Reader’s Picks: Jeff D’Alonzo
All selections and text by Jeff D’Alonzo
A disclaimer. I love trey and i love jams that exude emotion. Tried to do a combo of relatively unknowns and monsters, but thanks to Miner and this ridiculous community, there aren’t really any unknowns.
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“Carini” 2.17.97 II, Amsterdam, NL
Thank the dude who remastered this show. It’s my belief that this show changed the game. The winter Europe tour started off strong, new style being developed and whatnot. The night prior, 2.16.97 took it a little further. However, this show, specifically this “Carini,” is where it went down. Coming out of the gate dirty, the band connected and went straight into that funky psychedelic vibe that is everywhere in ’97. There is really solid playing by everyone throughout the jam, but what makes it, is the ending. The last 4 minutes is the blissiest piece of bliss every made. Utter beauty and flowing with a peak that is the definition of gorgeous. I just blissed my pants.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ph1997-02-17d2t03.mp3]***
“Antelope” 5.16.94 II, Los Angeles, CA
Pretty sure the only people that knew about this one, were the people at the show until this set popped up on etree, i guess 4 or 5 years ago, it was the last missing link to my 1994 collection. Lo and behold I saw a 20 minute “Antelope.” Popped it on and the rest is history. The jam after the “BBFCFM” nonsense is one the most beautiful pieces of Phish music ever made. Trey leads a melodic build up that makes me shiver with emotion. Not really sure how to explain it, heart wrenching glory I guess.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ph1994-05-16d2t02.mp3]***
“Ghost” 6.15.00 I, Osaka, JP
I went through a month phase where I listened to this “Ghost” three times a day. Perfect driving music. Fishman is a god here and Trey follows his lead all the way through. Two jams, both brilliant, leading to a groove laced peak towards the end. Kids were lucky to be in Japan for this one.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ph2000.06.15-Ghost-remastered-MTX.mp3]***
“Bathtub Gin” 2.14.03 I, Los Angeles, CA
A personal favorite of mine. The only song on my list that i was present for. It seems like tour openers always have a big jam. The “Gin” is it. The whole winter tour was laced with huge “Gins.” But i like this version the best. Trey is a monster during this one. Funky, dirty, grooving, crushing. Pick whatever adjective, maybe Miner can help me. This jam is just amazing. Throw down city.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/1.06-Bathtub-Gin.mp3]***
“Bathtub Gin” 9.12.99 I, Portland, OR
When I discovered this jam randomly back in the day, I was floored. Hadn’t really read about it anywhere or heard any mention, prolly overshadowed by the “Ghost” from the same show. But this jam rules. It’s a perfect summer show jam, sunset, all that jazz. As my buddy Shin likes to say, a straight candy raver. It’s just a really bouncy and happy version with a beautiful groove.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/portland99gin.mp3]***
“Tweezer” 6.9.00 II, Tokyo, JP
Japan 2000 is arguably their best “jams” tour. So many heavy hitters. This one is probably the biggest. This “Tweezer” starts off cool, really laid back and patient. Gets a tad lost in the middle but then around the 18:00 mark,
everything in the world makes sense. So patient, all four of them finding their way. Both dirty and pristine, this ending jam is one for the ages, complete perfection.
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“Mike’s Song” 11.7.98 I, Chicago, IL
My favorite “Mike’s” ever. First jam is solid, well played and energetic. Then comes jam two, an absolute blissful beast. I love every kind of Phish, acidy experimentation, deep swamp funk, methjazz, etc. I love it all. But what really gets me is the bliss. And the second mikes jam from UIC is one of the blissiest. And also being a complete Trey whore, i love it, and this jam has IT.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/02-Mikes-Song.mp3]***
“Ghost” 7.12.03 II, George, WA
Post hiatus fire. Trey tone is in full effect. Another grooving shred fest, starts off really smooth and elegant. 10:50 mark on is why I go to shows. One of those moments when all you can do is smile at the fact that you got to listen to the greatest band on the planet do their thing.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2.06-Ghost.mp3]***
“AC/DC Bag” 11.7.98 II, Chicago, IL
Everyone knows this one but I don’t care. ’98 is prolly their best year all around, imo. The ambient shit brought things to a whole other level. This monster has complete experimental psychedelic ambiance all over the place. Whatever that means. I don’t condone drug use, but if you decide to indulge, put this on and listen to the whole thing.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/2-01-AC_DC-Bag.mp3]***
“Mike’s Song” 11.21.95 II, Winston-Salem, NC
My friend Cheryl turned me on to the jam a couple years ago. Not the best “Mike’s,” but a personal favorite. First jam is typical ’95, rocking, Page and Fish owning. But again, the second jam is what i crave. It starts off spotty and confused but towards the end turns into another bliss fed gem. Trey takes control and plays a slow melody that cuts to my core. Beauty.
