Phish returns where it left off, enthralling Shoreline Phans July 12, 2003 - Alameda Times Star By Jim Harrington The last song that Phish played at the Shoreline Amphitheatre on Oct. 7, 2000, before disbanding for a two-year-plus hiatus, was "You Enjoy Myself." So it was only fitting that the band opened its two-night stand at the Mountain View venue Wednesday with the same epic song. The fans -- or "Phans" as they are known -- certainly did enjoy themselves. Phish's legendary legion of devoted followers had waited nearly three years for their favorite band to make it back to the Bay Area. It proved worth the wait. Phish delivered two hours of blistering jams, spiraling guitar leads and chunky rhythms that had the audience members on their feet and grooving from the moment the band launched into a 20-minute version of "You Enjoy Myself." "YEM," as the song is known among Phans, twisted and turned like a fish on a hook. The band showed more stylistic range during this one song, which changes texture and mood about every two minutes, than most acts display in an entire concert. Any fears that the lengthy layoff had hurt Phish's wacky sense of style and humor were immediately put to rest during "YEM." Huge cheers rang out from the crowd as two trampolines were brought out to the stage and vocalist-guitarist Trey Anastasio and bassist Mike Gordon began their regular "YEM" routine of synchronized jumping. If you're not getting the picture yet, let me state plainly that Phish isn't your ordinary amphitheater act. Some bands have fireworks and dancers. Phish has trampolines. The band members also immediately showed that they are still committed to spontaneity and improvisation. Instead of finishing "YEM," the band segued straight into "Simple," another Phan favorite. From there, Phish brought the adrenaline down a few notches for a tender rendition of "Mist," which sounded somewhat like an anthem as Anastasio sang the lyric "I'm on the road again." Carefully bringing "Mist" to a close, Phish cranked it up for an exuberant run through "Chalkdust Torture." This joyous song features the lyric that sums up the Phan philosophy better than anything: "Can't this wait till I'm old? Can't I live while I'm young?" These fanatics will simply do anything for "phun," often dropping out of so-called real life to drive thousands of miles to go to as many Phish shows as possible. On nights like Wednesday, when the band is really hitting on songs such as "Chalkdust Torture," it doesn't seem like such a crazy lifestyle. The first set closed with a marathon version of "Bathtub Gin," which lasted the better part of half an hour. From the lazy, hazy framework of the original song, Phish flew into the stratosphere for a jam that could have gone just about anywhere. When the band finally brought it back to its humble beginning, reprising a bit of "Bathtub Gin," the fans erupted in anticipation of the second set. The nightcap began with a solid rendition of "Boogie on Reggie Woman," the classic Stevie Wonder track from 1974's excellent "Fulfillingness' First Finale." At about five minutes in length, "Boogie" was by far the most concise song of the night. Anastasio was in top form throughout the night, churning out guitar leads that soared through "AC/DC Bag" and "Piper." Unlike most acts, where the rest of the band will back off to further spotlight a player's solo, Anastasio had to find his magic with the other three players breathing down his neck. Gordon, drummer Jon Fishman and keyboardist Page McConnell gave Anastasio little room to maneuver. Still, Anastasio was able to make the case that he belongs among the greatest rock guitarists of all time. After a somewhat mellow pairing of "Twist" and "Scents and Subtle Sounds," Phish jammed through "Mike's Song" and "I am Hydrogen" before ending the second set with "Weekapaug Groove." The familiar cover of the Rolling Stones' "Loving Cup," from 1972's "Exile on Main Street," finished things off nicely as the sole encore. The crowd echoed the band on the lyric "What a beautiful buzz." And then the Phans left the amphitheatre still buzzing with excitement. Article Copyright © 2003 Alameda Times Star