“Go-Suto” (Japanese: Ghost)
Osaka 2000
As soon as Phish debuted “Ghost” in their first show of Summer ’97, the song became a staple jam vehicle for Phish. Moving with the band’s musical direction of the late-90s, “Ghost” featured groove, rock, and ambient jams depending on the era, almost always providing a highlight for any show in which it appeared. And then in Phish’s second show of 2000, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the band rewrote the record books for their late-90’s song. Exploring the hyper-complexities of groove and moving far beyond them into completely transcendent music, Phish threw down, perhaps, the greatest version ever played.
After such a blowout, one would figure the band continued magnifying the song for the rest of the summer, let alone the rest of the year. But they didn’t. While the Phish played solid “Ghosts” in Hartford (7.1), Chicago (9.22), and Denver (9.27), the band only took out the song six times after Radio City. And only one truly stood out – 6.15.00. Phish let loose on the final standout “Ghost” of the pre-hiatus years on the penultimate night of Japan tour in Osaka, Japan. Towards the end of the first set, the band unveiled the only Japanese version of the song, and as it turned out, the last truly great version of 2000.
6.11.00 - Tokyo (E.Sakai)
In Big Cat, a small club, elevated six floors amidst a shopping plaza, the audience squeezed into the small, square room. The predominantly Japanese audience packed it in, as the concept of personal space differed from that in the states – a lot. Before long, a combination of fans began filling the room with blown-up balloons, like a life-sized lottery bin. But when the music started, silence fell, and everyone’s focus turned squarely to the stage.
After a routine four-song, set-opening sequence, Trey quietly initiated a series of siren loops, opening the only “Ghost” of the Pacific. Following the composed section, the band oozed into the piece with a methodical, bass-led groove. Taking ample time to settle into a thick rhythmic canvas, the band pondered the early course of the jam before diving in. Mike took the melodic lead, while Trey and Page added effects, beginning the excursion in a sparse dance pattern. Trey coyly began to pick a melody within the groove, very much blending with whole, yet bringing a whole new element to the table. Amidst a increasingly murkier plane, Fishman hit a disco-like groove that Mike immediately latched onto, bringing memories of the infectious dance odyssey weeks ago at Radio City. Page and Trey began to gently toy with the beat, and all of a sudden, the band rolled into subconscious territory.
6.15.00 - Big Cat Ticket
Offering independent melodic ideas along these uptempo rhythms, Trey stepped into prominence, before long, playing an open chord progression that would guide the band through an upbeat, out-of-character second half of the jam. The rest of his band mates picked up on his idea, gradually building a triumphant build over these changes, Meanwhile, after setting the musical plate, Trey transformed into the a cathartic waterfall of notes and melody, peaking the piece in a rolling, cyclical fashion. Uniting all the energy in the room, Phish took sailing on the majestic seas of bliss, drawing out the apex of the jam in an all-out celebration of the human spirit. After the peak, the band seamlessly slid back into “Ghost,” bringing this version to a close.
The Osaka “Ghost” became an immediate highlight of Japan 2000, and without anyone knowing at the time, represented the last pre-hiatus triumph for the song. This moving piece of music goes under-circulated due to its international origins, and has thus been under-appreciated over the years. Everyone knows the Radio City “Ghost,” and rightfully so. This one came next.
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Jam of the Day:
“Ghost” 6.15.00 I Rmstr
This standout version of the song has recently been remastered by Phish Thoughts reader, “Kenny Powers,” and is available to download by clicking the orange title above.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ph2000.06.15-Ghost-remastered-MTX.mp3]=====
DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:
5.23.00 Roseland, NYC, NY SBD < Torrent
5.23.00 Roseland, NYC, NY SBD < Megaupload
Roseland Ballroom - NYC
During and after the first Radio City show, fans lined the sidewalks of Manhattan to get tickets for Phish’s just-announced show at Roseland the night after. The intimate gig was filmed for VH-1’s “Hard Rock Live,” and though the show was relatively jam-less, the event provided a special night in the spring of 2000.
