Mr. Miner's Phish Thoughts

As we celebrate the third anniversary of Hampton’s comeback run—yesterday, today and tomorrow—let’s take a ride back in time with an audio retrospective of this era. In only three years, Phish has brought us from Hampton to Red Rocks, from the Gorge (two times) to Telluride, and from The Greek Theatre to Hollywood Bowl. It has brought us up and down the east coast and through the Midwest more than a couple times, hitting all the staples and then sime. This era has brought us  two Halloween shows, two festivals, three more New Year’s Runs, and a whole lot of memorable multi-night stands. And above all else, this era has brought us a hell of a lot of great music. Today, lets start with my some of the earliest highlights from 2009. How long has it been since you listened to these? Enjoy the look back.

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“Down With Disease -> Seven Below” 3.8 II, Hampton, VA

The first deep dive of the modern era—and it still holds up just fine.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.02-Down-With-Disease-1.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.03-Seven-Below.mp3]

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“If I Could” 6.2 I, Wantagh, NY

The first performance of this song in nine years featured an alternate, more delicate interpreation.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Phish2009-06-02d1t10.mp3]

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“Harry Hood” 6.2 II, Wantagh, NY

A profound, ambient take on their classic jam on only the second night of June ’09. If you were reading this site then, remember how hard I freaked on this one? Good times.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.07-Harry-Hood.mp3]

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“Sand” 6.7 II, Camden, NJ

This era’s first  “Sand” was a revelation, as the band infused a palette of melody into jam. This Camden excursion only foreshadowed the song’s transformation into a whole-band jam in 2010. In my opinion, the most dynamic “Sands” now live in the 3.0 era.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.01-Sand.mp3]

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“Tweezer” 6.7 II, Camden, NJ

The first legitimate “Tweezer” in ’09—and it was an out-of-left-field set closer! The commando lick never dies!

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/090607_S2_08_Tweezer.mp3]

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“Ghost > Fast Enough For You ” 6.9 II, Asheville, NC

After the band blew out Camden, they came right back and threw down this “Ghost” in the next show.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/phish2009-06-09s2t03.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/phish2009-06-09s2t04.mp3]

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“Rock and Roll -> Light” 6.14 II, Manchester, TN

Paired with “Rock and Roll,” the band’s first exploration of “Light” came in Bonnaroo’s final set. These two songs would transform into the preeminent launchpads of the modern era thus far.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.01-Rock-and-Roll.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.02-Light.mp3]

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“A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing -> Drowned -> Twist” 6.19 II, Noblesville, IN

Following an insane lightning storm, Phish came out with music to match, playing—arguably—the set of June.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.01-A-Song-I-Heard-the-Ocean-Sing.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.02-Drowned.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.03-Twist-2.mp3]

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“Piper” 6.21 II, East Troy, WI

The standout jam of June ’09’s final show at Alpine.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2.04-Piper-1.mp3]

Before we plunge head first into Leg II of summer 2o10, let’s pause for a moment to reflect on Leg II of 2009. Phish came out at Red Rocks and redefined this era after a tentative run in June. Boasting far more confidence, Phish showed up in Colorado in a relaxed musical state, willing to take risks they weren’t prepared to take only five weeks earlier. When the year came to close, Leg II of summer stood out as, perhaps, the strongest segment of 2009, with musical highlights abounding. Today we hit the brakes for a moment and glance in our rear-view mirror at The Top5 “Moments” of Summer 2009 – Leg II.

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5. “Number Line” 8.16 II – SPAC

While this SPAC show didn’t quite provide the final exclamation point that people expected, Phish did throw down one of the standout jams of August in their final show. Morphing their shiny-new anthem “Backwards Down the Number Line” into primordial soup for the soul, Phish built upon their Chicago rendition from a week earlier. Until Phish threw down Blossom’s “Number Line” this June, SPAC’s version stood as the crowning moment of the song’s young career. This jam provided a dark final excursion to end the tour before the rest of the set turned to fun.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/phish2009-08-16_mk41_1644_d2t04.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/phish2009-08-16_mk41_1644_d2t05.mp3]

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4. “Icculus” 8.14 II – Hartford

In this moment, we realized that Phish was still comprised of the same four zany guys that started the band back in the day. With his addiction and glassy-eyed stare years behind him, Trey used “Icculus” to launch into classic rant about the technological overload of modern culture, and how everyone needed to get back to reading The Book. The Phishy spirit that had grabbed us all at one point in our lives and dragged us into Gamehendge had returned. To see the look on Trey’s face when this went down pretty much said it all. Everyone left Hartford smiling that night.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/phish2009-08-14_mk4_1644_d3t04.mp3]

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3. “46 Days” 8.15 II – Merriweather

Buried in the consensus “worst show of Leg II” was perhaps the best jam of the tour in the ludicrous version of “46 Days.” Remaining in the song’s structure for approximately three minutes, the band shifted into full destruction mode immediately. Trudging through a cosmic sludge, Fish hit a change and Phish took off for the heavens. Flowing like they seldom have this era, the band locked into one of the more magical jams of this era. Any semblance of “46 Days” was left in Phish’s vapor trail as they took a hose-powered journey to the edges of groove and bliss.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ph2009-08-15t18.mp3]

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2. 7.31.09 II – Red Rocks

The second set of the second night of Red Rocks still stands, in my opinion, as the best single set Phish has dropped in this era. Featuring jams aplenty, fluid transitions, and the Red Rocks “Tweezer,” this frame can stand up to any other – easily. Played in three mini-suites, Phish graced the audience with “Drowned > Crosseyed > Joy,” “Tweezer > Number Line,” and “Fluffhead > Piper > A Day In the Life.” If you have any doubts or hazy memories of this night, go re-listen, it never ceases to amaze.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Phish2009-07-31d2t04.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Phish2009-07-31d2t05.mp3]

