Mid-Week Musings
6.10.11 (G.Lucas)
After the incredibly successful summer that Phish has already had, we still have a dozen shows to go! In a bit more than a week the circus will travel to the hallowed grounds of the Gorge to kick off the back end of the touring season. And things couldn’t look brighter. When we left the band just a few weeks ago, they had just thrown down the best weekend of music in the modern era amidst a full-blown Phish festival of the sorts we only dreamed about a few short years ago. It is impossible to deny the musical momentum built over the first half of this summer and— more than ever—it certainly feels like the dawning of Phish’s Golden Age.
7.3.11 (G.Lucas)
Full-blown creativity, new improvisational directions, experimental jamming, airtight communication, uncharted territory—all of these facets were part of Phish’s opening month of tour. And if the progress made from leg one to leg two during the past two summer tours is any indication, Phish is going to come back with even sharper jaws and enhanced improvisational adventure. At Super Ball, the band seemed to play with a laid-back patience, understanding that we were all there for three days and there was no reason to rush anything. As a result, almost almost no jams were ended prematurely and the weekend possessed an undeniable flow. Though some sets were better crafted than others, the band left us with a slew of the most innovative music to be played in this era.
Two nights at the Gorge, Hollywood Bowl, Tahoe x 2, Golden Gate Park, then two three-packs—at UIC and Denver…there is heck of a lot of music left to be played this summer! And just like the last two, when all is said and done, my bet is that the second leg will produce the most memorable jams of the tour. Building off a spectacular June that was in a different league than its 2009 and 2010 predecessors, the thoughts of what might come out of August is awe-inducing. Five new venues and a return to two of their most classic haunts will provide us with 24 more sets to take us through a Phishless fall. But something tells me that after a spectacular—and lengthy—summer, that won’t be too much of a problem for anyone.
In 2011, Phish has created a buzz in the community like no time since their Hampton return. Showcasing a completely revitalized improvisational brilliance—built upon the foundation of ’09 and ’10—Phish took people by storm in Bethel and have maintained that quality of play, and improved upon it, right up through Super Ball. It’s an exciting time to be a Phish fan, as the entire comeback has brought us to right now. And heading up to the Gorge in this context, could anything be sweeter?
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Jam of the Day:
“Light > Number Line” 6.19.11 II
Deep in Portsmouth’s second set, Phish got into an intricate and psychedelic take on “Light” in which Trey actually sets up a quasi-transition into “Number Line.” With so much meat in his show, this “Light” jam hasn’t been discussed to much; check it out.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/phish2011-06-19.d2t08.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/phish2011-06-19.d2t09.mp3] Tags: Summer 2011
“I’ve always thought it would be interesting to see what would happen if a major star (someone like Adele, for instance, or even Katy Perry) were to craft a truly memorable pop hook and then fill the vocal melody with absolute nonsense — just a continual string of nonexistent words and verbalized pauses, but delivered with a real intensity of purpose and a reservoir of unclear emotion. It would essentially turn her voice into an abstract instrument, and we’d suddenly have an “instrumental” hit that still (technically) included vox. People could still sing along with the song while they drove to work, but they’d have no idea what it was supposedly “about” (and could therefore create whatever message they organically lifted from the listening experience).”
So Chuck wants to see someone famous cover Cavern?
llfa garret
well played
Turns head away from CNBC and Bloomberg terminal to lurk on phishthoughts for relief from the nonsense.
BB convo sounds just like CNBC. Can’t escape the noise.
Figure I chime in on some beard talk. I’ve rocked the full beard since 96 mainly cuz I’m fuckin lazy. Cuz I work at a fund I’m on about a 2 month shave and regrow schedule. Starts getting pretty gnarly around then.
Today though I noticed getting pretty gray. Don’t like feeling old at 35. may have to start shaving it. too bad I can’t go with the just for men look like emmitt smith. This gray beard thing kinda depressing me today.
@garretc – I think Michael Stipe already did that.
Not for nothing, that’s essentially what “Hook” by Blues Traveler (not-unironically a hit song) is.
@MiA
Michael Stipe covered Cavern?!?!
I transitioned from full beard to the current goatee style rig due to encroaching grey
I shaved my now greying beard off I’ve had for 10+ years after Cincy this year. It was that, or go for the Obediah Stain look and shave my head.
I might grow it back … but in 103 degree weather beardless isn’t a bad idea either. I’ll put my winter coat back on this fall.
Getting pumped for Tahoe shows. Anyone have lowdown on nearby camping or places to stay?
My only facial hair to speak of was the hipster mustache (but not as ironic) I grew for a few months two years ago. My lady is a big fan of magnum PI and I don’t have a ferrari, so it was the next best thing. Ended up looking more like Luigi, though.
Not articulate enough to enter the political debate, but appreciate the way that it’s played out here. If Washington were as level headed something might actually get done (if, in fact, they really want to get anything done)
On another note, booking travel for work early next week… Found out I’ll be in Hampton. Haven’t been back since March ’09!
I’ve convinced myself that my hair will go straight to white, at which point I’ll try a short beard (like Greg Allman).
mrs. v says, “What makes you so sure?” She’s probably right, I’ll just have grey garbage with bad bald spots.
locust- We have camping! We’re in Emerald Bay, about 15 miles from Stateline, close to the water, with a space for 8. Only 3 in it so far. email me if interested- vooopa at gmail (3 o’s).
my ex wanted me to try to grow a soul patch because she thought they were hot. but to me that seems like just enough hair to catch small food particles.
soul patch, aka “flavor saver”
eeeww!
Hey BB crew, anybody have a Tahoe 1 they’re looking to swap for a Tahoe 2? A mysterious hairy alien (His name may have been Ralph or something similar?) offered me an extra Wed, but I’d rather flip it for a Tues and bring another friend than get in to Wed while my friends are still shut out…
So if you can help me out, or know someone that can, shoot me an email!
garretconour at gmail
glazed donut! 🙂
I can’t grow a beard. Asian facial hair.
I’m burnt.
Just realized I leave for tour a week from Monday instead of Monday.
Fuckin extra week of work. Lame.
get back in the game aw
So I gotta get something off my chest…
Several of my close friends and family have been telling me that I’m just too opinionated and its annoying them.
I’ve been realizing that I really am, and I’ve been noticing the way it affects different interactions I have with people.
Whenever I start laying out my opinions on this site, I get nervous that I’m pissing people off. I know Mr. C can handle it, but I still think it’s pretty selfish of me to dominate the flow of conversation like that.
I sincerely apologize if I’m annoying people when I start these types of conversations.
This place is about Phish, not SillyWilly’s theories about saving the world.
i shouldn’t assume that everyone cares what i think about things with no right answers.
thanks.
Fuck off silly!
I kid. I enjoy reading your thoughts, maybe because I’m a simpleton and I might learn something. Don’t change a thing.
you’re over thinking things silly
admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery