Moments In A Box: The South
6.10.09 Knoxville, TN (D.Vann)
Whether introspective or communal; comical or transcendental, moments are the patchwork that compose the quilt of the Phish experience. During shows, moments occur more quickly than normal life- one after another colliding with your reality, altering it time and time again. On Monday we looked at a some of these timeless experiences from the northeast run, and today, we turn to the second part of June- the south. Starting in Asheville, stopping in Knoxville, and playing two at Bonnaroo; this was a highly anticipated run of shows. The following are a few parts of the week that standout in most everyone’s memory.
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“Ghost” Asheville Civic Center, 6.9 II
The vibe of this show- and its entire day- was the by far the most laid back of tour. The venue was as relaxed as Asheville itself, as people navigated the GA floor with ample room and they provided a smoking section that overlooked the mountains to puff as much as you wanted at setbreak. A pleasant experience all around turned into a twisted psychedelic dream early in the second set when “Ghost” started. Following a Jones Beach version that was a highlight of the northeast, this drop into this “Ghost” brought much anticipation.
6.9.09 Asheville (D.Vann)
The intimate crowd drew silent (despite the copious beverage stations on the floor) as the Phish crept into the jam, sensing something was at hand. Coming out with a non-conventional rhythm, Fish directed the course of this improv from the get go, taking it directions divergent from the song’s usual groove-fest. His abstract beat drew eclectic bass lines and unique phrasings by Trey and Page, providing the anchor of a unique initial canvas. The band did catch a groove after all, carving a unique path of improvisation along the way. Transforming the music into a soaring piece that fused engaging melodies with crafty beats, Phish gradually and extensively peaked the jam with an entire section of improv. The whole band was on point as Trey let loose with some of his most sublime playing of tour, cascading surreal melodies as effortlessly as a spring waterfall. As the band descended from the mountain top, they oozed into into a perfectly placed pool of “Fast Enough For You.” This was a peak experience for everyone in that tiny venue- just ask them.
LISTEN TO THE 6.9 “GHOST > FAST ENOUGH” NOW!
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“Kill Devil Falls” 6.12, Bonnaroo Late-Night
In a tour whose jams had remained largely inside the box, it was quite ironic that Phish’s most straight-forward new song provided one of the most thrilling rides of the month. It was debated how Phish would present themselves to the over-sized Bonnaroo audience, and after “Stash” went into “listener-unfriendly” territory, things were looking up. But they just kept playing song after song, and all this seemed like was another rock and roll addition to the set.
Bonnaroo (D.Vann)
When the composition turned the corner into the jam, everyone bobbed along with the timeless Chuck Berry-esque sound. As Trey began his solo over a standard groove, nobody knew where this was heading. Taking the rock and roll path out the back door, Trey started to extend his notes into drawn out sheets of sound, giving the band enough of a hint to hop on and follow his lead. In one of those disorienting “What song is this?” moments, it didn’t take long before we were far away from the blues-rock launch pad and into some purely Phishy territory. Halfway through their late-night Bonnaroo set, the band took one of the first and only trips to their outer improvisational realms without morphing into an ambient jam. This was Phish taking things back to the source using some fierce interplay that grew innocently and organically from a newbie. Multiple parallels have been drawn between this jam and the famous Camden Chalk Dust from ’99- and rightfully so. Both stem from similar springboards and carry a certain driving energy into a high-speed, spirited peak. We all needed an old-school Scooby-Doo double-take when all was done, as we couldn’t believe the most psychedelic jam of the show came out of “Kill Devil Falls.”
LISTEN TO 6.12′s “KILL DEVIL FALLS > FREE” NOW!
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“Harry Hood” Knoxville, TN 6.10 II
6.10.09 (D.Vann)
After one of tour’s strongest shows had- by all rights- ended three times already with “Hello My Baby,” “Julius,” and “Cavern,” the band shocked everyone by dropping into the opening reggae rhythms of “Harry Hood.” Getting that shot of adrenaline, my mind instantly refocused after having already moved on to the encore. As much an experiential moment as a musical one, this “Hood” capped a huge night in Tennessee, and a smoking second set. Typical of the focused and triumphant “Hoods” of June, this one did not disappoint. Featuring active interaction by all band members, the improv was highlighted by the incredibly dynamic conversation by Trey and Mike.