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1. 8.7.09 – The Gorge

In Phish’s first night back to the Gorge in six years, they played a show that likened a soundtrack for the mystical natural surroundings. Fusing together several patient jams, Phish – literally – played differently at The Gorge, a trend that has held true throughout their career. While everyone has their favorite shows, this two-set Picasso featured three of the jams of the year in “Sneakin’ Sally,” “Light,” and “Bathtub Gin.” And you just don’t get that in one Phish show these days. That is without even mentioning the glorious combination of “Hood” and “Slave” that ended this special night. (And we might as well tack on the second night’s “Rock and Roll” while we’re here.) Needless to say, the band’s return to the Columbia River Gorge won’t soon be forgotten.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/phish2009-08-07d1t09.mp3] [audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/phish2009-08-07d3t01.mp3]

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Jam of the Day: Leg II Venue History Week

“Cities > Good Times Bad Times” 8.10.97 II

One of the defining jams of Summer ’97 from the first night at Deer Creek.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ph1997-08-10d3t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ph1997-08-10d3t02.mp3]

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

8.10.1996 Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI < Megaupload

In Phish’s inaugural visit to Alpine Valley in 1996, they dropped significant versions of “Reba,” and “Bathtub Gin” in the first set, while showcasing “Fluffhead” and “Harry Hood” in the second. With this show, Phish inherited the massive Midwestern mecca from the Grateful Dead and prepared to blaze a legacy.

I: My Friend, My Friend, Poor Heart, AC/DC Bag, Fee, Reba, I Didn’t Know, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Rift, Bathtub Gin, Cavern

II: Wilson, Down with Disease, Scent of a Mule, Free, Fluffhead, Hold Your Head Up > Whipping Post > Hold Your Head Up, Harry Hood, A Day in the Life

E: Contact, Fire

Source: B & K 4021

Summer’s opening leg included something for all parts of Phish’s fan base. Combining just enough open jamming with revitalized structured improv, the band’s exploratory adventure returned in spurts throughout the month. Precise playing and non-stop energy produced a new-found sense of urgency, lighting a fire under Phish from the tour’s opening “Disease.” Then there were the covers; ten new songs from various artists and genres that added spice to many setlists. And finally, the last element comprising a catch-all Phish tour were the many bust-outs that dotted the run. Not only did the band kick down once-in-a-while songs like “Forbin’s > Mockingbird,” “Roses Are Free,” “Sanity,” “Harpua” and “McGrupp,” they added more elusive songs such as “Destiny Unbound,” “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” and “Saw It Again.” But all these rarities took a back seat to a showcase of songs Phish hadn’t played in well over a hundred shows, one dating all the way back to the ’80s. The following six selections represent the headline-grabbing bust-outs of the early summer.

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1. “Fuck Your Face” 7.2 II – last believed to be played on 4.29.1987 (1,413 shows)

In the bust-out to end all bust-outs, Phish finally played Mike’s iconic piece of Zappa-esque humor, best known from its place on The White Tape. The Mockingbird Foundation believes the band played the song on April, 29, 1987, but that cannot be confirmed. Unless a rather eclectic old-school head found their way to Charlotte, this was the first time anyone had ever witnessed the song. Coming out of a ten-ton “Carini,” Trey began the guitar lick, sounding like something unique. As the band transitioned and Mike began singing, an incredibly small portion of the crowd actually knew they were witnessing history. “Carini > Fuck Your Face” sounds like something a student might scribble in the margin during lecture in a Phishy daydream. But lo and behold, it unfolded in a moment that will be remembered forever.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-07-02t15.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-07-02t16.mp3]

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2. “Alumni Blues > A Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni” 6.25 I

“Alumni” last played 7.24.99 (222 shows), “Letter” last played 7.15.94 (587 shows)

Phish came onstage the second night of Camden and didn’t hesitate, busting into the old-school classic “Alumni Blues.” The funky ditty became all-the-more interesting as the band bridged the halves of the song with Trey’s hard-rock homage, “Letter to Jimmy Page,” for the first time since 7.15.94. With most versions played in the ’80s and early ’90s, this resurfaced another piece of the band’;s legacy. Phish dug deep into their past this tour, and this segment – officially released by the band on video – exhumed another relic from the history books.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-06-25t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-06-25t02.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-06-25t03.mp3]

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3. “Have Mercy” 7.1 II – last played 12.10.99 II  (189 shows)

One of Phish’s most precious covers, the band usually gives The Mighty Diamonds’ song special treatment by placing it after an exploratory mind-fuck; there are few more gentle landing pads in Phish’s repertoire. But when the band dropped the song after a sloppy “Fluffhead” in Raleigh, it hardly made sense. Always nice to hear, regardless of placement, Phish could have bumped this one up a few slots and made a gorgeous segment out of “Light > Have Mercy.” Unheard from since December ’99 in Philadelphia, this served as an out-of-context re-introduction to the song.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-07-01t15.mp3]

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4. “Light Up or Leave Me Alone” 7.1 II – last played 12.30.99 I (181 shows)

Only the second time this song has been played since the ’80s, we last saw this Traffic cover during the opening, afternoon set of Big Cypress. When Phish let loose on the song late in Raleigh’s second set, it brought one of two improvisational highlights of the evening. Spearheaded by Trey’s shredding leads, the band destroyed an explosive groove-rock jaunt that contrasted to the laid-back version everyone heard in The Everglades. This bust-out carried more musical weight than any other of tour.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-07-01t16.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-07-01t17.mp3]

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5. “Walfredo” 6.27 I – last played 9.30.00 (131 Shows)

Unseen since Vegas 2000, Phish opened the second night of Merriweather with “Walfredo,” their instrument-switching gimmick that includes the venue’s name in its lyrics. A clever move, this rather benign opener foreshadowed the second set theatrics that were to come. Though fun to see the guys in different spots to start the show, the set got started in earnest with another rarity that followed, Bob Marley’s “Mellow Mood.” Nonetheless, if you were there, scratch “Walfredo” off your list.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-06-27t02.mp3]

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6. “Time Loves A Hero” 7.1 I – last played 12.31.02 (127 shows)

