Thank you for bringing me exactly what I wanted for Christmas this year! It has been many years since I’ve felt this good at Christmas time. It almost seemed like Christmas came early this year, somewhere around the beginning of October. Out of all the presents I may get this year, nothing can compare to that huge announcement with a ribbon on top. Even though 2008 has been a good year, it looks like 2009 will be WAY better! In March I am going to see lots of friends I haven’t seen in a long time, and we are gonna’ have a party! We are gonna’ play and dance around like there’s no tomorrow, and it’s all because of you.
Some of my friends tell me that that you don’t exist, but I know you do. I know it as sure as I know anything. Just like The New York Sun explained to that little girl, Virginia, back in 1897, “the most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.” That editor was a very smart man, because what he said is true. The stuff that makes me the most happy is invisible. When I step inside that crazy building in Hampton in a couple months, I will close my eyes and be brought to the best place on the planet. And I don’t need to look at anything! The feelings are what takes me there; the love, the devotion, the belief– all the stuff you are about, Santa. It’s kind of cool, you and this band I like aren’t so different; it’s really all about having faith in something bigger. That’s why we go to to these shows– to be a part of something more than ourselves; not so different from the Christmas spirit.
This year, I want to thank you so much, Santa. Thank you for allowing something so special to come back to a crazy world that so desperately needs it. Soon the we will unwrap our gift and the celebration will begin; we will enter a Crayola universe where dreams come true.
Have a fun trip home to the North Pole, and enjoy the cookies and milk I left you!
The first day ever at Limestone, Phish opened up Loring Air Force Base in style. With three sets of beautiful Phish, this first night is one of the best single days in Limestione history. Featuring the return to “Harpua” from The Clifford Ball in set one, the “Wolfman’s > Simple” and a sublime Slave in set two, and “Halley’s > Cities > Llama” in set three, this show is one for the ages. In addition to these famous jams, the “Limb By Limb” in set three is one of the best ever played, with the music matching the surroundings perfectly. Enjoy this soundboard! Night two to follow…
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy Kwanzaa!!
I: Makisupa Policeman > Harpua*, Chalk Dust Torture, Theme From the Bottom, Punch You in the Eye > Ghost, Ginseng Sullivan, You Enjoy Myself, Train Song, Character Zero, The Squirming Coil
II: Wolfman’s Brother > Simple** > My Soul > Slave to the Traffic Light, Rocky Top, Julius
*Starts with the theme and Jimmy story, picking up where the song aborted last year at the end of the Clifford Ball (08-17-96). **With theme from “The Odd Couple” tease/jam.
Dear Santa Claus, Thank you for bringing me exactly what I wanted for Christmas this year! It has been many years since I’ve felt this good at Christmas time. It almost seemed like Christmas came early this year, somewhere around the beginning of October. Out of all the presents I may get this year, nothing …
“Early next year” has turned into “right around the corner,” and Phish will be announcing more of their touring plans sooner than later. As the anticipation level rises, the community is salivating for the knowledge of where and when they will travel this summer. With the most anticipated pre-tour period to date, rumors have begun to swirl all over the Internet and around the industry regarding what path Phish will take. I have been trying to keep everyone abreast on the murmurings that have been popping up, but as 2008 winds to a close, things seem to becoming clearer.
