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!
***
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 agree, Selector. Dubstep was really very dubby when it first started in 2003/2004 – lots of space and bass pressure, low end but not the frantic wobble that it has become now. Curiously the man who I think made some of the best of the really dubby stuff, Coki (see “Officer” and “Mood Dub”) also was the guy who brought that other sound in too (“Spongebob”), sort of a built it up and tore it down thing. IMO dubstep was pretty well wrapped up by 2007, but I know it gets a lot of media play these days, but that sound is pretty awful, what we call “brahstep”. It was never a molly scene at all, really not much of a dance scene – very heavy bass, lots of dudes in hoodies nodding along, reggae MC’s on the mic kinda thing… you know, dub.
Coki – 0fficer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5agKIN7B_sk
Coki – Mood Dub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBSkuxjBGfo
These are on one 12″, worth a grab to hear it in it’s full richness bass glory.
Good stuff joggerz. Enjoyed that.
What’s up guys and gals? Y’all check out that 9.26.99 show from NoLa…at least the Michael Ray/Tim Green sit-in for the back half of the first set. Mozambique and CTB with horns? Yes please!
Stay outta trouble out there.
That makes sense. I thought I used to love “dubstep” until these DJ’s in the past 3-4yrs started doing their thing, then I thought I was just confused. Heavy bass, reggae infused lyrics is always what I associated with dubstep. Not the crap that’s out there now. #skrillex4lyfeyo
Good call Leo. Never heard this show. Opening with Sweet Virginia is a great way to start it.
That phunion piece is phuckin hillarious
I dislike the “wobble”, as much as I dislike the whammy. Just not my thing.
Like Selector’s drops too.
I’m giving it 2wk before shit hub comes under serious consideration for AC2&3. $105 ain’t all that bad, just need to come off my high horse. whatevs
I always thought guys like Stapleton, Buju, etc that pioneered the dancehall movement had followers that transitioned more into dubstep. I liked that.
I have extra Hampton 3 day passes if anybody is in need.
windorabugg
AT yahoo
dot
com
I am re-hatching a scheme to go to Hampton…. who knows. Any idea how far Richmond is from Hampton? I have an offer for a pick up and drop off there that sounds tempting. I have a feeling that since everyone is blowing it off it is going to explode. I dont get at all the skipping the 3 night run, tour opener, weekend run in a historic venue. Those who ignore will pay.
Richmond > Muthaship is 75 miles / 1h15m
I may be headed back that way immediately following the Sunday show
In fact I was thinking I’d drive beyond Richmond to Fredericksburg, VA and motel it there in order to shave a couple hours off the Monday drive to MA
Thanks, Sumo! Glad you will be there too. Wise man.
PHISH LATE NIGHTS – ATLANTIC CITY
Featuring: Orchard Lounge, Start Making Sense, Particle, Damn Right, The Werks, FiKus, Mr Bonkerz, Risky Disko, and Business Casual Disco!
Atlantic Club Casino
Boston Ave + The Boardwalk
Atlantic City New Jersey
3 NIGHTS | POST PHISH | 21+
ADV 3-DAY COMBO – $30
ADV SINGLE DAY – $12
DOS SINGLE DAY – $15
On Sale Thu, 09/26/13 12:00 PM EDT
OCTOBER 31st ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
Orchard Lounge w/ Damn Right + Mr Bonkerz
NOVEMBER 1st ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
Start Making Sense w/ The Werks + Risky Disko
NOVEMBER 2nd ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
Particle w/ FiKus + Business Casual Disco
Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/150516315158374
I thoroughly enjoyed that show @MiA. Of course the black jellies probably helped. But it was great. My first First Tube that about blew my socks off. Twist>Piper, MitM from second set was pretty good as I recall.
Scheming for Hampton, eh? Pretty sure I’m out…unfortunately. Richmond>Hampton, like Sumo notes, is a little over an hour typically but traffic around both those locales blows and can add much time.
Morning BBers.
Spun the Holy Ghost last night…pimp!
Yeah, the Richmond, DC beltway, Baltimore traffic scene has me worried enough that I might leave MA on Thursday evening to get a head start on my 9 hr drive
And I lost many a sock in the early days of First Tube
Leo, you not being at Hampton doesn’t sound right . . . not a very good ring to that noise. You making any fall?
No fall for me phoamm. I might…MIGHT…make a last minute run up to Hampton for one night. But probably won’t happen. too much real life stuff going on.
That First Tube from NoLa is hot hot hot. It’s the perfect TEMPO and trey’s loops are perfectly timed/placed.
you will be missed, Leo. try to make that cannonball for a show or ten
we’re doing hampton and AC
http://www.inquisitr.com/966662/krokodil-flesh-eating-drug-reported-in-arizona/
It’s Stateside now.
One more reason to stay off of powders.
Seemed like every show I went to in ’99 had a First Tube.
Odd stat…
Waste (16 times)
Cities (16 times)
Foam (16 times)
First Tube (16 times)
not special K