The First Moment of Tour
5.31.09 Fenway Park (P.Harrington)
Thinking back over the highlights of this tour- and there are many- it all started back in May in that rainy little stadium in Boston. Excitement overflowed for the first show of the first tour in years. People milled about around the stadium long before the show began, on what started as a sunny afternoon. Friends kept arriving, one after another, meeting up for the first time since March- or before- ready for some stadium-sized Phish.
5.31.09 (C.Taylor Crothers)
After a pre-show rain storm, a disjointed first set came together with a smoking “Disease,” “Destiny,” “Zero” ending. Phish took the massive outfield stage in the dark, following the first shortened summer setbreak- leaving many scrambling for their seats. Knowing what would start would be huge, it was a total freak scene when the opening notes of “Tweezer” bellowed from the outfield. “Fenway Tweezer”- Welcome to Tour! The slow, open-air playing covered the field like a blanket- it was on; 2009 style!
5.31.09 (C.Taylor Crothers)
The drop into the jam saw Trey begin the with song’s actual lick, before Page added some wah-effects that immediately loosened things up. The pace, the size, the stadium- surfing “Tweezer’s” liquid wave- all on a fresh head; it was all too much in the best way possible!! Transforming into an immediate peak Phish experience, the jam had hardly begun! Trey took command right away, playing a nasty lead that climbed slowly around Page’s clav patterns. The pocket was deep as the band welcomed everyone to summer with some dirty and heavy “Tweezer” grooves. Clicking as a whole, Trey’s lines become more and more creative as Mike’s centerfield bass bombs backed everything like a Green Monster of rubber jelly. Shredding a mini composed jam before making a shift into another plane, the band entered a territory focused on melody and harmony as much as rhythm, and the results were other-wordly.
5.31.09 (C.Taylor Crothers)
Trey continued to improvise an incredibly emotive melody that peaked with fifteen seconds of sustained musical bliss while the band crushed stadium-sized grooves behind him. This was one of those transcendent moments that I’ll savor forever- timeless, spaceless, egoless- this is why we go. Playing like he freed himself of any mental or metaphorical cages, this was Trey again; this was happiness. Playing with far more emotion and heart than at Hampton, he continued to annihilate the jam, along with his mates, for some time before the music made a subtle shift, signifying what was to come. Trey echoed some familiar melodies while Mike and Page played heavily-effected lines, building down into a melodic ambiance that provided a canvas for Trey to paint a psychedelic solo.
5.31.09 (P.Harrington)
Soon Page shifted back from piano to heavy effects, and Fishman subtly altered his beat, riding a cymbal- a transition was coming- what was it? Was it…”Light!?” “Really!?” Emotionally shot through the heart, I had wanted this to happen since I heard Trey play the only other versions of the song. It was supposed to happen- “Tweezer > Light”- and it did. Stunned, ecstatic.
Merging one of their oldest and newest epics, Phish launched into their second debut of the evening out of the deepest part of the show. And symbolically, the band brought us from the past into the future- all right 
there in the present. And when the time to launch came, Trey hit a geyser-like melody that reached for the stars, leading the band forth into a new spiritual playground. Used as a landing pad for the set opening sequence, the band played only the song’s template- one that would be considerably extended a week later at Bonnaroo. After a soaring, yet short, jam to end the song, the band began a layered vocal round that added a Phishy twist to its ending.
Fenway was one of those special Phish shows that we will all remember forever. Strewn with cross-cultural mythology, the show was a spectacle and Phish certainly responded. But when looking back to Fenway, my mind, heart and soul will always jump back into that “Tweezer” jam ending the first-ever “Light,” defining a most magical night.
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LISTEN TO “TWEEZER > LIGHT” NOW!
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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:
6.09.2009 Asheville Civic Center < TORRENT LINK
6.09.2009 Asheville Civic Center < SENDSPACE LINK
Official Asheville Poster
Perhaps the most intimate show of tour, with a friendly vibe far outweighing any other, Phish treated the “heady” crowd to some treats. The high point of the show- and one of the entire tour- came in the creative second set “Ghost” which peaked endlessly and bled perfectly into “Fast Enough For You.” ‘Twas certainly a night to remember.
I: Kill Devil Falls, The Moma Dance, Sample in a Jar, Stash, Dog Faced Boy, Gumbo, Tube, Lengthwise, The Divided Sky, When the Cactus is in Bloom*, Bold as Love
II: Backwards Down the Number Line, Ghost > Fast Enough for You, Halley’s Comet > Maze, Alaska**, Theme from the Bottom, Golgi Apparatus, Possum
E: Loving Cup
*debut, by Bill Monroe, **debut
Source: Schoeps mk41v(AB) > kc5 > m222 > nt222 + mk21(nos) > kcy > vms5u > 744t + Neumann ak40(xy) > lc3 > km100 > v3 > 722 {C-Link} (24/48) – Tapers: Charles Fox and James Scott
(Note: Sendspace link added for those who can’t torrent!)
