MR. MINER'S PHISH THOUGHTS

Ten Holiday Run Wishes

12.30.10, MSG (Graham Lucas)

1. “Waves”: This majestic song debuted at MSG on 12/31/02 and hasn’t returned to the The Garden since. Given that we’ve only heard one version this year (Deer Creek) and it was magnificent, I’m pulling for a big time “Waves” over the Holiday Run.

2. The “Tweezer” of the Year: Though there were many quality “Tweezers” this year, especially on the second leg of summer, Phish has yet to throw down a colossal 2012 version. Here’s hoping we get a mega-“Tweezer” filled with the funkified urban grit of New York City.

3. Unexpected Jams: We all know the band will jam “Rock and Roll,” “Disease,” “Light,” and “Piper,” and I can’t wait for each. But I also wish to be blindsided by one or two jams from unexpected vehicles a la Worcester’s “Roses” or Atlantic City’s “Birds.” The songs that these jams stem from are irrelevant, it’s all about the element of surprise.

4. New Material: Just yesterday Mike posted a picture of himself playing bass in The Barn. What if, in addition to routine practice, the band was polishing off a couple new songs? It’s high time for some fresh setlist material, and though it’s doubtful we’ll see any during a year-end run, a kid can dream, right?

5. A Fully Realized “Twist”: After working this jam during Leg One, including one of the standout excursions of 2012 in Cincy’s “Twist,” the band shied away from exploring the song during Leg Two. Carrying such profound improvisational potential, it would be a shame to see another standard version of “Twist” over the Holiday Run.

6. Smooth Segues: This year featured a host of silky segues, from “Sand -> Nellie Kane” to “Light -> Sally” and “Lighteca” to Sand -> Ghost.” Hopefully the guys will take their time between songs and merge some with stunning fluidity—an element that always ups the ante of any song pairing.

7. A Jammed Out “Crosseyed”: Phish has featured this Talking Heads cover as part of their rotation for the duration of this era, but seldom have they used it as a jam vehicle. The band has been more inclined to springboard into high-energy rock and roll from “Crosseyed” than into any sort of adventure. Bill Graham’s version, however, reminded us of the profound depths the guys can plunge with this song, and hopefully over the Holiday Run we see another such rendition.

8. A “David Bowie” With Teeth: It would be great to see a revitalized version of this once-prolific jam that has turned rather stale in the 3.0 era. Chances of this, however, feel like they are slim to none.

9. “Wolfman’s” or “Bathtub Gin” In Set Two: Both of these songs have turned into tame, unidirectional first-set jams. I hope to see the band place one or both of these under the spotlight during the main event, as each song has been begging for some love for quite a while now.

10. Passion: Whatever happens at MSG and whatever songs are played, let’s hope the band comes with a serious intent to blow the room apart. Madison Square Garden is a venue of great legend in Phish history, though the band hasn’t treated the round room to a full-on musical assault in this era. Let’s hope this run contains that elusive MSG show we’ve been dreaming about since the band’s ’09 return.

=====

Jam of the Day:

“Mike’s Song” 12.31.95 II

Speaking of full-on musical assaults…

=====

PHISH THOUGHTS BOOK HOLIDAY SALE!

Cover (AJ Masthay)

Need a holiday gift for the Phish fan in your life? Now you can get Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts—660 pages of love—for only $29.99! The hard cover book features hundreds of essays in a unique choose-your-own-adventure format and over 250 full color photographs! Delivery only takes 3 to 4 days from the date you order, so head over to the book site and order one now! (shipping and handling fees apply)

1. “Waves”: This majestic song debuted at MSG on 12/31/02 and hasn’t returned to the The Garden since. Given that we’ve only heard one version this year (Deer Creek) and it was magnificent, I’m pulling for a big time “Waves” over the Holiday Run. 2. The “Tweezer” of the Year: Though there were many quality …

Ten Holiday Run Wishes Read More »

Red Phish? Blue Phish?

12.31.10, MSG (George Estreich)

With Labor Day weekend in the distant past and the Holiday Run only two weeks away, the question that now descends on the Phish community is “What band will show up at MSG?” Last year was the first modern New Year’s Run without a Fall Tour behind it, and the guys played the most uninspired batch of shows in memory. It is hard to imagine Phish repeating 2011’s debacle, but as Trey has recently busied himself with TAB and his Broadway musical, “Hands On a Hardbody,” it’s impossible to predict how much preparation will go into this run and what will result.

