The time between Fall Tour and New Year’s Run did little to derail Phish’s building momentum. Set to return to Worcester and Madison Square Garden—the exact venues of the ’95 Holiday Run—for an unprecedented five nights, fans were flying high to take on the most extensive year-end run in history. And the band’s playing did not disappoint. Though only one of the five shows really came together as a complete two-setter (1/1/11), the run produced ample highlights as the band completed a tremendous year of progression and playing. It would be almost six months before we greeted the band again in Bethel, but after the holiday run—the musical exclamation point on 2010—the time felt a heck of a lot different than this off season does.
2010’s Holiday Run featured six central jams—”Seven Below -> What’s the Use?,” “Harry Hood,” “Tweezer,” “Sand,” “Ghost,” and “Simple”—and plenty of supporting music to go along with them. Today’s playlist is comprised these selections and more as we continue our audio retrospective on this era.
The time between Fall Tour and New Year’s Run did little to derail Phish’s building momentum. Set to return to Worcester and Madison Square Garden—the exact venues of the ’95 Holiday Run—for an unprecedented five nights, fans were flying high to take on the most extensive year-end run in history. And the band’s playing did …
Following a festival slot at Austin City Limits, Phish’s fall tour of 2010 began in earnest with an intimate three-night stand a Broomfield, Colorado. While these shows didn’t hold up as tour highlights come, they were a solid starter pack for what would be the band’s best 3.0 tour to that point. This tour contained several indelible trends, and the first began in Broomfield—”Light” as a vehicle for quickened groove. What had been primarily an abstract and “ambient”-slanted jam, transformed in Broomfield, upping the song’s potential for improv, and several stellar versions would follow. Another Fall trend was the transformation of “Carini” into a blissed out jam. The band took the demonic piece and continuously flipped it upside down, transforming its path into melodic realms. Finally, durng Fall 2010, “Sand” evolved from a platform for guitar fireworks into a whole-band jam, and was a centerpiece of fall. Surrounding these metamorphoses, Phish’s musical efficiency and proficiency both soared, but the band’s lock-step jamming didn’t fully click until their second performance in Charleston. From that point, Phish traveled north for the rest of the tour—two weeks that saw the band’s consistency return like never before in this era. Less Amherst, the band ran off a stretch standout performances in Augusta, Utica, Providence, Manchester, and three in AC. When this tour ended, the community was flying high as the band seemed destined for greatness again. Today’s playlist—featuring a few more than ten tracks—brings us back though the hottest stretch of Fall 2010.
The highlight of “Waiting For Columbus” that we are still waiting to see reemerge.
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2012 Champion: “YOU ENJOY MYSELF”
From Trey is My Friend: “Congratulations to “You Enjoy Myself!” You have won the 2012 Phish March Madness tournament! What a final game… there were probably 20+ lead changes with both teams refusing to bow out without a fight. “Tweezer” was up by 5 votes with 15 minutes to go but “YEM” was able to scrap back in the final few ticks and win by a score of 546-540. Wow! what a great way to finish an amazing tournament. Thank you all so much for making it so fun and so interesting. I’m kinda sad it’s all over :tear: but I’m so happy it was an exciting finish. Thank you once again for voting over and over again and keeping things interactive. Cheers everyone!”
Thanks for participating!
Following a festival slot at Austin City Limits, Phish’s fall tour of 2010 began in earnest with an intimate three-night stand a Broomfield, Colorado. While these shows didn’t hold up as tour highlights come, they were a solid starter pack for what would be the band’s best 3.0 tour to that point. This tour contained …
After only a month off, Phish was back at it again, this time starting out west at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre. Beyond the very creative jamming that took place in the Bay, these shows also welcomed Trey’s newest weapon to the big stage—The Ocedoc. His new guitar completely altered his style of leg one, as he all but abandoning The Whale for more precise runs of notes. The band stopped at Telluride for a couple of shows before moving to the Midwest for Deer Creek and Alpine Valley—the other standout stop of tour. Finishing with two at Jones Beach, the band was gelling like never before in this era and had their sites set on fall tour filled with downsized arenas.
Jones Beach’s “Number Line” bookended the summer’s versions with Blossom’s—perhaps the two best to date.
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THE TITLE GAME: “YEM” vs. “TWEEZER”
“YEM” vs “Tweezer”
The votes have been tallied and the two finalists for the title of “The Most Loved Phish Song” are no surprises—”You Enjoy Myself” and “Tweezer.” While “YEM” illustrates Trey’s magnificent early song writing, there has not been a jam in history that has taken us more places than “Tweezer.” This one should be a close battle, and voting is open all the way through Tuesday to get the most accurate count possible. Cast your VOTE NOW at Trey Is My Friend’s Facebook page, and watch the votes pile up!
