While many fans debate the year of 2003, a contingent of the community writes off 2004 all together. I am here to tell a different story. The year’s opening shows in Vegas were a complete trainwreck with only a few jams of interest, and it was after these nights in Sin City that Trey announced the band’s “retirement.” It is my theory that with this announcement, the pressure of Phish—and everything that came with it—was lifted off the guys’ shoulders and minds, thus when they took to the road for a short June tour, they saw the light at the end of the tunnel and played their hearts out. Brooklyn, SPAC, Deer Creek and Alpine—two at each—and more than a few highlights to speak of, including two of the band’s most impressive post-hiatus performances in Saratoga Springs. Then, in August, the band took their final run from Hampton to Great Woods to Camden and up to Coventry, Vermont. And despite the debacle of the festival, there are jams within this final run that deserve recognition.
After a positive response from Friday’s 2003 playlist, I thought I’d come right back and start the week with one from 2004. If you were there, you can attest to the passionate playing that Phish displayed this summer up until the very end. While there was often little precision through composed sections, there was never a lack of impressive improv—Phish could always jam. Now that they are back, happy and healthy, let’s celebrate the music of the year in which they crashed and burned! Stay tuned for part two on Friday…
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“Tube” 6.24 II, Deer Creek
This version kicked off the final set at Deer Creek until Summer 2009.
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“Twist” 6.20 II, SPAC
This jam—the most impressive from SPAC’s second night—was part of a seamless four-song masterpiece.
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“Seven Below -> Buffalo Bill” 6.25 II, Alpine
An exploratory piece of psychedelia laced with unconventional groove.
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“Antelope -> 2001” 8.11 II, Great Woods
This exceptional and out-of-left field song pairing opened the final set at Great Woods until 2009. A smoking sequence.
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“Boogie On -> Ghost -> Free” 6.26 II, Alpine
Phish exploded in groove on the final night of June’s short tour.
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“A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing” 6.19 II, SPAC
One of my favorite jams. Period.
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“46 Days > Possum” 6.17 II, Brooklyn
This “46 Days” was the centerpiece jam of the opening night of tour from Keyspan Park. Many fans watched this show at movie theatres across the nation.
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“AC/DC Bag” 8.14 II, Coventry
A standout jam from Coventry? Yup.
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“Scents and Subtle Sounds” 8.12 II, Camden
A tripped out final outing for “Scents” drenched in layered loops and drone effects finalized Phish’s amphitheatre tour, closing out the second set at Camden. Only Coventry remained.
