I’m running with a new concept today–the reader playlist. Phish Thoughts reader Garret Conour (@garretc) proposed the idea and today has provided the inaugural installment of “Reader’s Picks.” Garret devised the playlist and wrote the words you see below, I just assembled the post. Please email mrminer@phishthoughts.com if you’d like to put one of these 10-packs together. Thanks, Garret! Enjoy!
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Given that I tend towards the darker underbelly of Phish jamming styles, it didn’t take much conscious effort to put together these particular ten jams, but upon completion I decided it would fit in nicely with the annual pre-dates aggression and despondency that always permeates the comments section around this time. Spring is starting to peek around the corner, but this is probably better suited for those of you still stuck indoors.
“Simple” 12.9.97 II, State College, PA
From a fall ’97 show on campus at Penn State, this Simple forgoes the year’s trademark cowfunk jam for a steady progression from standard “Simple” jam out into uncharted ambient seas before a “Bowie” head-fake on the way to “Timber.”
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“Halley’s Comet” 11.11.98 II, Grand Rapids, MI
The Van Andel “Halley’s” is like so many of the best Phish jams: akin to a floating, swirling orb of musical energy that the band manipulates with ease. Just don’t go in expecting smooth ’98 ambiance, because that’s not what you’re gonna get.
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“Down With Disease” 12.12.95 II, Providence, RI
Centerpiece jam of the Providence stop in the legendary final month of 1995, this “Disease” sounds, well, like 1995 Phish, with all the percussive mind-fuckery that would lead you to believe.
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“Chalk Dust Torture” 8.3.03 I, Limestone, ME
With not one but two jammed out “Chalk Dusts” this year, might as well give a listen to one of the, if not the only, non-Camden noteworthy “CDTs,” from set one of IT day two.
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“Tweezer” 12.30.94 II, MSG, NY
After yet another stellar MSG “Tweezer” during this past new years run, this here is a gem from Phish’s first trip to the round room. Make sure your chair can be hid under, because Troy is trying to break you.
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“Rock & Roll” 8.5.11 II, George, WA
This should need no introduction, you’ve all been paying attention lately. The best jam I’ve ever been in the building for (Yeah, yeah, 3.0 kid and all that), this is also unarguably the most fully realized storage-style jam the band has kicked down outside of the box that lent its name to the style. Aliens visiting the eastern Washington desert.
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“David Bowie” 6.29.95 II, Wantagh, NY
A fierce “Bowie” from a summer full of ’em, this particular “David” starts with an extended soundscape intro (remember those?) before getting into everybody’s favorite dark, shreddy, heavy ’95 style.
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“Gotta Jibboo” 7.4.00 II, Camden, NJ
Don’t worry, Mike changes the bass line after, oh… 15 minutes. But yeah, an extended trip out into spacey ’00 loop jams anchored by Gordo’s “Variations on the Theme from Jibboo” personal dance party. Happy birthday, America.
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“You Enjoy Myself” 5.5.93 II, Albany, NY
Not your grandpappy’s “YEM,” the vocal jamming starts early, before the instrument jamming stops, as high speed ’93 turbo jazz-rock alternately dissolves and peaks through the course of the 33 minute run time. And there’s no proper vocal jam, so it’s safe for haters of that.
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“A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing” 6.19.04, Saratoga Springs, NY
Phish waging sonic warfare with the Norse gods at their (second) last stand. Bring back the “ASIHTOS” jamming, preferably at the Gorge. Or whatever other shows I’m at this summer.
