Another week has passed us by, and we find ourselves on the last Friday of February. Today, the musical lens focuses on the dark side, exploring some particularly nasty jams throughout Phish’s career. Enjoy the tunes, and as always, the orange song titles double as download links.
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“Tweezer” 7.9.98 I
Let’s kick off Friday with a bumpin’ club-sized “Tweezer” from Barcelona in the summer of ’98. Overshadowed by the psychedelia of the Grey Hall’s epic, this version boasts furious dance grooves that provided an unforgettable highlight on par with anything from Europe ’98. In addition, this selection goes out to Mitch on his birthday, because there just aren’t that many jammed out “Mangos!” Have a great one, buddy.
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“Stash” 8.15.93 II
Sometimes I think it just doesn’t get any better than August ’93. With outrageous jams that routinely stretched the boundaries of improvisation, Phish created some of the best music of their career during this month. This “Stash” moves far beyond anything one might expect into a phosphorescent forest of sublime musical mystery. An absolute gem in every sense, they just don’t make ’em like this any more.
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“Ghost” 9.12.99 II
An outlandish version that moves from deep groove into the the outer realms of psychedelia, this outdoor exploration hits on several facets of Phish’s musical spectrum. Including an extending ambient journey, this jam immediately vaulted into the upper echelon of ’99 Phish.
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“Split” 8.26.93 I
Another piece of sonic wizardry from August ’93, this little-known “Split” from Portland, Oregon exemplifies the virtuoso playing and musical annihilation that came nightly during this peak era.
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“Rock and Roll” 1.1.00
A Cypress classic.
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“Limb by Limb” 12.3.99 II
Occasionally the band will take a “Limb” out there, but rarely will they go as far as they did on this night in Cinninnati. Using the normally structured vehicle to launch into space, Phish took this version into a more abstract place than ever before.
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“The Curtain > David Bowie” 12.11.95 II
Containing the energy and psychedelia of December ’95 Phish in small arenas often resulted in enthralling, adrenalized musical rides. Such adventures are exemplified by this ominous and immaculate “David Bowie” from Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine.
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“Mike’s > Breathe” 10.25.95 II
A blistering Fall ’95 “Mike’s” features shredding guitar work right out of the gates, soon transforming into an old-school, two-jam blowout. Instead of moving into “Hydrogen” or “Simple,” Phish used an instrumental take on Pink Floyd’s “Breathe” to segue out of their menacing second set centerpiece.
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These two songs represented the second half of the first “four-song second set” of Fall ’97. The band opened the frame with “Wolfman’s > Piper” at West Valley, Utah’s E Center.
