Mr. Miner's Phish Thoughts

A couple of classic holiday run jams to ease back into the musical spirit. Christmas is less than a week away which means Phish is just around the corner! Excitement is in the air… get ready…set…

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“Harry Hood” 12.31.93 III

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PH1993-12-31D3T08.mp3]

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“Bathtub Gin -> The Real Me -> Bathtub” 12.29.95 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ph1995-12-29d2t04.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ph1995-12-29d2t05.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ph1995-12-29d2t06.mp3]

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“Stash” 12.31.03 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/01-Stash.mp3]

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“Tweezer -> Caspian” 12.29.09 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ph2009-12-29t12.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ph2009-12-29t13.mp3]

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“Seven Below -> What’s the Use? ” 12.27.10 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ph2010-12-27t15.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ph2010-12-27t16.mp3]

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RECENT MR. MINER INTERVIEWS:

As I’ve been busy shipping book and not updating the site, a couple different interviews I did have posted to the web. First, I took part in Hidden Track’s Writer’s Workshop— a broad and in depth interview with Ryan Dembinsky about my blog, writing philosophy, my book and Phish.

Additionally, I did a Q & A with Charlie Dirksen of Phish.net that was specifically focused on Phish Thoughts—The Book. (With a brief aside about Trey’s “Taste” tease in 7.17.’98’s “Weekapaug” jam.) Check ’em out!

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BOOK SHIPPING UPDATE: All domestic orders have processed and will be shipped as of today! I am going to begin figuring out the international ones—hang tight! You can be sure now, if you order a book now, that it will ship the same day or the following day at the latest. Thanks for your support and I, sincerely, hope everyone who ordered a book enjoys it during the holiday season and beyond!

 

Ever since the books were delivered around noon yesterday, I’ve been shipping my face off and haven’t been able to accomplish anything else. I’ve been workin’ round the clock to get all holiday orders out the door by tomorrow. The only exceptions to these will be international orders—I will have to deal with those separately; I apologize for the delay. Anyhow, look for the book in the mail soon! I’ll see you on the other side!

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UPDATE: Any domestic orders placed by the 12/5 holiday deadline have been shipped as of 12/17. The rest of the books will begin shipping Monday. I will be in touch with international orders individually regarding postage. Thanks for your support! Can’t wait ’til you get em! MSG is lurking in the shadows…

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MONDAY UPDATE: Any domestic orders places through December 13th have processed and will be shipped out today. The remainder of the domestic orders should be out the door tomorrow, and at the latest, Wednesday. I’ve been too busy packing to type thoughts, but I’m getting excited at this point…9 days…

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Jam of the Day:

“Sand” 12.16.99 II

Today is he anniversary of one of, if not the best, late-’99 “Sands.”

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ph99-12-16d201.wav.mp3]

With MSG just around the corner at this point, I’m sure people are firming up plans in for their post-show reveries. I just wanted to remind everyone that I’ll be hosting a two events on December 29th—a book signing and afterparty—to celebrate the release of Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts. The details of both are below. I hope to see you there!

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12/29/2011

The Irish Times – 254 W 31^st St. (b/w 7^th and 8^th Ave)

Less than 1 block from MSG!

The Book Signing: 4 pm – 6 pm

Once you’ve settled into the city for a day, come on down to The Irish Times—one of the nicest bars in The Garden’s vicinity—to celebrate the release of Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts! Grab a pre-show drink in the shadow of The Garden, check out the new book and purchase one if you’d like. I will have a table set up for book signing and for anyone who just wants to say hello. (Obviously, no purchase is necessary to come and hang out!) In addition, a large video screen will feature a hand-picked “Four-Song Set” DVD highlight reel for enjoyment during the pre-game festivities. This will be a great place to meet-up with friends and get ready for another installment of Phish: December 29th. Since nobody wants to tote a hardcover book to MSG, a “book check” service will be provided to ensure the safety of all books during the Phish show. Then, once the encore is over, come on back to The Irish Times for more fun!

The Afterparty: Post-show – 3 am – $5 cover

After the show’s final notes, don’t worry about grabbing a cab, come back across the street to The Irish Times for a post-show party! Without skipping a beat, Coltrane and Friends (funk, nu-disco, re-edit) will keep the grooves going for hours—and everyone is invited free of charge! With two floors, booths to sit and plenty of room in the bar, there will be ample to space to dance or chill, whichever your post-show selves prefer. Come and celebrate all that we, as a community, have to rejoice over at the end of an amazing year! Books will also be for sale throughout the after-party.

