At this point, we’ve had plenty of time to listen, re-listen and process the shows that went down in June. While I believe that June represented step one in a much larger process of musical redevelopment, Phish left us with quite a few highlights from their first tour in five years. We’ve looked at some of the more powerful moments that took place during June, and now we will turn our ears to the best and brightest from Summer Tour- Leg One. Below you’ll find each track with a blurb about why it is included. The tracks progress chronologically so you can listen to the musical development over the tour. Without further ado, I present to you eight hours of June 2009 highlights in:
“MINER’S PICKS : JUNE ’09″ < Torrent
“MINER’S PICKS : JUNE ’09″ < Megaup.
NORTHEAST
1,2.”Tweezer > Light” 5.31 Fenway II
This first real piece of improv of the summer got the tour underway in earnest. Phish always chooses a jam to welcome everyone back home again, and this year, “Tweezer” was it. The band segued out of the darkness into “Light,” introducing one of their most exciting new songs.
3. “Timber Ho!” 6.2 Jones Beach I
This bust out got nasty quick, as Phish dove right into a tasty psychedelic jam which peaked and wrapped up in tight fashion.
4. “Reba” 6.2 I
The most divine and blissful version of tour.
5. “Harry Hood” 6.2 II
This ethereal and experimental version of the song left everyone in the crowd with the feeling that something extremely powerful had just happened. Taking the jam where it has never gone before, Phish showcased their spirit of innovation early in the tour.
6. “Ghost” 6.4 Jones Beach II
This rendition, tucked away in the first set, gets glossed over due to Ashville’s highlight version. This one may be just as good- a true diamond in the rough.
7,8. “2001 > Slave” 6.5 Jones Beach II
This cathartic climax to the three-show run put an exclamation point on the band’s most poignant 3.0 performance to that point. The unexpected, late-set drop into “2001″ brought the funk in a rainstorm, while the “Slave” was a climactic version to behold.
9,10. “Seven Below,” “Fluffhead” 6.6 Great Woods I
This set-opening combo just about blew the roof off of Great Woods’ pavilion. With the Phishy energy of New England dominating the show, the band responded with this one-two punch that fed right into the crowd’s enthusiasm. Both songs deserve attention- “Seven Below” for its searing improv and “Fluffhead” for its adrenalized, near-perfect, precision.
11. “Fee” 6.7 Camden, NJ I
When Phish took the ending of “Fee” out into a type-II adventure as the second song of the show, you knew this night would be special. This is another tour highlight that has generally been overlooked due to its set placement, but go back and listen- you’ll be floored.
12. “Sand” 6.7 II
The longest jam from June also is in the running for the most exciting. Taking their vehicle of groove to a whole new level, the band added melodic themes throughout, taking the piece to unforeseen heights. The slower funk was left behind for a more driving beat, creating an uptempo highlight that certainly belongs in the upper echelon of June’s improv. An instant classic, this “Sand” began a second set that was one of the strongest of the tour.
13. “Tweezer” 6.7 II
Right when we least expected it, Phish dropped into this standout “Tweezer.” Closing a second set for only the second time in history, this version saw the band coherently rip apart one of the jams of June. The signature of this piece is when Trey loops his “commando” lick and builds the jam atop of it- some truly top-notch Phish.
SOUTH
14. “Ghost > Fast Enough For You” Asheville 6.9 II
This “Ghost” has been talked about quite a bit, and was certainly a June highlight, as well as the high point of this show. Taking a path less traveled, this version entered a less straight-ahead groove, and climbed to a rolling peak rarely seen from “Ghost.” Another top-notch version here, and “Fast Enough” couldn’t have come in more perfectly.
15. “Maze” 6.9 II
This second set “Maze” ratcheted up the intensity in the intimate Asheville Civic Center, creating a raucous show highlight. Trey dug into some twisted territory, crafting a “Maze” that edged beyond its standard incarnations.
16. “Undermind” 6.10 Knoxville I
Mike slaughtered his part in the second-only rendition of “Undermind.” This catchy tune is bound to get into some more extensive jams in the future, but this version provides some ear candy in the meantime.
17. “David Bowie” 6.10 II
While this mid-second set “Bowie” remained within the song’s structure, it was certainly the tightest version we’ve heard in a long time. Kicking off the rest of a set that featured many old-school jam vehicles, this “Bowie” was the version of June without a doubt.
18. “Stash” 6.12 Bonnaroo Late Night
“Stash” was the first jam that the band took outwards at Manchester’s massive festival. After a string of contained songs, Phish loosened into some eerie music, serving up some southern psychedelia to the masses. With improvisation that began to reach the dark side, Phish began to uncover their mystical ways with one of their classic vehicles.
19,20. “Kill Devil Falls > Free” 6.12 Late Night
The tour’s first truly exploratory jam came out of Phish’s most straight ahead new song. Launching into some high-paced improv, the band growled out of the composition and into one of the lasting “type II” memories from the month. Splashing into “Free” to resolve the madness, the landing point boomed from Bonnaroo’s speaker towers, completing the over-sized excursion.
21-24. “Tweezer > Horse > Slient, Antelope” Bonnaroo 6.14 I
Perhaps the Phishiest nugget played at Bonnaroo, this combo of old school favorites stood out right away. The “Tweezer” featured extremely cohesive group playing and some of the nastiest phrasing by Trey, creating one of the most enjoyable moments of the weekend. After the “Horse > Silent interlude, the band picked right back up with a blistering “Antelope” that punctuated the segment.
25-27. “Rock And Roll > Light > 46 Days” 6.14 II
