All selections and text by @HeadyBrosevelt

Picking ten Phish songs for other folks to listen to is a difficult task. The easiest and most fun method, I found, was to pick selections from shows that I attended (with the exception of “It’s Ice,” explanation below.) While picking from “my” shows, I omitted classics that constantly get played and/or discussed (obvious picks from Fall ’97 and Summer ’98 were left off.) While there may be a few classics below, I don’t always hear them getting hyped. Some selections may not deserve any hype, but they all hold a special place in my mind, body, and soul.

“It’s Ice” 4.8.94 I, State College, PA

While I didn’t attend this show, “It’s Ice” is the song that turned me on to Phish.  I remember hearing it in my buddy’s car and thinking to myself, “I need to go see these guys.” I loved the imagery. There was no looking back from that moment on. This version from Penn State is wonderful. Cool digi loop jam

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“2001 > Halley’s > Bowie” 6.24.95 II, Philadelphia, PA

This was my first Phish show and it took place two days after seeing the fat man for the last time at the Knick. I drove the twenty minutes from my parent’s house over to the Mann and got my mind fucking blown. The “2001” and “Halley’s” are integral to the flow of this three pack, but the “Bowie” is where we blast off into the psychedelic stratosphere. A good version of “Bowie” from Phish’s most psychedelic summer.

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“Gumbo” 8.13.97 I, Burgettstown, PA

Summertime “Gumbo” at it’s finest. This is a stellar version of a song that may be the epitome of outdoor Phish.

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“Drowned” 12.11.97 II, Rochester, NY

Fall 1997 was the first time I went on the road with Phish. I caught Philly through Albany. While most nights consisted of funky throw-downs, this “Drowned” was a helpful reminder that Phish could still scare with psychedelic wizardry.

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“Swept Away > Steep > Caspian” 12.12.97 II, Albany, NY

An absolutely rad version of “Prince Caspian.” In my opinion, this is a must hear. The jam is a brilliant mixture of machine gun assault and heavenly patience.

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“Down with Disease” 12.29.97 II, NYC, NY

I felt like I had to add something from the holiday run that hasn’t already been discussed. MSG ’97 was an incredible holiday run filled with multiple highlights.  This “Disease” flies under the radar because of the stupendous playing throughout the run. Spacey and weird, but eventually finds it’s stride—this “Disease” is worth a listen.

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“Reba > FEFY” 7.16.98 I, George, WA

Gorge ’98 was one of the best Phish experiences of my life (despite the raging heat.) I had just finished working in YNP for the summer and was following Phish tour home. The Gorge started my mini tour back to the east. This “Reba” is not one of the best “Reba’s” of all time, but it was a majestic complement to the sunset on the Columbia River. Phish was playing to the sunset and as went dark they segued into “FEFY.”  That sunset moment is etched very clearly into my memory.

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“Ghost > Free > Birds” 7.23.99 II, Columbus, OH

Originally, I was only going to post the “Birds,” however, after listening back, this is a triumvirate (as Miner would say) that needs to be listened together. The front half of a great set.

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“Ghost” 10.9.99 I, Albany, NY

“Ghost” is my favorite Phish song. I admit it, I have a slight infatuation with it, thus I am placing a second “Ghost” on this list. This is a unique “Ghost” that reaches the nether regions. Phish takes a lot of risks in this version and they are successful in every aspect.

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“Mr. Completely” 7.15.03 II, West Valley, Utah

I only saw two shows in 2.0 and this Utah show was one of them. I saw this show by accident. I was driving from Colorado to Washington to climb. and I stopped in Little Cottonwood Canyon to boulder. Some hippies saw my Colorado plates and long hair/beard and asked if I was going to the show. I inquired who was playing and they told me Phish. I hopped in my car, scored a ticket at a gas station for $15.00, and saw this “Mr. Completely.” I left the show so stoked that I made it into Idaho that night. I have had a mild obsession with 2.0 Phish ever since.

All selections and text by Chasin Holden

“Drowned” 12.3.97 I, Philadelphia, PA

Eight days later, Phish would use “Drowned” to bring us the debut of “Roses Are Free.” On this night, they hit on Stevie Ray before finding their way to the sacred fall ’97 sound. An outstanding 1st setter from a cold Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

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“Slave to the Traffic Light” 12.3.94 II, San Jose, CA

“Slave.” Horns. Enough said.

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“Maze” 12.31.94 II, Boston, MA

A standout version from an overlooked NYE show.

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“Timber” 7.26.97 II, Austin, TX

The Bob Gullotti sit-ins worked very well during the Texas shows in Summer ’97. This “Timber” is one of the highlights.

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“Harpua > Waterloo > jam > Llama” 6.23.95 II, Waterloo, NJ

It’s hard to find the silver lining in what will always be remembered as a bad show because a fan lost his life [in the traffic mess], but this sequence is fun and rocking and will bring a smile in the face of sorrow.