While this version wasn’t as drawn out or exploratory as some of the others of tour, it provided an emotional exclamation point to a standout show when everyone least expected it. Moments don’t always have to come from the depths of a show, and this succinct, yet poignant, “Hood” that came out of left field will back me on that one.
LISTEN TO 6.10′s “HARRY HOOD” NOW!
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NEW “LISTEN NOW” FORMAT!
I’m sure you’ve noticed the new format for “Listen Nows,” featured in today’s and yesterday’s posts. Instead of having that ugly ad-laced audio player, we’ve now got a sharp little Flash player for all the tracks. But wait- there’s more!
Let’s say you finish listening to a jam and think, “Wow! Miner’s onto something here- I’ve gotta have that track! All you need to do is click the orange song link in the title line of the “Listen Now” and you will download it right to your computer. No need to “right click and save as”- just click the link and accept the file. I hope you enjoy this new feature of the site, and much props to Alexander K. for the technological work. (I will be replacing old links with this new feature as well.)
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DOWNLOAD OF TOMORROW:
We were going to finish out June’s tour with Alpine’s 6.20 show today, but after technological mishaps continued into the night, I figured it wasn’t meant to be. I’ll get that final show up tomorrow. Cheers.
Tags: 2009, Jams, Summer '09
Talking “other” bands.. It starts and ends for me with MMW.!..unreal vision, talent, and risk taking….Every show was better than the last…And damn when they used to play with DJ Logic..the fire
@ R1
I just found this while I was supposed to be working or something…
http://gratefuldeadprojects.com/List_Page.html
Pistol Pete is a real good one too.
@voopa – thanks!
@ATL – i saw a couple of those shows with Logic – they were hot
@SOAM are the tickets pairs or singles for fall tour?
@ ATL I love MMW so much they are just their own band for me, not an other band. They have always done their own thing and gone their own way. I feel they got folded into the scene rather than being part of it from the start. Love them though, great great stuff.
one of the best MMW shows I have seen was with Galactic at the Fillmore in Denver in like 2002 or so. They basically all were on stage at various times throughout the show and when they weren’t DJ Z Trip was spinning. He joined for a bit too. Very fun show. The Bubblehouse from that night is one of the best I’ve heard.
Was listening to alpine valley in the car today. They need to practice those funky instruments sometime. Frankenstein just sounds godawful. Pics look great- definitely fun- but they sound like a really bad bar band. Treys 5-neck beast feedsback 2/3rds of the song. Sound guy makes noticeable, non- fluid volume changes throughout. Very rough stuff
I saw MMW at CBGB’s in 92 or so. They were obviously up and coming back then. I thought they sounded out of this world. Martin had about 3000 difffrent types of drumming devices, trinkets, washboards…you name it , he had it. Since then I’ve seen them only a handful of times….once with John Scofield….that shit was hot. I wish I’d have seen them more.
I heard the raucous sounds emanating from my speakers on the Alpine Frankenstein, and though to myself, they should just play the song without all the insanity. Maybe just Page on the Keytar, like Hampton.
Awesome discussion here on today! Cant wait to get home and really catch up with it… Very surprised to hear people labeling phish ABB & GD as “jam bands”
I feel its safe to say everything that came after is but these guys are pioneers and there really just the larger than life exception of your good ol rock section.
Very surprised to not hear any mention of MMW, again havnt read all posts carefully…and although far from a “jam band” or rock band for that matter,
if you are an astral traveller like myself theres just no words to describe how quickly these boys can get you there..as far as musical exploration I feel there’s nothing like GD, Ph & MMW….
Panic just pointless uncreative jamming full of sorrow IMO. Bisco was very interesting at one point
Havnt cared for the new drummer….FWIH. Galactic….more of that generic festival funk…IMO
I managed an indi music shop for a phew years and got into some pretty interesting music I thought I’d never get in to…maybe not all of it would be great in a live scenario in terms of improv but in terms of “the sound”
you can rest assure you would dig most of their catalog….At least i do
To Name a few: Tortoise, Jaga Jazzist, Dub Trio, Lotus, The Cinematic Orchestra, Prefuse 73, Madlib (YNQ) many others i cant recall….
