TTFF: The Beginning of December
As the calendar flips to December, memories of Phish jams past always dance in our heads. The month is synonymous with vintage Phish, as the band brings their explorations of the year to a head each year. Throughout history, many fall tours spilled into the early weeks of December, and in 1999, the band gave December a tour of its own, as the band geared up for Big Cypress. This week’s playlist is taken from shows that took place on the first two days of December throughout the years. Enjoy the tunes as we fade into the weekend.
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“Peaches En Regalia” 12.1.96 I, Los Angeles, CA
This bustout of “Peaches,” for the first time since 12.31.94, opened the show at Pauly Pavilion at UCLA.
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“Mike’s Song > Weekapaug” 12.1.95 II, Hershey, PA
Nineteen-ninety five was, arguably, the peak year for “Mike’s Groove,” and as the band careened towards ’96,every single version in December absolutely slayed. This is the first one—a legendary rendition from Hershey, PA.
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“Split Open and Melt” 12.1.94 I, Salem, OR
Another outrageous ’94 “Split.” They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore.
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“Tweezer” 12.2.95 II, New Haven, CT
This fierce all-timer transcends groove and lands in pure musical annihilation. In SBD clarity thanks to @shapsio!
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“Reba” 12.1.96 II
A big-time second-setter from Pauly Pavilion.
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“Light” 12.2.09, NYC, NY
One of the first jaw-dropping versions of “Light.”
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“Bathtub > 2001 > YEM” 12.2.99 II, Auburn Hills, MI
This show kicked off the Phish’s torrid December Tour of ’99, and this sequence formed the scorching centerpiece—and a tour highlight.
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Tags: TTFF
No question T3, his imagery is exhausting to some people. I suspect much like Stephen Kings can be.
But when reading “Christine” when Arnie goes into the shop to talk to Will Darnell, the way King describes it with the nudie calendars, the smell of oil soaked into concrete, the ting of wrenches hitting the ground, the sound of the fans turned up, gasoline soaked rags … I was there.
I sure used a lot of commas in that sentence didn’t I.
I’m not saying they’re the greatest novels ever, but there sure are some gems in there.
I think the bears are still in the wild card hunt. This weekend will tell. KC is an interesting matchup for them right now. If they can’t beat the chiefs they’re doomed.
of course they’d need cutler back for the playoffs…and I guess that’s now in question?
regardless, the Bears and Cutler proved a lot this year. Coming into the season I didn’t know a single non-homer who liked them, in terms of cohesion and overall potential. Cutler showed his true quality and the team rose up around him.
Sucks if his injury derails the whole season for them, but I think the next couple seasons look good for them.
The Eagles, on the other hand, appear to simply be bad at playing football. However there is a huge upside there: maybe Andy Reid will finally get fired. Given the amount of raw talent in Philly, that puts them one good coaching hire away from being next season’s 49ers, potentially.
The Seahawks have turned an interesting corner. They’re definitely not good, but they don’t really suck anymore either. Tarvaris is actually playing OK-ish. Marshawn Lynch is a fun player to watch. Given how much they’re on TV up here it sure would be nice if they got back to at least being entertaining.
Robbins is great buzzed up reading
2.24.74 Dark Star filling the airwaves at the moment.
i, too, enjoyed Jitterbug Perfume. Only read it once. Have Game of Thrones on my wish list for holidays.
Kaya- re: Murakami- It was recommended to me to begin with Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. A collection of short stories. About a third of the way through… Interesting to say the least.
Top of the morning!
Seahawks >>>> Seagles…..
Ugh-les
@Dorn, read the article. I was expecting worse. That was a good link.
Man, I have two Eagles on my fantasy team and they are polar opposites. Lesean McCoy is having an outstanding year despite the team playing like shit and then Desean Jackson is going down with the ship.
g711- i have both of them also. Desean is gone. His on field demeanor will scare many teams away. Million dollar talent, ten cent head.
great story last page MiA. i’ve heard all about the dude but never read him. Was never much of a reader but I did love a couple Kerouac books (Dharma Bums my fave)
Jackson just isn’t as good as he thinks he is. He does have an explosive element but unfortunately it carries over to his personality. No consistency from that dude.
doesn’t anyone ever talk about phish on here anymore?
phish talk is scheduled for 12:42pm (eastern) today. the last showing was at 8:12. sorry you missed it.
LOL
No question T3, his imagery is exhausting to some people. I suspect much like Stephen Kings can be.
This is what turns me off about Tom Robbins. I enjoyed his books, but for me it was work to get through his stories. Maybe I will revisit him, but there were times I yelled into the book “Get to the point!!!”
DIF, I talked about a Phish parking lot. Does that count?
9:15 into Hampton Bag = Punch You in The Bag.
how about that superball mound? better?
2011 Year of the Mound. Hell Yeah!!!!
Halcy, I never get to the point. I’m very forgiving for those that can’t to one either. Stoned rambling background I guess.
I like it when Phish rambles. Like in that Winston-Salem Gin. They went Type V there.
Tom Robbins is defintely an author who loves his tangents.
It is right up my alley though, because his books REQUIRE a speed reader like myself to slow down in soak in each page.
I love the philosophy and history that is integrated into his stories of the absurd.
I can understand that it might be a little over pontificating for most, but for me I love it.
I actually have a tattoo of the jitterbug perfume cover on my arm.
Comparison to Phish is apt I think.
Tom Robbins lets stream of conscious take over, but in a much more engaging fashion than say, Faulkner.
Great reading for the 19-25 age range in opinion. Some good next level eye opening stuff that can lead into some deeper and more vague philosophical readings.
Seriously? That kicks ass Lycan.
If I could get Mastay to do it, I’d put Miner’s cover on my arm.
#representing
My town house is in bad shape. Ripping out whole kitchen, down to original old growth fir flooring. Need complete foundation retrofit, house shook loose during last big earthquake. Things were looking bleak. Then I scored the house directly across the street as a rental. Small miracle. Things do work out for the best at times.
The house is trashed, the project room was kept clean and solid.
#alwayssundayinhumboldt
Absolutely. I was in the middle of that Gin, and I was kinda getting bored. I mean, I was listening, but I was wondering, where does this go, then BAM. Something really to grab ahold of.
I get why the band wants to just jam stuff that is always “something to grab ahold of” and less wandering around.
I appreciate the aimless wandering. Some brilliant shit comes out of that.
Points are highly over-rated.
Pronoia right Robear.