MR. MINER'S PHISH THOUGHTS

A Subtle Shift – Fall ’98

After a full year of concentrating almost exclusively on collaborative band grooves, Fall ’98 represented a shift towards a new style of play for Phish. Come the end of summer and beginning of fall, the band began to infuse layered “ambient” improv into their repertoire. Moving beyond rhythmic and melodic conventions, the band engaged in selfless, amorphous jamming that resulted in many sublime musical trips over the course of this month. Without any true lead, all members pushed and pulled at the sonic brew, growing an organic musical amoeba. Representing the next evolution in Phish’s sound, Fall ’98 offered a new flavor alternative to the chewy funk of summer.

Taking no time to introduce this new musical plane, the band kicked off fall tour with an other-worldly ambient excursion of “Reba > Walk Away” at the Greek Theatre, leaving all in wonder of what had transpired. Moving directly to Las Vegas, the band cranked out one of the defining psychedelic opuses of their career in Halloween’s third set “Wolfman’s.” While some consider this a “polarizing” version, I consider it one of the most sacred treks the band has ever taken. Diving fearlessly into the void, Phish harnessed the other side in molding one of the eeriest passages of their career. Oozing with mind-bending energy and exploration, this still holds up as the deepest dive into the occult the band has ever taken on All Hallow’s Eve.

As they continued along the path of Fall, the band consistently included this type of playing in many jams. In Denver, this sound grew out of “Frankie Sez” into “Bowie.” At UIC, this ambient style underlined the most creative and cathartic jam of the run in “AC/DC Bag.” While Grand Rapid’s “Halley’s Comet” contained passages in this vein, Greenville’s “Wolfman’s” and Hampton’s “Simple” highlighted this amoeba-like psychedelia. And in Worcester’s three-night finale, the jam between “Weekapaug” and Antelope” moved through this territory, while the “Simple” of the tour’s finale explored the dark side of this improv. Blending passages and hints of this style throughout the tour, Phish’s evolving ambient playing became more ingrained in the norm.

When Phish returned in ’99, they would build on this ambient style, adding thicker layers of effects and dissonance, developing their “millennial” sound that evolved throughout the year. Fall ’98 represents a moment in time when Phish dynamically navigated the musical ground between laid-back funk of summer and the searing psychedelia that lurked around the corner, leaving a legacy of excellent exploration along the way.

Below are five jams that chronicle the evolution of Phish’s ambient style of Fall ’98:

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“Reba > Walk Away > Simple” 10.29 II LA, CA

Starting with the first show of tour, Phish began to explore this new style of jamming.

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“Wolfman’s > Piper” 10.31 III Las Vegas, NV

One of the band’s career highlights, and a journey into places unimaginable.

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“AC/DC Bag” 11.7 II Chicago, IL

Overshadowed in the first show of UIC’s three-night stand, this “AC/DC Bag” holds up to anything from Fall ’98.

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“Simple” 11.21 II Hampton, VA

A gorgeous ambient excursion with all members working in sync to form a stunning piece of music.

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“Simple” 11.29 II Worcester, MA

If Hampton’s “Simple” sounded like an ascension into heaven, this version depicts a descent into Hades.

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Jam of the Day:

“Bathtub Gin” 2.14.03 I

Phish’s “Welcome Back” jam in the first set of Winter ’03.

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

6.23.95 Waterloo Village, Stanhope, NJ < Torrent

6.23.95 Waterloo Village, Stanhope, NJ < Megaupload

This nugget of Summer ’95 one goes out Mr. Bishop. Phish provided an excellent two set effort after fans endured a clusterfuck of traffic to get into the venue.

I: Simple, Chalk Dust Torture, Prince Caspian, Reba, Ginseng Sullivan, Free, Taste, You Enjoy Myself

II: Runaway Jim > The Lizards, The Wedge, Run Like an Antelope, Harpua* > Jam** > Llama**, Good Times Bad Times**

E: A Day in the Life

*Unfinished; with Abba’s Waterloo
**John Popper on harmonica

Source: AKG 460b > Sony D10 Pro II

A Subtle Shift – Fall ’98 Read More »

Weekend Nuggets: Reader Requests – Old School

3.25.93 Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA < Torrent

3.25.93 Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA < Megaupload

This one goes out to Neemor!

I: Chalk Dust Torture, Guelah Papyrus, It’s Ice, Possum, Bouncing Around the Room, Stash, Glide, Rift, Horn, Magilla, Run Like an Antelope

II: Axilla, The Curtain > Sample in a Jar, Uncle Pen, Colonel Forbin’s Ascent > Kung > Icculus > Fly Famous Mockingbird, The Wedge, Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Golgi Apparatus

E: My Sweet One, Big Ball Jam, Sweet Adeline*

*without microphones

Source: Unknown

*****

12.28.90 The Marquee, NYC, NY – SBD < Torrent

12.28.90 The Marquee, NYC, NY – SBD < Megaupload

This one goes out to Corey!

