV, as it is somewhat grainy, blurry with motion artifacts and just not that razor-sharp picture one would come to expect with DVDs (in other, this ain't no Lord of the Rings, but it's far better than a bootleg). There are nice multiple camera angles, but no cool editing effects or band interviews. Other than the extra live footage and a photo collage, there are not a lot of DVD extras. However, considering the DVD costs less ($$$ at Best Buy) than any of the Live Phish CD offerings out now, this is a bargain and must-have for Phish fans. If you don't have a DVD player yet, and have been waiting, what are you waiting for? VCR is as dead as analog tape. DVD players can be had for so little (on average 1/4 the price of the DAT player which I hardly use). The hardcore phans may still wonder, why not Big Cypress or Clifford Ball (two of Phish's best concerts ever) on DVD? Considering the band has had a film crew on hand at their shows for years, one has to think there are more DVDs to come in the future. In the meantime, crank this baby to 11 and enjoy 3 hours of Phish. 4 stars.Movie Review: The PHISH DVD that was LONG OVERDUE
Summary: 4 Stars
I have to saw that before I bought this DVD, I pondered to look at some misleading reviews by some of the overly critical consumers. I had faith that Phish would not let me down and I was right. Not only am I a huge Phish-head but also am an audiophile as well. As for the Audio, each song on this 172 minute DVD is presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital sound which really gives you the feel of a live concert once you hear all the screaming fans around you. The Video was a little different story though. Once I laid the DVD in my player I watched closely and examined the DVD for any flaws. First I found that the Digital Video seemed to lack some sharpness and camera angles do get overused in the end but this could never detract me from the true meaning of Phish, the music. Yet, the Digital video does add some-sort of rough live feeling to the DVD.
At first I found the setlist to be a bit cumbersome, I had wished for some more tunes from Junta, rift, or farmhouse, but when I took the chance I found many songs which I really enjoyed and sounded great.
The Audience was ecstatic and seemed to reflect off of Phish, yet their live performance was not the best it still far exceeded any other band in that the sounds were tight and the house was kickin'. I did miss synchronous tramp exercises that they often perform but I guess I will just see them doing it live at my hometown.
As for the complants of Packaging, the packaging was fine, besides I'd rather watch them than look at a stupid box any day, and a descent video mixed with unbelievable sound makes this DVD well worth it.
So buy this DVD if you are a true Phish fan, and buy this DVD if you are not a true Phish fan.
Movie Review: not their best
Summary: 4 Stars
As a huge Phish fan I have heard better performances. Don't get me wrong, plenty of the material was well played. The Curtain With is a great old tune to hear, Mike's -> Simple is always great, although the Mike's was clearly a substandard and short version. Esther is a wonderful old tune, another one, and was great with exception of Trey flubbing the lyrics at the end. This DVD contains the most smokin Weekapaug Groove I have ever heard. Ever. Timber is a fun song, the AC/DC Bag is very tight. Colonel Forbin's Ascent leaves something to be desired although the Trey Speak was quite nice, as was Fly Famous Mockingbird. Twist and Sand are two great Farmhouse songs and were rocked out, perhaps not to the fullest, but well done none the less. A Day in the Life is a great cover, very well done. Emotional Rescue is just plain strange, although very entertaining. I won't give anything away. The audio is great, the video is not, but we all know that already. The closeups are good, the shots from the crowd look as if they may have been shot by a fan with a home video camera. A good Phish performance, although I am hoping the upcoming IT DVD blows this out of the water.Movie Review: a great live event
Summary: 4 Stars
i was lucky to be at this show in 2000 and think it will make a great addition for any phish phan based purely on the setlist. There are many treats for you to enjoy and some great covers. Walfredo opener, muffed up lyrics for Esther. A Beatles and a Stones cover! Trey has some great narration as well that night, sighting the haitus and how crazy vegas is in a rambling dream narration...i thought it was funny.This night is also Trey's Birthday.I do think the energy was a bit low for this show. In my opinion, this is because this is night 2 of a 2 night vegas stand. Just like in '98, phish seems to be a bit tired after a full night in vegas from the day before. It just takes it out of ya. If you been to these shows, then i think you know what i mean. Trey played at 5am that morning with Les Claypool as well, so you can see the bags under their eyes for this night, and some of the jams lacked the punch that phish is known for. Still, it is a great buy, becuase of the song list and simply because phish is a great live band. And this captures them in great form. I'm sure you will enjoy playing this loudly on your home dvd player!