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:

510 Responses to “Mid-Week Musings”

  1. SillyWilly Says:

    It is interesting how the media never explains how a football play really works or how a defensive scheme works or doesn’t.

    I guess its just like anything else. The media dumbs stuff way down.

    I really think the inner workings of team sports are fascinating in the same way the inner workings of a phish jam is fascinating.

    Its the coopertation of people to make something bigger

  2. Mr. Palmer Says:

    Great call Mrs. C. They did get hot at the right time.

  3. Mr. Palmer Says:

    can’t watch the pregame shows on Sundays, useless. Some of the programming during the week on ESPN and NFL Network are pretty informative and get into the nuts and bolts of the game.

  4. Dr Pronoia Says:

    You’re awesome Silly.

    I’d be pissed if anyone around here censored themselves.

    I’m just angry that I’m not around more in the evenings for the literary/spiritual/philosophical threads…

    How the bears looking? I’m on Mr Mom duty and can’t do my homework right now…

  5. albert walker Says:

    I’m in cash Palmer

    plan on shorting the quick pop if they actually develop a plan

    or buy down low if this shit gets dicey

    hard to play congressional bullshit. I would love another 2-4% pullback and pick up some of the good names cheaper.

    very bifurcated market. some shit has had good earnings and some terrible. would like to scoop some of the big global growth plays on a pullback

    pretty sloppy close today.

  6. Mr. Palmer Says:

    Cutler just dumped his celebetard girlfriend, so that has to be a positive, no?

  7. albert walker Says:

    I’m just pissed no one is biting on Zambrano or Soriano

    starting to think Soriano has to be one of the worst deals in the history of the game

    they are willing to eat 40 of the 50 MM he is owed and no one is interested. what a fuckin loser.

  8. SillyWilly Says:

    The coolest football pregame would simply be an hour of film with 4 or 5 coaches/players.

    Watch 20 plays or so. Break it completely down by position. Show why each guy did what he did. Say if it was good or not.

    Complete deconstruction of each aspect of a play.

    Id watch that shit all day

  9. Mr. Palmer Says:

    Cash is king AW, i agree. Horrible close today. I say we test 1280. That would be my next spot to consider getting back. Speaking strictly technicals. The outside bs is controlling the mkts though.

  10. MrCompletely Says:

    agreed on football analysis @palmer. some of the midweek stuff on espn and nfl network is pretty great really.

    I very very highly recommend this little book for anyone trying for a better understanding of the mechanics of play
    http://www.amazon.com/Take-Your-Eye-Off-Ball/dp/1600783910

    my only critique is that it was too short to go into enough depth and detail. I wanted more, more, more. but it was good, and there are surprisingly few books on “how to understand what is really happening on the field in an NFL game,” so you can’t be too picky

  11. MrCompletely Says:

    word Silly

    I’d love to see that

  12. Mr. Palmer Says:

    Dicks Picks 18 Scarlet>Fire. I recommend, highly. Just popped up on the shuffle. I feel a huge Dead kisk coming on before tour starts up again. The Brent talk got me reminiscing a bit yesterday.

  13. Mr. Palmer Says:

    kick^^

  14. alf Says:

    i’d watch that silly

    i knew my anti-nfl teases were going to kick start another nfl jam

  15. alf Says:

    i’d probably find that way more interesting than about 90% of actual games

  16. albert walker Says:

    I grabbed the 82 Alpine show randomly yesterday. besides a rippin ass let it grow set I was boring as all shit

    let’s hope this bitch picks up in set II on this dog walk

    through set I not getting why dick would choose it. what do I know though I’m kinda a GD custy.

    laterz comrades
    been fun

  17. Selector J Says:

    re: understanding football

    Or just play Madden like a mofo. :mrgreen:

  18. MrCompletely Says:

    my fave S>F Palmer

    as mentioned ad nauseam, I know

    the Other One from that DP contains one of the greatest Jerry moments of all time and literally never gets mentioned by anyone not named me. Inexplicable. By far the most slept-on GD peak moment on any official release.

    (right before verse 2)

  19. SillyWilly Says:

    Mr. C

    That book looks great

    One thing I always suggest to people is watch a different player every play.

    Just follow through the whole play. See what he does. See where he goes.

    If you want to watch something truly mesmerizing (I’m biased for the linebackers): Pick your favorite linebacker. Watch him and him only for a whole half or even game.

    Its amazing to see the instincts of these people. Reacting to stimuli on an otherworldly level

  20. Summer98 Says:

    Wow, I missed some great convo here today. Just got schooled in American history by C and Willy a few pages back.

    On the beard front, I’ve been rocking mine for like 14 years. My wife doesn’t even remember what I look like underneath and actually neither do I. Somehow I doubt that I cross that handsome line though…jewish nose is good for nothing on the good looks front.

    @leo, I sent you mail re: ride

    @anyone Looking forward to maybe meeting for a beer pre Gorge in Seattle on Thursday. Shoot me an email if interested: jwberman09 at g m a i l

    Where’s the meetup for day of shows at Gorge…waterwheel? Is everyone staying a wildhorse? I got premier camping on site, wanted to be closer to the chaos. I probably have room for at least one person at my site too if anyone needs a spot.

  21. MrCompletely Says:

    That Alpine 82 is the worst DP by far @aw and the only one I gave away after listening to and do not own

    it’s badly mastered, flat, and boring. don’t waste any more of your time

  22. MrCompletely Says:

    dick didn’t pick that one, it was after he died

    dick was a straight up 1969 to 1974 guy all the way

  23. Mr. Palmer Says:

    I may have 2 extras for UIC 2. I will know for certain in a week. My wife’s sister and husband are on the fence. They aren’t fans, never heard a song, and are Sean Hannity worshipers. I don’t see a real fit there, but i feel bad not encouraging them since they are hosting us for a week.

  24. MrCompletely Says:

    let’s just say that release was one of few not motivated by the usual, musically based factors that go into releases, and that the lessons of that release were learned by all involved

    the new 82 release is better imo, at least it has a bomb shakedown, but still, just not the real heavyweight goods imo

  25. Mr. Palmer Says:

    What is the ’82 show you guys were talking about that ended up on someone’s desert island disc list?

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