With all of the leaks and predictions, a hypothetical picture is emerging. It seems as though Phish will do three groups of shows after Hampton– one in April, one in June, and one in late July and August. Yesterday, a set of tour dates were posted to Phantasy Tour that corroborates this general pattern. Here are the rumored dates:
April 9-10-11 MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, NV
April ?? (post-Vegas but pre-Philly) Pepsi Center Denver, CO
April 16-17-18 The Spectrum Philadelphia, PA
April 20-21-(22?) Madison Square Garden New York, NY
June 2-3 Camden, NJ
June 4 Jones Beach, NY
June 5-6 Hartford Meadows, CT
June 13-14 Bonnaroo Manchester TN
June 16-17-18 Deer Creek
June 19 Busch Stadium St Louis MO
July 24-25 The Gorge
July 29-30-31/Aug 1 Red Rocks
Aug 4-5 Shoreline Amp Mt View CA
Aug 6-7 Staples Center (or Hollywood Bowl) Los Angeles CA
photo: soyhead
Now before everyone starts freaking out and explaining why these dates can’t be correct– let me be the first to say that these dates, in all likelihood, are mostly incorrect. Yet it is the pattern of shows that I’d like to inspect. Not to mention, there are some dates that look to be accurate in there. First, I can’t imagine that Phish will kick off their post-Hampton career in Las Vegas, it seems like exactly the wrong place. Yet, at the same time, I have heard that they will be west to play Denver in April, so that will keep us guessing. If they played Vegas, however, it would no doubt be at the Thomas & Mack Center. With this set of dates, it looks like the original idea of filling in the other weekends in March has been pushed to April with the predicted appearances at The Spectrum and MSG. While the March buzz has died down a bit, I wouldn’t go making plans for those weekends just yet! The Hampton shows may exist as “three of a kind,” but Phish could easily announce something to the contrary.
The June tour seems to be shaping up coherently. It appears Phish will spend the early summer circulating around the east coast and Midwest, though there are some glaring omissions to this list of dates. It seems unlikely that in their eleven-show first leg that they would skip their classic haunts of Great Woods, Alpine Valley, and SPAC. (I’ve heard that they will be hitting Alpine.) And Busch Stadium in St. Louis? Eh, I’m not so sure about that. However, the Camden, Jones Beach, and Bonnaroo dates that have been reported fit neatly into this initial circuit. Highlighted in this faux list is a three-night stand in the cornfields of Deer Creek, something every fan will smile at when considering.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Yet, in my opinion, the most exciting leg is shaping up to be the late-summer west coast tour. Combine A fully-warmed up Phish with some of these venues, and you have the recipe for magic. I have heard the same Red Rocks dates from multiple sources, the four nights of July 29 – August 1. It seems likely that these will be the dates for Phish’s return to Morrison for the summer’s only four-night stand. Filling in around the shows in Colorado will be certain visits to The Gorge and Shoreline. This particular list of dates has the band playing two shows at each of their classic west coast stomping grounds, however, I have also heard the potential of three nights at one or both locales. Moving down the coast, it appears Phish will hit the LA area as well. If this map is accurate, SoCal could be the witness to Phish’s Summer ’09 finale, though I have also heard the tour may pop into Phoenix to close.
The most noteable absence from this potential list of dates is an outright Phish festival. With all the talk about Bonnaroo, whether you are for or against it, there is one thing everyone can agree on- we’d love another Phish festival. Whether or not Bonnaroo is substituting for a trip to Limestone remains to be seen. This imaginary path leaves Phish out west, far from the homes of their beloved festivals. Might we see a comeback tour without a Phish fantasy land at the end of the rainbow? I wouldn’t have thought so, but that just may be the case.
If this set of dates is even approximately accurate, we have a lot of Phish to look forward to in the Spring and Summer of ’09! With over 30 potential shows being kicked around, Phish’s return could turn out to be more significant than imagined. As I’ve stated previously, this won’t be any nostalgia act, this will be about moving forward, and perhaps this number of dates are the first indication that the band means business. As we all look forward to getting back out there on the road, back to the source, back to the freedom and bliss Phish brings, we have plenty of rumors to discuss and debate over the holiday season. Before too long, we will have our answers!
This is the third show of US Summer ’97, and capped perhaps the three most exciting opening shows of any tour. Following Virginia Beach and Raleigh, Phish moved down to Atlanta and funked out their second visit to the venue. With a best-ever “Ghost” and a top-notch “YEM” holding down the second set, Phish would leave some classic jams in Atlanta air. After Lakewood it was on to Texas, and summer tour was officially underway. Another reader request, be sure to grab this one if you don’t have it already!
