Finally!
6.19.09 Official Deer Creek Poster
Finally- IT Happened. Amidst a deluge and lightening storms surpassing the intensity of Raleigh ’97, the first real Phish show of the modern era happened at Deer Creek last night. While Camden ushered in the band’s new age, Deer Creek’s 2009 edition will be forever remembered as the night that all things truly came together. For two complete sets, Phish improvised their way through an epic evening that will forever be embedded in the annals of the band’s history. After a couple of shaky shows, Phish delivered by absolutely slaughtering their one night in the cornfields with the most impressive group jamming of current times.
Menacing nature mixed with sinister Phish in a to-die-for second set that was delayed an hour due to severe weather danger. As the set was due to start, a stage announcement asked everyone on the lawn to return to their cars due to the danger of lightening, and come back at eleven for the start of the second half; and boy was that a good idea. As the lawn cleared the skies opened in a biblical sized storm with bolts of lightening that are still imprinted in on the back of our brains. The stage equipment was covered and the left speaker stack lowered, while fans squeezed into the pavilion for what turned out to be a ninety-plus minute setbreak / rain delay. But as promised, the tarps came off just before eleven and the stage lights began to glow. As the rock and roll adage goes, “The show must go on!”- and go on it did. Following the most improvised and adventurous first set of tour, everyone knew Phish would throw down something big- but what actually happened was far beyond anyone’s dreams.
6.18.09 Star Lake (D.Vann)
Musically referencing the monsoon with the opening “A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing,” this time we knew it was for real. After a succinct guitar-based version in Knoxville, when the band dropped into the song this time, it had the aura of greatness- and that would turn out to be the understatement of the year. Peaking the heavy rock jam, the band briefly returned to the song’s theme before moving out into the deepest piece improv we’ve heard yet. Without having listened back to the show, as I type in the car on the way to Alpine, I’ll go right ahead and say that this was IT; this is what I’ve been waiting for. In a voyage of open-ended improv, the band naturally flowed through several stages of searing psychedelia. This is the jam we’ve all been awaiting since the song was busted wide open at SPAC ’04. Dark and exploratory, this version grew hugely ominous before Phish slipped out of the abstract textures and into “Drowned.”
6.18.09 (D.Vann)
Continuing the aquatic theme, Phish tore apart The Who cover with a ridiculously dynamic jam that also grew beyond its confines into the realm of the other. Breaking down the improv with some rhythm chops, Trey helped bring the normally confined piece into unstructured territory as the band, again, took the improvisational plunge, stepping onto the precipice with another musical risk and succeeding. As the band finished their thoughts, Trey ripped into the opening of “Twist.”- the final piece of this mind-bending puzzle. Taking the vehicle far beyond its composed groove, we were knee deep in the most psychedelic set in eons. “Oceans > Drowned > Twist”- put that in your pipe and smoke it.
6.18.09 (D.Vann)
After a perfectly placed “Let Me Lie,” Phish brought the house down with the opening of “Tweezer.” The over-crowded pavilion exploded as the band went for the jugular with a late set dance odyssey. Splashing into the jam with some of the tour’s first earnest rhythm grooves, the band got dirty before stepping into the build of this “Tweezer.” And once they started to climb, the band brought this jam to a glorious peak, yet the peak of the jam was hardly the end. Phish delicately brought the music outwards into a layered ambient section that seemed heading for the stars. Before too long, Fishman hit the snare and we spun into a sublime “2001.” Crafting a late-set transition that fed the craving of even the largest Phish-crack junkies, “Tweezer > 2001” was pure, unadulterated bliss.
Carrying the massive energy of the lightening-laced peak, Phish crashed into “Suzy,” putting a fun exclamation point on the second sky-scraping jam sequence of the set. Although it seemed like an “Antelope” was lurking just around the corner all night long, this wouldn’t have been Phish 2009 without a “Possum” closer. With the wave of energy cresting in the amphitheatre, Phish tore apart the set closer with an aggressive gusto that hasn’t engulfed every version this tour.
6.18.09 (D.Vann)
Reserved for slots following extraordinary Phish madness, the band broke out a “Sleeping Monkey” encore for the first time since returning, showing us that they felt exactly the same as we did about our night at The Creek. Blowing out the show’s ending with a surreal “Reprise,” crackling bolts of lightening surrounded the stage, as the heavens once again split open, bringing on a storm every bit as intense as the one that delayed the show. As the no-brainer show of tour came to a close, everyone who was there knew they had been a part of IT, and everyone glowed in post-show revelry. In a most-unique scene, very few people left the pavilion for about a half an hour as the venue allowed us to let the storm pass before braving the outdoors. It took on the feel of a post-show party, and we didn’t even have to go anywhere! People mingled about, smoking and joking, as the wind and rain scoured every inch of land that wasn’t covered by the pavilion- a crazy end to a most crazy evening.