I: Runaway Jim, Foam, Horn, Reba, Llama, Colonel Forbin’s Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird, Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Golgi Apparatus

II: The Landlady, Possum, The Squirming Coil > Tweezer > Manteca > Tweezer, The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony, My Sweet One, The Divided Sky, No Good Trying* > Hold Your Head Up*, Don’t Get Me Wrong*, Funky Bitch*

E: Bouncing Around the Room, Highway to Hell

*John Popper on harmonica.

Source: SBD

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Jam of the Weekend:

“Tweezer > Have Mercy” 7.17.99 I

Sunset at Oswego – day one.

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VIDEOS OF THE WEEKEND:

“Disease” jam 12.31.09 III

*****

“Demand > Seven Below” 12.31.09 I

3.25.93 Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA < Torrent 3.25.93 Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA < Megaupload This one goes out to Neemor! I: Chalk Dust Torture, Guelah Papyrus, It’s Ice, Possum, Bouncing Around the Room, Stash, Glide, Rift, Horn, Magilla, Run Like an Antelope II: Axilla, The Curtain > Sample in a Jar, Uncle Pen, …

Weekend Nuggets: Reader Requests – Old School Read More »

Ten Tunes For Friday

Here’s another ten-pack to get you through the last day of the week. Click on any orange song title to download. Enjoy!

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“Down With Disease” 5.21.00 II, Radio City, NYC

The unquestionable highlight of the first Radio City show, this version provides a smoking example of early-2000 Phish. These were the first shows following Big Cypress, and were some of the most highly anticipated in the band’s history.

***

“Piper” 12.8.99 II CCCC, Portland, ME

Throughout ’99, “Piper” transformed into a more earnest jam vehicle than its earlier incarnations. While the band took the song on many thrilling rides, this piece, from Portland, ME, provides a example of Phish swimming up a vastly different channel.

***

“Walls > Carini” 2.14.03 II, The Forum, LA, CA

After a lackluster comeback run at MSG and Hampton, this show brought Phish back into focus. This second set sequence represents the first stellar jam of the post-hiatus era, and there would be many more. Coming out like a different band than the tentative quartet who played through their much-hyped return, Phish seemed to latch onto an improvisational ethos early in this winter tour that would set their musical path of ’03. Featuring an outlandishly exploratory “Walls,” these 45 minutes are for keeps.

***

“Tweezer” 8.6.96 II Red Rocks, CO

Taking it back Phish’s original four-night stand at Red Rocks, this monster version came as part of the classic “Curtain > Tweezer” combination. One of the unmistakable jams of the weekend, these smooth grooves build into a sublime quote of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.”

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“Mango (jam)> Free” 9.17.00 II Merriweather, Columbia, MD

Drifting from “Mango’s” upbeat territory into a dark, millennial ambiance, Phish used this unlikely jam vehicle to ignite a phenomenal set-ending sequence. Gradually layering a dissonant soundscape far from reality, the band created the most menacing textures of the show. Bleeding into a hugely energetic “Free,” Phish capped this top-shelf Fall ’00 offering with gusto.

***

“Yamar” 7.25.98 I South Park Meadows, Austin, TX

Often overlooked in the first set, this “Yamar” transforms from an island paradise into a dark guitar narrative of lessons learned on a mythical battlefield.

***

“Reba” 10.18.94 II Memorial Gym, Nashville, TN

1994 and “Reba” go together like peanut butter and jelly; two peas in a pod. And here’s another reason why – a vintage rendition.

***

“Round Room” 2.15.03 I Thomas and Mack, Las Vegas, NV

Experimenting with the debut of their album’s title track, Phish gave us an early taste of ’03 psychedelia. This piece provides a glimpse into the ultra-textured, ambient improv that the band embraced throughout their comeback year. If one thing was true about ’03, the band never hesitated to jump into the void on a whim, and this was one of those excursions.

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY

7.10.97 Espace Julien, Marseilles, FR < Torrent

7.10.97 Espace Julien, Marseilles, FR < Megaupload

This dark-horse, jam-filled reader request from goes out to Bob the Brewer in Freeport, Maine, who used to blast this XLII while delivering pizzas back in the day. If you find yourself in Freeport, stop by Gritty McDuff’s Brewpub, “Where Phish on full volume makes the beer taste that much better!”

