TTFF: Summer ’98
Summer '98 Promo Poster
Phish crushed so hard in the summer of ’98, that I could fill an entire week of playlists with highlights from this tour alone. Between their fortnight in Europe and month in America, the band churned out amazing jams at a ludicrous pace, while remaining on point for the entire season. Here are a handful of jams from what has to be considered the greatest summer tour of the late-90’s.
“Curtain > Free” 7.31.98 II, Columbus, OH
The laid back funk of Summer ’98.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ph98-07-31d2t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ph98-07-31d2t02.mp3]***
“Tweezer” 7.9.98 I, Barcelona, ES
In a small and sweltering club, Phish dropped these filthy grooves.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/1-07-Tweezer.mp3]***
“Reba > Fast Enough” 7.16.98 II, Quincy, WA
Quintessential summer Phish with an uncharacteristic rhythmic take by Trey.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/1-04-Track-04.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/1-05-Track-05.mp3]***
“Ghost > Lifeboy” 8.2.98 II, Noblesville, IN
One of countless standout “Ghosts” of Summer ’98—the peak tour for the song.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ph1998-08-02d2t02.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ph1998-08-02d2t03.mp3]***
“Wolfman’s -> 2001” 7.24.98 II, Houston, TX
One of the lesser known highlights from this summer, and a soundboard, taboot.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ph98-07-24d2tr01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ph98-07-24d2tr02.mp3]***
“Bathtub Gin” 7.29.98 I, Maryland Heights, MO
The Riverport “Gin” needs no introduction; my favorite version ever played.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ph98-07-29d1t01.mp3]***
“Ya Mar” 7.25.98 I, Austin, TX
One of the most exploratory “Ya Mars” in history—a jam that is so cohesive that it sounds composed.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ph98-07-25d1t05.mp3]***
“Tube” 7.16.98 II, Quincy, WA
A personal favorite featuring the open-air, chunky grooves of the Gorge.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2-05-Track-05.mp3]***
“Drowned -> Makisupa” 7.20.98 II, Ventura, CA
A dark horse combo from the begininning of Ventura’s second set that features a silky-smooth segue.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Drowned.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Makisupa.mp3]***
“YEM” 7.26.98 II, Dallas, TX
A mid-second set explosion of swanky summer grooves in which Gordeaux thumps prominent “The Way I Feel” bass lines—a late-90’s trend that started a week earlier in Shoreline’s standout version.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ph98-07-26d2t02.mp3] Tags: 1998, TTFF
No idea what band I’ve been watching, but I’ve seen a 15 minute bass solo, 10 minute keys solo, now a ~8 minute auto tune solo*.
*subject to extension
@AJ
Superball Mound
Superball! I think I’ll cue up some highlights and crack a few of these beers I neglected over the weekend.
AC 2001
Bethel Gin
Telluride piper
one of my favorite aspects of 3.0 is the stylistic variation that the band employs now. so many different jamming styles all at once, plinko, storage, ambient, the list goes on. when you listen to the top jams of 3.0, let alone ’11, the differences in sound is obscene. compare bethel waves to dte disease, to gorge r&r to the entire elements set, to every single sand of summer, to dicks tweezer, -7, i mean the list just goes on. all so unique. seemingly more so than other eras.
I was with you until “more so than other eras”
More simultaneous styles going on than in the past.
Just got sucked into a 9-11 show on the national geographic channel. That shit gets me every time. Tons of true heroes. Those phone calls of people saying goodbye. Too much. My 15 yr old daughter came in on her mom and I both crying during one of the tributes last fall and said she didn’t understand why. We told her we hoped she’d never have to.
Water did break. She should be coming tonight or tomorrow morning, so about two weeks early. Good thing I decided to buy an early plane ticket or else I would still be in Plattsburgh right now. That would be shitty. Anyhow, I am only home to pick things up, and apparently the wifi at the hospital is for staff only. So, this will be my last post for a little while…I’ll have pics of a little rooster pretty soon!
Thanks for the good lucks and wishes…means a lot right now!
Hey, Miner. Great stuff as always. The FREE link though is just a repeat of the CURTAIN link. Love throwing these in my Itunes. If it gets fixed great. if not, it’s all good. Maybe I’ll see you in AC!!