very interesting choice of favorite. it so happens I've been listening back to that Winter '97 European tour; heard most of the Paris show yesterday. Definitely a great version of that tune.
As a cornerstone of the "speed jazz" era, this tune sort of languished for years imo. Once the funk hit, the band's interests went to groove, and Maze became mostly a high-energy shred fest, not a break-neck musical exploration. With the exception of The Gorge '03 (probably the most unique version of the tune ever), the band wasn't really doing much with Maze.
The past year, I think, saw a real revival of the tune. Ripping versions at The Greek, Deer Creek, Amherst, and MSG saw both Page's and Trey's solo sections being pushed out further harmonically than at any time since the Return, if not longer. I'd particularly point to the Trey/Page interaction during Page's solos, which are like a mini-master class on harmonic tension and jazz chording.
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As a cornerstone of the "speed jazz" era, this tune sort of languished for years imo. Once the funk hit, the band's interests went to groove, and Maze became mostly a high-energy shred fest, not a break-neck musical exploration. With the exception of The Gorge '03 (probably the most unique version of the tune ever), the band wasn't really doing much with Maze.
The past year, I think, saw a real revival of the tune. Ripping versions at The Greek, Deer Creek, Amherst, and MSG saw both Page's and Trey's solo sections being pushed out further harmonically than at any time since the Return, if not longer. I'd particularly point to the Trey/Page interaction during Page's solos, which are like a mini-master class on harmonic tension and jazz chording.
Here's to more great Maze's to come.
The problem with Maze is, it's played the exact same 9.99 times out of 10. For me, it's a 'Pauly takes a nice long piss song'.
Sure, it's had it's moments, but surely it nowhere NEAR the top of a favorite tune list for 9.99 out of 10 vets.
Curious to hear why you dig it so much?