1996 Summer Tour T-Shirt (Pollock)

With Summer Tour 2012 rapidly approaching, let’s continue a look at summers past with ’96. I’m not trying to pull the ten “best” jams from each summer, but just ten great ones. Enjoy the picks from this underrated tour!

“Wilson > Disease” 8.14.96 I, Hershey, PA

Download audio file (ph1996-08-14d1t01.mp3)
Download audio file (ph1996-08-14d1t02.mp3)

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“Reba” 8.4.96 II, Morrison, CO

Download audio file (ph1996-08-04d2t02.mp3)

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“Antelope” 8.12.96 II, Noblesville, IN

Download audio file (ph1996-08-12d2t06.mp3)

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“Split” 8.12.96 I, Noblesville, IN

Download audio file (I-02-Split-Open-and-Melt.mp3)

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“Tweezer” 8.14.96 II, Hershey, PA

Download audio file (ph1996-08-14d2t06.mp3)
Download audio file (ph1996-08-14d2t07.mp3)

***

“Mike’s > Lifeboy” 8.13.96 II, Noblesville, IN

Download audio file (Phish1996-08-13trk13.mp3)
Download audio file (Phish1996-08-13trk14.mp3)

***

“Slave” 8.17.96 II, Plattsburgh, NY

Download audio file (ph96-08-17d02t08.mp3)

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THE SLOPING COMPANION ESSAY CONTEST

Robert Champion of The Sloping Companion is running an essay contest for those that “Like” The Sloping Companion Facebook Page. The winner will win a recycled/upcycled wood art piece. All anyone has to do to enter is write a short, two-to-three paragraph essay about why they are so passionate about Phish. The contest is running for about two weeks and the winner will have their piece aired on the show, will be on the station, and will win a specially-created, one of a kind art piece.

6.28.95—Jones Beach (Unknown)

“Theme From the Bottom” 6.7.95 II, Boise, ID

A jam that veers into darkness during summer’s first show.

Download audio file (ph1995-06-07d2t04.mp3)

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“Harry Hood” 6.17.95 II, Bristow, VA

This intricate, multi-tiered “Harry Hood” punctuated a spectacular five shows in five nights.

Download audio file (ph95-06-17d3t01.mp3)

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“Reba” 6.19.95 I, Noblesville, IN

A classic Summer ’95 version from the cornfields; a Blackboard favorite.

Download audio file (ph1995-06-19d1t06.mp3)

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“Antelope” 6.23.95 II, Stanhope, NJ

The centerpiece of Waterloo’s second set.

Download audio file (ph95-06-23d2t4.mp3)

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“Stash -> I Didn’t Know” 6.15.95 I, Atlanta, GA

Dark, eerie, Fishman on Trombone…

Download audio file (ph1995-06-15d1t07.mp3)
Download audio file (ph1995-06-15d1t08.mp3)

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“Split Open and Melt” 6.20.95 I, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Phish served a hearty dose of psych-rock to close Blossom’s first set.

Download audio file (ph1995-06-20d1t09.mp3)

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“David Bowie” 6.13.95 II, Maryland Heights, MO

One of several exploratory “Bowies” from this summer.

Download audio file (RPortBowie.mp3)

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“Mike’s > H2 > Weekapaug” 6.10.95 II, Morrison, CO

This monstrous “Mike’s Groove” dominated the second set of Red Rocks’ second show.

Download audio file (Mikes_Groove_6-10-95.mp3)

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“Slave to the Traffic Light” 7.2.95 II, N. Fayston, VT

The Sugarbush “Slave.”

Download audio file (PH95-07-02D3T02.mp3)

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Type II Cast

Type II Cast: “The Story of the Ghost“

A few nights ago, I sat down with host of Type II Cast, Stephen Olker, and guest Steve Tuzeneu to discuss the evolution of “Ghost” from its inception through today. Plenty of audio clips are included throughout the podcast to illustrate what we discuss. Check it out!

12.28.11 - MSG (Graham Lucas)

“Runaway Jim” 7.31.97 II, Mountain View, CA

Jammed out “Jims” where have you gone?

Download audio file (ph97-07-31d2t03.mp3)

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“Tweezer” 8.1.98 II, East Troy, WI

Can never get enough of the Alpine “Tweeze”…

Download audio file (04-Tweezer-_-Fluffhead-1998-08-01-Alpine-Valley-Music-Amphitheatre-East-Troy-WI.mp3)

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“Ghost” 7.3.97 II, Nuremburg, GR

Euro ’97 “Ghosts” were slow, funky and exploratory, as Phish honed their new jam vehicle before coming stateside.