Check out some of  Coltrane’s mixes here!

I hope to see many of you on the 29th! Stay tuned for a Facebook event page. If there are any questions, email at mrminer@phishthoughts.com.

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Jams of the Day: 12/12

“Tweezer > Trainsong” 12.12.97 I

The final “Tweezer” of Fall ’97, a gooey first setter from the first night of Albany.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Track06.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Track07.mp3]

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“Drowned > Caspian” 12.12.99 II

This “Drowned” is one of the eternally underrated jams of December ’99.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ph99-12-12d2t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ph99-12-12d2t02.mp3]

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“Down With Disease > Lizards” 12.12.95 II

And this “Disease” is another underrated monster from the vintage month of December ’95.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Down-With-Disease.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Lizards.mp3]

This year’s highly anticipated New Year’s Run represents more than just another four Phish shows. Not only will MSG be the culmination of the band’s progression from 2009 to now—a triumphant re-growth process that has landed them in a Golden Age—it will also be a celebration of the joy that permeates the Phish community again—a community dispersed by Coventry, divided in their confidence when the band returned, and finally united by the musical lightning of 2011. And now we have four days in New York City to party!

On December 29th, in the spirit of the season and in conjunction with the release of Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts: An Anthology By a Fan For the Fans, I, personally, invite one and all to “1229: A Book Signing and After-Party.” Here are the details!

*****

12/29/2011

The Irish Times – 254 W 31^st St. (b/w 7^th and 8^th Ave)

Less than 1 block from MSG!

The Book Signing: 4 pm – 6 pm

Once you’ve settled into the city for a day, come on down to The Irish Times—one of the nicest bars in The Garden’s vicinity—to celebrate the release of Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts! Grab a pre-show drink in the shadow of The Garden, check out the new book and purchase one if you’d like. I will have a table set up for book signing and for anyone who just wants to say hello. (Obviously, no purchase is necessary to come and hang out!) In addition, a large video screen will feature a hand-picked “Four-Song Set” DVD highlight reel for enjoyment during the pre-game festivities. This will be a great place to meet-up with friends and get ready for another installment of Phish: December 29th.  Since nobody wants to tote a hardcover book to MSG, a “book check” service will be provided to ensure the safety of all books during the Phish show. Then, once the encore is over, come on back to The Irish Times for more fun!

The Afterparty: Post-show – 3 am – FREE!

After the show’s final notes, don’t worry about grabbing a cab, come back across the street to The Irish Times for a post-show party! Without skipping a beat, Coltrane and Friends (funk, nu-disco, re-edit) will keep the grooves going for hours—and everyone is invited free of charge! With two floors, booths to sit and plenty of room in the bar, there will be ample to space to dance or chill, whichever your post-show selves prefer. Come and celebrate all that we, as a community, have to rejoice over at the end of an amazing year! Books will also be for sale throughout the after-party.

Check out some of  Coltrane’s mixes here!

I hope to see many of you on the 29th! Stay tuned for a Facebook event page. If there are any questions, email at mrminer@phishthoughts.com.

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Jam of the Day:

“Tweezer > Caspian” 12.29.o9 II

A modern-day 12/29 classic.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ph2009-12-29t12.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ph2009-12-29t13.mp3]

The time has come! The final edits have been made, the proofs have been proofed, and Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts: An Anthology By a Fan for the Fans is ready for pre-sale! As of right now, you can head over to the updated book site and place your order. Any orders placed by December 1st will be fulfilled in time for the holidays! When placing any order, you will find two shipping options that I want to clarify. USPS Priority Mail is 2-3 days guaranteed and USPS Media Mail is around 7 days, but no time frame is guaranteed. Any and all information about the book, its specs, and its unique format can be found at Phishthoughtsbook.com.

If you have already pre-reserved a copy on the book site with your email address, your copy is officially set aside! All you need to do is complete your online transaction before December 1st and you’ll have your book by the holidays! You will receive a reminder via email as well. Thank you for your support!