And that is just half the show! The first set was by far the most impressive opening frame of the tour with improvisation galore. Highlights included an incredible “Split Open” that popped up for the first time since Jones Beach, the first jammed-out “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan,” and the surprise appearance of Undermind’s “The Connection” that saw the band improvise a Dead-esque, noodly groove. “Ocelot” appeared in its grandest form yet- an addictive song that continues to grow with each appearance. And to close the set, Phish pulled a “Fluffhead” out of nowhere that brought a triumphant arrival to a set that foreshadowed the greatness to follow.
With only Alpine left to go, Phish has two more nights on their opening leg of summer. And by the looks of things, our two nights in dairy land could bring some of the best nights yet.
I: Backward Down The Number Line, AC/DC Bag, Limb By Limb, The Moma Dance, Water In The Sky, Split Open and Melt, Lawn Boy, The Wedge, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, The Connection, Ocelot, Fluffhead
II: A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing > Drowned > Twist, Let Me Lie, Tweezer > 2001 > Suzy Greenberg, Possum
E: Sleeping Monkey, Tweezer Reprise
Tags: 2009, Summer '09
My first post reunion show back and I was nearly brought to tears. Man it was so killer. I’d say best show I’ve seen since 2000. Mother nature was rockin as well. Reprise was one of my favorite phish moments. Staring up at the sky and just having the drops pelt my face while head bangin out the final riffs to a great show. Thanks phish!! Going back home to alpine!! Bring it!
The walk back to walkabout camp sucked in the rain though!
Oh yeah. Thought I remembered another bike in there somewhere??
Burgettstown was rough
so ICCULUS stepped down from above
made them read the book
and so they played a show that’s off the hook!
Best show since the late 90′s!!!!!!
I gotta say….Phish sounds the same.
Yes last night was a really good show, but still, so what?
Yes they are jamming nicely and more talented than ANYONE else out there.
But come on, it’s a rock n roll concert. They are 4 very talented musicians.
End of Story.
Huh. Five years since the SPAC stand on ’04 – I failed to mark the anniversary last night. Seen three shows this tour and none has surpassed 6/19/04, but the best show is the next one, right?
Not gonna comment on Miner’s Deer Creek ejaculations. Just gonna remind myself: ‘Not really a review. Not an analysis. Not criticism. Let it be.’ This really is the most effluence-soaked thing on the blog. We’ll see later today what relationship it has to reality.
This was my 16th Phish concert, and I think it may be the best one I’ve ever seen. This was an incredible show. Miner’s review is pretty dead on.
@Wax….you are spot on…Alpine’s gonna be the Best, right?!
Hah…talk about commercialized Phish. Yes they love to kick down there, but it always does seem to be a bit glamorized.
Best to not comment on Miner’s writing, especially re: Deer Creek and the SPAC 04.
There is absolutely ZERO critique present; NO delving into songs and the talking about the details……noooo…..could never that….that’s where the DEVIL lives.
Get a grip Miner.
@Davey congrats on the first show! It’s great to have a storybook beginning..
Looks like an amazing experience – I can’t wait to hear! I bet last night was a lot of people’s first show back which factors into the energy factor quite a bit I think – Asheville and Knoxville had that same vibe of people feeling their way through for the first time again
Our boys have always torn up these summer midwest shows, glad to see it continues!
sup with the debbie downers this morning – ya’ll wishin you were going to Wisconsin?
Wahh waaaaah.
Damn Starlake second set looks like a monster.
Listening to Bonaroo day 2- and loving it. The Bruce sit in was fun- and the Rock N’Roll > Light is sick! Anyone else get annoyed with the Rock’Roll > Manchester Jam > Light- tracklisting on LivePhish? They do it for Drowned last night also- Drowned>Noblesville Jam>Twist… It’s just annoying. If you are going to note a jam it should be for some obvious and substantive reason- not to avoid extra copyright fees… It just isn’t accurate. Every song Phish plays outside maybe Bouncing should be Tweezer>Noblesville Jam>Tweezer or whatever. It’s stupid.
[i]Not gonna comment on Miner’s Deer Creek ejaculations. Just gonna remind myself: ‘Not really a review. Not an analysis. Not criticism. Let it be.’ This really is the most effluence-soaked thing on the blog. We’ll see later today what relationship it has to reality.
[/i]
The only reality is if one were at last night’s show (I was not). Everything that comes after is just a shade of it, including listening to the best recording available, imho.
Relax Wax and McGrupp.
Enjoy what was last night. I think of each tour as a Sports season with our favorite team having – good games, great games, and not so great games. Last night was a great game and a 47-7 WIN. Enjoy the win and lets see how the next one is played. Thank God they are back on the field and lets see what the West Coast playoff run will bring.