One might cite Dick’s phenomenal playing as a sure signpost to December greatness, but that was the same feeling we all had last year. Following a stellar three nights in Colorado—and a whole lot of time off —Phish arrived at MSG and went through the motions for most of 2011’s year-end extravaganza. Aside from 12/28’s “Carini > Tweezer” and 12/30’s “Piper,” the band produced nothing of lasting value over four nights last year. Could it happen again in 2012? I shudder at the thought. With the community coming to the Big Apple from all corners of the nation and beyond, one has to believe the band won’t disappoint again. Right? On the heels of their most impressive year of playing in the 3.0 era, Phish should rightfully come to New York with intent to punctuate 2012 in fashion.

MSG 2012 Unofficial (Branden Otto)

In 2009 and 2010, the band played a fall tour which didn’t leave them with such a massive chunk of downtime before the end of December. Subsequently, both of those runs has plenty of lasting highlights and even a some whole shows that were up to snuff. The 29th, 30th, and arguably the 31st of 2009, and the 31st, January 1st of 2010’s, and arguably the 30th, all held up as complete shows. But only the 28th of 2011 could hold a candle to any of them. Without practice and with no fire whatsoever, the band stumbled through the final three nights of ’11 with, virtually, zero risk-taking. This wasn’t the Phish we knew in any era of their career; this was a bunch of guys getting paid without trying much of anything.

It would be not like our musical superheroes of botch two Holiday New Year’s Runs in a row, and if I were placing a wager, I definitely wouldn’t bet against them. I’ve got to imagine that they know last year’s MSG run profoundly sucked and they will be back to prove a point this time around. It may simply come down to putting in some time in the practice room. Rumor was that they skipped any preparation last year and the results were glaring. Thus, I doubt they will repeat that folly. As Phish steps onto the nation’s biggest stage on the most celebrated nights of the year to usher in 2013, the year of their much ballyhooed 30th Anniversary, one has to think that the guys will mean business. But any speculation won’t give us the answer. As Bob Marley once sang, “Time alone – oh, time will tell.”

=====

Jam of the Day:

“Carini > Wolfman’s” 12.28.98 II

A MSG gem that is begging for the LivePhish treatment.

With Labor Day weekend in the distant past and the Holiday Run only two weeks away, the question that now descends on the Phish community is “What band will show up at MSG?” Last year was the first modern New Year’s Run without a Fall Tour behind it, and the guys played the most uninspired …

Red Phish? Blue Phish? Read More »

Reinvented, Redefined

*****

Don’t want to be a painter ’cause everyone comes to look

If you’ve been following Phish circles on social media lately, perhaps you’ve taken notice of some cool images that have been making the rounds. Photographer and Phish fan, Andrea Nusinov, recently started AZN Media, a company specializing in social media advertising that is driven by the philosophy that a unique, artistic image will generate more attention and response than conventional photography. Her Phish-based images have been making a wave in the community with innovative takes on her own concert photos. Using the lastet photoapps, Andrea has enhanced her photographs to create the thought provoking and visually engaging imagery that I share with you today.

If you like what you see, be sure to follow AZN Media on Instagram and Facebook! In addition, Andrea hosts a Facebook page for her Phish images and you can follow her, personally, on Twitter. Enjoy! (All photography and enhancement by Andrea Nusinov. Click images to enlarge. Above: 12/29/09, Miami)

*****

The Webcast Effect (6/25/10, Camden)

 ***

See my face in the town that’s flashing by (6/19/12, Portsmouth)

 ***

The Helping Friendly Book, first edition (6/19/12, Portsmouth)

***

It takes a few moments of whirling around (6/12/11, MPP)

***

Slip into the dark of night as I attempt to stay upright (12/31/11, MSG)

***

Trapped In Time (6/15/10, made entirely from pics of earlier shows)

***

We wandered ’til we reached a bubbly spring (12/30/11, MSG)

***

Time is a treasure here cuz it flows in every direction (10/24/12, TAB)

*** 

http://instagram.com/aznpics

http://www.facebook.com/aznphishpics

http://www.facebook.com/aznmedia

http://twitter.com/andreanusinov

=====

Jam of the Day:

“Moma Dance” 2.26.03 II, Worcester, MA

Today’s selection is hand-picked by Andrea, herself.

***** If you’ve been following Phish circles on social media lately, perhaps you’ve taken notice of some cool images that have been making the rounds. Photographer and Phish fan, Andrea Nusinov, recently started AZN Media, a company specializing in social media advertising that is driven by the philosophy that a unique, artistic image will generate …

Reinvented, Redefined Read More »

Get the Book!

Island Run Pins

Recent Posts

Links

Phish News

Miner's Picks

Contact

Back to Front Page

All Right Reserved |

MR. MINER'S PHISH THOUGHTS

- 2023