Download audio file (ph97-07-03s2t01.mp3)

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“Bathtub Gin” 10.1.99 I, Ames, IA

A first set smoker from the heartland in ’99. We came out to a smashed window and many things stolen from our car before the all-night drive to Minneapolis. Fuckin’ wooks…

Download audio file (ph1999-10-01d1t05.mp3)

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“Reba” 8.14.96 I, Hershey, PA

A stunning version from a Summer ’96.

Download audio file (ph1996-08-14d1t05.mp3)

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“Stash” 9.9.99 I, Vancouver, BC

A psychedelic trek from Fall ’99′s first set.

Download audio file (1-08-Stash.mp3)

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“2001” 7.7.99 II, Charlotte, NC

One of ’99′s top versions.

Download audio file (ph1999-07-07d2t02.mp3)

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“Mike’s Song” 12.2.97 II, Philadelphia, PA

This version needs no introduction—funk warfare.

Download audio file (ph1997-12-02d2t01.mp3)

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“Piper > Guy Forget” 10.1.00 II, Phoenix, AZ

The first bust-out of “Guy Forget” after being a piece of soundcheck lore for years.

Download audio file (ph2000-10-01d2t02.mp3)
Download audio file (ph2000-10-01d2t03.mp3)

***

“Weekapaug Groove” 4.3.98 I, Uniondale, NY

My favorite “Weekapaug” to date.

Download audio file (1.04-Weekapaug-Groove.mp3)

First Tube Poster Show

If you are heading to Atlantic City for Phish’s three-night boardwalk extravaganza, be sure to stop by “First Tube,” a poster and art show that will be held on Saturday June 16, from 10am-3pm in the Westminster Room at the Trump Plaza Hotel. This show will feature Phish inspired art by artists from around the country, including limited edition art made specifically for the show. I will also have a table there, selling and signing copies of my book. Admission is free, so be sure to come by and say hello. This show was developed and produced by a group of artists and fans known as the Mothership Art Collective. More comprehensive details are excerpted from the press release below.

*****

The initial artists announced for First Tube represent some of the best artists in the Phish community and poster art. Longtime Phish artists AJ Masthay, TRiPP, Ryan Kerrigan, John Warner, Erin Cadigan, Noah Phence and Bruce Horan have been a part of many poster shows in the past and each have a large portfolio of concert poster art across a wide range of musical acts. Mike DuBois designed and illustrated the cover art to Levon Helm’s Electric Dirt and has created posters for the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, Pink Floyd and many more. Newcomers Jiggs, Lauren Domsky and Branden Otto are featured in their first Phish poster show, as well as writer and author, Dave Calarco, who will be selling his book ‘Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts’ at the show.

Worcester 2012 (Masthay)

Non-profits include The Mockingbird Foundation, which has given grants for music education totaling more than $600,000 over the past 14 years; HeadCount, a non-profit, non-partisan voter registration organization that promotes civic participation and knowledge of the issues; PhanArt, a book and website created as a way to showcase the art made by Phish fans and raises money for Mockingbird Foundation, and Screen ‘n’ Suds, who combine craft beers and posters to benefit the National MS Society and chairities in Richmond, Virginia.

Phish poster shows have been held over the years with great success, as unique posters made for the Phish shows that weekend and stop on the tour feature some of the best concert art being produced today. ‘First Tube’ is the first event for 2012 produced by the Mothership Art Collective, a group within the Phish community, comprised of artists and organizations who promote the art inspired by the band Phish. The eclectic artists featured at this event show the broad scope of Phish related art and capture the inspiration of the band in their art. The creative fan base that Phish has makes for amazing art inspired by the band, the locales and the music. The collective will work hard to bring a show to the Phish touring public each year.

In keeping with the great tradition and success of past poster shows, First Tube will offer free entry to all patrons, tubes available for purchase, charitable donations from the event made to the Mockingbird Foundation and a wide array of artists with posters to fit any budget.

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Jam of the Day:

“Ghost -> Mango Song” 10.26.10 II

A standout, modern era “Ghost” from Manchester, New Hampshire.

