From: bing@Apple.COM (Christopher R. Bingham)
Newsgroups: rec.music.phish
Subject: Phish's sound quality, G.E. Smith
Date: 11 Jan 93 04:36:06 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA

In regard to the discussion of the (in)adequacy of the PA
system for larger venues: I haven't been to any of the recent shows, but
if they're using the same PA they had on the previous tour for these big
(relatively) halls, then it's inevitable that the sound will suffer.  (Maybe
they have a larger system now, I don't know.  Presumably they had a larger
system for NYE at least.)  I don't think the problem is that they're not
used to relying on the PA for more than just fill-in, as someone suggested --
for any venue larger than a small club, the PA is providing the vast majority
of the sound, so I think they're used to it by now.  I think the problem is 
that the band's popularity (and thus the size of their venues) is increasing
faster than (1) they can get more/better equipment, and (2) Paul can gain 
experience in shaping the sound in these venues. 

I've heard rumors before that other bands/soundpeople/etc did not think
highly of Paul's abilities as a soundman.  (Confirmation, anyone?)  Personally,
I agree to a certain extent -- while I always enjoy Phish shows, sometimes
I feel like it was in spite of, rather than because of, the sound quality.
And I can think of specific examples of venues that I've seen Phish in that
other bands have had MUCH better sound quality in.  Certainly Paul doesn't
provide the same virtuosic addition to shows that Chris does with the lights.

I'm not trying to badmouth Paul, here -- I think it's a case of #2 above.
Phish's popularity has been steadily increasing, forcing Paul to learn to
deal with larger rooms (and hence more complex equipment, tricker acoustics,
etc.) than he's used to on every tour.  Just as he gets used to 600-seat
theaters, they're playing 2000-seat halls.  Poor guy...  <-: 

And now for something completely different.

In article <1993Jan10.183841.17649@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> jojw@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (John J. Wood) writes:
>>Does anyone know if G.E. Smith (sat. nt. live) ever tours? 
>
>Not anymore...he used to tour with Bob Dylan in '88 & '89.  Nowadayz,
>he has his Saturday Night Live gig, an album (I believe labeled as
>GE Smith w/The Saturday Night Live Band), and side projects (such
>as being part of that great house band for the 10-16-92 "Bobfest"
>at Madison Square Garden).

Actually, Rolling Stone a few months ago had a photo of G.E. Smith onstage
at some small club, playing with his band during a surprise guest appearance
by Paul McCartney.  There wasn't an article with the photo, just a little
blurb, but my impression was that the unusal part wasn't that G.E. Smith
was playing in a club, but that he was being joined by McCartney.

So, he's played at least once, anyway... <-: 

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Christopher R. Bingham            bing@apple.com
Macintosh System Software         (408) 974-7291
Apple Computer, Inc.              We can stage a runaway golfcart marathon!
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