MR. MINER'S PHISH THOUGHTS

TTFF: Energy and Exploration—Fall ’09

MSG—12.2.09 (Wendy Rogell)

After Summer ’09 and Indio—featuring a masterful take on Exile on Main Street and a well-loved acoustic set—the energy and anticipation was sky high for Phish’s first all-indoor, fall tour since 1997. Historically, things got crazier when Phish took their show inside the walls of arenas across the country, but when Fall ’09 started, that wasn’t necessarily the case. Jamming not so frequently and often in linear fashion, while relying on high energy rock and roll, the band perplexed many fans by their on stage decisions. But on the second night of Albany, someone put something in the water backstage, and the band came out and tore through 50 of the most sublime minutes of music since they had returned in “Seven Below > Ghost.” The band went on to finish the final week of tour on this crest of momentum, and getting into far more interesting jams on the way. This musical momentum would come to a head in Miami over New Year’s Run, the band was finally on the same page and moving into the future. Enjoy these Fall ’09 highlights as we fade into the weekend.

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“46 Days” 11.18 II, Detroit, MI

In the first set of fall, Phish got into an infectious and retro funk jam that melted into an ambient soundscape.

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“Split Open and Melt” 11.21 I, Cincinatti, OH

Possibly the best “Split” of this era from the third set of four at The Crown.

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“Disease > Twenty Years Later” 11.24 II, Philadelphia, PA

A gorgeous jam amidst a smoking show at the Wachovia Center.

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“Seven Below > Ghost” 11.28 II, Albany, NY

The night everything turned around.

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“Undermind” 11.29 I, Portland, ME

A lively take on the 2004 title track featuring lockstep interplay between Trey and Mike.

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“Light > Slave” 12.2 II, NYC, NY

“Light” had been expanding throughout the fall, but this version set a new improvisational paradigm for the 3.0 vehicle.

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“Disease > Piper” 12.3 II, NYC, NY

The improvisational centerpiece from the second night at MSG—a furious song pairing with a level of jamming spurned on by the events in Albany of November 28th. A very different “Disease” jam than the delicate Philly rendition.

“Reba” 12.4 I, NYC, NY

An urgent, yet blissful, jam that reminded me of versions of an era past.

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“You Enjoy Myself” 12.4 II. NYC, NY

The return of YEMSG—a song with a lush history at the midtiown venue.

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“Tweezer -> Light” 12.5 II, Charlottesville, VA

The best “Tweezer” of tour was followed by a dark and mind-fucklingly abstract “Light” of the likes we hadn’t heard before. This sequence set Charlottesville’s tour finale in Charlottesville.

After Summer ’09 and Indio—featuring a masterful take on Exile on Main Street and a well-loved acoustic set—the energy and anticipation was sky high for Phish’s first all-indoor, fall tour since 1997. Historically, things got crazier when Phish took their show inside the walls of arenas across the country, but when Fall ’09 started, that …

TTFF: Energy and Exploration—Fall ’09 Read More »

TTFT: A Big Jump—Summer ’09 Leg II

7.31.09—Red Rocks (Graham Lucas)

Come Leg Two of Summer ’09, Phish ditched their largely linear jams of June and started to explore again. Beginning at Red Rocks and carrying through The Gorge and beyond, the band seemed more confident taking risks on stage during August. Playing far more confidently than in June, Leg Two felt like a breath of fresh air, and many started to believe again. The jams below represent the best of Leg Two ’09.

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“Split Open and Melt” 7.31 II, Morrison, CO

This menacing mind-fuck provided the soundtrack to an oncoming storm. The interaction between the weather and the music was surreal. Check out the video!

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“Tweezer” Red Rocks 7.31 II, Morrison, CO

Grade A, certifiable Phish crack. At the time, this jam felt like the best thing since sliced bread.

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“Disease > Limb” 8.5 II, Mountain View, CA

The most exploratory “Disease” in a summer full of highlight versions.

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“Sneakin’ Sally” 8.7 I, George, WA

A left hook that the audience never saw coming, this “Sally” jam commenced the deeper magic on a mystical night at The Gorge.

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“Light -> Taste” 8.7 II, George, WA

At the time played, this was the most impressive version of “Light” the band had played.

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“Bathtub Gin > Hood” 8.7 II, George, WA

A second set “Gin”of the likes we are salivating for these days—and a serene and delicate “Hood” to cap off the set.

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“Rock and Roll” 8.8 II, George, WA

Though night one at The Gorge was—in my opinion—the show of 2009, this jam the following night vaulted to the top of the weekend.

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“Drowned” 8.13 II, Darien Center, NY

Back on the east coast, Phish kept the improvisational engines running, though to the tune of about once per show.

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“46 Days > Oh! Sweet Nuthin” 8.15 II, Columbia, MD

This dark horse jam amidst a crappy show at Merriweather is a stunning convergence of all four band members. Moving from murky psychedelia to glorified pastures of gold, this one is a keeper—even now.