Download audio file (2.10-Ghost.mp3)
Download audio file (2.11-The-Mango-Song.mp3)

Coventry 2004

This weekend I received an email from George Pratt, a stagehand and musican that was part of the crew hired to work Coventry. While breaking down the stage long after the band had left the mud-filled site, he found a notebook that a bunch of fans had filled with letters to the band and thrown onstage. With their band crashing and burning, none of the guys saw it or cared to pick it up. George has kept it through all these years and has recently made arrangements with a Phish.net moderator to send the book to the official Phish archives. However, he also scanned the entire thing to share with fans, and he has already done so on Phantasy Tour and Phish.net.

When I began to read this, I was fascinated. All of these people, none whom I know, were telling Phish what they’d always wanted to tell them—deep emotions from the heart. Laced with clever comedy, these letters provided an emotional throwback for me, and halfway through I found myself in tears. But these weren’t tears of sadness—for Phish is alive and kicking, but tears of awe at the power of band. So many strangers shared my powerful emotions, and to see these notes that were written down as Phish was bowing out felt nothing short of magical. A predominant theme throughout of the letters is how Phish changed lives and provided people with unmatched happiness and the experiences of a lifetime. Take ten minutes of your day to read through the notebook yourself. You won’t regret it.

FAN NOTEBOOK FROM COVENTRY (PDF) 

We also have a way we can show George appreciation for this priceless piece of Phish history. Here’s an anecdote from his email that explains how.

In 2003, one of the companies I worked for was hired to provide all the labor for “Coventry” so off we went. We spent nearly a month in that town on that land both before and after the show building the venue, setting up the site, building the stage, and setting up all the lights, sound and video, and eventually all the band gear. The community of stagehands backstage was a show all on its own. We had various types of lodging. I was housed in a ski lodge nearly 45 minutes away but it was very nice. Since we are all crazy and were used to getting little sleep, each night turned into a party. Our house being the largest often played host. One particular night when all the stagehands were there, I grabbed my guitar— as I always do—and started playing some songs that I had written along the way. One of the guys there had a 4-track recorder and he quickly set it up. One of the songs I played that night was titled “Piss Wall.” It’s all about the giant wall we built that surrounded the entire corn field-turned-venue and enclosed the performance area.

I have had this song and book for years, and recently pulled this all out as part of my plan to win a contest for free studio time. I have made it to the finals in large part from the help I received from a lot of Phish fans on various forums. But I have fallen back to 3rd place and could use more help. Voting goes until Tuesday, so I still have a chance. I thought that since your blog is all about Phish, perhaps you might be interested in this book and song. People are really loving it and I hope you enjoy it as well.

Here is a link to vote for George in the contest. Hook it up!

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Jam of the Day:

“Scents and Subtle Sounds” 7.23.03 I, Noblesville, IN

The opener of night three of three at Deer Creek.

Download audio file (I-01-Scents-and-Subtle-Sounds-.mp3)

8.10.11—Lake Tahoe (Eric Batuello)

“Tube” 9.18.99 I, Chula Vista, CA

Download audio file (ph1999-09-18d1t06.mp3)

***

“Reba > Carini” 7.13.99 I, Mansfield, MA

Download audio file (ph1999-07-13d1t07.mp3)
Download audio file (ph1999-07-13d1t08.mp3)

***

“Ghost” 8.2.03 II, Limestone, ME

Download audio file (2.03-Ghost.mp3)
Download audio file (2.04-Mountains-in-the-Mist.mp3)

***

“Seven Below > Buffalo Bill” 6.25.04 II, East Troy, WI

Download audio file (2.01-Seven-Below.mp3)
Download audio file (2.02-Buffalo-Bill.mp3)

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“Tweezer > Ha Ha Ha” 7.2.95 II, N. Fayston, VT

Download audio file (Tweezer-_.mp3)
Download audio file (Ha-Ha-Ha-_.mp3)

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“Birds of a Feather” 7.23.99 II, Columbus, OH

Download audio file (2-03-Track-03.mp3)

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“Bathtub Gin” 7.20.98 I, Ventura, CA

Download audio file (01-Track-01.mp3)

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“Piper > What’s the Use?” 9.11.00 II, Mansfield, MA

Download audio file (Piper-_.mp3)
Download audio file (Whats-The-Use_-_.mp3)

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“YEM” 12.2.99 II, Auburn Hills, MI

Download audio file (Phish1999-12-02d2t05.mp3)

A Live One - 1995

On Twitter yesterday, while groveling for post ideas, @KevinMSpence and @david_artis each suggested “remaking” studio albums with live selections; forming a playlist that would look like the album, but contained all live music. For today, I took that exercise and twisted it a bit. When Phish dropped A Live One in 1995, it was their first-ever official live release. The double-album was filled with cuts from 1994, and released to give mainstream audiences a taste of what the band’s heralded concerts sounded like. Since 1995, the band and technology have come a long way, and now every live show is released within hours, making the concept of a “live album” totally obsolete. But what would A Live One look like if it were re-conceived today in order to showcase the past two years? Maybe a little something like this…

DISC ONE

“Bouncing Around the Room” 6.17.11, Charlotte, NC

This was a “pick ‘em.”

