I had a lot of fun putting together Friday’s playlist, so I assembled another for Monday. Again, I tried to stick to jams that aren’t super popular—quite a tough task in this day and age of stacked hard drives and social media, as just about everything gets played. Nonetheless, maybe I nailed a few you’ve never heard before. I’m gonna pull out some older tracks this week as well. Stay tuned.
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“Ghost” 7.30.99, Nigaata, JP
This little-known, daytime “Ghost” from the band’s first trip to Japan at the Fuji Rock festival is an absolute beast.
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“Wolfman’s Brother” 8.6.98 II, Atlanta,GA
This set-opening jam flies under the radar with so many heavy hitters littering Summer ’98. A quintessential Summer ’98 groove fiesta.
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“Piper > 2001” 11.4.98 II, Denver, CO
This show is constantly—and rightfully—overshadowed by Utah and the UIC run that surround it, but this segment has legitimate merit.
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“Stash” 9.9.99 I, Vancouver, BC
I’ve featured this dark and ambient, first-set-of-tour “Stash” a bunch throughout the years, but it totally fits this thematic playlist. When’s the last time you spun this one?
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“Mike’s Song” 11.7.98 I, Chicago, IL
Speaking of UIC ’98, this “Mikes” kicked off the entire run (after a “My Soul” opener), but is often lost in the three-night fray. Trey sets this jam off with a series of swank rhythm grooves, and the band brings it home with a bliss-laden second jam.
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“Halley’s > Tweezer” 10.8.99 II, Uniondale, NY
A slow, slinky and methodical ‘Tweezer” that moves out into an increasingly ambient-experimental soundscape. (Contrary to the mp3 tag, there is no performance of “My Left Toe.”) Not a bad “Halley’s” either—a complete juxtaposition of sound and tempo.
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“Limb -> 2001” 10.9.99 II, Albany, NY
Another under-the-radar sequence that absolutely typifies where Phish’s stylistic progression was at the time.
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“Down with Disease” 6.15.00 II, Osaka, JP
After years of anonymity, the first set “Ghost” from this show finally gained its proper recognition as an all-time version. I’m not sure the same can be set for this outlandish, near 30-minute “Disease,” as it still lies in the shadows on Japan’s more well known masterpieces.
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“Slave to the Traffic Light” 11.18.98 II, Greenville, SC
One of the truly memorable “Slaves” of the late-’90’s. Are you familiar?
