Back Into the Freezer
8.17.12 – Bill Graham (Michael Stein)
If “Ghost” took home the Comeback Player of Tour award for Leg One, “Tweezer” certainly ran away with the trophy for Leg Two. Phish’s had tamed their exploratory vehicle in recent years, popping out of the box with an outstanding version every once in a long while. The band still wove creativity into each version in spurts, though usually relented to a quasi-standard guitar build, with the potential of something more tacked onto the end. But during Leg Two, “Tweezer” returned to its proper place of prominence with four standout versions, three of which were featured in the second set.
The first “Tweezer” of Leg Two unfolded in dramatic fashion in the middle of Bill Graham’s second set. Following a monster “Disease” and an interlude of “Birds,” one could feel “Tweezer’s” opening notes about to drop. And when they did the tiny 7,000 person concert hall exploded. The intensity throughout the composed section was palpable, as everyone seemed dialed into the energy of the band. Slow and heavy hitting grooves came growling out of the gate as the band hooked the undersized crowd with their larger-than-life rhythms. Trey integrated a plinko lead and the band was off and running in an infectious opening sequence. Gradually, Trey infused a heavier guitar lead pushing the piece into a more typical “Tweezer” build but once this section peaked, the band pushed forth into the most engaging music of the jam— a looped out, piece of storage-laced, bass-led psychedelia. The most experimental music from any “Tweezer” this tour, this sequence stretched further into legitimately abstract planes before slipping into “Twist.” Overshadowed due to its placement at the beginning of tour, Bill Graham’s “Tweezer” was as good as any played on Leg Two.
8.19.12 – Bill Graham (Michael Stein)
As the band flew from the Bay, they landed in Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre. To greet the Heartland in their first visit to the historic venue, Phish dropped a “Tweezer” to open the second set, and what blossomed was a thing of beauty. From note one of this jam, Phish had the course set for the heart, patiently laying down the foundation for a blissful excursion. Playing with a melodic sensibility, the band shied from outright groove for realms of the divine. This laid back music merged seamlessly with the gorgeous summer night, and on a dime, the entire band turned to an uplifting theme. As if whisked away on a magic carpet, the guys, with the audience in tow, took off for the heavens. Reaching a hugely cathartic peak, and sitting in IT for some time, the band, and Trey, specifically, poured their soul into this version, providing an 180-degree turn from Bill Graham’s darker concoction. Trey slayed heart-wrenching melodies while leading everyone to the mountaintop in my favorite version of the year. The band remained in orbit, hovering in a sparkling, ambient place, before seamlessly merging with “Piper.”
9.1.12 – Dick’s (Graham Lucas)
The next time “Tweezer” popped up was in the middle of a second set “Mike’s Groove” in Charlotte! The surprising placement only added excitement to the opening section as the band and audience, alike, prepared for takeoff. Splashing into the jam with a buttery groove, the guys immediately felt connected as they surfed a mellow opening wave. At a particular juncture within the whole-band exchange, Trey held a long sustained note and then launched into one of his greatest guitar solos of the year. Moving through several distinct themes within a blissful escapade, Red took the helm as his bandmates crafted the perfect pillow for his golden melodies. Inspired and letting IT flow, Trey, for a second consecutive version, took “Tweezer” into incredibly emotional domains. Turning into the centerpiece of the set, this jam provided the highest high in Charlotte’s Sunday night affair.
The final “Tweezer” of Leg Two—the only first set rendition of tour—came as the surprise third song in Dick’s second show. Though not as developed as the previous three second-set versions, this jam held its own just fine. Opening with a smooth and relaxed groove session, Trey turned the swank up to eleven with an assault of rhythm licks, the likes of which he rarely treats us to these days. Easing into more typical “Tweezer” territory out of the crack-like opening, the band moved steadily through a solid build-and-peak before Trey returned to the “Tweezer” lick, seemingly signifying the end of the jam. But the band moved right beyond this, oozing into a spacier, groove-laced denouement. This segment seemed, momentarily, like it was heading towards a Bill Graham-esque jam, but Trey came in with “Fluffhead” to keep the first set moving, and thus ended “Tweezer’s” summer.