Problem solved on my end. Hungover saving mistake by me. Found them all.
That 30 day countdown clock to the next show is BRUTAL.
I Tunes is just inherently stupid, and does not like files you did not pay Apple for.
I use Windows Media Player, (and do not own an IPod, i use non-apple mp3 player) and it works great for just about any kind of file.
If you can avoid I-Tunes, i would.
The vibe at Fenway was so awesome. Free-for-all-good-friends-big-city-tradition-legendary-venue vibe. I had so much fun there. Gotto hook up with an old friend and turned him onto Phish. Just spectacular good times.
Hi, after enjoying Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts almost daily since the Hampton shows, I finally need to chime in and thank you all for the most intelligent Phish discussion I have found anywhere on the ‘net. Also, another big thanks to Miner for the No Spoilers downloads which I throughly enjoyed each night up to my first 3.0 shows at Alpine.
The first night at Alpine that feeling I forgot came rushing back to me stronger than I ever anticipated, and now I have severely relapsed in regards to my Phish addiction.
My Demographics:
Age: 34
Location: I recently moved to Mound, MN (pretty fucking cool town name, right?) from Philly about 3 months ago to be with the woman I love. Saw most of my 62 Phish shows while in college in Toledo, OH from 1993-1999 (yeah, it took me 6 years to get my 4 year degree because of Phish)
First Show: 8/7/93 Darien Lake -> I ‘got it’ during the Roller Coaster of the Mind and stayed on for the next 5-6 years pretty intensely.
Saw NYE ’93, Clifford Ball, Great Went, Oswego. Had tickets for Halloween ’95 but they got lost in the mail and since I didn’t pay for expeditied shipping I was SOL (lesson learned).
Fell off the train starting around Summer of 98. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why Phish wasn’t doing it for me anymore, but they weren’t. I started spending all my concert time and money seeing Ween instead. Saw my last 1.0 show in Summer of 99. Only saw 2 2.0 shows (Cincy ’03) and even though they seem to be highly regarded among 2.0 shows, I still wasn’t feeling it and pretty much swore off Phish for good at that point, barely even listening to them for years.
Was fairly skeptical about the 3.0 reunion but enough time had passed that I wanted to believe. Listened intently to Hampton and each show leading up to Alpine, becoming more and more excited as I could literally hear the improvements daily.
Then finally it was time to get abck on the train. Alpine night 1 was everything I loved about this band coming back at me full force and stronger than ever. For over 10 years, I was able to lead a relatively normal and productive life….now all I can think about is getting to Indio for Halloween.
It feels so good to be back. Thanks agian for the great discussions here, even if I don’t post much I thuroughly enjoy everyones input.
iTunes is the same as any other player. I promise. You don’t have to have Apple files for them to work.
it’s just a matter of knowing where you put your files and not moving them. the same as any other music program. computers are only as smart as you tell them to be.
Short Bio:
Age 32
First show: 11-13-96 Target Center
Shows seen: 31
Shows seen this tour: 1 Alpine 6/20
Most shows seen in a year: 6 (4 summer 2000, fall 2000)
NYE shows seen: none
Fests: Great Went, IT, Coventry
First good tapes: Firenze and Stuttgart Feb 1997 tour
Most shows seen at one venue: 5 Alpine
Fav Jams: 11-26-94 David Bowie, all of 2nd set 8-17-97, 2001>wolfmans 11-19-1997, Roses 4-3-98.
Worst show attended Alpine 1999
Songs that could go away: Prince Caspian
Song I would liek to see: Foam (still no foam in over 30 shows!)
Songs I would like to see: anything written by Mike Gordon and Page
Good to hear Chonz! Thank you for your story and welcome aboard!
This community of Phish fans is really the best there is! So many knowledgeable people out there… thanks to Mr. Miner for hosting this little daily gathering where we can go to and dream of Phish instead of working… Whoo Hoo!!
Apple rocks!!
@Chonz…..great post. I can relate, big time. Nice town name bro. Phish is highly addictive. My wife sees this addiction growing. She has even done Phish tour. (thank god) Her first 3.0 will be July 30th Red Rocks (my 34th bday) She only caught a couple 2.0, and is excited yet skeptical. I can not wait for her to be turned back on. My 14th show was NYE ’95, after that is were i lose count. i did numerous tours in the mid to late 90′s. I have led a very productive life the last 10 years as well. 7 year old beautiful daughter and wife of almost 2 years being the highlights. I have also started a few businesses and had some success in real estate.
