Reader’s Picks: Greg Schneider

8.5.11 - The Gorge (Graham Lucas)

8.5.11 – The Gorge (Graham Lucas)

All selections and text by Greg Schneider aka Mr. Palmer

I tried to avoid some of the obvious choice selections while sitting down to do this.  I’m sure there are a few that everyone on here knows well and I hope there are a few others that are new to some folks…

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Harry Hood” 12.11.99 I, Philadelphia, PA

One of my all-time favorite shows in an all-time favorite venue.  This “Hood,” with a near five minute intro, opened this special night in Philly. And the rest, as they say…is history.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/I-01-Harry-Hood.mp3]

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Vultures” 9.21.99 II, Tucson AZ

This is a song I have always loved because, unlike most Phish songs, for me, this song is more about the vocal stylings than the music. However, this version is the outlier, and to my knowledge the only one. A Type II Vultures? Indeed. If you are going to blow up the Dirty Bird, it might as well be in a dusty, desert venue, don’t ya think?

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/II-04-Vultures-.mp3]

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Fee” 7.8.99 I, Virginia Beach, VA

A 23-minute version of “Fee.”  Just sit back, chill out, and let this beautiful version take you on a trip out to sea with the weasel and his friends…

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/1-02-Fee.mp3]

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Antelope” 7.29.97 II, Phoenix, AZ

This “Antelope” was played in the second slot of the second set this night in Arizona. This was one of only two shows I saw in ’97( I know, I know.) A tremendous overall show after the band returned from their historic and game changing tour in Europe. Not your every day, standard “Antelope.”  This one goes deep…real deep.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ph97-07-29d2t03.mp3]

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Tube” 7.21.98 I, Phoenix, AZ

My third selection from the state of Arizona…yes, this caught me by surprise also. It is my opinion that 1998 was Phish at their peak. Each band member was truly a master at their craft and combined, they brought a fierce, tight sound with incredible ambient textures. This is maybe my favorite Tube with it’s start-stop action. Each band member sounds at the top of their game here. If this version doesn’t get you up and dancing then I don’t know what to tell you.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/1.05-Tube.mp3]

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Funky Bitch -> Jam” 11.22.94 II, Columbus, MO

This selection likely needs no introduction. Just an absolute killer jam out of this “Bitch.” Turn this one to “11.”

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/II-01-Funky-Bitch-.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/II-02-Lawn-Train-.mp3]

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Tweezer ->DEG -> Tweezer” 6.28.95 II, Wantagh, NY

A true heater from the Summer of ’95.  Tough to describe this one with a few words.  It’s Phish, it’s “Tweezer,” it’s 1995…Enjoy.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/JBTweeze95.mp3]

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Wolfman’s Brother” 12.28.98 II, MSG. NY

This was the highlight of the first night of the first four-night stand at Madison Square Garden. Expectations were through the roof for this run and Phish did not disappoint. This “Wolfman’s,” at times, has an eerily similar feel to the version played roughly two months prior in Las Vegas. This NYE run in 1998 is still my favorite run that they have played to date. The consistency and jams from night to night were magical. Let’s do it again this year, huh?

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ph1998-12-28d2t02.mp3]

***

Bathtub Gin” 6.28.00 I, Holmdel, NJ

I was lucky enough to have third row seats for this night—right in front of Trey. He was totally “on” this evening. Some nights in ’00 this wasn’t the case. We truly got the hose this night. This “Gin” is all about Trey and his guitar annihilation. Fast paced and precise, a top three version for me and many others as well. Enjoy.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2000-06-28-Bathtub-Gin-PNC-Bank-Arts-Center-6-28-00-Holmdel-NJ.mp3]

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Down With Disease” 9.14.99II, Boise, ID

It is probably weird to see this date and a song other than “AC/DC Bag” or “Gumbo” attached to it. This isn’t one of those huge “Diseases” with massive improv. This version always grabbed me for Trey’s ferocity.  Check the You Tube video of it if you get the chance.  Trey is jumping (prancing?) around and really feeling it.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/II-04-Down-WIth-Disease-.MP3.mp3]

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LAWN MEMO’S “33 in 33”

Tsofg2Perhaps you followed @LawnMemo‘s massive project, “The Daily Ghost” in which he reviewed each and every “Ghost” ever played. The same @LawnMemo is back with another big project, but this time around he is the behind-the-scenes orchestrator of “33 in 33,” in which he invited 33 different writers to chronicle a single jam from a single show from the 33 shows of 2012—all in the 33 days leading up to Summer Tour! The project has been underway for just over a week, and you can check out all the entries so far. My contribution will be posted on Sunday, and chronicles a selection from June 22nd’s show in Cincinnati. It was the first piece I’ve written in quite a while and I had a great time doing it. I’ll link it here when it’s posted, but bookmark “33 in 33” and peep it every day as we countdown to Bangor!