8.26.12 (R.MacNeil)
It had been quite some time since Phish consistently infused “Tweezer” with creativity and original playing, but within a powerhouse second leg of Summer Tour, the band applied several of their modern sounds to their vehicle of lore. Crafting four unique versions that each possess start-to-finish playback value, Phish brought “Tweezer” back to significance in big way over Leg Two. With one version left in the year, most likely in The Big Apple, perhaps that monstrosity of a “Tweezer” that has been looming in MSG’s rafters since the band’s return will finally drop in all of its urban grit and glory. But I digress. Needless to say, among the many developments along the plot line of Leg Two, the return of “Tweezer” stood out as one of the brightest.
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Four “Tweezers” For Friday:
“Bill Graham” 8.17 II, SF
FTFF
“Starlight Theatre” 8.22 II, KC
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ph2012-08-22.akg_.s2t02.Tweezer.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ph2012-08-22.akg_.s2t03.Piper_.mp3]“Verizon Wireless” 8.26 II, Charlotte
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ph2012-08-26t22.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ph2012-08-26t23.mp3]“Dick’s Stadium” 9.1 I, Commerce City
[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/phish2012-09-01d01t03.mp3] Tags: 2012, Jams, Songs, Summer 2012, The Moment
Ah this Alison Pill that she posted bad topless photos of herself on Twitter?
The person on this show I am the most uninterested in seeing.
E5. Now it’s a slapstick show.
6/24/00 tweezer still stands above all imho. #iiloveall4legIItweezers
phlorida phan Says:
September 16th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Also blonde chick from newsroom accidentally posted a tit pic recently
phlorida phan Says:
September 16th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
^ on twiter
^^yah, like britney accidentally posted her twitter on tmz that time
mr. p – there is no defending the awfulness of the replacement refs. they slow the game down, and at this point, defensive (back) players are getting away with all kinds of contact off the snap. it’s affecting the game, period. go watch the jets game and focus on the corners. they basically just pull wf’s to the ground within 5 yards, throughout the game, no call.
6.24.00 tweezer is the only Tweeze that has had a permanent spot on my phone. Been about two years now. It’s not necessarily my all time favorite, just never came off my devise and I’m always happy to see come up.
watching the Niners v Lions? Pretty obvious these refs are out of their league, Union stuff aside.
Late to the scab referee debate but the “real” refs have zero leverage. They have no special talent whatsoever that others trained the same way who accrue experience will eventually be just as good in time. Might be some hiccips along the way, but the “real” refs have no special talent (unlike NFL players for example) that can’t be replaced entirely within a year or two. I predict a permanent “lockout” for them.
If the labor force can be replaced by equally trained, experiencd replacements they will be every time. These refs signed their own death warrant unless they give major concessions. The NFL can expand review if the scabs aRe bad until they get up to snuff. Without unique, truly replaceable skill set, the old refs are dead on this one.
Last point. What if right now the NFL has invited 5000 refs to apply for permanent positions, to be thoroughly trained, tested, re-tested, given difficult examinations, put thru game simulations, winnowed down and battle tested in scrimmags n tested and evaluated until the 30 best were ready for next year. They would be close to the usual refs, after a year or two, indistinguishable or even better (refined through high level competition). NFL wins, fans win, old refs w no unique talent lose. Goddell – taking the long view. Who wants to be married to unnecessary union labor?
still love AC Piper
a bit under rated IMO
http://turntable.fm/bb_spiritual_plinko_funk
The whole Rudy ending to this episode. Stupid.
Real “war room” up on the 11th floor there.
no takers?
We r all mourning the loss by the Lions and the win by the Glowhawks.
Sorry Lycan.
Fun debate my pal are I having while listening to the island tour. 4/3/98 vs 8/31/12 . Everybody wins.