I: AC/DC Bag, Wilson, First Tube, Ya Mar, Mike’s Song > Simple > It’s Ice, When the Circus Comes, Back on the Train, Gotta Jibboo, Taste, Sleeping Monkey
II: Punch You In the Eye, Twist, Waste, Piper, You Enjoy Myself, Run Like an Antelope, Train Song, Bug
E: Boogie On Reggae Woman, Cavern
Source: SBD
Tags: 2000, International, Jams
aw: for shizzle. don’t get caught on the wrong side of the steam roller.
they’re tryin a little 3:45 PM dixie cannonball, but it will probably fail given the dramatic nature of the recovery off of the morning lows.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t love some glowstick wars at some points in time. When you look up from the lawn and the sky is covered with tracers. Even at that festival that shall not be named, the DWD was like nothing I had seen before.
But, it is completely played out. The volume is down to about 35% from their heyday, and a 35% Glowstick war is just lame.
that 11-13-97 mike’s has the melodic ending jam also found in the 11-16-97 timber, which is also excellent. timber was included among the latest TTFF
Well I’m back to feelin’ like a douche. I am going to get a nice black suit for summer tour. A light cotton one that breathes well.
listening to 11-22-97 black eyed katy. starting to see what you cats were talkin about when you said it had more jam potential than moma. this one rages.
im just getting a tuxedo T-shirt
That says Im classy but i like to party
Hey BB,
Its been a while as I’ve been moving the past few weeks; busy at work; blah blah blah.
Anyway, I was wondering if someone might know where I can get my hands on a poster from last year’s Fenway show? I have a perfect spot in my new place that I want to hang it.
Thanks.
I also canceled my glow ring order.
i am still going to order my disco ball necklaces. They good good with a suit, I think.
yo everyone is writing in that lost thread. i hear that show sucks
@kaya check out the one from the next night. blows the one from Hampton away…and the Hampton one is great
@ The Gorge we seen this chick that had these 2 orbs that flashed and changed different colors with extendo nylon strings attached and she twirl them around. Now I thought those were pretty cool.
Wonder where you get those things?
I bet there pricey
@snowbank
dont feel to bad…
its just that the glowrings have turned into a major distraction..
they used to be great, but there are too many idiots who think its funny to throw shit at the band.
@dude, those are called boobs
How bad should I feel?
Things I learned on the BB
Some Phish heads watch American Idol
Some Phish heads watch Lost
Some Phish heads throw glowsticks
Some Phish heads get hit by glowsticks
Some Phish heads will get naked at a show
Some Phish heads will wear suits at a show
Some Phish heads hate hippies
Some Phish heads are hippies
Some Phish heads like U2
Some Phish heads don’t
Some Phish heads smoke PCP
and its never their fault!
El Dude I saw someone at Alpine with those in 2004. Only time I have seen them but they were pretty crazy.
ha ha @snowbank
not bad at all if you havent thrown at the band
@ Dancing
LLFA
“How bad should I feel?”
If you hit the band with a glowstick – very bad.
If you puke on someone’s seat – extremely bad.
If your adolescent behavior causes other people (the one’s without a stick up their asses and are there for a party like you) to be distracted and frustrated – moderately bad.
Outside of that, you should put on your cape and have a ball. If people don’t like it, use your cape to fly away.
Oh good… never thrown anything but smiles at the band.
https://www.firemecca.com/p-902-atom-led-glow-poi.aspx
https://www.firemecca.com/p-901-led-glow-poi.aspx
40 bones, cheaper than I had imagined. Certainly not my thing, but one of my friends is excellent at them… great guy to have at “those” late night parties. Swingin’ Poi at shows is a hazard tho… you better be in the back with the hula hoopers.
^ BASTARD!
^those just look like sex toys
you can do whatever you want with ’em dfool. 😆
Been fun kids
Off to a meeting and the brown line train home
The Glow Stick debate has been awoken
Must mean tour is right around the corner
Laterz