TTFF: Energy and Exploration—Fall ’09

MSG—12.2.09 (Wendy Rogell)

After Summer ’09 and Indio—featuring a masterful take on Exile on Main Street and a well-loved acoustic set—the energy and anticipation was sky high for Phish’s first all-indoor, fall tour since 1997. Historically, things got crazier when Phish took their show inside the walls of arenas across the country, but when Fall ’09 started, that wasn’t necessarily the case. Jamming not so frequently and often in linear fashion, while relying on high energy rock and roll, the band perplexed many fans by their on stage decisions. But on the second night of Albany, someone put something in the water backstage, and the band came out and tore through 50 of the most sublime minutes of music since they had returned in “Seven Below > Ghost.” The band went on to finish the final week of tour on this crest of momentum, and getting into far more interesting jams on the way. This musical momentum would come to a head in Miami over New Year’s Run, the band was finally on the same page and moving into the future. Enjoy these Fall ’09 highlights as we fade into the weekend.

***

46 Days” 11.18 II, Detroit, MI

In the first set of fall, Phish got into an infectious and retro funk jam that melted into an ambient soundscape.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-18s1t10.mp3]

***

Split Open and Melt” 11.21 I, Cincinatti, OH

Possibly the best “Split” of this era from the third set of four at The Crown.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-21t09.mp3]

***

Disease > Twenty Years Later” 11.24 II, Philadelphia, PA

A gorgeous jam amidst a smoking show at the Wachovia Center.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-24s2t03.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-24s2t04.mp3]

***

Seven Below > Ghost” 11.28 II, Albany, NY

The night everything turned around.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-28s2t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-28s2t02.mp3]

***

Undermind” 11.29 I, Portland, ME

A lively take on the 2004 title track featuring lockstep interplay between Trey and Mike.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-29d1t10.mp3]

***

Light > Slave” 12.2 II, NYC, NY

“Light” had been expanding throughout the fall, but this version set a new improvisational paradigm for the 3.0 vehicle.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-12-02t13.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-12-02t14.mp3]

***

Disease > Piper” 12.3 II, NYC, NY

The improvisational centerpiece from the second night at MSG—a furious song pairing with a level of jamming spurned on by the events in Albany of November 28th. A very different “Disease” jam than the delicate Philly rendition.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-12-03t11.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-12-03t12.mp3]

Reba” 12.4 I, NYC, NY

An urgent, yet blissful, jam that reminded me of versions of an era past.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-12-04s1t09.mp3]

***

You Enjoy Myself” 12.4 II. NYC, NY

The return of YEMSG—a song with a lush history at the midtiown venue.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-12-04s2t10.mp3]

***

Tweezer -> Light” 12.5 II, Charlottesville, VA

The best “Tweezer” of tour was followed by a dark and mind-fucklingly abstract “Light” of the likes we hadn’t heard before. This sequence set Charlottesville’s tour finale in Charlottesville.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.01-Tweezer.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.02-Light1.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.03-Piper.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.04-Free.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.05-Sweet-Virginia.mp3] Tags: , , ,

664 Responses to “TTFF: Energy and Exploration—Fall ’09”

  1. ThePigSong Says:

    ^ I also remember reading that, from Halcyon I believe.

    I’m just the messenger, got the email to remind me of last years bracket and passed it on. I’m not an admin for the group or anything…

  2. ThePigSong Says:

    awesome link stapes, Firefox Download Helper addon ftw.

    A good five hours of taxes this morning + eight or so hours of tedious data entry for my job (although this isn’t my part of my job description and I’m not getting paid) is making me pretty loopy.

    That and a handful of Lagunitas IPAs…

  3. tela'smuff Says:

    ok. i’ll give it a shot.

    thx Stapes, i’ll check it out. you should see this fermentation man. exciting!! my bathroom smells like a frothy Taint Splasher.

  4. tela'smuff Says:

    wow! 5 mins after i typed this about fermentation, my f’in lid blew off!!! scared the shit out of me! some serious yeast action happening over here!

  5. sumodie Says:

    ptbm request submitted!

    deadline is today @ noon EST

  6. Lycanthropist Says:

    anyone still up?

  7. ThePigSong Says:

    Still awake, trying to kill the last few pages of Game Of Thrones. Many thanks to Lycan, you need to post more. (or maybe you do but I need to read more…)

  8. Lycanthropist Says:

    @pigsong

    i have been out of touch with the BB, i know.

    I just haven’t had the time to keep up with the flow of comments during the day.. and by the time i get home, it usually the only time i have with the Lady Lycan.

    I do miss posting with you cats. I will try to post more.

    I am glad you have enjoyed Game of Thrones thus far. Its my pleasure to turn other people on to great things. I am getting pretty stoked about Season 2.

    I am currently reading American Gods for the first time and enjoying it, although its a little loose in the plot, but nonetheless an enjoyable read that still holds promise.

    Musically, I have cut back tremendously, only gigging about once every two to three months. I miss it very much, but also have gotten wrapped up with my job that is proving to be much more lucrative.

    I am planning to go into the studio with Paradox Charlie in April, so keeping my fingers crossed that it all pans out.

    Last but most definitely not least, I am getting my daughter tomorrow for some good Spring Break QT. Bowling, Lager Tag, and rivers one the horizon for my week.

    Hope all is well on the BB!

  9. Lycanthropist Says:

    Whoops

    that should mean Laser Tag not Lager Tag.

    All though Lager Tag sounds like a fun activity for the adults after my daughter goes to bed.

  10. Fly Says:

    What’s up Lycan? Lager Tag sounds pretty win. Just caught my first Radiohead show, very impressive. Everyone sitting, though, which was odd. Now to see if I can stay awake for my 5.50 AM flight. Today will be a fun day of fighting off sleep. When I finally make it back to CT an my bed, it will be a crash of glorious proportions. Just getting started now, an already drooping. Come on Mt. Dew!

  11. Lycanthropist Says:

    Hell yeah Fly

    glad you enjoyed it.

    Hipsters still don’t know how to have fun it seems

  12. Fly Says:

    Ha yeah I definitely got a few googly eyes. It was indeed a sort of national hipster convention. How did this happen? Oh well, maybe I’m a hipster now too. Anyway you have a good night tiger

  13. ThePigSong Says:

    Finally went back into the TT room and I couldn’t log in with my original avatar. Oh well, spun some tunes with Lycan and he gave me some pointers, definitely worth it.

    #insomnia

  14. thedayman Says:

    DTE Disease!!!!! favorite jam eva caught. gets me every time

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