Reader’s Picks: Dustin Lewis
12.28.2012, MSG (Graham Lucas)
All selections and text by Dustin Lewis
“Gumbo -> Sanity” 8.15.98 II, Limestone, ME
A groovy piece from Lemonwheel that perfectly illustrates Phish’s Summer ’98 sound. Tight (but loose), focused and funky. This is one of the truly great (yet somewhat forgotten) segues.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/1998-08-15-Gumbo-_-Sanity-1998-08-15-Lemonwheel-Limestone-ME2.mp3]***
“Halley’s -> Roses” 7.13.99 I, Mansfield, MA
How I miss first set jamming like this pairing. This combo comes in the first frame of the (possibly) last great show at Great Woods. Several other readers picks have mentioned that late ’90’s Halley’s represents an “effortless” type sound. This piece, which somehow merges groove with more abstract soundscapes, sounds as effortless as it gets.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/I-03-Halleys-Comet.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/I-04-Roses-are-Free.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/I-05-NO2.mp3]***
“Split Open and Melt” 12.4.99 II, Cincinnati, OH
With Big Cypress around the corner, Phish was plugging away at the sound that would take them from midnight to sunrise. Trey switches from effect-laden sustains, to the Mini-Keys, and then back to a raging guitar finish in what was one of my all-time favorite indoor dance sessions on a cold night in Cincy.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2-02-Track-021.mp3]***
“Mike’s Song” 12.30.93 II, Portland, ME
I can’t leave out the early ’90s entirely! My favorite “Mike’s” of all-time rages from start to finish. Trey’s ripping dark leads gradually morph into bright, blissful glory. PLEASE BRING BACK THE SECON…….ok, I know, it’s been asked enough at this point.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/phish1993-12-30-mtx-d2t02.mp3]***
“Free” 7.31.98 II, Columbus, OH
Not your father’s version of “Free.” Trey ditches the guitar god soloing in favor of soupy Summer ’98 funk. A stellar version that, again, makes you yearn for the days when “Free” was free to run wild.
[audio:]http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ph98-07-31d2t02.mp3]
***
“Theme -> Dog Log” 9.17.00 II, Columbia, MD
Another reader recently highlighted the “Mango Song” from this spectacular night at Merriweather. This set was one of the most unique of all time and carried a distinctly dark vibe throughout. This “Theme->Dog Log” is really one piece and you can’t help nodding your head back and forth to those distinctly ’00 grooves. Mr. Gordon owns this one.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2000-09-17-Theme-From-The-Bottom-_-Dog-Log-2000-09-17-Merriweather-Post-Pavilion-Columbia-MD1.mp3]***
“Tweezer” 6.18.94 II, Chicago, IL
This is one of my Top-3 “Tweezers.” The aggressive, “in your face” ’94 grooves explode out of the speakers for the first act. After a bit of meandering, Page comes in with a Mind Left Body progression that Trey jumps on like a man possessed. The peak of this jam could only come from those four musicians, in the year 1994.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ph1994-06-18d2t05.mp3]***
“Down with Disease” 2.21.03 I, Cincinnati, OH
Another choice from Cincy, but a completely different time. It is jarring just how different the band sounds when comparing Cincy ’99 to Cincy ’03. This piece, taken just about 10 shows into 2.0, captures the band getting to know each other musically again. Though it would take until the summer for the band to really hit the gas full speed on a night to night basis, it was fascinating watching the rust gradually come off the car.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/1.03-Down-With-Disease.mp3]***
“Roggae” 8.5.11 I, George, Washington
I know that most people have probably heard this one, but I just can’t leave out the obvious highlight from my first set at the Gorge. Walking up and over that precipice to see the wonder that is the Gorge was one of the true highlights of my life. If you have never been, please go. It is a truly special place. This bluesy rendition of “Roggae” brought the sun down with style…
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ph2011-08-05t08.mp3]***
“Mercenary Territory” 10.31.10 II, Atlantic City, NJ
Though “Spanish Moon” seems to be the consensus highlight from the Columbus set, “Mercenary Territory” was my favorite. The full-band peak, including the horns, must have taken hours and hours to get down (though they still didn’t totally nail it.) If you’ve never heard the original Columbus, give it a spin….”Mercenary” is the real highlight.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2.08-Mercenary-Territory.mp3] Tags: Reader's Picks
Actually figured it out. Think I’ll take them out to a few bars, get them drunk then smoke a fatty with them. Next we listen to some of the weirdest phish I can muster up while I watch them freak for the first time. Should be fun.
Or I’ll take them to dinner. Not sure yet which is the best way to go.
That uic forbins was the 1st forbins opener since 90. Awesome.
The foam keeps getting thicker…
Actually never knew what that song meant until the other day when my pillow got attacked by my dogs. It was horrible. OK nuff from me. You all enjoy the night as I will too. Peace.
And on a real note. The thing that sucks most about going into the office is the traffic. No shit. It’s unreal what people put up with day after day just to get to work. More power to them. I look forward to my cozy office in the home next week. Peace.
beaut
this song has really grown on me and this video is really well done.
great mix taboot taboot.
The show ridiculousness is my favorite on tv. Its the only thing on MTV I haven’t grown to find utterly offensive.
Hannibal is on tonight xpun. Top notch tv.
Caught a few of these live. That weekend at great woods in 99 was pure bliss for me. I’ve mumbled many times before about how great that second night first set was.
From the Columbus show I remember my first curtain and really loving moma from BEK. I remember the twist from set 2 really striking me. Was electric as fuck and had just seen the movie scream and saw that masked face everywhere I looked. Not in a bad way but that fucker was everywhere I looked on the lawn. Also had a punch/slave encore that was tailor made for me. Got to love that
Thanks bingo. I’ll get the wife.
bingos, you know they skipped an episode due to subject matter that I guess was a little too jarring considering the boston situation, right?
per pajiba
apparently you can view the whole episode online if you so desire
Double checked .net to make sure I had the right set. Amazing how well I can remember some electrified shit 15 years ago. That second set look pretty killer to my eyes. Need to hit up phishtracks to see how the ears feel about it.
No moma that show though.
Thanks t3. Its very good cinema. And I do not like blood or horror. Hope they keep it up.
6-9-00 Tokyo Tweezer is so multi-faceted. Many, many themes…
Top 5 Tweezer. Very distinct , unique.
…amazing thing is that I typed the above post without realizing there were still 12 minutes left in the jam!!!! I thought it was winding down at 19 minutes, turns out its 31.. Sickness.
just to clarify, that second link (avclub) doesn’t have the full episode but indicates it will be available… eventually.
As I did my jaunt through ’00 I think the top jams can hold up the best of any era.
oh justin, say it isnt so
http://www.avclub.com/articles/swedish-police-find-drugs-on-justin-biebers-tour-b,96993/
I would agree with that Mia.. Top Gins, Ghosts and Tweezer all in ’00. That Tweezer deserves another spin with a quick turnaround. I’ve heard it before, but never really listened to what was going on. Brilliant jam.
T3, that port chester version of Architect was terrific, completely won me over to the tune
The Albany version was pretty good, but no where near as mesmerizing as port chester’s
Probably should spin a west coast version to compare
Good tune…. Architect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tui85fmQwb8
Just found out that Saturday is national “meet your neighbor day”. They are sitting down our street for a neighborhood block party. Wtf. Now I have to mow tomorrow. Thanks assholes.