In addition, I am very proud to present the cover art for the hardback volume by AJ Masthay. In conjunction with the beginning of book pre-sales, AJ will be offering a limited edition run of 100 cover art prints (below) starting at 12 Noon EST today on his site! Be sure to act fast in order to grab one of the few available!

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In celebration of this personally momentous day, enjoy some of my favorite uplifting jams for the beginning of the week.

“Harry Hood” 12.28.10 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ph2010-12-28t19.mp3]

“Reba” 7.6.94 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ph1994-07-06d1t06.mp3]

“Tweezer” 9.3.11 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ph2011-09-03t12.mp3]

“Slave” 6.15.95 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ph1995-06-15d3t01.mp3]

 

As many of you have likely noticed, I’ve been posting far less frequently during this off-season, and I wanted to take this opportunity to let you in on why. I am not losing interest in Phish or Phish Thoughts, but rather have been working on creating a book: an anthology of my writing. Currently, I am spending most of my waking hours working with my editor, getting the book dialed in to perfection. This leaves me very little time at night to create the original and thought-provoking blogs you’ve come accustomed to reading over the past few years. So in the interest of letting everyone in what I’ve been up to, here’s a little bit about the book.

The anthology chronicles 2009, Phish’s comeback year—beginning with the Hampton reunion all the way through New Year’s in Miami—from the perspective of a loyal and passionate fan who was there to witness the band’s rebirth, their return to prominence, and everything in between. As Phish came back into our lives, a certain vibrancy and magic returned along with them. This book is also the story of what it felt like, as a fan, to recapture a dream deferred for five years—one we thought had been taken away forever.

Anyone who remembers Phish’s first night back at The Gorge, has listened to Albany’s “Seven Below > Ghost,” or was down south for Miami’s Holiday Run can attest to the magic that laced Phish’s first year back together. This book recounts one of the most important years in the band’s career, and puts it in the context of all that came before it, through anticipatory pieces, enhanced show reviews and musings on all things Phishy.

The anthology will be split into two halves: the first following the band’s comeback year and the second serving as historical context for the first, looking at different facets of Phish’s illustrious history and touching on everything from legendary eras and memorable shows to classic jams and the vibrant culture surrounding the band. By no means attempting to comprehensively cover a 20-plus year career, this part of the book will, nonetheless, allow fans reminisce on moments they’ve enjoyed and give new fans a glimpse into the band’s storied past.

To make this project come to life, I am working with BAJ Design, an independent publisher and design firm based in Philadelphia, and we are collectively committed to create a book that will delight the eyes and properly represent Phish’s awesome legacy. Shooting for a release by the holiday season, this book will make an excellent gift for all the Phish fans in your life! In the coming weeks check back for details on a new website dedicated exclusively to the book.

This is a very exciting time for me and this book represents a long-time dream that is very much in motion. While Phish Thoughts is the perfect place to get your daily fix, the book will provide a permanent and visually-stunning documentation of Phish’s golden age. As I continue to move through this process, I will do my very best to get articles posted more frequently in the coming weeks, and obviously as tour approaches. Please know that it is not that I am leaving Phish Thoughts hanging, but working hard on a long-term project that you will be able to have in hand before the year is up.

Thank for your patience and ongoing support!

– Miner

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Jam of the Day:

“Seven Below > Ghost” 11.28.09 II

In the spirit of remembering the comeback year, here is one of its undeniable peaks.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-28s2t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ph2009-11-28s2t02.mp3]

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

8.9.1993 Concert Hall, Toronto, Ontario SBD

FLAC Torrent (via etree), Mp3 Torrent, Megaupload < Links

Here’s a soundboard throwback to August 1993, north of the border in Toronto. An interesting show through and through contains a personal favorite segment in the first set “Split -> Glide.”

Set I: Chalk Dust Torture -> Who Knows Jam -> Chalk Dust Torture, Mound, Fee, Split Open and Melt -> Glide, Nellie Kane, The Divided Sky, Memories, The Squirming Coil

Set II: Dinner and a Movie > Tweezer > Tela* > My Friend, My Friend**, My Mind’s Got a Mind of its Own, You Enjoy Myself -> Contact > Crimes of the Mind^

E: Rocky Top

*Trey on acoustic for ending, **Trey on acoustic for beginning, ^w/ Dude of Life on vocals

Sources: SBD > Cassette / FLAC: AKG 460b/ck63