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
http://turntable.fm/bb_spiritual_plinko_funk
Stone company store sold out of Enjoy By – looks like an Enjoy By-less Friday
I’ve always felt that some of my best thinking happens while mowing the lawn. And sometimes no thinking at all. I also get a lot of thinking done in the shower.
Not sure why I’m sharing this…
Also, I am very thankful for summer clothes – especially the peach colored pants that were just in front of me on the way to the train.
Off to my son’s little league double header under the lights.
Happy Friday everyone. Enjoy.
Just realized I haven’t mowed a lawn in over 20 years, damn!
Ordering drugs online goes back at least to the 1990s and late 80s
Read about someone ordering tennis balls stuffed with pressies from Texas back in the 1980s before MDMA was made illegal
Crazy that nowadays you can hire a chinese lab to produce your fav alphabet soup drug
Still gotta know the right guy, that’s never changed
Thumbprinting should be a prerequisite for anyone wanting to run for the Presidency or Congress
ksh/ipa prep before block party. how long after sunset is ok to wear shades?
Guyute, you listening to all of 10.19.96 Buffalo?
Was front & center (& faced) at that one thanks to PTBM – did seem like an odd show at the time even as I loved the awesome weirdness of being so close to the band. Never listened back since but maybe you & phishtracks will convince me
Let it bleed by Goat. badass track. playing now in the TT
Terrific double bill for the west coast in late May!
http://www.jambands.com/news/2013/05/03/jonathan-wilson-to-open-for-tame-impala/
(As is Bombino opening for Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters for 3 east coast dates in July)
crazy map T3
always find the Shoreline lawn too step. but that’s my home town venue, so i’ve been hitting it forever.
Shoreline lawn is great if you don’t want to hear music and like shinsplints.
Best and Worst Story, Bridge School Benefit
Neil Young> Tom Waits with the Kronos Quartet> Jerry Lee Lewis…
That shit was incredible!!$$!!..
BUT THEN, Metallica came out. (Remember this is an all acoustic event).
They started their set with ‘I Just Want to Celebrate.’
The Worst was when they went into a cover of Garbage’s ‘I’m Only Happy When It Rains’, and they did it in halftime!!! SO BAD!!!
I watched 10,000 people evacuate the Shoreline Lawn. Award for worst thing I’ve seen.
@voopa, shinsplit city.
Fox Theatre actually has pretty bad sound swell
re: every noise at once
The genre/subgenre splicing is fascinating even if the creator thinks ‘Round Midnight’ is the poster child for hardbop…
Still, even though the categories and samples aren’t crafted perfectly, I found that once I expanded the subgenre of stuff I really like, it’s not totally wrong. For the most part, it’s pretty good.
BTW, Metal dudes need to chill the hell out with the subgenres. “Metal” appears 34x on the main page and that doesn’t even include the (sans metal) “-core” varieties like “thrash core,” “death core,” and “grindcore.”
Compare that with “jazz” (15x). Shoot, even “pop” has less with 30x.
It would be interesting to know exactly what the guy who made that listens to. My guess is “metal core.” I don’t think we share a lot of interests.
was thinking the same thing Selector, well put
Sound at the Fox was great for TAB 2 weeks ago…then again, I was right next to the sound board…
I have a lot of fond memories of the Dead at Shoreline on the lawn in May and August ’91. I thought the sound was pretty good with the relay speakers (and the copious (for me) chemicals abundant on lot).
Greek lawn has at least a few degrees of slope on Shoreline. Second two nights had to fit my Birkenstocks with crampons. (kidding on the Birkenstocks)
sumo – too bad tame impalas SD show has been sold out for a couple months already. hoping for a CL score
janx – have to get enjoy by at a stone store in SD. Nearest to you might be the south park location? or just head up to the brewery maybe. My go to is the oceanside shop. small, coastal, nice outdoor garden, doesn’t quickly run out
yeah new deerhunter is sick sick sick
Julian Marley is playing with Richie Spice. Ruh roh.
Just got really excited at the realization I will be seeing Phish in Chicago, Tahoe, San Fran and Denver. Woo hoo
#goldenage
Just got really excited when the farmer swung by dropped off his normal crops and then tossed me a tincture of glycerine extract.
Hello, Weekend!!