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“Number Line > Twenty Years Later” 8.16 II, Saratoga Sp, NY 

The band finished off the summer with a centerpiece sequence that highlighted two new songs, and when this tour ended, the entire community was pretty jacked on the Phish.

Come Leg Two of Summer ’09, Phish ditched their largely linear jams of June and started to explore again. Beginning at Red Rocks and carrying through The Gorge and beyond, the band seemed more confident taking risks on stage during August. Playing far more confidently than in June, Leg Two felt like a breath of …

TTFT: A Big Jump—Summer ’09 Leg II Read More »

TTFW: The Reawakening—Early ’09

Hampton Coliseum 2009 (Jeff Volckhausen)

As we celebrate the third anniversary of Hampton’s comeback run—yesterday, today and tomorrow—let’s take a ride back in time with an audio retrospective of this era. In only three years, Phish has brought us from Hampton to Red Rocks, from the Gorge (two times) to Telluride, and from The Greek Theatre to Hollywood Bowl. It has brought us up and down the east coast and through the Midwest more than a couple times, hitting all the staples and then sime. This era has brought us  two Halloween shows, two festivals, three more New Year’s Runs, and a whole lot of memorable multi-night stands. And above all else, this era has brought us a hell of a lot of great music. Today, lets start with my some of the earliest highlights from 2009. How long has it been since you listened to these? Enjoy the look back.

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“Down With Disease -> Seven Below” 3.8 II, Hampton, VA

The first deep dive of the modern era—and it still holds up just fine.

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“If I Could” 6.2 I, Wantagh, NY

The first performance of this song in nine years featured an alternate, more delicate interpreation.

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“Harry Hood” 6.2 II, Wantagh, NY

A profound, ambient take on their classic jam on only the second night of June ’09. If you were reading this site then, remember how hard I freaked on this one? Good times.

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“Sand” 6.7 II, Camden, NJ

This era’s first  “Sand” was a revelation, as the band infused a palette of melody into jam. This Camden excursion only foreshadowed the song’s transformation into a whole-band jam in 2010. In my opinion, the most dynamic “Sands” now live in the 3.0 era.

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“Tweezer” 6.7 II, Camden, NJ

The first legitimate “Tweezer” in ’09—and it was an out-of-left-field set closer! The commando lick never dies!

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“Ghost > Fast Enough For You ” 6.9 II, Asheville, NC

After the band blew out Camden, they came right back and threw down this “Ghost” in the next show.

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“Rock and Roll -> Light” 6.14 II, Manchester, TN

Paired with “Rock and Roll,” the band’s first exploration of “Light” came in Bonnaroo’s final set. These two songs would transform into the preeminent launchpads of the modern era thus far.

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“A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing -> Drowned -> Twist” 6.19 II, Noblesville, IN

Following an insane lightning storm, Phish came out with music to match, playing—arguably—the set of June.

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“Piper” 6.21 II, East Troy, WI

The standout jam of June ’09’s final show at Alpine.

As we celebrate the third anniversary of Hampton’s comeback run—yesterday, today and tomorrow—let’s take a ride back in time with an audio retrospective of this era. In only three years, Phish has brought us from Hampton to Red Rocks, from the Gorge (two times) to Telluride, and from The Greek Theatre to Hollywood Bowl. It …

TTFW: The Reawakening—Early ’09 Read More »

The Venues of Leg One

6.25.10 (Graham Lucas)

Instead of posting on Phish Thoughts today, I guest wrote a column for Hidden Track about the venues Phish will play this coming June. The intro is below, and you can click over to Hidden Track to read the entire piece:

*****

With this summer’s Phish dates just announced, the excitement in the fan community has skyrocketed, as everyone has begun to plot and scheme their own summer plans. On the heels of a triumphant year of game-changing music for this era, 2012 is filled with anticipation to see what is next for the band. Will they delve deeper into abstract jamming—a hallmark of 2011—or will they veer off that road? All that remains to be seen, but the one thing we know for sure is where the shows of the first leg will take place. Aside from Bader Field, this tour is comprised of venues that hold a significant amount of Phish lore. But let’s forget about the band for a moment, and take a look at the places where the magic will happen. Below are some tips from personal experience that might enhance your enjoyment at each stop along the way.  Read on here…

Instead of posting on Phish Thoughts today, I guest wrote a column for Hidden Track about the venues Phish will play this coming June. The intro is below, and you can click over to Hidden Track to read the entire piece: ***** With this summer’s Phish dates just announced, the excitement in the fan community …

The Venues of Leg One Read More »

TTFF: The Venues of 2012

6.10.11—Camden, NJ (Graham Lucas)

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.

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 …

TTFF: The Venues of 2012 Read More »

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