Pronouncing It In Several Ways
12.29.09 (Wendy Rogell)
Though Phish has many protean songs whose jams reach differing musical realms, few launchpads hold such diverse possibilities as “Twist” every time out. Since the song debuted in Dublin to kick off Summer ’97, “Twist” jams have never held a predestined path, while leading the band into many different musical pastures. Covering all ground, from groove to ambient soundscapes and rock and roll to avant-garde quasi-jazz escapades, “Twist” has always featured dips into the musical unknown. The versatility of the song is clearly illustrated when looking at some of the seminal (and obscure) versions.
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Desert Sky Pavilion 7.29.97 II
This early version of the song, during the first week of the band’s US Summer Tour in ’97, immediately illustrated the jam’s propensity for psychedelia. Entering a dark and abstract jam amidst a summer best-known for funk music, this new song did’t always lead into chunky grooves.
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Nassau '98 (livephish)
One of the most iconic “Twists” ever played, this blissful escapade in melodic space-groove remains a defining relic of Spring ’98’s Island Run. No other versions touches the convergence of rhythm and catharsis that this one does, and the melding of the two elements created one of the driving, danceable, and smoothest versions ever played. On this night, “Twist” touched the divine.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Island-Twist.mp3]***
Big Cypress
As the band got a few songs into their midnight set at Big Cypress, “Twist” whispered into the Florida night. A gorgeous rendition that featured a hypnotic melody over a soft ambent backdrop, this “Twist” provided an introspective journey as we passed into 2000. Combining with “Caspian,” this version soothed the soul as we seeped deep into night.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph99-12-31d4t03.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph99-12-31d4t04.mp3]***
Drum Logos, Fukuoka, JP 6.14.00 II
If the Island “Twist” represents one peak for the song, this jam from Fukuoka, on Japan’s southern island, is unquestionably the other. In a tiny club, Phish played the most cerebral and coherent ambient music of their career; a nuanced and delicate conversation that could have only happened within such intimate environs. This version likens a silk carpet on which the audience rode into outer space. Well known as part of LivePhish 4, this “Twist” is one of the band’s timeless jams that never gets old.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/fukuokaTwist.mp3]***
Tweeter Center, Camden, NJ 7.30.03 II
7.30.03
When Phish came back from for the second phase of their career, they continued to push “Twist” into new places. During an era when the band took musical risks like they were going out of style, “Twist” was often the beneficiary of such exploration. This churning and sprawling rendition represents the full-throttle, psychedelic experiments of Summer ’03 and one of the darkest jams of the tour.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2.01-Twist.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2.02-Bug.mp3]***
Only weeks before the aforementioned Camden odyssey, Phish had a close encounter with extra terrestrial lifeforms while engaged in this space-aged, mind-control experiment.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/AlpineTwist.mp3]***
11.29.03
One of the few defining jams of an underwhelming Turkey Run, this “Twist” got quite melodic before gradually descending through a sequence of groove, into an uncompressed dungeon of guitar terror. A stellar snapshot of post-hiatus jamming, a growling and unexpected segue into “Simple” brought this menacing sequence back into the light.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2.01-Twist.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2.02-Simple.mp3]***
SPAC 2004
Part of Phish’s last burst of creativity the second time around, this “Twist” stood up with “A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing” and “Piper” as the brightest stars from an unforgettable weekend at SPAC. This multi-faceted version featured furious full-band, bass-led grooves, that saw Mike going beserk before the band brought it down and Trey’s delicate rhythm licks revved the second half of this summer highlight—a truly elite rendition.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2.03-Twist.mp3]***
Tags: Jams, Songs
i’ve had ok luck on this work cpu and firefox too. had fucked up capcha trouble at home on safari last onsale. still got tix but the capchas weren’t even showing up at one point and when that happens ur fucked.
been out o touch w/ the BB today. Got caught up in an afternoon trade. i am now massively short the r2k into tomorrow. already getting some negative vibe – rimm warning, msft selling off on beat — after hrs to help the cause.
must downgrade my earlier ranking of the new 8.13.97 aud tape. a $$ recording, at best.
That south park was gnarls and very awesome.
(Almost on top of 69)
I avoided that centipede movie when I heard about it. Leave it to them to bring it up.
I’ll try for Tahoe at work too. Got Telly there last year.
@Mitch
Sounds good man, don’t let gdad or willowed steer you wrong, there are a few peeps I’ve actually met up with on here!
Gdad
This year Camden will be a lot different, I’ve got my tix, a steady job and loot so the week(s) leading up to it will NOT be as hectic 🙂
I already took the whole day off, might have to pick up a buddy in NYC but if thats the case, I’ll just head down Friday am. Either way, I’m rearing to go!
And I’ll try not to buy any dogs while i’m up there tomorrow..
Have a good night, folks!
just bustin marco…all good man.
WW table at setbreak is always a place to find a stray BB’er or two these days. not a bad thing.
I’m gonna need a little help with the Tahoe onsale. Looks like I’ll be on the road heading to a family weekend at 3 est. Looking for single or pair for each nite. I’d appreciate it.
AWWWW YEAAAHHHH!
Bethel!
pretty much, as many tahoe tix as can be secured will be gobbled up here. I am trying to get a pair for each night if possible, I know garret needs em, voopa, leo, and probably many others I can’t recall right now.
any and all help will be appreciated, of course. you guys are super cool fantastic for helping out. go team!
we are 7 minutes closer to lights down at Bethel. 😉
after 3 days of listening and comparing, I declare Fukuoka my favorite of these fine Twists.
and we’re coming for you on Saturday Marco. No let down for the bruins this year.
Hungry Bears
so did you buy one of those pit bulls Mitch?
Just to add to the list, I could use a pair of Tahoes. Going for it tomorrow.
Yes, I will indeed be trying for Tahoes, and will welcome any assistance, as my crew needs 4 each night…
garret with his 4, aj with his 27. tell your friends to get off their asses.
anyway, marco, i’ll take a ride to camden if you’re coming thru.
AW, no pitbull. maybe now tho. all the hassidic kids keep growling at jackson. he’s all friendly looking then he barks real loud at them and they cry. a pitbull would look meaner and we could avoid the whole barking thing altogether. closed minded perpetuation at its finest. an entire community that cant enjoy dogs. pfft.
i’ll be trying for you both btw, bitches. was just sayin’
I’m sure its been covered several times, but what time is the Hollywood Bowl onsale tomorrow?
@mitch
Well my friends will be trying as well, but I will turn down no helping hands, knamean?
Obv dude. Pulling out lurkers. Robear isn’t around so somebody has to.
bored at work… haiku
UIC bitches?
not for this broke east-coaster
to camden it is
Pens without Crosby
and without Malkin as well
Lindros, still a puss