I’ve always said that Phish both plays and sounds different at The Gorge. With nothing containing their sound, the tempo of their music slows down as the notes take time to boom over the crowd; and this dynamic creates a unique tempo and sound for Phish music. The results are patient, wide-open jams whose sound is simply not replicated anywhere on the planet. As we are heading back to this stunning locale in August for two more shows, let’s look at some jams from Phish’s first era that define their “Gorge Sound.”
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“Disease -> Tweezer -> Disease” 8.2.97 II
The funk-laced and bass-led “Diseezer” highlighted Phish’s first show ever at The Gorge.
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“Reba > Fast Enough” 7.16.98 I
A funked-out, laid back rendition of “Reba” was played to the sunset and fused the Summer ’98 sound with The Gorge sound.
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“Tube” 7.16.98 II
This wide-open version from late in the second set typifies the open-air Gorge sound.
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“Gumbo” 7.17.98 I
This slowed down version on a hot afternoon matched The Gorge’s vast surroundings.
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A quintessential nugget of Gorge history.
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“Wolfman’s -> Sand” 9.11.99 II
Wolfman’s molasses funk morphed into the first-ever Phish version of “Sand;” a big-time experience.
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“Harry Hood” 9.11.99 II
A beautiful version from ’99 in a long lineage of gorgeous Gorge “Hoods.”
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