Semi-Final totals:
“YEM” def. “Harry Hood” — 590 – 519
“Tweezer” def. “Reba” — 666 – 437
After only a month off, Phish was back at it again, this time starting out west at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre. Beyond the very creative jamming that took place in the Bay, these shows also welcomed Trey’s newest weapon to the big stage—The Ocedoc. His new guitar completely altered his style of leg one, as he …
The battle lines have been drawn, the regionals are over, and we have made it to the end of the line—the Final Four! After some hard fought battles in the Elite Eight, the people have spoken and the cream has risen to the top. The first semifinal of 2012 will pit two vehicles of groove—#1 seed “Tweezer” against another #1 seed “Reba.” The second semifinal will see the tournaments overall top seed and Phish’s seminal opus, #1 “You Enjoy Myself” battle against the band’s sacred hymn and #2 seed, “Harry Hood.” Below are recaps of the Elite Eight games and previews of the two monster match-ups to come. Thanks to Trey is My Friend for such a great idea and a well run tourney!
In the west regional final, the size and defense of the tournaments’ top seed, “You Enjoy Myself,” held off the run-and-gun offense of an upstart “Antelope” squad who had their eyes on the big upset. The game stayed close for the first half as “Antelope’s” pesky quickness caused several turnovers that led to easy baskets. But the second half was another story. Spreading their feared zone defense, “You Enjoy Myself” took away the long ball by smothering the three-point line, while their help side defense was quick to collapse when the ball was passed inside. This took away “Antelope’s” advantage and led to an easy victory by the sizable voting gap of 625 to 338.
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(1) “Tweezer” def. (3) “Ghost”— 566-369
The East final matched two esteemed launch pads—“Tweezer” and “Ghost.” Dark, exploratory, and funky as hell are adjectives that describe this ferocious battle. Taking the game into the outer regions of psychedelic debauchery, “Tweezer” and “Ghost” played a contest that was not for the faint-hearted. Featuring a continuous highlight reel of ally-oops, fast breaks, and groove-based basketball, both teams were feeling the flow in this game. Like the West’s match-up however, “Tweezer” just proved to be too much for the late-‘90s funk staple, and “Ghost’s” offensive prowess disappeared into the night with ten minutes to play. “Tweezer’s” experience—having played the game in every way possible—proved to be one of the crucial factors of this contest, as “Ghost” looked like a discouraged JV squad by the end. Though this was the marquee match-up of the Elite Eight, did anyone ever have any doubt about the result?
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(1) “Reba” def. (2) “Bathtub Gin”— 559-449
“Reba” was the third #1 seed to make it into the Final Four, illustrating the accuracy of the tournament’s seeding committee. Phish’s classic fugue-turned blissful groove outclassed “Bathtub Gin” in a notably upbeat game—a far cry from the demonic basketball on display in the East final. “Gin” tried to knock “Reba” off its uplifting path by applying full-court pressure early and often. Making a second-half spurt with some powerful rhythm licks and ball movement “Gin” looked as if they it might overcome the narrow deficit. But “Reba” was able to answer back, winning the closest regional final by a tally of 559-449 to reach the Final Four.
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(2) “Harry Hood” def. (1) “Down With Disease”— 596-365
“Harry Hood” put on a ball control clinic in the South regional final, dictating a slower pace of game and taking the break-neck #1 seed “Down With Disease” completely out of rhythm. “Disease,” known for its off the rails adventure, was never able to get things going as the meticulous back door cuts and methodical passing of “Hood” lulled them to sleep. A This match-up featured the archetypal battle between a song that holds an unmatchable place in the Phish pantheon versus a more modern classic with limitless jam potential. And tradition won out over improv as #2 “Harry Hood” put a trouncing on “Disease” by the score of 596-365. As “Hood” moves into the semifinals, “Disease’s” fight song has never seemed more appropriate, for now is the time the team members can finally say, “This has all been wonderful, but now I’m on my way.”
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FINAL FOUR PREVIEWS:
(1) “Tweezer” vs. (1) “Reba”
If I had to pick two songs to hear at any given concert, these would be the two. This national semi-final pits two diverse vehicles of groove against each other. With “Tweezer” favoring darkness and mystery and “Reba” leaning towards bliss and towering glory, this match-up is one for the ages. Both of these songs have similar game experience, but “Tweezer” more readily adapts to different styles of games, while “Reba” is a fairly one-dimensional, though formidable, squad. Able to shoot threes that tickle the next from anywhere on the floor, “Reba” will have to rely on their marksmanship to counteract “Tweezer’s” intimidating and imposing front line. While this should be a very entertaining game to watch, I think “Tweezer” has a spot in the championship locked up.