I: Julius, Dirt, NICU, Dogs Stole Things, Ginseng Sullivan, Water in the Sky, Limb By Limb, Split Open and Melt, Billy Breathes, Possum
II: Punch You in the Eye, Ghost > Sample in a Jar, You Enjoy Myself > Rocky Mountain Way^ > Chalk Dust Torture
E: Frankenstein
^Joe Walsh cover (first time played)
“Early next year” has turned into “right around the corner,” and Phish will be announcing more of their touring plans sooner than later. As the anticipation level rises, the community is salivating for the knowledge of where and when they will travel this summer. With the most anticipated pre-tour period to date, rumors have begun …
Discussion, critique, and debate around their music has been, and will always be, a constant in Phish’s fan base. Everyone has their own take on things, and we all often go to lengths to legitimize our opinions. Many post-show decompression sessions were spent listening to Phish and talking about it. With music addictive as any drug I’ve known, Phish’s acrobatics often spring-boarded folks deep into Phish talk.
As fun as it is to debate until the sun came up, often times enjoyment came in agreement. As much as Phish’s music spurns debate, it often crushes disagreement as well. Sometimes Phish played so well, they literally jammed away any subjectivity. Nobody is gonna’ argue nuances with the Nassau Roses, and no one’s gonna’ step to the Radio City Ghost or the Salem Tweezer. You won’t find a fan that will pick a bone with Hampton’s Halley’s or the Albany YEM– sometimes the argument is over before it begins.
To honor these peace-making versions, I put together a compilation of “No Brainers”– versions that need no discussion. There are obviously many “no brainer” versions of every song, and this time around I chose one of each; next time, another. Welcome to Miner’s Picks: No Brainers Vol. I!
*** YOU ENJOY MYSELF:12.29.98 MSG
3.1.03 (Staunchy)
More than any song, one could pick a hundred versions of YEM to include in such a compilation. Yet, today, I chose one of my personal favorites that I’m sure many will rank highly as well. In this set closing smoker at MSG, there is nary a wasted note or misdirected phrase throughout an exciting excursion. In what I have often called a perfect version of the song, the band’s ’98 style is on full display in one of their favorite homes.
TWEEZER > IZABELLA: 12.6.97 Auburn Hills, MI
Although I often tout this segment, there are clear reason for its accolades. Possibly the most transcendent jam of Fall ’97, this throw-down at The Palace remains an all-time highlight to this day. Combining their larger-than-life dance funk with an exploration into the heart of the universe, I’ve never met a person who doesn’t love this entire set. In a fall tour that took on a life of its own, this “Tweezer” may be the pinnacle.
WOLFMAN’S > SIMPLE: 8.16.97 Limestone, ME
The Great Went (Ned Beebe)
In one of the weekend’s defining portions of improv, these two jams combine to illustrate the diversity of Phish’s music. In their first trip to the magical site of Limestone, Phish tore apart the most developed Wolfman’s to date to open The Great Went’s second set. With the beats oozing loudly from the speaker towers and bellowing across the land, we were witnesses to Limestone’s first epic jam. Flowing with the confidence at the peak of two-month summer tour, Phish sculpted a masterful musical marble. Surprising us with “Simple” when we least expected it, Trey went on to take one of the most poignant solos of the summer.
HARRY HOOD:12.30.95 MSG
In what is some of the most powerful music ever produced by the band, this version holds a special version in my soul. With Trey, Mike and Page building the music as if connected, the emotional quality of this jam’s harmony and melody are unparalleled. Adding Fish’s work, this version possesses a driving urgency that meshes beautifully with the delicate textures of life. A passage of music that defines the spiritual and emotional nature of Phish’s world, this version changed my perspective on life forever. After many years, it has been fun meeting so many others who had similarly powerful experiences during these magical moments at MSG.
BATHTUB GIN:8.17.97 Limestone, ME
Coming out of an giant “Down With Disease,” the Went Gin saw the band and 80,000 fans simultaneously have a peak musical experience. A piece of music that has come to define the energetic interchange between Phish and their fans, this jam was a cathartic release at the end of an epic summer, celebrating all that the Phish community represented. One of those out-of body experiences where all were enveloped by the hugeness of what was transpiring, egos fell by the wayside as everyone became lost in Phish’s wild wonderland.
GHOST > SLAVE:7.4.99 Lakewood
A pairing of incredibly divergent songs resulted in one of the most sublime transitions of the band’s 20+ years and a July 4th memory to last a lifetime. Another jam that enraptured all in attendance, the music took over the pavilion as the deep bass of Ghost ballooned from the speakers. A version that stands out in a summer full of belligerent Ghosts, its pairing with Phish’s most regal piece made the jam that much stronger. The Slave is another time where everything came together at one place at one time– for everyone.
