MR. MINER'S PHISH THOUGHTS

2.19.10 – Chicago (M.Stein)

After such an extensive summer of Phish music, I haven’t been keeping up with Trey tour as usual. I haven’t listened to a full show or many jams, but reports have been solid all around. The most interesting aspect of Trey tour for me, however, has always been its proving ground for new songs and the potential they may hold for Phish. Trey’s larger band slayed 33 shows over the summer while debuting exactly one new original, thus I would imagine that on the first tour of 2012—whenever that may be—we’ll hear a batch of new songs. With work on an album forthcoming as well, one has to wonder what new Trey debuts might crossover to the Phish stage. With more than half his tour left, we may see  Trey unveil more pieces yet, but for now, lets look at his first four debuts.

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Land of Nod” – 10.7.11, Myrtle Beach, SC

Trey’s most recent debut, “The Land of Nod”—first played in the encore of the Myrtle Beach show—is my favorite and the most original of his new pieces. Written by Trey, alone, the song begins with a heavy, bass-driven groove and when the horns come in over this rhythm, the piece resembles genuine Israeli gyspy-dub (a la Balkan Beat Box.) With ridiculously danceable rhythms, Phish could slaughter this piece if they could adapt the horn lines to the quartet. The middle of the song moves into an uplifting and melodic passage with the refrain, “I was asleep for so long…”— a total juxtaposition of styles within the piece. When the song moves back into gypsy-dub stylings, TAB winds it down, though this is where Phish could just get going. Then again, this is one tune that could be tailor made for his solo project.

***

Glacier” – 10.1.11, Burlington, VT

The first Anastasio/Marshall composition of tour was debuted late in the second set of Higher Ground’s opening show, and that is exactly where I can see it fitting in a Phish show as well. Though the piece has already been pegged as Trey cheese by many fans, but I actually enjoy it quite a bit. While the lyrics are bit over the top about the Winter Queen and the Prince of Music, the guitar melodies and sparse supporting textures are both ethereal and cerebral. Trey and Tom usually write songs for one band and one band only, so I wouldn’t be surprised “Glacier” in the bigger pond at some point.

***

Snake Head Thumb” – 10.1.11, Burlington, VT

Inspired by a dream had by the Dude of Life in which Trey’s thumb was a snake’s head, this debut came in the first set of the first show at Higher Ground. A slow and filthy groove, “Snake Head Thumb” illustrates how 2010’s Halloween cover of Little Feat has influenced Trey’s songwriting. Crafted in collaboration with the Dude of Life, the chorus makes way for a slow and infectious groove that methodically moves to dirtier and dirtier places. The only debut that had included a jam, Trey unleashed his compressed growl over heavy organ swells in this percussive piece. A jam that Phish could take to sinister realms, this could be the second new-school Anastasio/Pollack contribution to the rotation (with “Show of Life”).

***

Frost” – 10.6.11, Asheville, NC

Beginning with beautiful vocal harmonies, this song’s opening gives way to a minimalist and chilled out groove, allowing its focus to remain on Tom Marshall’s lyrics. “Frost,” the second Anastasio/Marshall debut of tour could easily translate to a powerful Phish ballad. Containing the refrain of “Maybe you could sail away,” this section seems tailor-made for big-time Phish catharsis. Though more straightforward than many of Trey and Tom’s playful numbers, the more I hear this one, the more I like it.

2.19.10 – Chicago (M.Stein)

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DOWNLOAD OF THE DAY:

MINER’S PICKS: Summer 2011 – Denver/VT

Here are the final download links for the Summer 2011 Miner’s Picks series—all with the best sources available. Thanks again to Chris Keiner of Phish Listening Room for all the hard work!

TORRENT LINKS:

Miner’s Picks: Summer 2011 – Denver (FLAC)

Miner’s Picks: Summer 2011 – Denver (Mp3)

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DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINKS:

Miner’s Picks: Summer 2011 – Denver (FLAC) Pt.1

Miner’s Picks: Summer 2011 – Denver (FLAC) Pt.2

Miner’s Picks: Summer 2011 – Denver (Mp3)

After such an extensive summer of Phish music, I haven’t been keeping up with Trey tour as usual. I haven’t listened to a full show or many jams, but reports have been solid all around. The most interesting aspect of Trey tour for me, however, has always been its proving ground for new songs and …

Trey’s New Songs Read More »

2.25.2011 (Michael Stein)

Trey kicked off his solo tour on Saturday with a benefit show for Vermont Flood Relief efforts in Burlington. From all reports, Trey’s band was far more patient and focused on jamming than last tour. He ditched the acoustic sing-along for two sets of electric work, and included the horns in the jams far more than last year. And Trey even debuted two two tunes! I wasn’t able to make it to Vermont, so I asked another fan, and reader of Phish Thoughts, Jonathan Tran, to do the honors. His review is below and links you over to the “Reader Reviews” page. If anyone is interested in writing a review for one of the upcoming TAB shows, please shoot me an email at mrminer@phishthoughts.com.

