Back Phishin' in Carolina March 06, 2003 - Charleston Post & Courier By Mark Pantsari When Phish announced it was going on hiatus late in 2000, the Vermont quartet was the reigning king of the jam band world. While the break left phans galore without their favorite band, the respective members of Phish helped quell their insatiable appetites for all things Phish with a number of side projects. And while each member's respective hiatus endeavors were interesting in their own right, the result was akin to ordering a glass of chocolate milk and instead receiving watered-down Yoohoo. But Phish is back to reclaim its spot at the top of the jam scene. The group ended its hiatus with a sold-out New Year's Eve concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden, followed by a three-night run in Hampton, Va. In late February, Phish embarked on a twelve-date coast to coast to tour that ended this past Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. Phans began filling up the Coliseum two hours before the show was to begin, and the energy and excitement in the air were palpable. When the house lights dropped and Phish took the stage, the crowd was in uproar. Just imagine a game-winning touchdown, home run and desperation half-court shot all happening at the same time, in the same venue; and that barely comes close to describing the level of excitement. The crowd was so loud when Phish took the stage that the opening chords of "Chalkdust Torture" could barely be heard over the frenzy. Phish delivered a number of 'phan phavorites' in the first set. "Moma Dance" was ripe with funky guitar accents from Trey Anastasio and a deep groove from bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jon Fishman. "Lawn Boy" gave keyboardist Page McConnell a chance to croon like a Vegas lounge singer. Other first set highlights were the many musical twists and turns in "Divided Sky" and the set-closing rocker "Sample in a Jar." Building on the momentum and energy of the first set, the second set was a true mind-blower. It kicked off with a nod to the Velvet Underground with a cover of "Rock and Roll." "Wilson" followed afterwards in true fist-pumping rock n roll style. "Also Sprach Zarathrusta" (commonly known as 2001) was a definite second set highlight, showing off Phish's mastery of electro-funk. The entire room was dancing as "Wolfman's Brother" segued into a bouncing, reggae-tinged version of Stevie Wonder's "Boogie on Reggae Woman." The second set appeared to end after a raging version of "Run Like an Antelope," only to find the quartet huddle around a single microphone to sing "Carolina" acapella. And when Phish sang the words "Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina," the entire sold-out capacity crowd in the Greensboro Coliseum was in unanimous agreement. The band took the stage for a forty-minute plus encore that featured the pumping grooves of "First Tube" (Phish's only song to have been nominated for a "best instrumental" Grammy Award). The song "You Enjoy Myself" followed, much to the delight of the sold out crowd. What may very well be the song that defines Phish most properly, "You Enjoy Myself," showcases all the tricks Phish has in its arsenal. From a tight jazzy introduction, to smoldering guitar work, to bubbling spacey funk, "You Enjoy Myself also feat ured Gordon and Anastasio jumping in unison on mini-trampolines. The song ended with a vocal jam that included a tease of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Proud Mary." The entire show was superbly backed by the band's official fifth member, lighting director Chris Kuroda, who sets the mood, matches intricate changes, and compliments the madness of each Phish jam impeccably. Phish is back, ladies and gentleman. And nothing could be "phiner" indeed. Copyright © 2003 Charleston Post & Courier