MIKE’S SONG:12.31.95, MSG
photo – Austin
This jam was the centerpiece of one of Phish’s most renowned shows. Closing the second set, one of the greatest incarnations of the song ever played made a militant futuristic dance hall out of the Garden. Hallowed as one of the band’s finest nights of their career, this Mike’s is one of the reasons why. As the second jam kicks in, look out for some serious ninja Phish crack. No joking around here, this is what its all about. By the end of the jam, Trey was silhouetted on stage creating a digital delay loop that would continue as he left the stage, awaiting 1996.
2001: 7.17.98 The Gorge
How can you go wrong with a twenty-five minute wide-open exploration of dance grooves in front of the Columbia River Gorge? On this memorable night, Phish took this version deep into the dark night sky, stopping by stars and planets in their musical orbit. An experiential delight, and a segment of music you could listen to forever, “The Gorge 2001” has become a term unto its own.
REBA:7.6.94 Montreal, QC
With the plethora of ridiculous Reba’s played within this year, the conversation always comes back to this version from Montreal. Taking the driving music to another level of triumphant groove, this version features improv not often heard in your every day “Reba.” Yet, just at the peak of said section, the band splashes blissfully back into the classic Reba jam. This is one among many, in a year with copious no brainer versions of the song.
Enjoy these all-time highlights, and share your own in comments below! Be on the look out for “No Brainers Volume II,” due out soon.
Below are pictures of the Ross Compressor that Phantasy Tour had engraved for Trey. The quote comes from “Walls of the Cave,” and seems to imply no pressure tochange back to his old tone, but “When the moment comes…” Very clever. Well played PT!
Tom Marshall will be hand delivering the pedal to Trey’s house this morning, in time for Christmas!
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RUMOR MILL ’09:
Further confirmation of 4 nights at Red Rocks on July 29 – August 2nd
This is the first show of a classic two night stand with the Giant Country Horns back in the Summer of ’91. The next night was a show almost every fan had on analog, and this one paved the way. This one comes as a holiday request, so “Ho! Ho! Ho!,” and enjoy!
I: Chalk Dust Torture, Foam, The Squirming Coil, Llama, Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg, The Landlady, Bathtub Gin, My Sweet One, David Bowie
II: Buried Alive, Reba, Caravan, Dinner and a Movie, Flat Fee, Golgi Apparatus, Stash, TMWSIY > Avenu Malkenu > TMWSIY, You Enjoy Myself, Rocky Top
E: Possum
With The Giant Country Horns.
Discussion, critique, and debate around their music has been, and will always be, a constant in Phish’s fan base. Everyone has their own take on things, and we all often go to lengths to legitimize our opinions. Many post-show decompression sessions were spent listening to Phish and talking about it. With music addictive as any …
I have always maintained that the best nights happen on the 30th. New Year’s Eve is too fleeting, once it’s over, it’s over. 12.29 could make a strong argument for best musical night ever given its history, but there is something about the 30th– the night before New Year’s. Often reserved for darker shows, leaving the happy stuff for the 31st, Phish loved this date. As we head into the end of the year, let’s listen to some great 12.30’s.! (’92 and ’93 are already on the site! Use the Search Bar)
The band’s first visit to Madison Square Garden came on the 30th. Following a torrential year of touring, the band soared into their New Year’s Run only three weeks after finishing fall tour. Big versions of YEM, “Tweezer” and “Harry Hood” carry the second set of a show that had a tough act to follow in 12.29.94’s Providence show.
I: Wilson > Rift, AC/DC Bag, Sparkle, Simple, Stash, Fee> Scent of a Mule, Cavern
II: Sample in a Jar, Poor Heart > Tweezer, I’m Blue I’m Lonesome*, You Enjoy Myself, Purple Rain > HYHU, Harry Hood, Tweezer Reprise
For the second year in a row, Phish found themselves at MSG for the 30th; this time for a two-night stand into 1996. This year’s version of 12.30 was a stellar show with two sets of chock-full Phish. An early show “2001 > Suzy > David Bowie” got things spinning fast, while “It’s Ice > Kung > It’s Ice” continued the dark path. The second set was a keeper, with in my opinion, the most magnificent “Harry Hood” ever holding it down.
