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]
Bombay Dub Orchestra’s new album, ‘Tales From The Grand Bazaar’, arrives Tuesday
I’ve added their 2008 album, ‘3 Cities’, to my tangerine
“The Bombay Dub Orchestra (BDO) is an electronica/orchestral project of composers Garry Hughes and Andrew T. Mackay. 3 Cities is where their cinematic soundscapes meet Indian Classical and electronica featuring a huge cast of over 75 musicians”
Lush dreamy downtempo music
So here I sit, eye in the pyramid
God spit it like it’s truth serum in that beer and then
Poof disappear again, reappear bearded on
Top of a lear steering it into the kids’ ear again
Sounds interesting sumo, thanks!
I look at the logistics of making a couple of shows and it just seems too much of a hassle. I’ve seen Phish so many times. I’ve had my mind blown so many times. It doesn’t seem worth it to me to spend all the money, drive all the miles, just to hope that they will play how I want them to play. If they were playing closer then it’s a no brainer. I give you guys credit for flying all over the country to check out a show. I just have more important things to spend my money on at this moment in time. Hope they play next year and give the midwest a little love. Deer Creek and Alpine would be nice. Anyway, enjoy the fall tour BB. I hope it’s everything you want it to be.
I can relate phishm. I tried to make SPAC, Gorge, Tahoe, BGCA, Dick’s, DCU, Reading, AC and/or MSG this year, but it’s just out of reach. The last year they toured when I didn’t see a show in that year, was 1991. In other words, before I started seeing them.
Breaks my heart. But it is what it is. I too have seen my share and that helps, but it still stings.
Just strengthens my resolve to do what I can to see as many as possible going forward.
Well said voopa. A wise man you are.
To help lessen the sting. And stick around for the Mike’s>Lifeboy. I hear they are good too.
http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/1993-08-13/bathtub-gin
The Bombay Connection, Vol. 1: Funk From Bollywood Action Thrillers
-some of my favorite Wax to spin. if you see this one, grab it!
But seriously. That was some really good Phish. Figured I’d listen to one I was at. Tripping balls of course. Great 2nd set. Felt totally in tune with everything that occurred this night. Then night 2 happened and I figured out why. Crazy for sure.
http://www.phishtracks.com/shows/1998-08-02/possum
What’s even crazier then listening to this show for the first time in a long time is that the next night was the last time I ever tripped. Anyway, just awake and listening to some really good jams. I’m sure most of you are asleep. sweet dreamz. Peace.
BEK and I are celebrating our one year anny today!
Cheers folks … Phish fall tour!
Congrats phoammy and BEK-ey!
Congrats Phoam and BEK!
I tweeted it but it bears repeating: don’t miss a chance to see Reggie Watts perform in your town. Ridiculous comic improv, solo looped music with local references, had the crowd in the palm of his hand all night long. An amazing show, freeform stream of consciousness crazy awesome.
Phoamm & BEK, happy anniversary!
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Got my ptbm email, orders with Hampton shipping
Reggie’s bad ass.
Transmet! wow
http://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/2013/webcast/
yup, got a Wedding gig tonight, but will be at Hardly Strictly tomorrow.
Weird. Posts getting gobbled up…
Gonna stream HSBG aft early gm. PSU looks like shit filled buckets.
Saturday Donnie is Shabbos the Jewish day of rest.
Yeah buckets of shit confirmed. Getting owned in Bloomington. Oh well. 2 Torpedos 1 Fire Eagle & just cracked 1st 10.25 EB… Gonna need a blackberry kush & IPA nap fo sho. EB so $$$$. Sting of defeat reducer. Wood Bros Live Vol 2 Nail & Tooth on hifi w/ gm on also $$$$. Thank you Hop Gods.
Wood Bros Live Vol 2
http://open.spotify.com/album/3k3Rxbc1kwsIY937nwvQJG
Go Buckeyes.