Download audio file (1.05-Bouncing-Around-the-Room.mp3)

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“Stash” 10.31.10 I, Atlantic City, NJ

My favorite “Stash from this era.

Download audio file (ph2010-10-31t10.mp3)

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“Gumbo” 5.28.11 I, Bethel, NY

Packed in the middle of a monster set.

Download audio file (1.07-Gumbo.mp3)

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“Nevada“

A Live One had “Montana,” a 2 minute and 4 second excerpt from an exploratory “Tweezer” played in Bozeman, MT. Well, this is 3.0, and “Tweezer” ain’t what she used to be, so I took a 2 minute and 4 second excerpt from one of Phish’s most exploratory jaunts this era. Can you tell what it is?

Download audio file (california.mp3)

***

“You Enjoy Myself” 6.13.10 II, Hershey, PA

The Hershey “YEM”—it’s whaley, but it’s good.

Download audio file (2.08-You-Enjoy-Myself.mp3)

***

“Chalk Dust Torture” 8.16.11 I, Chicago, IL

A furious first set version.

Download audio file (1.03-Chalkdust-Torture.mp3)

***

“Slave to the Traffic Light” 6.19.11 II, Portsmouth, VA

A gorgeous, mid-set masterpiece.

Download audio file (phish2011-06-19.d2t04.mp3)

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DISC TWO

“Wilson” 7.3.11 I, Watkins Glen, NY

One of the top performances of this song ever.

Download audio file (ph2011-07-03.ka500.603a.lb_.m10.set1_.t09_Wilson.mp3)

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“Tweezer” 9.3.11 II, Denver, CO

One of the defining jams of this go-round.

Download audio file (ph2011-09-03t12.mp3)

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“Simple” 8.6.10 II, Berkeley, CA

An all-time version of “Simple” from The Greek.

Download audio file (ph2010-08-06t12.mp3)

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“Harry Hood” 12.28.10 II, Worcester, MA

One of everyone’s favorite tracks on the original album was “Harry Hood,” and this time it’s back with a vengeance.

Download audio file (ph2010-12-28t19.mp3)

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“The Squirming Coil” 8.19.11 E, Lake Tahoe, CA

The first and only “Coil” that came to mind when making this list.

Download audio file (E.02-The-Squirming-Coil.mp3)

***

A Live One - Back Cover

6.12.11 - Merriweather (Graham Lucas)

“Gumbo” 7.22.03 I, Noblesville, IN

A hugely cathartic first set jam that doesn’t get its proper due. Welcome to Friday.

Download audio file (1.03-Gumbo.mp3)

“Reba” 8.2.03 I, Limestone, ME

There’s nothing quite like a daytime “Reba” in Limestone. And this one has a post hiatus twist.

Download audio file (1.05-Reba.mp3)

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“After Midnight Reprise”  12.31.99, Big Cypress, FL

The peak of the Big Cypress’ marathon set which came out of “Drowned.”

Download audio file (1999-12-31-After-Midnight-Reprise-12-31-99-Big-Cypress.mp3)

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“Horn” 7.15.98 I, Portland, OR

A beauty spawned out of nowhere.

Download audio file (1.05-Horn.mp3)

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“Slave to the Traffic Light” 6.15.95 II, Atlanta, GA

A patient and slowly unfolding gem.

Download audio file (ph1995-06-15d3t01.mp3)

 ***

“If I Could” 12.29.94 I, Providence, RI

Trey and Page come together in a poignant and powerful version.

Download audio file (I-03-If-I-Could.mp3)

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“Tweezer” 8.1.99 II, Niigata, JP

Slow and melodic in the Field of Heaven.