I: Prince Caspian > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Suzy Greenberg > David Bowie, Simple, It’s Ice > Kung > It’s Ice, TMWSIY > Avenu Malkenu > TMWSIY, The Divided Sky, Sample in a Jar
II: Ya Mar*, Free, Harry Hood > AC/DC Bag, Lifeboy, Scent of a Mule, Cavern, Run Like An Antelope
Another great 12.30 effort, featuring two full sets of great Phish. A quality “Reba” and “Theme” in set one made way for a “Timber Ho” opener is set two and the then rare “Guyute” moving right into a big “Tweezer.” A Slave put a cap on another great 30th.
I: Ya Mar, The Sloth, Llama, Gumbo, Reba, Talk*, Funky Bitch**, Theme From the Bottom, Good Times Bad Times
II: Timber (Jerry), Uncle Pen, AC/DC Bag, Guyute, Tweezer > Lifeboy, Scent of a Mule#, Slave to the Traffic Light
E: Possum
*With Trey on acoustic guitar. **The PA cuts out. The band continues playing for a few minutes while it is reconnected and end up miming playing. #Comedian Steven Wright came out and rang a bell twice.
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VIDEO OF THE WEEKEND:
“Tweezer” 12.30.94 MSG Pt.1
“Tweezer” Pt.2
“Tweezer” Pt.3
DOWNLOADS OF THE WEEKEND: I have always maintained that the best nights happen on the 30th. New Year’s Eve is too fleeting, once it’s over, it’s over. 12.29 could make a strong argument for best musical night ever given its history, but there is something about the 30th– the night before New Year’s. Often reserved …
So unless you’ve been living in a cocoon this week, you have heard the mainstream rumors that Phish will headline Bonnaroo for two of the three nights. If you have been reading Phish Thoughts for a bit, you’ve known that this would happen for about a month now. Yet, as the rumor has been virtually substantiated from the powers that be, there has been a lot of backlash in the community about this decision.
Some think Phish has no place on a multi-band bill, something they avoided for most of their career. The argument is that Phish shouldn’t be part of something bigger when they can draw the same amount of people themselves. Some feel that they are being pressured into it by super-manager, Coran Capshaw, who holds a stake in the festival, and other outside business influences. Bottom line, all of these lines of reasoning are, in my opinion, total crap. Phish is playing Bonnaroo for one reason and one reason only, they want to!
If you remember back to the late ’90s and early ’00s, Phish, with Great Northern Productions, created the blueprint for the massive Phish festival. When southern concert promoters Superfly and A.C. Productions teamed up to throw the first jam-rooted Bonnaroo, they looked to the experts, welcoming many members of Great Northern’s team on board to help and to use their model of Phish’s former weekend celebrations. Yet, due to timing, Phish never got to take part in the festival that they were integral in inspiring. Soon followed all the other mega-festivals that, trying desperately to draw as many people that Phish drew by themselves. Bonnaroo and its brethren essentially filled the summer time vacuum for 60,000 to 80,000 fans who could no longer trek to Limestone. Essentially, Phish’s absence made room for the growth of Bonnaroo, and now the band wants to join in. Do they need to play it– of course not! But they want to join the party too!
Consider these factors with the overwhelming nature of Coventry and the effort, coordination, and money it takes to throw their own festival (which they still may do!), and tell me, honestly, that this doesn’t make sense for them. They pull into a huge festival with no work of their own, tear the place apart for two nights, steal the show, and move on with their tour. Sound like a plan to me! With Trey’s affinity, familiarity and previous performances at Bonnaroo, it seems like a very congruent fit.
When the members of Phish reemerged at last summer’s Rothbury festival in various sit-ins and performances, it seemed like they enjoyed being a part of everything. Basically every other significant band plays at these festivals, and why would Phish not want to take part in this community celebration of music, art, and fun? It is not like Phish will be moving from mega-fest to mega-fest– they are gonna’ stop in at one or two, and if you wanna skip ’em, no one will hold a gun to your head. So why complain? Why not accept that your personal desires don’t line up with Phish’s desires, and meet your buddies at the next show?