Check my essay on the Cincy Twist here!

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571 Responses to “Reader’s Picks: Greg Schneider”

  1. BingosBrother Says:

    Hope that place reminds him of the RCMH Ghost. Prolly write Burn That Bridge Again though.

  2. tela'smuff Says:

    i’m going to start a blog just highlighting the ’03 DC Gumbo.

  3. sumodie Says:

    Suspense already over, Trey lost out to Cyndi Lauper who scored Kinky Boots

  4. sumodie Says:

    Miner’s piece on the Cinci Twist over at lawnmemo is great. Even better is his sign off bio:

    “Dave Calarco is a former high school history teacher, turned blogger/author, turned wook. One can catch him dreadlocked this coming summer tour slanging sexy Beasters pre-show on Shakedown and offering the Mexican Red-Hair after the show when nobody can see. In his author years, he wrote a great book about Phish that is still on-sale for only $29.99—Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts—and will be a fixture of your coffee table for years to come if you so indulge. Filled with full color photos and essays on everything in the Phish universe, it the perfect accompaniment to any summer tour vehicle.

    My favorite “Ghost” is Radio City. It’s the only correct answer to the question.”

    I knew Miner was going wook when I saw him at MSG!

  5. BingosBrother Says:

    What is the definition of wook nowadays? A look? A lifestyle? Income? Or is it one of those things that you know when you see?

  6. sumodie Says:

    Skimmed the rest of lawnmemo’s 33 in 33 articles. As usual I’m not so interested in the jam breakdowns (tho miner’s & eric wyman’s are especially good) as the authors’ personal stories, like the bonnaroo Tweezer writer mentioning his gf breaking up with him during Phish’s set

    The animated gifs are hysterical, esp the one with the two idiots colliding while holding large exercise balls (see lawnmemo’s intro piece)

  7. sumodie Says:

    Very good CDirksen article on his experience catching the Bangor Tweezer

    http://blog.phish.net/1370304835/revisiting-bangor

  8. xpun Says:

    Not taking a thing away from memos writing but he always had the best GIFs with his pieces. Writing 120 or so straight essays really helped his style develop over the project.

    Along with the kaya reads bedtime stories audio series I’d be down w mr tosh tackling a writing project. I enjoyed his picks pieces.

  9. little umbrellas Says:

    Reunion album. That would make sense

  10. kayatosh Says:

    you’re too kind, xpun.

    goT – best episode yet.

  11. little umbrellas Says:

    Also he didn’t spend pages with second by second breakdowns trying to explain everypart. Summed it up basically in a poetic and contextual fashion. Very readable.

    ha! Thanks, didn’t read the author description. I believe the current definition of wook has become a matter of being past the point of some level of cleanliness.

  12. little umbrellas Says:

    Sorry if the deserves a paddlin, but Dances with Wooks still makes me laugh out loud.
    Wish i could pull up the Jaded Viewers Guide to Hippe Watching in North America but it’s only in available in print.

  13. little umbrellas Says:

    I like the song by Giorgio ny Moroder

  14. voopa Says:

    Mad Men- best episode yet.

    The Homer’s-grumbling-stomach gif from LM’s post announcing the 33 project has become an appropriate avatar for me over on another forum that’s more tolerant of ani-gifs.

  15. vegas wolfmans Says:

    I like/agree with most everything as I read back from today:

    -crazy scene in Tuscon ’99
    -big brother is always watching BNCB
    -sumo on soundgarden tour
    -new live bait
    -MBV in Seattle
    -R Kelly peeing on MiA
    -new album
    -nati twist best jam of leg 1 ’12
    -tux’d wook < Cyndi Lauper
    -phil w/ sco
    -DC '03 Gumbo
    -Giorgio by Moroder

    So basically, I have nothing new to contribute. Carry on.

  16. DaNcInG fOoL Says:

    Kaya you must be a week behind if you think this is the best GoT yet.

  17. little umbrellas Says:

    Very intoxicated posting earlier by me. Scuse.

  18. kayatosh Says:

    6.15.95 bowie — $$$. lengthy. ample girth as well.

  19. little umbrellas Says:

    The mixing choices on Big Boat are enough on their own to leave me totally befuddled.

  20. little umbrellas Says:

    ^oh damn. I’ve been hacked. First guess Dorn, second guess DF, third guess David Silver.

  21. little umbrellas Says:

    ^for No one: time poeted

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