This is Fun..Fun. make it fun.
blame RIAA Walfredo! I think it also allows them to copyright their own jams as their creations as well.. Copyright is such an old world mindset anyway though.
^Guess my attempt to italicize failed!
Anyway, I love the way people dump all over the one phan putting himself on the line to write almost every day about our band. Nothing like a phish phan to shit on the one bringing gifts.
Wax- you know someone loved a show when they say something like “A perfectly placed Let me Lie”. WTF does that even mean? It’s the worst song I’ve ever heard a band play. I would make fun of any friend of mine mercilessly if they listened to a band that played a song that terrible and I heard it coming out of there stereo… With Phish- obviously with the totality they get a pass from me- but I’m dead serious- that isn’t the worst Phish song I’ve ever heard- I’m pretty sure it is the worst song- Michael Bolton, Celine Dion etc included…
A perfectly placed Let me Lie is soundcheck or a rehearsal… It’s weird to me that he would praise Let Me Lie, The Connection, Stealing Time, BDTNL, Ocelot in the review- and rip apart the band for playing a pretty ripping TTE a couple of nights earlier. TTE definitely falls in the middle of the pack of those newer tunes for me- with The Connection and Let Me Lie way, way, way behind.
Yeah let me lie was a downer in a perfect
Set. That song blows
Walfredo…disagreed. That song has a TON of meaning and is beautiful to hear. Really, I believe it was placed nicely last night.
Remember, it’s not all about ‘how hard can they rock out and play dance grooves’.
I think Wax (and others) are referring more to the LACK OF CRITICISM AND ANALYSIS by one Mr Miner.
I mean really, he sounds as if this is his first tour. Just goes to show you that the band really does attract a ‘general population’ audience these days, and they all think the band is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.
Oh wait, Phish is GOD!
let me lie is a great song! I’ve always loved it off of Bar 17 and was thrilled with the orchestral version in Nashville last fall. Big words from someone who likes Walfredo so much anyway =P
These 2 Alpine shows will be my first since Miami ’03. My first show was 8/01/92 Poplar Creek. I’m psyched, but also nervous. There are a lot of repeats. I know they’re on the road with 125 tunes, but some are more frequent than others. The wheels for this band seem to fall off more easily then in the past, I’m talking before the first comeback. A sober Trey and Page is a good thing, but now that they’re older these huge jammed/bust out shows are gonna be fewer and farther between IMO. Tryin’ for no expectations and hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised.
are you guys confused or lost? This is a place where a super huge phish fan (not a musician or musical journalist) posts about his experiences with his favorite band. And a place where a bunch of other huge phish fans post observations and considerations that spawn from those thoughts. I’m not sure what you fellas are looking for but maybe it’s not here. And see the fox review for a show miner holds in a negative light….
@ Walfredo
re: poor songs
You ever heard of “Spread It Round?”
I tried. I tried to get into the new grooves and yes they were jammy, but the fact was that this, This deer creek show was by far my least favorite that I have been to. Though the band was rockin, I feel the true show energy was not there. Compared to the amazing performances at Deer Creek from years past, this Deer Creek was by far my least Favorite performance I have seen these Four fine gentleman play. Call me oldschool……..
‘huge phish fan’ doesn’t mean you let them piss in your ears.
have some decency and hold the band to some standards, geez.
oh wait…they’re just your average rock n roll show these days, i guess these are now the new standards for the band. just show up and whatever they play and however they play it will just ROCK!
to put it into perspective, many a critical ear could easily list out MORE FLUBS and ERRONEOUS MOMENTS on this tour than not.
reality check?!
@ c0wfunk
Word.
it doesn’t sound like his first tour, sounds like he’s managed to avoid becoming a lame, judgmental headier-than-thou douchebag. why the fuck do you people come here if you hate it so much? to illuminate us with your wisdom? thanks so much! If you don’t like what you’re reading, read something else, ever consider that? Or try writing something yourself?
ever think a “perfectly placed” Let Me Lie could mean “in between two ragers where it does no harm to the overall set” ? or, of course, he likes it, like some ppl do – not me, but whatever
I’m not flaming cause you’re talking shit about Miner, he’s a big boy and can take care of himself, plus, honestly – no one comes here to read what the debbie downers say, we come to read Miner, so he’s pretty much whiner-proof I think. What got to me is the remark about the “general population” audience i.e. insinuating that if we enjoy Miner’s viewpoint we’re not really very clued in old-school fans.
Cracka, please. I’ve been seeing Phish off and on since ’90 and am perfectly capable of critical listening. I don’t always agree with Miner – but I do a lot of the time. He has EARNED my respect by being right a higher percentage of the time than anyone has a right to be – including the SPAC 04 shows someone made a passing snide remark about.