They are pairs but I have to give the other seat to Obama
Tottally agree w cactus…
Frankenstein has turned into a spectacle.
Derek and the Dominoes-Neil Young and SRV
Powderfinger man-Powderfinger
look out mama
MMW always tear it up. I never miss a chance to catch them.
bummer SOAM. but at least youll get to do tour on Air Force One
As for Galactic, I have to show em some love. Having lived in New Orleans most of my life it’s hard to miss em’. They play ridiculous shows with tons of energy. They always play the night before Mardi Gras at Tipitina’s & the shows sometimes go to 7 in the morning. Seeing them at a generic festival doesn’t capture their vibe however, so I recommend seeing them in a smaller venue.
Check out The New British invasion “The New Mastersounds”. They’re playing the Forecastle Fest this weekend in Louisville KY Sat 3:30-4:45pm. I’ll Be there!!!! If you like The Meters you’ll like these guys. These young Brits were very much influenced by The Meters.
Alpine Frankenstein was halarious!!!! I couldn’t stop laughing the entire song. I’ll never forget that as long as I live. I loved IT!!
Mastersounds are bueno. They definitely pull from the Meters sound. It’s good to seem british folk get down and funky.
@voopa
Cool! Never saw Burning Spear before but really dig his old stuff, Sounds from the Burning Spear. Can’t wait!
Saw Toots two times and he puts on a great show! Reggae/R&B/Gospel legend! What a great voice he has and he’s got mad energy for a guy his age…
Legend!
Late to the JA/reggae/dub conversation but had to jump in:
I agree with most of what everyone has mentioned so far (I *will* sleep on UB40, though. Sorry.
Personally, I can rarely listen to an entire *dub* album. (Dub does not equal reggae. It is a mixing technique used and developed by sound engineers in Jamaica.) There are exceptions– early 80s Scientist albums spring to mind– but I need the vocal tracks (and/or DeeJay versions) to augment the dub experience. So I would recommend albums that give give you both. For King Tubby, check out the Yabby You’s Jesus Dread on Blood and Fire records. It’s 2 discs of HEAVY roots produced by Vivan Jackson (aka Yabby You), lots of Tubby versions, some Pablo tracks, and some killer DeeJay takes by Trinity, Big Youth, and Dillinger.
Another fantastic King Tubby assault mixed with the vocals is Jacob Miller’s “Who Say Jah No Dread.” These were recorded with Augustus Pablo as producer (these tracks are alternately known as the Pablo Sessions) with King Tubby as engineer. H
I have this great 4.20 show somewhere of MMW on the west coast doing all improv sets. Awesome! I should try and dig it out…
Yeah Selector J! I was waiting for you input… really dig those mixes you sent me by the way! Especially the Vol. 3… I think i’m more into rocksteady than the later dancehall stuff… Gregory Isaacs, yeah!
Thanks again!
A great “alt-dub” (I guess) album is Dreams of Freedom…Marley tunes remixed by Bill Laswell and Chris Blackwell…very chill, and all tracks segue. Nice stuff.
oops.
^^Here you’ll find the title track of the aforementioned “King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown” with its vocal counterpart “Baby, I Love You So”
Also the dub conversation has yet to include Llloyd “Bullwackie” Barnes and his Wackie’s label. Some amazing stuff found on this label. My favorite at the moment is Black World Dubwise. Wackie just reopened his studio above Mudie’s in the Bronx. I’m not expecting another Horace Andy’s Dance Hall Style or anything but glad to hear he’s got some money left anyhow.
Scientist is the only contender for King Tubby’s crown in my eye and as I said earlier the early 80s ones with the Roots Radics and Linval Thompson or Junjo Lawes producing are some of the best pure dub albums ever. Check Scientist Wins The World Cup or Scientist Rids The World of The Evil Curse Of The Vampires for starters.
Deadly Dragon Sounds is definitely a solid reggae source. Never been to the store but listen to Queen Majsty’s show every once in a while.