Phish played this Little Feat cover for the third time since the ’80s, and 2010’s incarnation was the of three to stand alone. Coming out of a funky “Wolfman’s” at Star Lake ’98, and creatively morphing from “Runaway Jim” in one of the few highlights of Phish’s first comeback show in ’02, this is another song that deserves better improvisational context. And sandwiched between “Kill Devil Falls” and “Alaska” in the first set isn’t exactly the context I’m talking about. Nonetheless, the groovy song was played well, adding to the set.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-07-01t04.mp3]

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Jam of the Day:

“Ghost” 6.11 II

Hands down, the “Ghost” of 2010 thus far, and one of the most engaging jams of tour.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ph2010-06-11t12.mp3]

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

6.11.2010 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL < Torrent

6.11.2010 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL < Megaupload

In one of the most exciting tour-openers ever, Phish came out firing on a sweltering Chicago evening, playing two sets worth of stellar music. Improvisational highlights abound in both sets, with the second-half sequence “Light > Maze, Ghost > Limb” providing the show’s centerpiece. After tour ended, Chicago’s opening night still sits among the band’s top-shelf offerings of the month.

I: Down with Disease, Wolfman’s Brother, Possum, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Reba, Jesus Just Left Chicago, The Divided Sky, Golgi Apparatus, David Bowie

II: Light > Maze, Ghost > Limb By Limb, Prince Caspian > The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Run Like an Antelope, Show of Life*

E: Cavern, Julius

*Debut

Source: (FOB) Schoeps mk4v > KC5 > M222> NT222 > Oade m148 > SD 722 (@24bit/96kHz)

We’ve officially have entered the final countdown, sitting less than ten days away from Chicago’s summer tour opener. As the pages of the calendar pass into June, the wait is almost over. We are about to experience new Phish again; 2009 is but a memory and 2010 has arrived. And as we step into summer tour, while there is a completely different feeling surrounding the band’s musical potential than last year, some of the same questions remain.

Entering Fenway and Jones Beach at the beginning of last summer, everything was still a question mark. The Hampton shows had been promising, but nobody really knew what to expect as Phish embarked on their first tour in five years. The release of Joy, the album, had been indefinitely pushed back, so we never got a glimpse of the band’s new material beyond Hampton’s “Number Line” and the official “single” for “Time Turns Elastic.” We just didn’t know where Phish was heading, and, ironically, we now enter Summer 2010 with the exact same question.

2009 provided a solid foundation for everything that is to come, but throughout most of the year, Phish didn’t push new musical boundaries while regaining their comfort on stage. Even the best jams of the year didn’t present a clear new direction for Phish music, something that will hopefully emerge this summer. This trend, however, began to change during the final four nights of the year. Phish came out in Miami with a renewed ferocity and purpose behind their music, sculpting a handful of the year’s most efficient and forward-looking jams in “Piper,” “Ghost,” “Tweezer,” and “Back on the Train.” All of these pieces were characterized by dynamic creativity amidst an urgency that pushed the music along with nary a wasted note, fully realizing a shift that began towards the end of fall tour.

But now, as the community prepares to descend on Chicago a little over a week, Phish has no album to promote, and, allegedly, plenty of new material – a combination that would seem to push the band’s creative process. With their communication honed, and their jitters gone, this tour promises to bring a hell of a lot of excitement.

When pondering where the music may move to, I think back to two “Disease” jams from last fall – Cobo and Philly. In each of these excursions, Phish attained periods of layered, lead-less jamming, a potential glimpse into a more mature style. When the band began with this unique “Disease” in Detroit’s tour opener last fall, I figured it might be a foreshadowing of things to come. But experimentation never became the focus of the fall and Miami’s standout playing didn’t follow this pattern either, leaving us to wonder just where the band’s musical magnifying lens will next fall.

Perhaps we can find clues in the many explorations of “Light” from last fall, as the band introduced a new genre-defying jam. An open-ended piece, whose greatest days lie ahead, brought some of the newest-sounding music of last year in many differing versions. Each year from 1993 forward featured distinct shifts in the band’s style of improvisation, and if Phish pressed the reset button last year, new musical excursions should emerge within weeks. Stay tuned to see what happens.

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Jam of the Day:

“Disease > Free” 11.18.09 II

The Cobo “Disease” referenced in the article above.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ph2009-11-18s2t02.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ph2009-11-18s2t03.mp3]

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

4.30.92 Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI < Torrent

4.30.92 Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI < Megaupload

The end of a phenomenal month of Phish music.

I: The Curtain > Split Open and Melt, Fee, Maze, Reba, Uncle Pen, Stash, Rift, Esther, Run Like an Antelope

II: Glide, Tweezer*, The Squirming Coil, My Mind’s Got a Mind of its Own, You Enjoy Myself, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Chalk Dust Torture, Cold as Ice > Cracklin’ Rosie > Cold as Ice, Harry Hood, Tweezer Reprise

E: Carolina, Cavern

* w/ Col. Bruce Hampton on Trombone; Aquarium Rescue Unit opened

Source: Unknown

While the second sets have been the primary focus of all the summer shows, there were a few first sets that stood out among the rest.  While Phish traditionally uses the first set to showcase their songs, and the second set, their improv, in any legit first set there is usually some overlap.  The first sets this summer followed a more old-school contour, featuring longer setlists and standalone jams, while most often feeling like warm-ups for second half adventures.  But a few times during the second leg, the first set popped off a bit more.  Below are four first sets, in chronological order, that left a greater musical wake, gave a little bit extra, and set up the second set with a bit more gusto than usual.

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Red Rocks 8.1

I: AC/DC Bag, The Curtain (With), Mound, Gotta Jibboo, Guyute, Punch You in the Eye, Tube, Alaska, Run Like An Antelope

Always a great opener, “Bag” kicked off the show with energy and a hint of funk before everyone was blindsided by “The Curtain (With).”  Arguably the most emotional moment of the summer, the band slaughtered the composition that had slaughtered them back at Coventry.  As the band gelled majestically, Trey played incredibly poignant leads into the Colorado heavens.  A one-of-a-kind catharsis, we all lived what we had imagined for years- and the past was behind us. But so much more importantly, the band stepped up to the moment,and put the past behind them.  The first song after such an episode would be….”Mound!”  Played only twice since 1996, Phish ripped through the old-school piece, and it sounded as fresh as any new song played all summer.  The “Jibboo” that followed felt like a celebratory groove-fest that ushered in the future.  “Punch” and “Tube” flooded the set with plenty of super-sized dance patterns before “Antelope” sprinted to the finish line.  Taking the jam out to a more dissonant intensity before returning to the peak, this was the first of several menacing     versions throughout August.

