In recent news, Phish has just released an 8-CD box set chronicling their amazing three-night stint at The Roxy Theatre in Atlanta during February of 1993. Most everyone is familiar with the famous 2.20.93 show containing the classic second set segue fest, melting tastes of many songs within a Tweezer and a Mikes Groove. With teases galore demonstrated the band’s playful direction and exuberance at the time, this one is a true relic from the analog age.
However, few are familiar with the two shows surrounding this classic. For a taste of the first night and a sampling of the sound quality on this release, Relix Magazine is sponsoring a free download of “Funky Bitch w/ Jimmy Herring” from 2.19.93. Grab it now for a SBD copy of this special guest appearance!
Once digging deeper into the first show, one will discover a smoking “Split Open and Melt” as well as an entertaining “Forbin’s > Mockingbird” during the first set. Yet, the set highlight is certainly the closing “David Bowie,” including a “Moby Dick” jam in the intro and frighteningly tight section of grooving improv. The second set unveils an extended YEM excursion and a guest appearance from guitarist, Jimmy Herring on “Funky Bitch,” “My Sweet One,” and “Llama.”
The third show, 2.21, also includes its share of standout jams. The front-runner is the second set sequence of “Stash > Manteca > Stash” with the first set closing Antelope right behind. With a bluegrass-style “Good Times, Bad Times” encore, Phish continued their silliness before Reverend Jeff Mosier joined them on stage to close the show with a bit more bluegrass.
With crystal clear sound quality, and eight full CDs (including the 6.24.00 Atlanta Tweezer as filler!), this proper box set will not disappoint. Jump over to Relix’s download to check out the free “Funky Bitch” and decide for yourself! Expect more archival releases like this in the near future as the Phish business is having a comeback of their own.
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SUMMER TOUR RUMORS: They keep rolling in from multiple sources. In addition to the Bonaroo and four night Red Rocks run that I previously reported, word has it that Phish will be visiting The Gorge for three nights and Shoreline for three nights this summer. These additional rumors enhance the credence of my theory that we will see a tour comprised of multiple mini-runs. If we are to believe what has been floating around, Phish is up to 11 shows this summer already, and we haven’t heard anything about the east coast yet! The excitement just keeps coming- stay tuned!
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DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEKEND:Z
Following Phish’s legendary run at The Roxy, they next returned to Atlanta that summer on 7.31, standing on the brink of their hallowed month of August. A standout Mike’s > Leprechaun > Weekapaug provided the centerpiece of the second set. The Mike’s features prominent jamming on Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker,” while Leprechaun was played for its third and final time ever. With some ripping classics like Split, “Foam,” and “Mound,” and some old school ’93 covers of “Daniel Saw the Stone” and “Highway to Hell,” this show will be a nice addition to your digital collection. Enjoy!
I: Rift, Sample in a Jar, Ya Mar, Split Open and Melt, Mound, Foam, Nellie Cane, The Divided Sky, Cavern
II: Wilson, Runaway Jim, It’s Ice, Maze, Sparkle, Mike’s Song > Leprechaun > Weekapaug Groove, Purple Rain > HYHU, Daniel, Highway to Hell
E: AC/DC Bag, Freebird
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VIDEO OF THE WEEKEND:
“Split Open and Melt” 7.31.93 Masquerade Music Park, Atlanta, GA
