Now that we are a year into Phish’s third term, and looking into the future, here are ten things, in no particular order, that would be great to see in the upcoming year of Phish.
10. Get “A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing” into rotation! One of the band’s most potent songs has lay in waiting for most all of ’09. Despite one standard version and one standout version, it is time to hear more from this brewing psychedelic tsunami.
9. Pull “Time Turns Elastic” out of the rock concert! In all seriousness, “Time Turns Elastic” is a beautiful piece of music – with an orchestra! When performed properly, the piece possesses a certain power and emotional quality, no doubt. But when translated into Phish, it has proven to be a set- killing bust. Some fans have rationalized a late first-set placement; I say ditch it all together.
8. Return to Indio! How could they not? After the sunniest, most hassle-free festival in Phish history, the band and their management should make sure to stage a sequel. While Limestone was certainly the hallmark of the weekends past, Indio should be the future of Phish festivals. But with its Southern California locale, far away from Phish’s home turf, we shall see what develops. My guess is that we shall meet on the Polo Fields again before the year is out.
7. Develop “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan.” After an entire year of waiting for this song to explode, the time is ripe for some bombastic exploration. Ever since its debut at Jones Beach, this growling tiger cub has begged to be let out of its cage, but it has yet to see the light of the jungle. Well, it’s about time to come out and play.
6. Continue playing interesting venues. The diverse locales for Phish shows last year proved to be one of 2009′s most enticing qualities. From Fenway Park, to Asheville Civic Center, and The Fox, to Red Rocks, The Gorge, and Indio, Phish played more than a few unique gigs in ’09. Always welcome to break up the monotony of the amphitheatre circuit, here’s to hoping the band schedules some more special shows in 2010.
5. How ’bout jamming “Halley’s Comet or “Tube?” Enough with the four minute versions, let’s hear some improv! Sure, Phish played one extended “Halley’s” at The Fox during the linear jamming phase of June, but come on now. These are two of the staples that ballooned during the groove era of the late ’90s; have we seen permanent returns to their earlier forms? Let’s hope not.
4. Lose the blazer, Trey! Since the start of Phish’s “mature” phase of their career, Trey has acquired a black show blazer that he sports quite often. While it is always funny to look up at Red in a sport coat as opposed to Martin the Martian or Pepe Le Pew, when the show heats up, more often than not, the blazer comes off. Why don’t we just start with the T-shit, potentially churning up some first set jamming!
3. Blow up “Mike’s” already! Come now, fellas! This one-time, gargantuan jam vehicle has morphed into a standard eight-minute climax every time out. My harsh reaction to this development stems from my undying love for the sinister pastures of “Mike’s Song,” fields we haven’t grazed in the modern era. All versions of the song remained similar throughout the year, with even the most aggressive outings falling far short of the depths the song once plunged.
2. Continue the “Exile” covers! “Shine a Light” seems to have found a spot in the band’s updated rotation, and but after Cincinnati’s “Torn and Frayed,” we are still waiting its return as a jam vehicle with huge potential. Along with “Loving Cup,” it would be great to see Phish infuse “Let It Loose,” among others into sets as well. With one post-Halloween appearance of “Sweet Virginia, the band’s phenomenal Halloween set still contains plenty of songs that would be great to hear.
1.Turn “Golden Age” into a permanent piece of the rotation. Out of nowhere, Phish covered TV on the Radio’s pop-tronica single during the first night of Albany. Going over incredibly well, with a Phish jam seamlessly woven into the song, this performance seemed like the debut of a song we’d certainly hear again. But no dice. Hard to believe that the band would learn and arrange such a tune for a one-time performance, I think we’ll hear some developed renditions this summer.
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Jam of the Day:
“AC/DC Bag > Sparkle” 8.9.98 II
One of the memorable jams from a stellar summer of ’98.
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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:
8.7.98 Walnut Creek Amp, Raleigh, NC < Torrent
8.7.98 Walnut Creek Amp, Raleigh, NC < Megaupload
I: Water in the Sky, Drowned, Frankie Says, Stash, Brian and Robert, Foam, Bittersweet Motel, Ghost, Colonel Forbin’s Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird
II: Chalk Dust Torture > Mike’s Song > Simple > Albuquerque, Limb By Limb, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Weekapaug Groove
E: Funky Bitch
Source: Unknown