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Darien Lake 8.13

I: Sample In A Jar, Dinner and a Movie, Wolfman’s Brother, My Friend, My Friend, Possum, Farmhouse, Sugar Shack, Brian And Robert, David Bowie, Bathtub Gin, How High The Moon*, Golgi Apparatus

Though this frame embodies the “set of songs” structure, it featured energetic playing throughout, some choice rarities, and was anchored by three solid jams.  “Wolfman’s” moved through liquid grooves to an expressive peak- my personal favorite of August; and at the end of the set came a somewhat unprecedented combo of “Bowie” and “Bathtub.”  These three pieces- with “Bowie” being the jam of the first half- carried the improvisational weight of the set, but there were elements of surprise as well.  After “Sample” innocently opened, Phish dropped into the ever-elusive “Dinner and a Movie.”  Played only seven times since 1994, any time you hear the dark instrumental, it is always a treat.  And with their 3.0 precision, the band nailed the eighth.  Phish sandwiched “Wolfman’s” with a second ominous bust-out in “My Friend, My Friend.”  In addition to a well played “Sugar Shack,” the spoken tribute to Les Paul and “How High the Moon” also made this set unique.  It may look routine on paper, but that’s why you can’t judge a show by its setlist.

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Hartford 8.14

I: Punch You in the Eye, AC/DC Bag, NICU, Colonel Forbin’s Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird, Birds Of A Feather, Lawn Boy, Stash, I Didn’t Know, Middle Of The Road, Character Zero

One of the most scorching first sets of tour, the band came out with a string of oldies that set the tone for the entire show.  An exciting “Punch” had the pavilion blowing up all over the place before the ushers began asking for tickets during “NICU.”  But the biggest surprise of the set came with the heavy drop into “Colonel Forbin’s” for the first time since Vegas 2000.  We finally had returned to Gamehendge- a land that seemed somehow inaccessible during the post-hiatus era.  A gorgeous run through “Mockingbird” capped the ’80s portion of the set, and the band fell right into the only “Birds”of August.  The jam was fuel-injected, soaring through fast-paced textures, and bursting at the seams with snarling energy.  Taking their improv into an aggressive ‘type 1.5’ territory, Phish used “Birds” to set up the most outstanding excursion of the set- “Stash.”  With a darkened psychedelia, the band got in touch with the ethos of the song, leaving its more melodic interludes on the west coast.  The highlight of the set- in my opinion- this “Stash” has flown way under the radar.  A vacuum solo, a Mike song, and “Character Zero” to close- a great first set.

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Merriweather 8.15

1: Crowd Control, Kill Devil Falls, The Sloth, Beauty Of A Broken Heart, Axilla I, Foam, Esther, Ha Ha Ha, Party Time, Tube, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Strange Design, Time Turns Elastic

Sometimes a first set can ride on sheer energy and well played songs- and it always helps if most of the songs haven’t popped up yet on tour.  Thus was the case with Merriweather’s opening frame, featuring seven late-summer debuts, and a couple songs that has only been played once.  This version of “Beauty of a Broken Heart” really hits a groove and foreshadows what I think can be a solid vehicle for good-times dance music.  And of course there world premiere of “Party Time.”  A song that is sure to ingrain itself in Phish lore, the debut of the funk was nothing short of delightful.  With huge smiles and great energy, Phish delivered a satisfying first course.

OTHER LEGITIMATE FIRST SETS: 7.31 Red Rocks, 8.7 Gorge, 8.8 Gorge (We’ve talked about these a lot though!)

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Jam of the Day:

“Disease > Free” 6.26.95 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph1995-06-26.4011.d2t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph1995-06-26.4011.d2t02.mp3]

This supremely psychedelic segment of music saw an early, improvisational “Disease” morph into a brand new “Free,” creating a forward-looking highlight of an unreal set at SPAC.  These jams gets into seriously spacey and mind-expanding territory- incredibly engaging jamming in my book.  If you’ve never heard this, listen…now! Classic Summer ’95.

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

11.3.94 Mullins Center, Amherst, MA < Torrent

11.3.94 Mullins Center, Amherst, MA < Megaupload

Coming at you via reader request is an early show in the huge month of November ’94.  With a focus on fast-paced psychedelia, Phish was drooling with hunger on the verge of stardom.  A great relic from an intense era in Phish history.

I: Fee, The Divided Sky, Wilson, Peaches en Regalia, Glide, Split Open and Melt, Dog Faced Boy, Sparkle, Down With Disease

II: Also Sprach Zarathustra > Simple > Poor Heart, Julius, You Enjoy Myself > Big Black Furry Creature From Mars, Harry Hood, Cavern

E: My Sweet One*, Nellie Cane*, Amazing Grace, Highway to Hell

*Acoustic.

Source: DAUD/OTS AKG460B/ck61 > Custom Pre-amp > Teac DAP-20 @48kHz (Taper – Dave Flaschner)

Chicago was an interesting night, and I feel some of my initial comments were taken out of context- so let’s revisit Phish’s stop in the Windy City.  Aside from the “Curtain With,” the first set was straight up uneventful- that much is hard to dispute, but the second set presented a whole different conundrum.  The concept of flow is so important to a successful set of music.  You don’t want to feel like you’ve just been thrown through the musical washing machine, catching chunks music randomly and out of context as they hit you.  But that’s kind of what Chicago’s second set felt like.

The intriguing factor of this second set, is that most all of the music is great!  What made the show unsuccessful overall was not the lack of virtuoso jamming, but the choppy presentation of the music that could have been artistically outdone by my middle school lunch ladies and their Sloppy Joes.  There were several standout jams in the set, but when one randomly ended to start the next, that elusive flow went right down the drain.  The “Number Line” was one of the two strongest of the summer; the “Hood” was more unique than most, and Chicago’s second set featured the only “2001” of the tour that didn’t involve a guest.  All the elements were there for a great show, but they just didn’t gel.