PREDICTION: “Tweezer”
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(1) “You Enjoy Myself” vs. (2) “Harry Hood”
Perhaps the two most revered songs in the band’s catalog will square off in the second national semifinal. Both “YEM” and “Hood” touch the very soul of Phish, featuring multi-part compositions that release into jams that have a character all their own. “Harry Hood” is carrying momentum after knocking off “Disease” with a particularly intense last few minutes of play, while every analyst has picked “YEM” to be in the championship from Selection Sunday. Could an upset be brewing? Many fans have been touched by “Harry Hood’s” ethereal and heart-tugging jams, and the emotional connection many have to the song could put it over the edge. While the band’s signature piece, “You Enjoy Myself” hasn’t held as much significance in this era, its history and experience is unmatched by any team in the tournament. It’s lack of a routine rotation spot as of late could hurt “YEM” against a song that has never rested much since it’s 1985 debut. Though I’ll be casting my vote for “Harry Hood,” I think “YEM” will win in a barnburner.
3/21/1992 Twenty Years Later: A Night to Celebrate the Phish
March 21, 1992 at the Chestnut Cabaret in Philadelphia was a typical ’92 smoker! Secret language all over the place, that ’92 energy rippling through the room, and a”YEM” complete with a “Three Blind Mice” vocal jam reared its lumpy head. Tonight, The Blockley in Philadelphia would like to invite everyone to come and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the one and only time Phish graced our West Philadelphia stage! There will be 1/2 priced drafts until 10 PM and “Lot-Tails” such as Reba’s Toxic Purple Paste, the Makisupa Swizzle, Piper’s Sour (complete with worms!), and Bathtub Gin Punch…You in the Eye! Phish Quizzo/Happy Hour will start around 8 PM and 3/21/92 will begin playing over the PA around 9:30. Throughout the night there will be giveaways (think 3-day Bader Field Pass and other Phish goodies), surprise jams, DVD footage, related videography, and a Phan-friendly food menu, taboot! Look for Mike the Rager behind the bar in his magical vest! Come on down, and feel the feeling you forgot!
When: Tonight!—Wednesday 3/21/2012 @ 8 PM
Where: The Blockley, 38th and Chestnut, Philadelphia, PA
Twenty years ago, today, Phish dropped this “David Bowie” in the middle of the second set.
The battle lines have been drawn, the regionals are over, and we have made it to the end of the line—the Final Four! After some hard fought battles in the Elite Eight, the people have spoken and the cream has risen to the top. The first semifinal of 2012 will pit two vehicles of groove—#1 …
We last left our modern-era audio retrospective after wrapping up the comeback year of 2009 in Miami. This week, let’s take a look back at the the year that was 2010. After six long months off—a time filled with promise—Phish came back at Toyota Park in Chicago, kicking off Leg One of summer with a blistering two-set effort amidst sweltering heat. Coming off a practice session at UIC Pavilion, the band’s beginning-of-tour momentum carried through Blossom and Hershey Park as they opened up the run with three of its stronger shows. The following weekend featured two nights in Hartford and two in SPAC, before the band hit an improvisational breakthrough at Camden and Merriweather with jams such as 6.25’s “Chalk Dust,” 6.26’s “Rock and Roll,” and 6.27’s “Piper.” After popping north to Canandaigua, the band finished out the tour with four shows down south, each featuring flashes of greatness, but little whole show consistency.
This tour was also the month that Trey favored his whammy pedal for pitch bending, a technique affectionately (or not) nicknamed “The Whale.” Many fans lamented this more mimialist playing by Trey, but by laying back, Trey allowed Page, and specifically, Mike to step up and lead jams like never before. When Trey got finally debuted “The Ocedoc” and a more fiery style of play at The Greek, a new improvisational dynamic had emerged over Leg One that allowed the band to communicate on a more democratic level. Phish threw down many great jams during this month, and today’s playlist represent ten of my favorite in chronological order.
Believe it or not, this was the first time that “Tweezer” and “Slave” had been paired in the band’s career—and it made for a no-brainer tour highlight.
We last left our modern-era audio retrospective after wrapping up the comeback year of 2009 in Miami. This week, let’s take a look back at the the year that was 2010. After six long months off—a time filled with promise—Phish came back at Toyota Park in Chicago, kicking off Leg One of summer with a …