Well , I plan on keeping a happy family, staying successful and seeing a bunch of Phish, so lets do this!!!!!
oh, and my first show was 11-17-94 Dayton, OH
Without a Net has overdubs?
I think the livephish sbds could improve greatly with just a little eq. That’s what I do at home, and Mike comes through loud and clear.
Fishman’s Frock Short Bio (stealing much of the Colonel’s format)
Age: 34
Grew Up: 20 minutes north of Boston
Reside In: same (but have lived all over)
First Show: 12-5-95 Mullins Center, Amherst, MA
#shows: 60+
Occupation: medical equipment technician
Whole tours completed: Island Tour 1998 – I was never fortunate enough to take too much time off for work. Hey, I can’t use all my vacation time on Phish. I’ve got other things I like to do too!!
Fav show experiences (not necessarily musical): Clifford Ball (phirst phest), Big Cypress (’nuff said), Fenway (marriage of two of my biggest loves – Phish and the Red Sox!), 11-27-98 Worcester, MA (the “Wipeout” show. Still the best “regular show” that I’ve seen and one that doesn’t get talked about much.)
Least fav show experiences (not necessarily musical): Coventry (thank god we had an RV!)
Fests attended: Clifford Ball, Great Went, Lemonwheel, Big Cypress, It, Coventry
NYEs: 1996, Big Cypress
Fav outdoor venues: Big Cypress, The Gorge, Red Rocks
Fav indoor venue: Hampton, MSG
Song I could do without: Mexican Cousin
Songs I’d give my left nut to hear 8 shows in a row: YEM, 2001
@Chonz.
I’m in Minneapolis. Lived here most of my life. welcome. Hopefully they will play here in the fall!
I feel like I’m on the young end of the spectrum of this site (25 years old), but dig the positive vibe of the Phishthoughts board more than any other site by a large margin. First show was in ’98 and have been to 29 shows. Originally from around Boston, but have been working and living it up in the Wash DC for almost 3 years since graduating from Tufts. Can’t wait for show 30 and 130 if we’re lucky enough to have this band stick around for awhile.
Short Bio:
Age 35
First show: 4-25-90 Happened upon a strange band playing strange music on the quad at Notre Dame (me: “Are they playing If I Only Had a Brain? Is that guy sucking on a vaccuum?!”) Nothing has been the same since!
Shows seen: 110ish
Shows seen this tour: Fenway, Great Woods
Most shows seen in a year: 15?
NYE shows seen: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Fests: Clifford Ball
Halloween: Quadrophenia
Inspirational Tapes: Amy’s Farm (8-3-91), Arrowhead Ranch (7-21-91 w. GCH), 3-6-92 (secret language), Bomb Factory (5-7-94), Anaconda Theater (4-16-92)
Bad Trips: I never got within 25 miles of Coventry. Long story, but eff that place.
Good Trips: Clifford Ball, Hampton 2009, and soooo many others!
Songs that could go away: Velvet Cheese
Things I hope to see before it’s over: a full Gamehenge set, the return of the Giant Country Horns
Favorite Venues: Red Rocks, Alpine Valley, Deer Creek, Wolf Trap!, Aragon Ballroom (Chicago), Great Woods, many more…
Bad Scenes: Palace at Auburn Hills sucked
Fun Anecdote: In college , I wrote a story about my appreciation of Phish. I do not have a copy of it or even remember exactly what it was about, though I am certain it is probably laughable at this point in my life, but I sent it into the Phish Newsletter (this was before the change to the Schvice) and forgot about it. I got a postcard a few weeks/months later with a Pollock drawing of a guy eating a book. On the back was the note: “What you have written is far beyond the realm of a compliment. Thanks for listening. Mike Gordon (Phish).” I still have the postcard.
great, great posts by guitarpicker today explaining the issues with the mix. One way I like to think about it is that the boards are a “mirror image” of the sound coming off the stage, from the amps and the actual drumkit.
It actually is possible, however, to do a separate stereo sbd mix that is different from a striaght board feed. e.g. the famous “betty board” tapes made by Betty Cantor-Jackson in the 70s. Those were mixed live, but separate from the mix going out to the stacks. Before Betty started doing this, a few other Dead roadies had done similar things in the early 70s. Compare any “Betty board” from ’77 with a Healy mix from the early 80′s.
Another thing that helps – but also requires live supervision i.e. a professional person on staff – is an on-the-fly matrix mix. In ’87 Healy started doing this to make up for the overly dry sound of his board tapes. Tragicomically he didn’t think to add any delay to the board feed for the first couple tours so the sources are horribly out of sync on many of those tapes. There are 4-track PCM masters so those of us who toured in that timeframe can hope that one day there will be resynced versions in circulation. Later he go it dialed in pretty well, though the merits of the Healy matrixes are still the subject of considerable debate.
