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
My own youth is triply enriched by the examination and savoring of life we all encourage each other to participate in.
Awareness is so key.
Communal awareness is where life lives.
bring on Leg 2, bitches
so glad I decided to pull the chord at the last minute and make the trip to the gorge. wouldve kicked myself if I didn’t. now if I can only squeeze in tahoe into the mix. I’ll be on the west coast till the 13th. I gotta make it happen!
@ Mitch maybe Mr. C can’t grow the super thick beard and is a little jealous?
I’m sure he’s not, but ya’ know.
I’ve had the “Spotty” since 1999
so…
Remember the KKK leader David Duke?
he’s throwing his hat into the ring for GOP/Repub nomination
Yay! What’s in that GOP water anyway? Jeeze
geek alert drive by
Ultimate Matrix Collection on Blu-ray is Amazon’s Gold Box deal of the day, only $26.99 free shipping no tax.
No beard for me. Shit gets too uncomfortable after a week or so. Clean shaven all the way. I’ll go a day or two without, max.
I thought Mr. C ‘s beard synopsis last page, last post was awesome. Only thing that made me laugh this morning.
Looks good on you though Mitch. 🙂
@ lw
“or as mr. brown once said “living in america””
hahaha! well played
Remember the KKK leader David Duke?
Fuckin A. I need a new handle.
Hey guys, need some help from the BB. I got a buddy getting married at The Gorge. Anyone going who is a minister or willing to get certified online? Also, need a professional photog.
Thanks!
cgranberry@gmail.com
I’m 100% with Mitch on the beard thing. Never liked shaving and I’m one of those guys who has a 5 o’clock shadow by about 11 a.m. So I just let it grow. Had one since April ’99. Thinking about shaving it off though. The greys outnumber the browns…by a long shot.
And the head of the SC tea party was just charged with selling counterfeit software. And Glenn Beck makes an ass of himself again re: Norway camp.
Any of you guys have anything actually surprising or interesting this morning?
Big Cypress CnP and Sand to start the day…
turntable.fm is kickin’ this morning LeoDub
This Tea Party is full of dangerous crazies…
Nothing about there name reflects the struggle of independence of the colonists.
spotty represent!
actually, my entire body is covered in fur
time to tea bag the tea party
I’ve gotten used to the beard. Oddly enough, it was my wife’s only out-of-the-blue craving when she was pregnant – that I grow a beard for the first time – and she loved it so she hasn’t let me shave since.
I think it makes me look maybe 22, up from 17, so I’m cool with it
Fuck fur.
How can the beardless come up with dastardly plans? Easily, by tenting their fingers. All this leg 2 talk is actually starting to piss me off. The left coasters complained big time about the tour schedule and now they hold all the cards. Might have to try to do UIC. WTF!!!!
with beard I look about my age
without beard I look about 18
@guyute
Try not.
Do, or do not do. There is no try.
Bitches.
Chicago will be very expensive G$$$
The question is which BBers has the biggest beard-age difference. Mine is only 6 years.
Viscount of Lizards?
“Nothing but their name reflects the struggle of independence of the colonists.”
I don’t know.
American Revolution was funded by rich white landowners who prospered on the backs of slaves. The Revolution was fought by these rich white landowners who didn’t want to pay taxes to a government that provided social programming – and also was trying to curtail the slave trade.
seems like the tea party is pretty much the same, now.