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“Simple” 11.21.95 II, Winston-Salem, NC

I’ve always loved this “Simple.” While not earth-shattering by any means, it runs through teases of “Maze,” “Possum,” “Bowie” (twice) and “A Day In the Life.” Very cool to hear for the first time or the 50th time.

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“Mike’s -> Rotation Jam -> Keyboard Cavalry > Mike’s” 11.25.95 II, Hampton, VA

The first ever rotation jam is interesting, to say the least. What surprises me about rotation jams as a whole is how they usually stay pretty melodic despite the band members playing outside their element. This one is my pick for the best of the three.

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“Curtain > Halley’s > Roses > NO2”  7.13.99 I, Mansfield, MA

One of my favorite runs of tunes ever. A lot of people focus on 7-25-99, but this sequence is better than any part of 7-25-99 in my opinion. The “Halley’s” in particular is top notch and the segue into “Roses” is maybe one of the most overlooked of the band’s career.

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“Let It Loose”  10.31.09 II, Indio, CA

Page at his best vocally.

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“Harry Hood” 12.17.95 II, Lake Placid, NY 

The last “Hood” of a tour rich with excellent versions. While probably not the best version of the tour, this one still finds the stratosphere and is a precursor of the all-time great version from the Garden two weeks later.

All text and selections by @Kayatosh

“Mango Song > Jam” 9.17.00 II, Columbia, MD

A loose, tired sounding version that feels like it might fall apart at any moment but doesn’t thanks to Page Piano. After the triumph of successfully holding it together, a dark, percussive, free-form jam emerges.

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“Yamar” 11.2.96 II, West Palm Beach, FL

One that slipped through the cracks the last time Miner covered 1996. Karl Perazzo enhanced.

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“David Bowie” 6.24.95 II, Philadelphia, PA

This long form version starts off promisingly with a spacey intro.  The “Low Rider” flavored jam hints at the funk the band would actively mine in the next few years.  From the chunky funk, the jam journeys into a slower, softer vibe that retains the trademark 95 dark edge. A subsequent move into speed metal features Trey out front blazing a white hot path with the other three matching his intensity.

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“McGrupp” 8.7.93, Darien Lake, NY

A confident version of a favorite Phish tune from a golden era. Page tickling the ivories; Fishman tickling the washboard. See also, 11.30.94 McGrupp for more of Page channeling Keith Jarret.

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“Jam > Leprechaun” 8.24.93 Sndchk, Vancouver, BC

Four-way bluesy, uninhibited play. A pocket so deep you could lose a joint in it. Listen to Fishman’s super human fills. Midway through the 10 minute jam, Fishman settles on a steady groove, and the jam becomes a composed sounding romp. And then the elusive Leprechaun does his jig.

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“Chalkdust Torture” 7.16.94 II, Sugarbush, VT

A take no prisoners, almost off the rails, “Barracuda” teased Dust, featuring Trey in berserker mode.

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“Sneakin Sally > Frankie Says” 4.2.98 II, Uniondale, NY

Slower, thicker version of a classic phish groove vehicle. Your head will involuntarily bob as the laid-back, syncopated riffs start bumping up against your brain.   “Sally” jam slides smoothly and gradually into “Frankie Says,” which features a nimble fingered Trey.

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“Ghost > Drowned” 12.28.97 II, Landover, MD

Silky, late ’97 funk feel with a healthy dose of clavination. “Ghost’s” jam is of the hypnotic variety with intermittent hints of “Psycho Killer.” After you’ve been mellowed to the point of floating, the jam inconspicuously swirls into a funnel cone (twice), stops on a dime, and then launches into “Drowned!” Trey’s strong Hendrix impression in the “Drowned” jam finishes off the listener. Listen for The Note. “Drowned” jam concludes in soft, spacious fashion.

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“Makiuspa Policeman” 11.23.96 II, Vancouver, BC

“Woke up in the morning. Border Guard in my Bunk.” Listen for the Star Wars effects.

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“Bathtub Gin -> Cities -> Jam” 7.1.97 II, Amsterdam, NL

July ’97, Amsterdam — a time traveler’s dream destination. There’s a segment mid-“Gin” that mirrors the feeling of falling down stairs in slow motion. After a slick “Gin” theme tease, the jam patiently builds to a murky, not quite peaked conclusion that becomes the intro to “Cities.” The “Cities” jam sonically represents what it might feel like to be adrift at sea on a gelatinous raft. After all “Cities” flavor has been wrung from the jam, an ambient, looped section takes hold of your dome and places you right on the back of the worm. By mid ’97, this band was an ear candy machine.

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“Timber Ho!” 7.26.97 II, Austin, TX

More liquid gold from July 97 with a looped out, cosmic jump rope jam conclusion before the “Timber” themed coda.