Number 9…Number 9…
Today’s December time travel brings us back to the ninth of the month in Albany during Fall ’95, and in Arizona during Fall ’94. The highlighted pieces — Albany’s classic “You Enjoy Myself” and Mesa’s lesser-known “Antelope — showcase two outlandish mid-’90s jams that will leave your jaw on the floor.
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“You Enjoy Myself” 12.9.95 – Albany, New York II
"YEM" - Fall 98 Unknown
Albany and “You Enjoy Myself” have always enjoyed each other. Phish has performed their seminal piece in all but two visits to New York’s capitol during their entire career. Though many of these versions brought highlights and exclamation points to shows at The Knick and beyond, none stand out like the version that went down fifteen years ago today. This breakout “YEM” — with no parallels through the years — brought wide open improvisation to a largely structured jam. Though stellar versions allowed for plenty of freedom within the groove, “The Albany “YEM” broke down walls and transformed into a triumphant masterpiece that is generally considered the “best version” ever played.
This all-timer got moving in full when Trey scripted a now-iconic, melodic theme early in the jam. This chord progression ran through the entirety of this monstrosity, setting the musical framework for the band to blast off. Amidst a slamming rhythmic template and in a moment of full-speed revelation, this free-form piece left any semblance of “YEM” in a wake of original dance music. The band toyed with the jam’s signature theme throughout sparser grooves, as Page and Mike each emerged for periods of prominence. When Trey assumed the lead again, he tore into a solo that kicked the band into another gear and Phish chugged forward as a four-headed machine fueled by IT. Fishman and Gordon took center stage as Trey tickled a series of repetitive “disco” licks. Fully immersed in a bass-led groove, the band slowly peeled out of the mix, leaving the stage quiet as Phish entered a “silent jam.” Continuing to play their instruments in animated fashion without making a sound, Phish infused this mind-bender with a brief dose of antics. But almost two minutes later, Trey led the troops in a cliff dive back into the conventional “YEM” jam, taking the adventure to one last peak. One for the record books — take a moment to celebrate the 15th anniversary of a “You Enjoy Myself” like none other.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ph12-9-95d2t05.mp3]***
“Run Like an Antelope” 12.9.94 – Mesa, Arizona I
NYC '94 (C.McGann)
Frenetic. Diabolical. Psychotic. These are words that come to mind when describing “Antelope” from Mesa, Arizona on the penultimate night of Fall ’94. Taking a step into the desert during early December, the band hit the ground running in this skull-fucking set-closer. Phish demolished the opening of the jam, wasting zero seconds getting into the middle of a ferocious music. Moving directly into tightly-laced chaotic improv, the entire band crushed the type of “Antelope” that no longer grazes the Western plains. Aggressive and hardcore machine-gun patterns underlined this twisted blast from the netherworld, as Phish explored music that could only have come at the end of 1994. The band communicated so closely that their offerings fused into a sonic bolt of lightening in which one could hardly decipher a single instrument from the explosive whole. This is full-on, ballistic Phish, a style unseen since its mid-’90s hey-dey. Fasten your seat belt for this fifteen-minute trip — things could get hairy.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/08-Run-Like-An-Antelope.mp3]=====
Jam of the Day:
“Simple > Timber Ho!” 12.9.97 II
This unconventional take on “Simple” turned into the centerpiece of Penn State ’97; another jam that proves Fall ’97 wasn’t only about funk.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ph1997-12-09d2t02.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ph1997-12-09d2t03.mp3]=====
DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:
11.28.98 The Centrum, Worcester, Massachusetts
FLAC Torrent (etree), Mp3 Torrent, Megaupload < Links
Worcester '98
With Worcester fast approaching, here is a small dip into the venue’s history. The middle show of Fall ’98 three-night finale featured some hot moments, but didn’t carry the weight of its two surrounding dates. “Wolfman’s > Timber” and a late-set “Tweezer” held down the second frame, while “Gumbo” and “Split” book-ended a solid first.
I: Gumbo, Tube, Down with Disease, Guyute, Albuquerque, Foam, The Moma Dance, Split Open and Melt
II: Julius, Wolfman’s Brother > Timber Ho, Loving Cup, Scent of a Mule, Prince Caspian, Crossroads, Tweezer, Cavern
E: Sample in a Jar, Tweezer Reprise
Source: FLAC – Nakamichi CM300’s/CP4s :: MP3 – Schoeps cmc6/mk41
’97, the year I made contact.
There’s just so much goodness to wade through.
Had I known then what I know now…
*ting*
remastered LF WFC of course
phish’s version was dank, but it has caused me to listen to Little Feat’s masterpiece over n over rather than replay boardwalk hall
So, I’m like REALLY looking forward to this New Year’s run.
Anyone else…
Like….
Is there anyone else that’s like….
:::sweating::::
Guys, this is gonna be sick as hell.
@neems
Stubs arrived yesterday.
This is for real for real.
Bug form Alpine Valley box set. sorry if re post
http://phish.com/#/media/videos/bug-alpine-valley-2010-dvd
I don’t know what it is, but I can’t cook breakfast on the weekend anymore without Feat. Something about their music just screams “I want my eggs scrambled and my bacon extra crispy.”
Is there a power dank Bug I should be listening to? It’s never been on my faves list.
@MrMiner
Did you make The Wall last night – wondered if you had a report for us . . .
phish’s version was dank, but it has caused me to listen to Little Feat’s masterpiece over n over rather than replay boardwalk hall
^ I like Phish’s version better.
That alpine Bug is some of the best 3.0 Trey to date
Huge solo
Rockin it
I went to 2 performances of the Wall and want to hop on tour. My review:
Best rock show ever produced. Incredibly powerful psychedelic theatre that truly brings the meaning of the music to life in its original AND modern contexts.
It.is.the.best. I want to fly to seattle or LA, but my wife isn’t feeling that at all.
It is the only show that is the same every night that I would see again and again.
Is there a power dank Bug I should be listening to?
^ there are ones with great guitar solos. That’s what the song is really a tool for anyway.
The tempo is totally fucked on both phish and little feats version
I want the version of WFC sans sex and drugs, if ya don’t mind…
I found it entertaining also miner and I’m not even a later era Floyd fan
Stimulating performance
very cool, Miner, about The Wall – glad you had another amazing time last night!
miner likes phish’s version better>shocker
all love
10/20/89 at the Spectrum, pretty hot stuff… That Other One Jam before Drums tells me that the Miami DS didn’t come completely out of nowhere…
Now I’m excited for the actual Other One coming up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QAa7t8DAUE
^^ 12/9/95 YEM
i went to the wall at the uc and i liked it but…i cant put words to it. maybe because it was too intense visually? maybe cause the hired guns? but RW in the left corner of the wall singin his lonley song is worth it
Everything I’m hearing/seeing about The Wall looks bad ass.
Missed that boat.
GDad, I seem to recall loving the Bug from the 7.13.99 show, but it may be just because of it’s placement.
Miner’s right about the solo vehicle thing.
Breather song for me.
you know you’re in the groove when you can work all the way through an extended ’73 Other One > space > tiger jam sequence…I don’t remember any of the last 20+ minutes but it looks like I got a lot done
Bug is a “bathroom break, but hurry back for the solo” tune – you never know when that thing is going to really go off, it seems
repeating myself here, but best Sailin Shoes LF tunes not on WFC: Cold, Cold, Cold and Got No Shadow. check those tracks ASAP.