After the show, I noted this, and thought of a way the set could have been arranged more cohesively, and just for the fun of it, I recreated the set- as best as possible- in the order I think it was “meant” to be. (This exercise is much better accomplished with an iPod playlist.) And if it went down like this, I guarantee people would be talking about the Chicago show a whole lot more.  This is not to presume that I know how Phish sets should go more than the band does- but just this once, indulge me.  Sure, hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but remember, this is all for fun.

As the “Number Line” got ambient- it seemed the “2001” that had loomed large over The Gorge all weekend was about to drop, merging the futuristic theme the a song that very much represented the band’s future course.  But despite all the times the band sidestepped artistic segues into “2001” over the previous shows, the space-funk be Heismaned again, only to stumble awkwardly out of “Wilson” later in the set.  Instead the band jarringly dropped into “Carini”- a move that squeaked by on shock value- and the fact that Phish cranked the intensity level way past eleven on on this one, so we’ll leave the initial segment alone. (But that “Number Line > 2001” was begging to come out!)

As the band began to build out of  “Carini’s” grungy residue, Trey started chomping away at “Jibboo,” successfully blowing the second segue in a row.  But this time, let’s reconsider.  Since the band missed their first chance to merge with “2001,” let’s use “Carini’s” outro as the intro to the dance epic- it works perfectly.   “Carini > 2001”- now that’s some gritty, urban Phish!  Carrying out the peak of “2001,” Trey would then drop the opening rhythm chords to “Jibboo” continuing the dance-floor portion of the show.  Finishing a full-throttle groove session in “2001 > Jibboo,” concluding a boisterous opening of the set, everyone would need to catch their breath.  Cue “Theme”- a perfect chill-out song after the improvisational fireworks, while still carrying momentum of its own.  As soon as the respite is over, Trey would eagerly hit the opening notes to a late-set “Wilson.” But as the band sustained the final note, instead of crashing into a random “Chalkdust,” they would drop into the drum roll of “Harry Hood,”  forming an old-school one-two punch.  And this “Hood” is no slouch.  With impressionistic painting by Trey and a diversion into minor chords before the peak of the jam, this version was among the best of leg two.  Just when you think the set is over, the ever-present “Coil” would still unfold to gracefully to close the set.

Call me crazy, but that would have flowed much more fluidly than the mix-tape the band dropped in Toyota Park.  And a rocking double encore to close things off- “Chalkdust,” “Loving Cup”- what a beautiful buzz!  Don’t take this too seriously, and if you thought Chicago was the best show of tour, more power to you.  But if you’d like to listen to Chicago’s second set the way it could have gone down, sit back, hit play and relax.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d2t03.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d2t04.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d3t02.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d2t05.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d2t06.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d3t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d3t04.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d3t05.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d3t06.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d3t03.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-11d3t07.mp3]

=====

Jam of the Day:

“Split Open and Melt” 8.10.97 I

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph1997-08-10d2t01.mp3]

This is one of the most unique and ethereal “Splits” ever played- and one that flies completely under the radar.  A true gem from the cornfields of Deer Creek in ’97!

=====

DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

3.1.97 SBD Markthalle, Hamburg, GR < Torrent

3.1.97 SBD Markthalle, Hamburg, GR < Megaupload

A pre-FM SBD source of the now-classic show immortalized on Slip, Stitch, and Pass.

I: Cities, Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Down With Disease, Weigh, Beauty Of My Dreams, Wolfman’s Brother > Jesus Just Left Chicago, Reba, Hello My Baby, Possum

II: Carini, Dinner and a Movie, Mike’s Song > Lawn Boy > Weekapaug Groove, The Mango Song, Billy Breathes, Theme From The Bottom

E: Taste, Sweet Adeline

With Labor Day behind us, the summer season has officially come to an end, and what a summer it was!  Witnessing nothing short of the resurrection of Phish, the months of June through August brought a different type of heat this year.  After five years that seemed like a lifetime, we were on the road again- and our destiny most definitely unbound.  Bursting out of Fenway and pulling into SPAC, Phish traversed the country for the first time in ages, seething with renewed energy that was infused directly into their music.  Re-evolving right in front of our eyes, the band left off quite a bit ahead of where they started.

Peaking at The Gorge, Phish’s second leg of summer was utterly triumphant, in every sense of the word.  Feeling at home on stage again, the band allowed their exploratory spirits to roam, resulting in music that barely resembled that of June.  In a second leg that was littered with creative jams, it was astounding how much had changed in five weeks and how engaging the music was- seemingly all of a sudden.  Phish had got their mojo back, and showcased it throughout two-plus weeks in August.  Completing their first summer back, things couldn’t be sweeter.

To capture the highlights of the second half of summer, I have compiled “Miner’s Picks: Summer’09 – Leg II.”  Because the highlights were so copious this past tour, I’ve divided the compilation into “West” and “East” and allowed myself to select only one version of each song for each half.  I have essentially crafted two huge sets- one for each region.  There are other highlights, for sure, but these are Miner’s Picks.

