While Phish has dipped into their post-hiatus material this go-round, for some reason they haven’t gone for some of the era’s most significant pieces. While keeping ‘”Seven Below,” 46 Days” in rotation, the band has also touched on “Undermind” from time to time. In this era of their career Phish has, not surprisingly, favored their classic vehicles to pieces from their second era whose quality is constantly debated in the community. While they continue to inexplicably ignore two of their most profound jam vehicles in “Scents and Subtle Sounds” and “A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing,” there is another post-hiatus song, yet to make its debut this era, that would fit the band’s current style congruently – “Round Room.”
“Really?” you might ask. Yes; really. In its four appearances in 2003, “Round Room” produced four pieces of layered, abstract, and melodic jamming – a style that came into play this past summer. The post-hiatus versions, all played before the their decline, lent themselves to intricate, interwoven fairy tales. And with the whole band communicating in such fine style these days, and Fishman tearing apart rhythms behind ambient collaborations, “Round Room” could be a source of deeply engaging improvisation.
But alas, will Trey allow Mike’s song to thrive? It seemed like Red’s reputation for keeping his band mates’ songs at bay was loosening during Leg I when Phish debuted Page’s “Halfway to the Moon” and Gordon’s “Idea,” but both songs were never heard from again, and in retrospect, almost seemed like a formality. If the band does decide to dig into their post hiatus vault, one would only hope Trey sees the shining pool of possibilities that lie in his bass player’s title track to Round Room.
With the band pulling out songs from throughout their career, why not take a look at this one? With the potential to morph into sessions of selfless jamming, “Round Room” seems congruent with the band’s current direction and could develop into a psychedelic trampoline. Phish is doing just fine – don’t get me wrong – but if they are looking to expand their group of live offerings, consider this a suggestion. A piece that could shoot innocent concert-goers into outer space with little warning, the island-turned-galactic anthem would make a stellar addition to the current catalog.
Here are a couple versions from 2003. See what you think.
2.28.03 Nassau
2.16.03 Vegas
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Jam of the Day:
“Disease > Lizards” 12.12.95 II
Some ferocious December ’95 psychedelia from Providence Civic Center – another Fall 2010 venue.
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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:
12.4.1995 Mullins Center, Amherst, MA < Torrent
12.4.1995 Mullins Center, Amherst, MA < Megaupload
The first night of Phish’s two-night stand at Amherst ’95. After the following night, Phish hasn’t returned to the on-campus arena – until now! This fall Phish is heading back to the venue that has already hosted four mid-90s spectacles, and is primed to make Mullins Center a central stop in their 2010’s New England path.
I: Julius, Gumbo, The Divided Sky, Punch You In the Eye, Stash, My Mind’s Got a Mind of its Own, Axilla (Part II), The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Hello My Baby, While My Guitar Gently Weeps
II: Timber Ho!, Sparkle, Ya Mar, Run Like an Antelope, Billy Breathes, Cars Trucks Buses, You Enjoy Myself, Sample in a Jar, Frankenstein
E: Bouncing Around the Room, Rocky Top
Source: AKG 460B/ck61 > custom pre-amp > Teac DA-P20 (@ 48kHz)