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ph1995-11-21d3t1.mp3] Tags: Jams, Reader's Picks
Btb, that Albany ’99 show is one of my faves. My first trip to the Knick and what a scorcher
LU, I recommend the 17″ with the matte screen. Nice to have the real-estate esp if you plan on using Logic 9, FCP, etc.
http://austin.craigslist.org/sys/3800733154.html is an example.
Not necessarily a great deal, but might be worth the $400 more than you were looking at. Esp. with the software the guy is loading.
right, t3.
rey a.k.a “ripcord rey”
can’t stop spinnin this MC Tree. just blown away. such an original sound.
marco, that 10.9.99 albany show is nice. highlights: ghost>MLT; Free: LxL>2001>DWD; Simple
Nada MIA
i want more thundercats. those cats are butter funk thunder.
Distinction:
Tory- Let Me Lie, Architect, etc (Tender)
Tony- Hands on A Hardbody (Broadway)
Thanks MiA, been debating 15 vs 17
oh man, lu, that’s funny.
wow. hitting some tight 2011 tracks today. 8.5.11 (Gorge) Taste smokes tits. go trey, go!
we tease trey, but the man has major guitar game. i like his voice too.
On the software tip, got a guy who says he can clean up whatever i get and has cracked software for Ableton/Logic/Photoshop/Illustrator
Matte Screen would be nice, this one looks pretty beasty…
Happy Friday:
…just saying….six strings rippers….
http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/videos-watch-warren-haynes-sit-in-with-joe-bonamassa/
Thunder cats are on the loose, Thunder cats are loose!
_
Thundercat is a bassist who works with Flying Lotus, check Flylo’s Vine to see the two kickin it with Herbie Hancock. I believe Herbie is being shown Jdilla’s Watermelon Man sample.
try other buttons Palmer. Maybe it’s not the option. Maybe it’s the other one.
Thundercat – Oh Sheit It’s X
https://soundcloud.com/brainfeeder/thundercat-oh-sheit-its-x
this cat makes all these little jam band bass players look like one of Win Butler’s sweaters.
spun this shit a dozen times last night. this bassline should be illegal it’s so fuckin dirty.
(alt?)
this funk fusion project he’s droppin soon with flylo is quickly becoming my most anticipated drop of the year
thanks for refreshing the link. need another hit of that sheit.
be sure to check your preferred laptop case/bag to make sure the 17″ will fit. I can’t put my macbook in the computer sleeve of my bag which is really 1st world annoying
i’m not proclaiming the Dick’s ’12 Tweezer to be anything that it’s not, but for a 1st set jam, it’s got a real nice laid back groove, but heavy enough to put slf’s down for the count. i’m a fan of this one.
hahahahaha
I was just thinking “I haven’t been on the board in a while.”
and the Dick’s Tweezer put my girl down.
Phishtracks 2-17-97 DWD remastered mp3 stream vs. FTA#14 Indio day3 FM broadcast appleloss
Phishtracks remastered version is brighter & louder
While the FTA sbd is warmer overall; more clarity in the mid to low end and less distortion at louder levels. Filter it thru itunes equalizer (ie make it sound brighter) and I favor this version
But both versions are more equal than not (to these ears)
Happy 5-0 to the Chairman of the Boards!!
(and birthday wishes to you too, Aqua, hope your face pops up again on tour)
with lil’um in mind