Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 14:09:22 -0400
From: Darl Bundren 
Subject: belated review for 5-4-94 State Palace
 
State Palace was my first show, and the first time I ever heard a live
performance by the Band. Now, thirty plus shows later over six years, I
can objectively look back to this awe-inspiring night and share my
experience with you.
If you haven't been to the State Palace, just imagine a beautiful
three-tiered opera house circa the late '10's. Beautiful venue, and a
perfect setting for this show. My buddy, Adrian, and I, both virgins to
the whole thing, made sure we got in early and picked out some good
seats on the front row of the first balcony. When the band came out,
there were maybe 100 people in the crowd ? everyone was slowly filtering
in from the lobby/bar, still in the laid back N.O. mode. And virtually
everyone was there on tour (they didn't need to be there for the first
note, I guess). JIM ? Still one of my favorite openers, and by the
second chorus, the place was packed.
The entire first set was played with incredible energy, a very upbeat
set. Pure rock with a funked out TWEEZER.
Before the band returned for the second set, we had already heard rumors
that they were going to have horns, and the whole place was on fire with
anticipation. Well, they opened with ANTELOPE and damned near broke the
place down. That jam, very fast and climactic throughout, reminds me of
the 7-16-94 Sugarbush Antelope. It was on fire, and Trey knew it (see
the set list notes). When Ray and the Crewe came out during YEM, the
place exploded. The jam that followed, pure Phish funk with bayou
undertones, was so spectacular (especially the stuff coming from Ray's
trumpet) that Trey actually broke down laughing, shook his head and
stopped playing for a minute (and laughing continued to take place
through most of the set. They were all having a ball). The entire set
was absolute perfection. It mixed the energy of Phish and the driving
groove so common to N.O. funk (i.e.. George Porter, the Meters,
Galactic). Still to this day, the best show of my life, and I've seen
some good ones (10-31-95, for example). And to top it off, the front
rows pummeled the stage with shoes at the end of CAVERN, a sadly lost
tradition. You can hear it on the tape. Trey breaks away from the mike
to avoid a Converse All-Star.
So my buddy and I left N.O. for the drive back to Baton Rouge, utterly
confused and absolutely amazed by what we had just witnessed. But one
thing we did know was that we would certainly be back for more. And we
have. Many, many times.
- PNB

From: Schmidtc1@aol.com
Subject: phish at State Palace, N.O. 1994

I just wanted you to know about the greatest Phish show ever.  May 4,
1994.  The State Palace Theatre, New Orleans, Louisiana.  The first set
was incredible.  However, the second set was even more spectacular.  After
opening the second set with Antelope and Bouncing around the room,  They 
began playing You Enjoy myself.  After a great jam and about 8 minutes
into the song, six or seven men dressed in bright yellow, red and orange
costumes danced onto the stage behind Phish-- all carrying horns.
Unbelievable, I thought--an entire horn section to go with the great jazz
music of Phish. After playing an opening jam, everone participating, Trey
announced the Cosmic Country Horns.  Yes that's right, Michael Ray and his
gang blowin' and goin' with Phish.  If you look on the inside (i think in
the middle) of the book accompanying "A Live One", you will see a few
members of the Horns standing behind Trey, who is looking at them and
playing the guitar.  After searching for a quality recording of the show
for two years, I finally found a two CD set at a store in New Orleans.  I
hope this small description can help your page.  If you have any 
questions, let me know.

Good Luck,
Claiborne Schmidt