IMO the quality of these SBD recordings is poor enough that they should be considered unacceptable retail product and should be remastered and re-released to everyone who bought them at no charge. This is the only aspect of summer tour that I would consider to be a catastrophic and utterly unprofessional failure.
That being said: the matrixes on PB are all improvements, some much more so than others. The Fox is only OK while Camden is pretty great.
I’ll be looking for more mtx sources in obscure corners of the internet over the next couple weeks.
I would be very into a discussion space (blog or whatever) dedicated to picking the best source from each show. I also use the method of downloading one track from multiple sources – the same track from each – or perhaps one from the first and one from the second set. That saves a lot of time and bandwidth. Transmission and uTorrent both support this feature. If you flip back and forth between two sources in headphones 5-10 times you can usually decide pretty easily.
As for fan-made videos, well, there are a LOT of them. They’re mostly pretty damn good IMO. But they exist in hidden corners because they’re quite forbidden. Look for private (members only) torrent trackers that allow video.
@Phish…Yup
I agree completely!! I have been viewing this board for about a year I think. But I just started responding about a week or so ago. And the reason? The positive vibes!! These are real phans on here! Not those who think the more you bash Phish the cooler you are. If you wanna bash them why listen and still go to shows right?
Thanks a million times over Miner! I had almost forgotten how much fun Phish shows are. With the boys returning and sounding great again, it all came back! And it’s great to have a place to share experiences with all the other TRUE phans of “Phish Nation”!!!
@ Forbin: My torrents run on the home computer, so I don’t have the links here in the office. You, or anyone else, can email me privately (jrosenquest at hotmail – be sure to ID yourself, please) and I’ll be happy to pass links for Phish vid torrents on. It sounds to my ears like the 3.6.09 Hampton is tracked to the SBD. No idea what the audio sounds like for 4.4.98 – it will take a hundred million minutes to finish downloading. But, for that show, I’ll wait. For non-Phish video torrents, check tradersden.org.
@voopa every live grateful dead official album except Live/Dead has both overdubs and edits. I am not sure about L/D but could find out. Without A Net actually has relatively few edits compared to most – Dead Set being the most egregious.
@Type III great story there
FWIW I always use the “allow iTunes to Organize” feature and check the box that lets it copy files to its own folder on import. Then after I’m sure they play OK I can delete the downloaded files.
@everyone–>Listening to the peak of the Clifford Ball Slave at this very moment. This must have been just amazing to witness! Amazing!
@Mr. Completely
I agree with what you said and i believe a petition was started somewhere on the web to complain about the poor soundboards from this last tour. Don’t have a link though…
I’m pretty sure all the fans would be ok with waiting a little more time for soundboards recordings of a better quality than what was released this tour…
@ Completely: I’m there with you and join the chorus thanking guitarpicker for the education. One thing that I really dig about this board is that I actually learn. Completely has taught me a thing to two as well that I haven’t sent thanks for… so thanks.
The Island Tour DVDs are either SBD or matrix, can’t remember. They’re all completely fucking sick.
And whoever cited the Woosta Wipeout show, HELL to the YEAH. I think ppl think of that show as a “gimmick” due to the Wipeout thing but it’s a smoker from start to finish. Insane Trey solo after Mirror in the Bathroom, Sanity, Buffalo Bill, and a huge huge jam in the Groove. Absolutely killer set front to back.
Demo:
Age 28
Born: Charlottesville VA
Home: Cary IL
First show: 8-1-1998 Alpine
shows:16
It moment was: either the mikes song at Alpine that year, or the moment I opened Slip stitch pass. I had never heard of phish prior to that other than a brief glance of a sticker on the back of a jeep somewhere in deleware prob 92′. Thinking what the hell is that. I realized what it was 5 years later. I moved from VA to IL in 97 and got some friends that loved phish, so I dedcided to buy slip stitch. I remember thinking to myself, before I put it in the player, that there is something special about it. Like “here we go, am i prepared for what im about to hear?” I was ready, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. This is MY kind of music, this is what ive been looking for. This is IT. Ive always been a good dancer, never took like dance lessons or anything but, I was coordinated enough to look like I knew what I was doing. I always felt weird dancing to snoop, or t-pac, cause Im not a wigger, and thats what was cool to my old friends in VA. Phish was danceable and it “fits” me, its what I want to dance to. It gets me in the grove.
I dont listen to anything but phish right now, except maybe some hair nation and Stern on sirius xm. I work in a call center that allows you to listen to music in one ear, and phish makes the perfect background music to listen to people bitch. Pure hell in one ear, bliss in the other. Its what gets me through the day.
thanks for listening, and thank you mr. miner
Good story Pence. Good to see you didn’t get sucked into the DMB vacuum in Charlottesville!