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
Clavin for donuts
Penguins and Islanders are in OT. Go Islanders. Can’t stand the Penguins and esp. Crosby.
Oops. Penguins just scored. Assist by Crosby. Oh well.
Copernicus drank from a vessel that sank
From a Freemasons crank to an overflow tank
Thinkin about Reagan,
and bombs, and wars, and tax
I put my little finger in my ear
and i pull out a clump of wax
Well, theres miles and miles of Lushington miles
and every one is brutal
Carlton Melton – Live at Roadburn 2011 (Netherlands festi)
http://www.carltonmeltonmusic.com/audio/CMroadburn_2011.mp3
Heavy stoner drone rock. Not sure wha I think yet, 1st song is 35 min. Would be awesome late night festi music fo sure. Whole set is 95 min, one track mp3
Gdad tipped me off to these guys, thanks!
Also just getting to Foxygen’s last release. Indeed worthy
Good one mia.
Yo BK, if ur out there, this is the year to tour kid. Trust us.
Highly rec the book Born to Run. Especially rob and silly. For different reasons. Not about The Boss. I hate the fuckin Boss.
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-Superathletes-Greatest/dp/0307279189
Also, found this letter Ken Kesey wrote after his son died and it is beautiful. And the website I found it on will suck hours of your day(in a good way).
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/09/what-world.html
Yeah, don’t start reading Letters of Note unless you have nothing, but nothing, planned for the day.
Some amazing things captured there.
Right on @sumo. Old old college related friend from Wilmington DE (Andy Duvall, used to play in Zen Guerilla) is in Carlton Melton. Those guys play in a geodesic dome in either mendo or humboldt from time to time and they take their psychs seriously.
That’s a much more swirling and expansive form of psych. Feel like the psych stuff that isn’t embraced by the indie crowd and labels is where it’s at.
The album I’ve had the hardest time digesting is the Nihiti album.
“Now I know the reason that I’m feeling so forlorn
I’ll pick you up at eight as usual, listen for my horn”
^one of my favorite stock/archetypal Trey leads follows these depressingly great lyrics
Actually enjoyed the 1st half of the DeerHunter album.. Need to spin the rest. Better than the earlier shit. More rock and roll guitar sounding, which I prefer.
New Dead is awesome
Impossibly beautiful weekend, for May, in SEA. Spending almost all of it in the back yard, sipping IPAs, playing with the new Arizer, and listening to music. Thoughts:
1) David Crosby “If I Could Only Remember My Name” is perfect Sunday lounging music.
2) 2.19.71 (3 from the vault) is the Dead at their gunslingin’ best. Smokestack Lightnin’ is the truth.
3) I’m a Phish noob compared to a lot here, but I think the Blossom Mike’s is scary dirty goodness, especially at the start of the now extinct “2nd jam.”
Enjoy your evening.
No new Dave’s Picks for me yet, Palmer, otherwise I would have spun that thing all weekend. Excited for it.
We should start a petition to save Mikes2nd Jam from extinction.
You will enjoy it T… It’s basically been on a loop for me since friday afternoon..
Tho let us not forget an amazingly “psychedelic” album that we just listened to at dinner:
“Smile” by the Beach Boys
After that make the large-ish leap over to the surreal dreamscape orchestration of The High Llamas. Very overlooked group.
Love that Crosby album @Tzaras
Need to sign up for these Dave’s picks. Totally slept on that.
Never heard that record. Gonna have to check it.
The Crosby segued nicely into new Phosphorescent record. I liked it, it fit the vibe. Didn’t totally love it.
Discovered a new brewery in Hood Diver this afternoon called Pfrim.
Evidently the head brewer recently relocated from Seattle to the lil’ oasis along the Columbia river gorge. some of the best saisons, i’ve tasted; also nailed the double ipas. walked away with a cu$ty stainless steel growler filled with 64 oz of saison nectar.
The mrs and I talked with some folks about the summer show season at the bar. Everyone spliff’ed and blissed out.
Love when it all clicks.
Right on, @irie. That brewery is making it up here. Just tried the Wit, which was really good. Look forward to trying the IPAs when they get here.