MINER’S PICKS: SUMMER ’09 LEG II WEST < Torrent

MINER’S PICKS: SUMMER ’09 LEG II WEST < Megaupload

1. “The Curtain (With)” 8.1 I

2,3. “Tweezer > Number Line” 7.31 II

4,5. “Bathtub Gin > Harry Hood” 8.7 II

6,7. “Down With Disease > Limb” 8.5 II

8. “Split Open and Melt” 7.31 I

9,10. “Rock and Roll > Makisupa” 8.8 II

11. “Boogie On Reggae Woman” 8.2 II

12,13. “Cities > Maze” 8.5 II

14. “Stash” 7.30 I

15,16. “Ghost > Wolfman’s” 7.30 II

17. “Antelope” 8.8 I

18-20. “Fluffhead > Piper > A Day In the Life” II

21,22. “You Enjoy Myself” 8.8 II

23,24. “Light > Taste” 8.7 II

25. “Gotta’ Jibboo” 8.1 I

26-28. “Drowned > Crosseyed > Joy” 7.31 II

29,30. “Sneakin’ Sally > Cavern” 8.7 I

31-33. “Mike’s > H2 > Weekapaug” 7.30 II

34. “Slave to the Traffic Light” 8.2 E

***

MINER’S PICKS: SUMMER ’09 LEG II EAST < Torrent

MINER’S PICKS: SUMMER ’09 LEG II EAST < Meagupload

1. “Party Time” 8.15 I

2,3,4. “Drowned > Caspian > Rift.” 8.13 II

5,6. “Ghost > Psycho Killer” 8.14 II

7,8. “46 Days > Oh! Sweet Nuthin” 8.15 II

9. “Stash” 8.14 I

10. “Antelope” 8.13 II

11,12. “Number Line > Twenty Years Later” 8.16 II

13,14. “Piper > Water In the Sky” 8.14 II

15,16. “Carini > Jiboo” 8.11 II

17. “Birds of a Feather” 8.14 I

18. “Fluffhead” 8.13 II

19-21. “Disease > Wilson > Slave” 8.14.II’

22. “Harry Hood” 8.11 II

23. “David Bowie” 8.13 II

=====

Jam of the Day:

“Tweezer > Runaway Jim” 12.16.99 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph99-12-16d204.wav.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph99-12-16d205.wav.mp3]

This gem from ’99’s spacier, more ambient era came right before the tour’s final two night’s at Hampton.  Featuring slammin’ grooves, a gorgeous build, and a cathartic peak- this “Tweezer” is a can’t-miss-highlight of December ’99.  With searing walls of sound and effect, Trey was in the the midst of his millennial experimentation.

=====

DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

9.29.99 The Pyramid, Memphis, TN < Torrent

9.29.99 The Pyramid, Memphis, TN < Megaupload

A wild night in Memphis back in ’99.

I: Runaway Jim, Free, Driver, Taste, Dirt, Nellie Kane, Stash*, Theme from the Bottom, Tweezer Reprise

II:  Gotta Jiboo, 2001 > Down with Disease, Billy Breathes, Get Back on the Train, Mike’s Song > Catapult > Mike’s Song > Kung > Mike’s Song > I Didn’t Know > Weekapaug Groove

E: Cities

Source: Schoeps mk4v>kc5 actives > cmc6 > sonosax sx-m2 > apogee ad-1000 > d8 > btp

Ever since its debut in Dublin in June of ’97, “Ghost” has been a preeminent jam vehicle for the Phish.  Boasting little composition and lots of open-ended groove, it was a song crafted for jamming.  At a time when Phish was turning their focus to dance music, they wrote this seminal piece to guide their way.  Evolving with the band from the raw funk of Summer ’97, to the disco-funk of Fall ’97;  and then from the ambient planes of ’98 to the millennial soundscapes of ’99, “Ghost” has followed the band’s improvisational path.  Taking on multiple forms, latter-day “Ghosts” traditionally diverged at one central fork- rock or funk.  From each place, the jams could go anywhere and transform to greatness, but the essence of “Ghost” was in the groove.

Over the course of the summer- both in June and in August- “Ghost” was one of the band’s standout jams.  With five total versions, four were spectacular, leaving everyone salivating for those opening funk chords.  As we bring this show indoors, here’s to more frequent Phishy apparitions, but for now these were the Ghosts of Summer.

***

Jones Beach 6.4 I

This first set version in Jones Beach’s least engaging show wound up buried in the rubble of Asheville’s monster a week later- but it never shouldn’t have been forgotten.  With a sparse opening segment, Gordon assumed the lead, taking the band galloping out of the gates.  Trey, playing short notes, added a melodic string to the piece as it evolved to an earnest groove.  Page added sounds and washes rather than leads, and the band locked in.  Smoothly switching gears into a hypnotic section of dreamy ambiance, Trey played gorgeous lines over a ever-changing beat.  This is really an overlooked jam coming so early in the summer, but don’t sleep on the Jones Beach “Ghost.”

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/phish2009-06-04.m260.d1t09.mp3]

***

Asheville 6.9 II

The laid back vibe of this show got turned upside down as the organic Asheville day morphed into this second set “Ghost.”  Following the standout Jones Beach version, the heavy drop into the song was colored with anticipation.  The intimate crowd drew silent, sensing something strange was afoot at the Circle K.  Beginning with a non-conventional rhythm, Fish orchestrated the course of this piece from the get go, taking it in a different direction than the usual groove-fest.  His abstract beats coaxed eclectic offerings from his bandmates and provided the anchor of the jam.  After catching a groove, the band turned to a revelatory plane, fusing heart-tugging melodies with crafty rhythms, they continually peaked the jam with an entire section of improv.  The whole band was on point as Trey unleashed some of his most sublime playing of June, pouring emotion into his melodies.  As the band descended from the mountain, they slid into into a perfect respite of “Fast Enough For You.”

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/phish2009-06-09s2t03.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/phish2009-06-09s2t04.mp3]

***

Alpine Valley 6.20 II

This was the only “Ghost” of summer that you won’t hear again and again on compilations.  A rather pedestrian version, the band collectively meandered around the song’s basic structures but never really got anywhere.  At first I thought it was an odd an interesting version, and after a few listens I realized its just not that creative.  Coming in an underwhelming second set, this “Ghost” kind of fit the show’s vibe.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/2-06-Ghost.mp3]

***

Red Rocks 7.30 II

This “Ghost” was our introduction to the new and improved Phish 3.0.  Delivered powerfully in the middle of Red Rock’s first show, the jam boasted a far more relaxed and exploratory direction than anything we heard in June.  Playing off the wide-open natural surroundings, the band settled into a wide-open rhythmic canvas, patiently building the jam, while not forcing it anywhere.  Mike and Trey’s interplay throughout was awesome, but it would be Page who initiated the melodic theme that grew into the peak of the jam.  Bringing smiles to the faces of everyone, this was the musical arrival we had been waiting for.  From here on out, it was on- we had our band back.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/04_Ghost.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/05_Wolfmans-Brother.mp3]

