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
I did sumo, sad. Really bizarre, or not, considering it is NOLA.
Saw butter tweeting from jazzfest earlier…bastard.
They’re not showing the Metallica Day pre game ceremonies from the Giants game. Darn it.
vw, was thinking the same. then you turn on hockey. cats in that were in the NHL when I was in high school. selanne, lemieux.
palmer, sumo, stop it. i’d like those. can one still sign up?
If anyone is interested. After midnight jam pro shot from BC (part 1). Very good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz7CURqNlH8
Any of you cats ever rock Wilson kicks on tour?
http://racquetdepot.com/wilson-staff-classic-mens-tennis-shoes-whitenavyred-p-17522.html
@Voopa, they just showed the replay of Hetfield and Hammett playing the star spangled banner to start the broadcast… so cool!! looks like the crowd loved it. and ulrich threw out the first pitch!
So they did show the national anthem…Hammett and Hetfield instrumental on black SF logo’d ESB’s…nailed it, actually. Then Lars threw the first pitch and nailed that too, the fucker.
Did they tell everyone to turn off their camera phones also?
lol@ hazel
And plamer
Talking about Wilson…Jonathan Wilson opening for Tame Impala on the left coast for a handful of dates. I can get behind this double bill:
5/26 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
5/27 – Vancouver, BC – The Commodore Ballroom
5/29 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater – Oakland
5/30 – Pomona, CA – Fox Theater Pomona
5/31 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues San Diego
I’ll be dusting off the passport and crossing the border. That place (Canada) weirds me out.
🙂 voopa…
go giants!!
Pot Shop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znpt_Umixcs
Hazel!!!
MiA!!
I made an appearance on 66 yesterday… Cannot wait until the Tahoe/BGCA fun!!
So excited about summer in Tahoe and the city.
I love this last jar I found. I love my Davinci.
Zappa on his Broadway work in ’83 on Letterman. His musical sounds a little more interesting than Trey’s…pretty funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF6OmSSjH5w
me too, vegas
Buster Strike A Posey!
Stones played Emotional Rescue for the first time ever tonight?!?
Thats crazy vw, I was just thinking that the other day. Grant Hill is a huge tip off that something here just ain’t right.
Morning. Sitter canceled, me alone with kids for 5 hours today. Now, I know this is no big deal, but I am new to the two kid hustle, so gotta just do it. Wish the baby was interested in a bottle, 5 hours of no nursing makes it crabby for all. Ok, going in…
ps, only slightly complainingish – mostly tired, doing it here so I dont do it to my wife – see, I am such a good husband, lol.
Saturdaze’d
Hang in there AJ.
Heading to 2nd dealership today. Had to walk away from the table last nite.
I go to Japan in three weeks, and that can only mean a few things:
1. this year went by really fast
2. I am going to be drinking about 250% more than I currently do
3. New Phish is on the horizon