“Also Sprach Zarathustra,” a thirty minute classical piece, was composed in 1896 by Richard Strauss as a musical response to Fredrick Nietzshe’s nihilistic writings in “Thus Spoke Zarathustra.” The introduction to Strauss’ piece, the popular melody we know, was written as a “tone poem” with intentional unresolved harmonies to convey his belief of the unsolvable mystery of the universe. This introduction came into popular culture in 1968 with its prominence in Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” musically symbolizing a cosmic rebirth. Carrying as much power and profundity as any track in cinematic history, “Also Sprach Zarathustra” punctuated the humanistic themes that defined Kubrick’s work. Though the Phish scene adopted the nickname “2001” from Kubrick’s masterpiece, the band took their musical inspiration from the ’70s fusion-era artist, Deodato, who transformed the classic piece into a funk-laden escapade. It is his reworked version that Phish has popularized since 1993, thrilling audiences with its wide open space-funk textures.
Adopting the song in the Summer of ’93, Phish immediately grew addicted to its futuristic feel, as they opened virtually every second set of the tour with the adrenalizing piece. A showcase for Kuroda’s lights and smoke machine, “2001” was a catalyst for big sets, serving as a launchpad into central jam vehicles such as “Mike’s,” “Maze,” “Antelope,” and “Bowie.” This new four-minute funk intro hyped up crowds all summer long, and continued to play this role throughout ’94 and ’95.
It wasn’t until until the historic Halloween ’96 show that “2001” began to develop. On that night, guest percussionist Karl Perazzo convinced the band to settle into the ascending patterns before each passage through the song’s famed chorus. Following Perazzo’s lead, the band molded a set of chunky grooves that stretched the song to seven minutes; an idea was born. Not coincidentally, it was the “Remain in Light” set from this show that shifted Phish’s musical focus towards collective groove.
Throughout the rest of 1996’s fall tour, Phish continued to push the boundaries of “2001” with longer versions appearing in Memphis (11.18), Sacramento (11.30), and Las Vegas (12.6). By the time Summer ’97 rolled around, “2001” had transformed into a new beast. But it wasn’t until The Great Went’s out-of-body experience that we all realized the song’s potential.
Fitting congruently into Phish’s style of Fall ’97, “2001” was showcased across the country five times, and once on New Year’s Eve, establishing itself as one of the band’s preeminent vehicles for funk improvisation. As the years progressed, the tiny intro of 1993 was long forgotten in favor of far more extended versions, as Phish created countless adventures in psychedelic space-groove.
Few songs are more liberating to hear live than “2001,” and below are five classic versions. (You can listen to each on this page.)
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12.6.96 The Aladdin Theatre, Las Vegas, NV
This version forever solidified “2001’s” place as a Phish jam. Pushing this first set version longer than ever before, the band fully realized their next monster on the last night of Fall ’96. This early extended rendition featured impressive improvisational chops by Page, a deep pocket from Mike and Fish, and some would-be classic ’97 funk lines from Trey, including his frequently quoted P-Funk licks. Experiencing Phish crack like never before, fans came away from this set with a revelation and a preview of what was to come in the following year.
LISTEN TO 12.6.96 “2001” NOW! (Roll over link and press play. These are big files, so let them load.)
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8.17.97 The Great Went, Limestone ME
Amidst one of their greatest sets ever, Phish reinvented their space-age cover. Standing in a vast field, under the heaven of a speaker tower, thick grooves rained like never before in our lives. With a series of loops as a backdrop, Phish crafted a revolution. In our first trip to the hallowed grounds of Limestone, the band and audience, alike, had a cathartic experience over a half-hour of bliss. This was the first outlandish incarnation of “2001,” and the first where it was pretty clear that Phish was involved in some alien contact. As the band members peeled off, one by one, to create an onstage mural, the other three kept the groove pumping with loose, yet locked, communication. An experience like never before, this evening forever changed the course of the song and the band.
LISTEN TO 8.17.97’s “2001” NOW!
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11.19.97 Assembly Hall, Champaign, IL
The second appearance of “2001” in the Fall of ’97 proved to be one for the ages. From the first snare hit, this version possessed the perfect tempo for the band to be able to go off, both individually and collectively, creating one of the tightest versions in history. With to-die-for licks, Trey complemented Mike’s massive bass patterns like glue, while Page filled in the spaces in between. Like the rhythmic maestro he is, Fishman framed this masterful improv with a delicate , yet driving, beat. This version represents Phish smack dab in the middle of Fall ’97’s blossoming. Whenever I want to listen to a “2001” specifically, this one usually finds its way to the CD player.
LISTEN TO 11.19.97’s “2001” NOW!
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7.17.98 The Gorge, George, WA
This ’98 version of “2001” has become virtually synonymous with the majestic venue of the pacific northwest. A mathematical expression of this phenomenon would be “Phish + The Gorge = 1998’s “2001.”” A flawless example of Phish matching their music to their surroundings, this loose, laid back, and locked half-hour odyssey seemed to descend from the heavens as much as it emanated from the stage. This version best represents the band amidst Mike’s sought after on-stage state of “half awake and half dreaming,” as the music flowed through them naturally and effortlessly. Trey organically moved from wah-grooves to lead melodies as the situation dictated, spraying infectious guitar flair all over this adventure. Heavy on the Rhodes throughout, Page enhanced the celestial feel of this jam, while Mike pumped out dominating bass lines. Taking fourteen minutes to even approach the first apex, this was an exercise in psychedelic groove. Featuring peaks and valleys, this version possesses incredible dynamism.
LISTEN TO 7.17.98’s “2001” NOW!
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7.7.1999 Blockbuster Pavilion, Charlotte, NC
Opening an amazing second set, this “2001” boasted a hugely climactic eight-minute build up before Phish unleashed their fury. This was a showcase for the band, who patiently worked through a memorable twenty-two minutes of space travel. More atmospheric and less in your face, Phish built a lush soundscape out of this Summer ’99 classic. Featuring an out of character rhythmic breakdown in the middle of this monstrosity, this version illustrates the risk-taking of Phish as well as their experiments with sound and texture that defined ’99. This colo