New York News Day
MSG NYE 2013
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.
12/7/95 Cover
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]
I would guess the Sunday show will be the emptiest nite of the three. People got to get back to work or something. All the better, we all know NE’s fans can’t cross the mason-dixon line for a show in this era.
Well, there are tickets for sale on Ticketmaster, so it might not get the seemingly inevitable ‘cast.
But you guys are cray cray down south. I’m scared to leave my liberal bubble with all the medium grade sushi we get fed. Hopefully sashimi is on the menu this fall.
Acquired 5 EB’s
Tough day today. May be a 2 EB night
@sumo
yes, I believe balloon has always been misplaced.
Way to be MiA. You deserve to go two deep. Remember to hydrate in btwn Enjoy’ment.
I’m gonna get up on these canned today, last batch of the year Akari Shoguns tonight, now that is the fresh fresh. Life is good.
Two EB’s go down as easily as a pitless peach. Quenchablity at it’s finest.
I’m stealing that LU
MIA- you going to hampton?
Ren’s tangerines at setbreak Dicks were religious.
Promove
Commencing S. 2, Ep. 8
Better Call Saul
Hey dudes – someone had a pair of Worcester floors they were trying to get Joe to take. (Maybe they weren’t floors?) whatever they are, if Joe isn’t taking em my friends from the Cape will def take em.
Let me know. Thanks.
yes, I believe balloon has always been misplaced.
and the mystery deepens…..
And c’mon billy the kid u know I had my mind baby in the comfy confines of Raleigh’s shed summer ’10…
Always looking for an excuse to hit up a southern show. Just has to be in the many permutations of cards. Last time at Hampton was dec 99 shows.
http://www.jambands.com/news/2013/10/04/prince-is-hosting-a-party-at-his-house-tomorrow-and-you-re-invited
Yes, the party is at his actual house/mansion/purplepaisleypalace
^no booze no cell phones. Nothin but funk.
ommeganag tasting at local bottleshop. first time for me. good stuff. walked away w/ a gnomegang strong blonde ale (tasty!) and a firestone double jack (never tried it). store was sold out of dirtwolf.
prince goes gatsby
Firestone Walker is $$$. Cold Union Jack in fridge calling my name.
Avery maha and Stone Gotter17 bombers in my fridge but there is an actual KEG of dogfish 120 on tap in my town so the goal is to walk over there and get one later tonite.
@kaya – call a car service and let’s sip.
I’m on the fence snow. Probably not
Vapebraham just beat me to it.
would be truly Gatsby if he had an open bar.
…. guess we gotta go to Minnesota?
gdad: vaped all day, one dirtwolf, ommegang tasting, starmont cab sav w/ homemade harvest tart. and a double jack cued up. i’m not good for much right now. my company would be of the slack jawed variety.