I: Dogs Stole Things, Limb By Limb, Ginseng Sullivan, Bathtub Gin, Llama* > Wading in the Velvet Sea > Jam, Olivia’s Pool

II: 2001 > Julius > Magilla, Ya Mar > Ghost > Take Me to the River* > Jam

E: Funky Bitch^**

*Unfinished
**Members of Son Seals Band

Source: Neumann TLM-170i (hyper setting) > Sonosax SX-M2 > HHB Portadat@48k > DAT

Here’s another ten-pack to get you through the last day of the week. Click on any orange song title to download. Enjoy! *** “Down With Disease” 5.21.00 II, Radio City, NYC The unquestionable highlight of the first Radio City show, this version provides a smoking example of early-2000 Phish. These were the first shows following …

Ten Tunes For Friday Read More »

Thursday…

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Jam of the Day:

“Hood > Izabella” 7.9.98 II

A unique ending to the middle, and most adventurous, show of Barcelona’s three-night, tour-ending stand of Europe ’98.

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

5.16.94 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA < Torrent

5.16.94 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA < Megaupload

A smoking “Antelope” highlights this Big Black Furry Set from Mars of this Spring ’94 west coast offering.

I: Buried Alive, Poor Heart, Sample in a Jar, The Divided Sky, Axilla (Part II), Rift, Down with Disease, Bouncing Around the Room, Stash, Sweet Adeline*

II: Also Sprach Zarathustra > Run Like an Antelope > Big Black Furry Creature from Mars > Run Like an Antelope, Sparkle, It’s Ice, Julius, You Enjoy Myself, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Amazing Grace*, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars

E: Fee, Rocky Top

*without microphones

Source: (FOB) Schoeps MK4/CMC5 > Sony D10 Pro

===== Jam of the Day: “Hood > Izabella” 7.9.98 II A unique ending to the middle, and most adventurous, show of Barcelona’s three-night, tour-ending stand of Europe ’98. ===== DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY: 5.16.94 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA < Torrent 5.16.94 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA < Megaupload A smoking “Antelope” highlights this Big …

Thursday… Read More »

Mike In March

Those living in the east can add a short tour from Mike Gordon to the list of Phish-related events bombarding the area this winter. Just this week, Mike announced a mini 8-show, northeast run in March on the heels of Trey’s tour in February. Building on his band’s success over the past two years, Mike is staying true to his promise to make time for his solo project within the context of a new Phish. His role as a bandleader has clearly enhanced his chops, bringing game-changing bass playing to Phish during 2009. And one can expect more of the same in 2010.

Doubling as a bass player and band leader, Mike’s role bucks convention, allowing his melodic rhythms to drive the contour of the music. Backed by solid, yet not overwhelming musicians, his bouncing bass leads jump off the stage, devouring small clubs and theatres. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that this more assertive style contributed to his central role in Phish jams during 2009. So beyond these eight individual evenings, this run will payoff come summertime as well. Mixing Green Sparrow originals with an eclectic array of covers, Mike’s setlists bring the element of surprise to his shows, while his band gets into more earnest improv than most solo projects.

Another case of the Northeast getting the goods, the eight shows will essentially move up and down 1-95, veering off for only a couple shows. The dates are as follows:

3/05 – Revolution Hall, Troy, NY
3/06 – Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT
3/07 – Sherman Theatre, Stroudsburg, PA
3/09 – Rams Head Live!, Baltimore, MD
3/11 – Jefferson Theatre, Charlottesville, VA
3/12 – Theatre of the Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
3/13 – Pearl Street, Northampton, MA
3/14 – Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon, NH

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Jam of the Day:

“Tweezer > Sparkle” 12.1.96 II

A Lew Alcindor-esque performance in UCLA’s Pauly Pavilion during the tail end of Fall ’96.

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

7.5.1994 Congress Center, Ottawa, ON < Torrent

7.5.1994 Congress Center, Ottawa, ON < Megaupload

This dark-horse reader request from north of the border goes out to Jack G. This show features two colossal bustouts from the late 80’s, including the first “Cities” of the decade.

I: Rift, Sample in a Jar, The Curtain > Letter to Jimmy Page^, If I Could, Uncle Pen, Stash, Esther, Down with Disease, Sweet Adeline**

II: Punch You In the Eye, Sparkle, Bathtub Gin > Lifeboy, Cities^^, You Enjoy Myself > The Great Gig in the Sky > Hold Your Head Up, Ginseng Sullivan*, My Sweet One*, Amazing Grace**, Golgi Apparatus

E: Good Times Bad Times

^1st since 6/19/88 (745 shows), ^^1st since 9/13/88 (710 shows)

*Acoustic; without microphones
**Without microphones.

Source: AKG461 > Oade Custom Pre-Amp >DAT @48khz

(taped by Kevin Shapiro) Rift was cut on the DAT master, and the DSBD source of the track is patched in. No other DSBD tracks of this show are known to circulate.

MR. MINER'S PHISH THOUGHTS

A Subtle Shift – Fall ’98

Weekend Nuggets: Reader Requests – Old School

Ten Tunes For Friday

Thursday…

Mike In March

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