The Lemonwheel (T. Wickersty)
In addition, Bonnaroo will automatically expose Phish to an entire new generation of kids who were in middle school at the time of Coventry. More people who would have never imagined the magic of Phish will get to experience it in bigger-than-life format. How can this possibly be a bad thing? If you think that there won’t be a whole new scene of Phish fans whether they play the festival or not, you are sorely mistaken. Kids who have been incessantly listening to bootlegs and smoking bongs for the past four years, kids who had older siblings that sung the praises of the Phish, kids who never knew Phish existed are all gonna’ be on board. Welcome to Phish 2009!
And hey, for the fans it’s a deal! $200 bucks for two shows and two full days of festivities?? Hell, I paid $240 for each night of Hampton, sounds like a deal to me! And anyone who thinks Phish will step on that stage and not absolutely slaughter their shows forgot who Phish is. These will be “super-Phish shows.” Shows whose setlists you will cringe at when you read on the Internet what you missed. This is Phish’s time to reclaim their throne as the maestros of the live music scene, and if you think most everyone won’t be walking away from Manchester, TN discussing how insane the Phish sets were, I think you’ve got a surprise coming.
The Great Went
Can you even imagine the magnitude of the Bonnaroo “Tweezer?” Can you fathom the depth of the Mike’s Groove that will overtake the masses’ consciousness? Inevitably, Phish will also debut new material at the festival, and whether is a twenty-minute transcendent “Light” or a set-opening “Backwards Down the Number Line,” everyone will walk away from Bonnaroo more excited about Phish then when they entered. Phish’s mission at Bonnaroo will be clear, “tear the roof off the sucka’.” And I guarantee you, that is exactly what they will do.
The fact is, people are confusing their own desire to attend Bonnaroo with Phish’s “right” to play there. Understandably, a mega-festival comes with its caveats and clusterfucks, but at the same time, it comes with freedom from ushers, seats, conventional rules, and standard show limitations. While it is understandable why individuals would not want to attend the event, making the jump to say Phish shouldn’t play the event is purely illogical. Ready or not, here they come!
What are your opinions on Phish headlining Bonnaroo for two nights? Respond in Comments below!
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SUMMER ’09 RUMOR MILL: As Bonnaroo is all but confirmed, a few more nuggets of info have been passed my way. From a solid source, Phish has two nights scheduled for Camden in mid-June, seemingly part of their initial early-summer tour. I’ve heard potential Red Rocks dates to be 7.29-8.2. I’ve heard some grumbling about NOLA Jazzfest, but nothing firm at this point. I wouldn’t forget about those other weekends in March either. It’s almost 2009, we should know soon. That’s all I’ve got for now folks! Enjoy the weekend.
We are sticking with the New Year’s Run theme today, featuring the dark-horse show of 1997. Finishing the run with three nights at MSG– two of them being legendary– this show actually can hold its own. With two exciting sets, the “Cities > Curtain > Sample” combo early on got the run started after a warm up “Julius.” The second set was highlighted by the “Ghost > Drowned” and “Halley’s > Slave” segments. This one has also been requested by a number of folks. Enjoy!
I: Julius, Cities > The Curtain > Sample in a Jar, The Old Home Place, Runaway Jim, Farmhouse, Funky Bitch, Split Open and Melt, Bouncing Around the Room, Character Zero
II: Axilla* > Simple**, Ghost > Drowned > Scent of a Mule, Halley’s Comet > Slave to the Traffic Light, Rocky Top, Cavern
E: Bold as Love
*With Axilla (Part 2) ending.**Trey’s guitar experienced feedback coming out of Simple, causing Trey to pause and talk about ghosts in the machine…they then paused and went into “Ghost.”
So unless you’ve been living in a cocoon this week, you have heard the mainstream rumors that Phish will headline Bonnaroo for two of the three nights. If you have been reading Phish Thoughts for a bit, you’ve known that this would happen for about a month now. Yet, as the rumor has been virtually …
