Phish- Hampton Comes Alive November 29, 1999 - Nude as the News by Ben French Album Review - Hampton Comes Alive Phish's third live release, Hampton Comes Alive, is hardly the ideal purchase for the casual Phish listener. Besides the daunting $60+ cost, the box set features six hours of live, unadulterated Phish. Performed and recorded during a two-night stand at Hampton Coliseum (Virginia) in November 1998, the set is a treat only for the die hards. Whereas 1996's A Live One and 1998's Slip Stitch And Pass offer Phish novices a digestible number of key live selections, Hampton includes two complete shows. And like any typical pair of shows, these performances provide a number of slow moments where fans can go to the refreshment stands and return, drink in hand, for the moments of live rock bliss. But unlike any standard band, Phish is able to keep things interesting for those daring and open-minded enough to sit through all of it. Be it humorous covers of Gary Glitter's hockey-rink classic "Rock And Roll Part II" and Chumbawamba's discotheque favorite "Tubthumping," or more respectful renditions of Dylan's "Quinn the Eskimo" and Jimi's "Bold As Love," the band members wear their broad tastes and quirky sensibilities on their sleeve. Between the two shows, they don't repeat a single song or bore the audience with pointless stage chatter. They play well and they play hard. On the whole, the second night is much better than the first. Including "Guyute," "Mike's Song," the first live release of "Divided Sky" and a delightful cover of the Beatles "Cry Baby Cry," the 23-song performance is enjoyable through and through. On the 15-minute "Divided Sky," guitarist Trey Anastasio leads the band through one of its most elegant compositions with amazing skill, igniting the piece at its core with virtuous riffs. Shortly after, pianist Page McConnell overcomes his cheesy bravado with an enrapturing solo on "Wading In The Velvet Sea." The show's second set opens with the bang of the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" before roaring into a half-hour jam medley based on the group's originals "Mike's Song" and "Simple." Ending the overwhelming aural experience with the delectable "Weekapaug Groove" and the somewhat funny "Tubthumping," the band serves up an appropriate and entertaining representation of their live schtick. So why the first show, too? Well, the high points -- such as the guitar solos on "Possum," "Split Open And Melt," and the well-titled "Funky Bitch" -- are almost reason enough to make this a six-disc set. But low points -- see the yawn-inspiring "Roggae" -- nearly negate the pleasure garnered during the better tunes. On other songs, like "Stash" and "Bathtub Gin," Phish seems completely content to play in modal jam land, whether the listeners like it or not. But, of course, this listener does. Phish fans had been asking for the band to put out an official recording of a complete show for years and with Hampton their wish came doubly true. At the very least, you've got to give this band credit for treating their followers well -- very well. But you ought to think about giving 'em more. Not only is it cool for a band to put out a two-show live box set, but its downright amazing they can make it this compelling.