***

Hartford 8.14 II

The final “Ghost” of summer was the jumping off point for some of the Phishiest moments of tour.  Coming as a surprise, deep into the second set, this long overdue version would not disappoint.  Taking the road less traveled into a searing rock-based jam, the band cranked out a short but sweet rager.  Totally divergent from its Red Rocks predecessor, this version carried a sense or urgency, as the band sunk their teeth into the full-on palette.  This version saw Trey firing high-powered leads as the band built the climactic jam behind him.  Hitting a hard rhythm pattern at the top of the piece, Trey voraciously led the band into the second-ever “Psycho Killer,” and the rest is history.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/phish2009-08-14_mk4_1644_d3t01.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/phish2009-08-14_mk4_1644_d3t02.mp3]

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Jams of the Day:

“Discern” 8.2.03, IT II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph030802d3_01_Discern.mp3]

“Discern” 7.27.03, Raleigh I

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Discern.mp3]

Stemming from reader discussion, here are two examples of the rarely-played post-hiatus piece, “Discern.”  The first, from IT, is an ominous spectacle directly preceding the colossal “Waves” of the same vein.  The second is from days earlier in Raleigh, NC, providing another example of the abstract psychedelia that defined the song.

=====

DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

11.10.1995 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA < Torrent

11.10.1995 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA < Megaupload

The middle night of a fantastic run, this is probably the most straightforward of the three shows.  The second set is anchored by the creative combo of “YEM > Crossroads > YEM.”  Enjoy!

I: Bouncing Around the Room, Runaway Jim, Fog That Surrounds, The Old Home Place, It’s Ice, Dog Faced Boy, Maze, Guyute, Cavern

II: Free, Scent of a Mule, You Enjoy Myself > Crossroads > You Enjoy Myself, Strange Design, Sparkle, AC/DC Bag, Sweet Adeline

E: Harry Hood

Source: (FOB) Schoeps mk4 > kc5 > cmc6 > Sonosax SX-M2 > Teac DA-P20 (@ 48kHz) (Taper – Ryan Varnum)

Phish’s two-night stand at The Gorge has garnished lavish praise for its other-worldly improv- and rightfully so.  Representing the peak of Phish’s summer, each evening carried its own vibe and its own colossal jams.  In discussion of the two nights in Washington, there has been an obvious focus on the most mind-numbing improv, but less attention has been paid to some of the pieces that fit in between.  Here are three musical moments that took place over the two nights that have crystallized in my memory, but haven’t been widely noted.

***

“Slave to the Traffic Light” 8.7 E

There is something so magical about a “Slave” encore, regardless of its context.  But paint the Columbia River Gorge in the background, and place it at the end of a deeply enchanting show, and you’ve got the recipe for a peak Phish experience.  Following a sublime final sequence of “Bathtub Gin > Harry Hood,” this encore felt congruent to the wide-open and delicate musical vibe of the show.  Seldom are “Hood” and “Slave” ever combined, but on this night, there was no other way to end the night.  Pure. Soulful. Majesty.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/phish2009-08-07d3t04.mp3]

***

“Tweezer” 8.8 I

While this “Tweezer” wasn’t a straight throwdown like several others this summer, its intricate playing coupled with its sunset placement made this an indelible memory of the weekend.  Favoring a less-dancy rhythmic path, Trey and Fish were locked in a picking & drum pattern that carried the jam, while Mike and Page filled in the spaces therein.  Trey and Fish continued to layer their phrases, creating a quasi-staccato feel to the jam.  Trey finally breaks the cohesion with some slower licks that push Fish into a groove, and at this point, the band began meticulously building the piece with unique phrasings that carried a more tradional “Tweezer” sound.  With dusk upon The Gorge, nothing could have been better.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-08d1t04-Tweezer.mp3]

***

“Makisupa Policeman” 8.8 II

Following one of the most outrageous jams of the summer in “Rock and Roll,” the band segued into the
“cow-reggae” favorite, “Makisupa.”  An ideal bass-led passage of relaxation, things got Phishy towards the end of the song.  During the section of improv, Trey and Mike looked at each other and had an idea.  Slowly switching instruments, Mike took the lead on the ‘Doc.  Anyone who has seen Mike play guitar knows he’s got mad skills, and when he took over, his creative  lines have the music a more authentic island vibe.  Trey looked tiny behind the bass as he held down the bottom end with his trademark goofy smile.  Following one of the best jams of the year, it was time for a little fun- and this time, the music didn’t pay the price.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-08d2t05-Makisupa_Policeman.mp3]

***

“The Wedge” 8.8 II

Slipped into the second set rather randomly, this version of “The Wedge” seemed more lively and energetic than other versions.  While the band didn’t necessarily do anything crazy, they just really ripped a juicy rendition of the summertime favorite- smack dab in the middle of the second set.  And it worked great.  The Gorge can even effect composed pieces, and here is some evidence.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-08d3t02-The_Wedge.mp3]

=====

Jam of the Day:

“Bathtub Gin” 11.9.95 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/phish1995-11-09d2t04.mp3]

Here’s a preview of today’s download- some vintage ’95 improv.

=====

DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

11.9.1995 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA < Torrent

11.9.1995 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA < Megaupload

This was the first show after Halloween and a week-long break amidst Fall ’95’s 54-show marathon.  Beginning a legendary three-night run at The Fabulous Fox in Atlanta, this show kicked off the second half of fall which would culminate in December in one of the most revered months in Phish history.

I: Tweezer Reprise, The Divided Sky, Prince Caspian, Punch You in the Eye, Simple, Reba, Tela, Sample in a Jar

II: Theme From the Bottom, Julius, Lizards, Bathtub Gin > TMWSIY > Avenu Malkenu > TMWSIY, Life on Mars?, Hello My Baby, The Squirming Coil

E: Loving Cup

Source: AKG C1000 (hypercardiod) > DAT @ 16/48 (Taper – J.T. Lucchesi)

=====

THANK YOU CONTRIBUTORS!:

The modest influx in donations over August is greatly appreciated!  Any and all contributions help keep this moving forward!  The new Phish Thoughts Audio Archive is coming soon with organized, unlimited downloads!

