Two more days! It’s hard to believe that all the rumors and speculation that swirled around this Red Rocks stand for the better part of a year are coming to fruition in just two days. Everyone will set up in Colorado for a relaxing four nights in the mountains to kick off the second half of summer tour at one of the greatest venues in the country. As I think of the shows ahead, here are ten trends and/or developments that I hope to see over the course of August- in no particular order:
1. The return of “Scents and Subtle Sounds”- this was just getting good.
2. Mike needs to be louder again- back to the drawing board!
3. Increased musical risk taking- success or fail. June was for safety, now let’s take the plunge.
4. The exploration of “Ocelot,” “Faulty Plan,” and “Twenty Years Later.”
5. The improvement of LivePhish SBDs. Immediately.
6. Keep the “Tweezers” coming!
7. The use of ambient jamming as a creative tool, not a crutch. (e.g. Deer Creek “Oceans” and Alpine “Crosseyed”)
8. At least one big “Mike’s Song?” Red Rocks?
9. The re-emergence of “Free” as a jam vehicle.
10. As many “Songs I Heard the Ocean Sing” as possible- this is the new path to darkness.
What developments would you like to see this tour?
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Miner’s Travels : A Word About Show Reviews
Before this next run of shows gets underway, I just want to say a brief word about my show reviews. Phish is such a personal experience for all of us, it’s impossible to be objective in conveying the experience of a show, and that’s not even my intention. My “thoughts” are exactly that- my reflections on the music and experience of that night, at that moment. Sometimes I have the chance to listen to the show before I write, and sometimes I don’t. At times in June, I felt like my “thoughts” were interpreted as an attempt to objectively state things about a show, set, or jam- and that is never my goal, it isn’t possible. My thoughts are different from your thoughts, and our experiences and perceptions differ as well. The amazing thing about Phish is that many of our personal experiences are so similar, that we can relate to each other and share our ideas. Once tour is over, we will return to our regularly scheduled analysis and see how things stack up. Until then, enjoy the ride!
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Jam of the Day:
“Bathtub Gin” 7.8.98 I Barcelona, SP (listen)
This second-song “Gin” came in the first set of the band’s three-night Barcelona stand that concluded Europe ’98. A soaring “type-I” highlight, the band was clicking from moment one on this night, and throughout this standout tour. Besides one (allegedly) Absinthe-induced night in Prague, the tremendous music never stopped. A high quality SBD makes this one even more enjoyable for a summer day. Enjoy!
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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:
7.25.92 Performing Arts Center, Stowe, VT SBD < TORRENT
7.25.92 Performing Arts Center, Stowe, VT SBD < MEGAUPLOAD
This classic one set nugget from the Summer of ’92 comes to you via reader request in time for Red Rocks. This well-known opening set includes a fantastic guest sit-in by Carlos Santana, and his bandmates, Raul Rakow and Karl Perazzo, and remains one of the most well circulated tapes in history.
Runaway Jim, Foam, Sparkle, Stash, Rift, You Enjoy Myself*, Llama*, Funky Bitch*
Opened for Santana. *With Carlos Santana, Raul Rekow, and Karl Perazzo