Download audio file (ph99-08-01d2t03.mp3)
Download audio file (ph99-08-01d2t04.mp3)

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“Prince Caspian” 7.31.99 II, Niigata, JP

You know the “2001 -> Bowie” from this set, but do you know this crushing “Caspian?” I kid you not.

Download audio file (2-04-Prince-Caspian.mp3)

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“You Enjoy Myself” 6.9.00 E, Tokyo, JP

A hearty helping of laid-back funk was served as the encore of Japan 2000′s first show.

Download audio file (13-YEM.mp3)

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“Harry Hood” 9.11.99 II, George, WA

There’s nothing quite like a “Hood” at The Gorge. This one is big time.

Download audio file (HarryHood_91199.mp3)

12.29.09 - Miami, FL (Wendy Rogell)

“Drowned -> Rock and Roll” 6.29.00 I, Holmdel, NJ

A blistering end-of-set combo as the sun went down in New Jersey.

Download audio file (Drowned.mp3)
Download audio file (Rock-And-Roll.mp3)

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“Tweezer” 12.2.95 II, New Haven, CT

A classic face-melting extravaganza.

Download audio file (1995-12-02-Tweezer-12-2-95-Vets-Memorial-Coliseum-New-Haven-CT.mp3)

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“Mike’s Song -> Sparks” 8.2.93 II, Tampa, FL

A rowdy August ’93 sequence.

Download audio file (ph93-08-02d2t02.mp3)
Download audio file (ph93-08-02d2t03.mp3)
Download audio file (ph93-08-02d2t04.mp3)

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“Simple” 11.29.98 II, Worcester, MA

Dark, seething psychedelic shreddery.

Download audio file (PH98-11-29D2T02.mp3)

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“Piper” 10.2.99 II, Minneapolis, MN

Just another gem off from the jewel case that is 1999.

Download audio file (2-04-Piper-_.mp3)

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“Antelope” 10.24.95 II, Madison, WI

Another classic piece of Fall ’95 history.

Download audio file (ph1995-10-24d3t03.mp3)

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“Wolfman’s Brother” 11.19.97 II, Champaign, IL

From funk into a furious and full-on “Crosseyed” jam.

Download audio file (2.02-Wolfmans-Brother.mp3)

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“Split Open and Melt”  12.1.94 I, Salem, OR

Hard-edged music that doesn’t come around these days.

Download audio file (1.07-Split-Open-and-Melt-1.mp3)

6.25.10—Camden, NJ (Graham Lucas)

“Ghost” 9.12.99 II, Portland, OR

One of the most slept on jams of all time. Don’t sleep.

Download audio file (portland99ghost1.mp3)
Download audio file (portland99jim1.mp3)

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“Bathtub Gin -> Simple” 12.7.99 II, Portland, ME

Phish returned to Cumberland Country Civic Center during December ’99, an era where ambient jams were prominent.

Download audio file (2-06-Bathtub-Gin.mp3)
Download audio file (2-07-Simple.mp3)

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“Jam -> Bug” 12.17.99 II, Hampton, VA

Though it sure felt like the Mothership was about to lift-off into “2001,” but the band teased everyone by dropping into “Bug.” This jam was the music behind the Hampton reunion announcement video.

Download audio file (ph1999-12-17d2t03.mp3)
Download audio file (ph1999-12-17d2t04.mp3)

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“Waves” 8.2.03 II, Limestone, ME

The magic fields of Limestone…

Download audio file (II-07-Waves.mp3)

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“Twist” 2.24.03 II, E.Rutherford, NJ

Aliens visited The Meadowlands.

Download audio file (3-11-Twist.mp3)

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“AC/DC Bag” 11.7.98 II, Chicago, IL

This gorgeous jam from UIC illustrates the ambient shift of Fall ’98.

Download audio file (2-01-AC_DC-Bag.mp3)
Download audio file (2-02-Ghost.mp3)

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“Drowned” 9.14.2000 II, Darien Center, NY

Forget about it—a true monster.

Download audio file (II-02-Drowned.mp3)

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“Roses Are Free” 1.1.00, Big Cypress, FL

The music that dawned a new millenium; the cerebral masterpiece from the end of an all-night marathon.

Download audio file (ph991231d09_03_Roses_Are_Free.mp3)

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“My Left Toe,  Stash” 6.30.99 II, Bonner Springs. KS

Phish paired the debut of “My Left Toe” with “Stash” to close the second set of  1999′s very first show.

Download audio file (mylefttoe63099.mp3)
Download audio file (stash63099.mp3)