If one thing was for certain this past tour, when the band cranked up the intro to “Down With Disease,” we knew were were in for a creative jam session.  Each of the the song’s four appearances on the second leg of summer was unique, and all were highlights of their shows.  Always a band and crowd favorite, Phish made no bones about pushing the classic vehicle this summer.  Using “Disease’s” safe and upbeat textures to get the audience going and the band united, their real creativity usually came after the searing composed jam.  Much like “Drowned” and “Rock and Roll,” the band’s other frequent summer springboards, “Disease” allowed the band to settle into a fool-proof rock groove before stepping up and taking musical risks.  Bringing the song to all corners of the musical globe, “Disease” was one of August’s most versatile jams.

Beginning an the third night of Red Rocks, Phish segued out of a set-opening “Rock and Roll” into the first “Disease” of the run.  Centering it squarely in the second set, this piece of improv took center stage , providing the most adventurous excursion of the evening by leaps and bounds.  After Phish crushed the initial part of the song, they careened out of its structure into some aggressive rock patterns, whose layers were gradually peeled away, leaving an oddly-percussive groove.  Taking this arrival point on an exploratory path, the band entered into some new musical turf, guided by Page’s prominent organ leads and Trey’s note bending complimentary patterns.  Fishman, however, stood as the player of this piece, continually flowing with unique rhythms that defined the sound of the jam.

When the band landed in the Bay Area for a Wednesday night affair at Shoreline, “Disease” was again showcased in the second set with a colossal twenty-minute version.  The composed section of this go-round featured some inspiring “type-I” shredding by Big Red, setting up, arguably, the most outstanding version of the entire summer.  Trey took the lead out of Shoreline’s composed jam, offering some gnarled leads and hard rhythm chops while Page killed his clavinet.  Trey began to change the pattern of his chops, slicing and dicing the jam from all angles, on top of a sparse, yet cogent, pocket.  As Mike and Fish engaged in some eclectic interplay, the rhythmic structure of the jam became its most unique quality.

After using his guitar percussively, Trey oozed out of his grooves with a series of darker leads and effects, coaxing the entire band into a spacier milieu.  Trey  explored this realm with organic melodies while Page remained glued to his clav as if it were a matter of life or death.  This segment evolved into an eerie, ambient groove that was pure, unadulterated improv.  Phish settled into collective “type-II” experimentation- something that became the norm for “Disease” during August.  The exploratory epic landed in some intricately crafted drone soundscapes that reached deep into the abyss before segueing somewhat abruptly into “Limb By Limb.” Listen here.

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ph2009-08-05t13.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ph2009-08-05t14.mp3]

After playing such a huge version of “Disease” at Shoreline, Phish turned right around and surprisingly opened The Gorge with the same summer anthem.  This time using the song to fire up the crowd, “Disease” opened a show for only the tenth time in its life.  Keeping this rendition within the song’s confines, the energy that the band infused into the jam was overwhelming.  With Trey jumping up and down before the song even kicked in, the band’s enthusiasm seeped directly into the audience.  Dripping with adrenaline from start to finish, this jam set the tone for what would be an unforgettable weekend.

The fourth and final appearance of  “Disease” came as the opener of Hartford’s second set.  Kicking off a frame of non-stop improv that would culminate with a visit from “Icculus,” this version climbed far beyond the boundaries of the song, resulting in one of the summer’s most surreal musical passages.  Getting the set moving with its high-octane rock and roll, Mike led the piece from behind the scenes with a flow of unique, pulsing rhythms.  In this version, the band rode out the composed jam a bit longer before sculpting the music- first with slick grooves, then percussive patterns, eventually getting to a final couple minutes of pure transcendence.  Breaking down the music into a slower groove, the band- all off a sudden- was surfing a spiritual wave out of nowhere.  If you were to craft a mix with of best minutes from the tour, these final two certainly be included.  But the blissful music was suddenly lopped off by the much-discussed “Wilson”-induced abortion.

Each time we heard Mike’s bass-slapping reverb this summer, it was like revving up the engine for a ride.  Four times we hopped in, and four times we came hopped out with a huge smile.  A feel-good summertime vehicle, “Disease” also gave Phish the perfect platform to craft multi-part jams, drawing in the audience with high-speed rock en route to deeper psychedelia.  As we move from Summer to Fall, we will likely see more diverse jam vehicles, but if there is one thing we know for sure, “Disease” is here to stay.

=====

Jams of the Day:

“Rock and Roll > Disease > Free” 8.1 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/2-02-Rock-And-Roll-_.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/2-03-Down-WIth-Disease-_.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/2-04-Free.mp3]

“Disease” is at the anchor of this set-opening sequence from Red Rock’s third night.

“Down With Disease > Wilson” 8.14 II

[audio:http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/phish2009-08-14_mk4_1644_d2t03.mp3,http://phishthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/phish2009-08-14_mk4_1644_d2t04.mp3]

The beginning chapter of a larger second set story.

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

10.25.1996 Hampton Coliseum < Torrent

10.25.1996 Hampton Coliseum < Megaupload

Here we have the second Hampton show of the band’s career.  This is the night that Trey proclaimed Hampton to be his favorite room to play, thus  beginning the Phishy mystique behind the room they inherited from The Grateful Dead.  Before long, however, The Coliseum would transform into The Mothership- one of the Phishiest rooms in the land.

I: Ha Ha Ha, Taste, Makisupa Policeman, Maze, Billy Breathes, Mound, Guelah Papyrus, I Didn’t Know, Stash, The Squirming Coil

II: Tube, Prince Caspian, Timber Ho, TMWSIY > Avenu Malkenu > TMWSIY, NICU, Free, Strange Design, Harry Hood, Cavern, The Star Spangled Banner*

E: Johnny B. Goode

*A capella.

Source: Unknown