New York News Day
This week, Phish dropped two noteworthy pieces of news centered around the state of New York. First and foremost, the band announced that they will return to Madison Square Garden for the fourth consecutive year for their Holiday Run. Though this comes as no surprise, it’s always nice to see more Phish shows on the docket. Phish also announced their next remastered release—a straight heater from Niagara Falls, New York on December 7, 1995. In my opinion, this is one of the very best shows from—arguably—the very best month in Phish history. A shrewd selection from Kevin Shapiro, this drop highlights the band at their absolute career peak (up until that point) as they worked their way to MSG at the end of the month. United in their Empire State of mind, each of these pieces of news deserve a tad more inspection.
Madison Square Garden, Phish, and New Years Run have become a 3.0 tradition. Starting in 2010, the band has returned to the hallowed round room each and every year for their Holiday bash, and each time we’ve witnessed a subsequent phase of renovation that has decreased the fun and all-out free for all that once existed in the late ‘90s. Now, the venue is extremely segmented, causing fans to scurry for GA West tickets only to discover the section packed like sardines and being forced to go small on the dance floor. Let’s face it, MSG ain’t what she once was and it’s time for a change. Hopefully the band will switch things up sooner than later, but for now it looks like we are heading back to the Big Apple to brave the cold weather for the holidays. With the band peaking again and returning to one of their favorite rooms, however, these shows carry a boat load of potential. Good luck in the ticket lottery!
Niagara Falls is the best release by Phish in quite some time. This highlights one of the peak shows of a peak era—December ’95. Within this show, the band throws down a fantastic first set “Slave” that sets up Hall of Fame versions versions of “Split Open and Melt,” “Reba,” “Mike’s” and “Weekapaug” in set two, not to mention an early, scorching version of “Taste.” This is an absolute can’t miss purchase, as Fred Kevorkian’s remastering has been dialed in on recent releases like Ventura and Hampton-Winston Salem. Bring that oh-so-crisp sound to the fast, frenetic and layered jamming of December ’95, and this drop is bound for glory. Here’s a 2008 piece I wrote on four shows that should be remastered—including Niagara Falls. Hey, two out of four ain’t bad!
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Jams of the Day: Niagara Falls 12/7/95
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ph95-12-07d2t02.mp3]
“Reba“
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/15-Reba.mp3]
Hell yeah, velcro back up
go listen to 9/28 disco biscuit show. so open, patient and creative. best show they’ve played in years.
Heady Hamptons, heady Hamptons…git ya heady Hamptons hee’ya! Anyone in need of a Hampton 3pak, hit me up…cannondawg at gmail.
Happy weekend!
Word voop. Of all the awesome moments in that show, that sticks with me the most. So randomly perfect. Gangsta Phish
Think Gdiddy was at that Bisco show. He dug it.
AW tweet on yemblog front page cracks me up.
where @miner? I will
Looks like recent tDB audience recordings are hard to find. They release SBDs, so it’s out there.
http://www.livedownloads.com/live-music/0,9875/The-Disco-Biscuits-mp3-flac-download-9-28-2013-City-Bisco-2013-Philadelphia-PA.html
For the low low price of $9.95
Hey bb, idk if this has been discussed, but on the phish.com tours page map.. The Nov 1 AC balloon is in the middle of the US (KC? Memphis?) & the entire US is covered in tall tufts of grass… Is this a halloween clue?
Thanks buddys…that was brought up when the tour announcement dropped, but never has been discussed here.
Nebraska?
ION, found out within a matter of minutes that my best friend and former boss was just released from the local Public Radio concern, and my favorite noontime commercial AM radio host was removed as well. Winds of change.
Nebraska is the Springsteen album with Atlantic City, right?
1-0 Rays…….Suck it boston, clap, clap, clap clap clap!
not playing a Solo acoustic record…. Though those are my fav’s from the Boss…Ghost of Tom Joad-Nebraska
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebraska_%28album%29
I thought it might be something AC related, possibly Sandy related. This is pretty close…
Yeah WHB, that’s why I dismissed it at first too.
So it’s Graceland then.
Ah, Nebraska would work too…
maybe the pin is slightly south of there… Kansas?
Leftoverture
or perhaps
Point of Know Return
::insert knowing wink::
I thought that might nod Graceland too, plord, but Memphis is further to the southeast from where that pin is located.
I guarantee there are several threads on PT dissecting this already
Checking in from Half Acre, double daisy cutter in the glass, life good. The listen to the dead app is so fuckig awesome.. Been spinning some end of times shows, 92, 93… Been a while since I’ve listens to this GD, which was “my” GD… Loving it. Deer Creek 93 bitches!
@PhloridaPhan You gonna down at the Trop monday? If so hit me up..
wouldn’t “rhythm of the saints” be the more likely Paul Simon choice if they went that way?
Zorilla!!!!!!
Can’t monday, maybe game 4 though if boston wins one. You doing Hampton?
Chicks dig the long ball