With the announcement of dates, a new excitement is in the air. Phish is, once again, within reach, even if its three plus months away. But in early anticipation of Summer 2012, today’s playlist is comprised of selections from venues that the band will play this summer. Enjoy the multi-era’d retrospective as we fade into the first weekend of March.
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“Cities -> Good Times Bad Times” 8.10.97 II, Noblesville, IN
The centerpiece of my favorite show ever played at Deer Creek.
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“Disease -> What’s the Use?” 8.14.10 II, East Troy, WI
A modern-day classic from Alpine Valley 2010, already commemorated on DVD.
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“Number Line” 6.12.10 II, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
A sinister jam from the second show of tour at Blossom.
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“Tweezer” 12.28.95 II, Worcester, MA
Phish dropped this big-time “Tweezer” at The Centrum on the opening night of New Year’s Run ’95.
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“Gumbo” 8.13.97 II, Burgettstown, PA
This version from Star Lake is my favorite “Gumbo” of all time.
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“It’s Ice” 9.20.00 II, Cincinatti, OH
An out-of-nowhere plunge into psychedelic depths at Riverbend on Phish’s final tour before hiatus.
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“Sand” 6.19.11 II, Portsmouth, VA
To know this “Sand” is to love it. Every time I listen to this version from nTelos, I like it more and more. Trey absolutely destroys this piece in the context of a whole-band exchange. In my opinion, its the best version of an impressive year of “Sands.”
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“Reba” 6.2.09 I, Wantagh, NY
Phish dropped this gorgeous “Reba” in the early-evening at Jones Beach on the second night of 2009’s first tour.
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“Kill Devil Falls > Free” 6.12.09, Manchester, TN
This jam highlighted Phish’s late-night slot at Bonnaroo—the first of two performances.
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“Walls > Bowie” 6.19.04 I, Saratoga Springs, NY
The otherworldly second set of this SPAC show has always overshadowed this demonic combo from the first.
