Here We Go!
Bethel Woods (Vermillion Media)
So I’m finally in Bethel, my book in finally out of my hands in its final stages of design, the book site has finally launched, and best of all…Phish is finally playing today! So as a wise man once said, “Let’s get this show on the road.” The day has finally arrived and now we stare down a massive slate of summer shows, and we are all drooling to see what the band has to offer. In a matter of hours, the wait will be over and we will again be together again in the Congregation the of Phish. With a slew of shows on our plate, Bethel represents but a three-night appetizer of all that is to come, but with word that the guys have been practicing for tour and with “Waves” played at soundcheck yesterday, I foresee these three nights to be quite the hearty appetizer. On the site of the legendary Woodstock festival, one must wonder if Phish will give any sort of musical nod to the legendary gathering. Perhaps Trey will start the weekend with an electrifying Star-Spangled tribute to Jimi? Will they open the run, as Richie Haven did Woodstock, by covering “Freedom?” Or perhaps they will cover another of the counter-culture artists—Santana comes to mind—that graced the mud-laced mecca. And maybe they will do nothing at all and focus their energies on what we love best…Phish jams.
One would think that the glossy feel of the New Years’ Run will be gone as the band digs into the dog days of summer. Amidst the thick East Coast summer air, Phish will push the doors to 2011 wide open. Its time to blow it up folks, Summer 2011 is here in a matter of hours….But before we dive head first into the most extensive tour of this era, allow me to introduce a way of participating…
***
MR MINER’S PHISH THOUGHTS: THE BOOK
The Book
I have finally launched the website for my forthcoming book:”Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts: An Anthology by a Fan For the Fans.” And on the book site, we are running a contest that requires you to select certain songs played in each show. The contest will be broken up into three legs of summer, and fans will accrue points as each leg of the contest progresses. We will post standings periodically and you will be able to follow your progress. Just enter your email address and make your picks! The winner of each leg will receive a free, signed copy of “Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts: An Anthology by a Fan For the Fans.” Click here to enter, and while your at it, peruse the book site!
****
NO SPOILERS – Summer 2011
No Spoilers 2011
Summer 2011 is ready to go, and we’ve made some changes. No Spoilers is now available as a podcast. This will let iTunes (and other programs) automagically download the latest show soon after it’s available. Old-school regular downloads (either Megaupload or straight http download) will still be available. Any news will still be posted on the classic No Spoilers page and details/instructions are there now: http://phishthoughts.com/nospoilers.
****
PS: I would have posted this last night, but a massive storm in the area knocked out the power of our rental house and I am currently at a local library doing work! To update, I have been swamped with finishing up the book before tour, but I am back on the blog full-force now. The time has come…see you soon!
Tags: Summer 2011
@BK
cerebus7 at hotmail dot com
If things are still good.
You can hear Trey say “What the fuck?” right before Carini.
“You can hear Trey say “What the fuck?””
nice.
BK if you’re still up and gracious enough – saltwater 39 at gmail
Sounds like the KDF is the bomb eh? Can’t wait to hear it. Seems like the boys put a decent opener together, looking forward to what’s in store for tomorrow from couch tour. Hoping for a better stream though…
Yeah… I missed the stream entirely tonight myself.
How’s the spin goin BK? what’s the good word in that second set?
The intent is there, the focus is there. They’re going deep this summer, mark it. Unique, dark jamming from Boogie On>Waves>super graceful landing in Caspian, deep stuff in the crosseyed outro, outstanding Wolfman’s>Walk Away transition.
Seemed like a statement from where I stood. Outstanding.
so tired…….
Both sets for a time seemed like they would be a series of contained, well played tunes, then took a marked left turn….set 2′s moment came in the wind-down, broken clock jamming out of Boogie On….
Stash seemed extra dark and dissonant in the main jam, with a crashing crescendo…interested to listen back….
beautiful venue, lawn looked like a bomb went off when lights went up, garbage and mud….very woodstock….how are they possibly going to clean it up by tomorrow?
tickets on the ground. People walking in the gates with fistfuls….
A cheer for the bruins victory was heard during the spectacular Waves jam.
Waves is incredible – as is Boogie.
Just sent out the mass chain for tonight…I’m going to sleep now.
Need to listen to this show on non-drowsy ears to really let it register, but DAMN people, exploratory Phish tonight. And not in the kind of pre-planned Toyota 10′ way either. Big jams all over the place. KDF/Boogie/Waves/Crosseyed = $$$
yes. there was a searching mood tonight. mutual trust in jumping off the cliff. following the jams into some dark places.
right up my alley. this is what I’ve been looking for.
Thanks for the link BK… Can’t wait to listen. Jealous I missed the Waves. Getting pumped for Holmdel. Safe touring everybody. This is going to a summer to remember for sure.
Same here @Cable
Here’s hoping they keep playing like this. Because this felt pretty natural, not totally radically different like a show like Utica. Loving it
Really looking forward to people’s thoughts on this show tomorrow. Miner where art thou?
Summer 2011 is going to re-define the game. Just think, 10 years from now Trey’s new love song will be “Summer of 2011″… mark it 8 dude… Peace out!
Gin tomorrow ya think?
Gin’s gotta be a given at some point given the sogginess of the scene….
I’m feeling Scents triumphant return in the very near future. I just really hope I’m there when it gets thrown down.
phish on tour = life is better
psyched they came out strong
so… best show of 2011 so far?
1.1.11 and 5.27.11, nice way to get things going at a great clip
at least 32 to go!
when’s the last time crosseyed was played at consecutive shows??
10/31/96 and 11/2/96 @ JP. hot dahm I cant wait to get off work and spin this bad boy. Thanks BK, you da man!
hmmm….i think 1/1/11 flowed better but the jamming tonight was much riskier. thought the dark jam out of crosseyed was so cohesive it sounded composed/rehearsed….
great comments all, thanks for detailed analysis. love the BB. I’ll give this beyoootch a good listen at the dog park tomorrow!