I: Cayman Review, Simple Twist Up Dave, Liquid Time, Gotta Jibboo, Snake Head Thumb*, Burlap Sack and Pumps, Money, Love and Change, Magilla, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, Drifting

II: Acting the Devil, Alaska, Clint Eastwood, Push On ‘Til the Day, Sand, Let Me Lie, Valentine, Winter Queen*, Tuesday, Windora Bug, First Tube

E: Hey Ya!, Show of Life

*debut

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TAB @ Higher Ground, Burlington, VT: 10.1.11 / by Jonathan Tran

2.25.11 – Pittsburgh (Michael Stein)

Trey and his solo band opened their tour with an inspired effort Saturday night in Burlington, where the band played the 750-person Higher Ground for a show that was only announced two weeks ago. With proceeds benefiting Vermont flood recovery efforts TAB threw down a musically relevant show that only foreshadows good things to come this tour.  Before you wonder any longer, yes, Trey decided to drop the acoustic first set in favor of two electric. And, yes, this was a welcome move by just about every fan in the room. Also of note was the return of improvised horn parts (instead of leaving stage) during jams, which was absent from last February’s winter tour. In short, all signs pointed towards “Go!” on the first night of Trey tour.

With the energy already at a peak before show time, the band came out firing with the up-tempo “Cayman Review” followed by the ever-requested “Simple Twist Up Dave.” It seems as though Trey’ has decided that TAB tour is where “Liquid Time” will stay, and the band crushed the tune last night. The uplifting jam fit the Irene recovery vibe of the evening and this lesser-played song went over as well as anything with the crowd.

The fireworks came out next as the band grooved into “Gotta Jibboo.” This version veered away from recent Phish versions and turned into a full-band dance showcase with Trey comping Ray’s clav and organ parts, while Russ and Tony held down the low end. The presence of the horn section throughout the jam seemed to push Trey further into the groove, all the while filling space with well placed musical accents. The debut of “Snake Head Thumb” came next, and was also well received by the attentive Burlington crowd.  A “Stealing Time”-“Steam”-“Ocelot” mash-up, this gritty blues number developed into a hard-edged jam that fits Trey’s current guitar style. I could see this song making it to the Big League, and it would be a welcome first set addition…READ ON HERE!


Trey kicked off his solo tour on Saturday with a benefit show for Vermont Flood Relief efforts in Burlington. From all reports, Trey’s band was far more patient and focused on jamming than last tour. He ditched the acoustic sing-along for two sets of electric work, and included the horns in the jams far more …

Trey Tour Kicks Off Read More »

Here is the final download from Trey ‘s winter tour. As Mike’s shows become available, I will be posting them with audio clips as well.

3.4.2011 The Music Box, Los Angeles, CA

FLAC Torrent (via etree), Mp3 Torrent, Megaupload < Links

2.25.2011 (M.Stein)

I: Chalk Dust Torture, Bathtub Gin, Prince Caspian, Theme From the Bottom, Joy, Cavern, Backwards Down the Number Line, Wilson, Heavy Things*, Liquid Time*, Gotta Jibboo^, Push On ‘Til the Day^

II: Cayman Review, Burlap Sack and Pumps, Ocelot, Valentine, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, Money, Love and Change, It Makes No Difference, Acting the Devil, Night Speaks to a Woman, Clint Eastwood, Shine, Sand

E: Dragonfly, First Tube

* w/whole band, acoustic, w/whole band, electric

Source: 3 Mic Mix Stereo Pair Neumann U-89’s (1st Set to Hyper & 2nd set Cards) into V3, Plus 1 Earthworks SR-77 Down the Center > Littlebox (W/Input Stage Transformer)

Night Speaks to a Woman

It Makes No Difference

Here is the final download from Trey ‘s winter tour. As Mike’s shows become available, I will be posting them with audio clips as well. 3.4.2011 The Music Box, Los Angeles, CA FLAC Torrent (via etree), Mp3 Torrent, Megaupload < Links I: Chalk Dust Torture, Bathtub Gin, Prince Caspian, Theme From the Bottom, Joy, Cavern, …

TAB @ LA Read More »

3.1.2011 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO

FLAC Torrent (via etree), Mp3 Torrent, Megaupload < Links

2.25.11 (M.Stein)

I: Farmhouse, Wolfman’s Brother, When the Circus Comes, Timber Ho, Theme From the Bottom, Tube, Gumbo, The Wedge, Joy, Backwards Down the Number Line, Strange Design, Lawn Boy, Let Me Lie*, Heavy Things**, Liquid Time**, Gotta Jibboo^

II: Night Speaks to a Woman, Acting the Devil, Ooh Child, Ocelot, Burlap Sack and Pumps, Clint Eastwood, Last Tube, Alaska, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, Plasma, Tuesday, First Tube

E: Words to Wanda, Magilla, Sultans of Swing

* w/ Jen and Natalie, w/ full band, acoustic, ^w/ full band electric

Source: Beyerdynamic MC930 > Naiant Tinybox > Sony M10 (@24/48)

Gotta Jibboo

Plasma

****

3.2.2011 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO

FLAC Torrent (via etree), Mp3 Torrent, Megaupload < Links

2.26.11 (M.Stein)

I: Sample in a Jar, Mountains in the Mist, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, My Friend, My Friend, Runaway Jim, Carini, Wilson, Shine a Light, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan**, Hey Ya!^, Push On ‘Til the Day^^

II: Cayman Review, I Done Done It, Valentine, Money, Love and Change, Drifting, Small Axe, Burn That Bridge, Mozambique, Simple Twist Up Dave, Windora Bug, Goodbye Head, Sand, Show of Life

E: The Birdwatcher, Black Dog

*w/ Jen and Natalie, ** w/ Jen, Natalie, and Russ, ^w/ whole band, acoustic, ^^w/ whole band electric

Source: fob/dfc: Milab VM44-link > Lunatec V3 (24/44.1k) > Sony D50

Money, Love and Change

Simple Twist Up Dave

3.1.2011 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO FLAC Torrent (via etree), Mp3 Torrent, Megaupload < Links I: Farmhouse, Wolfman’s Brother, When the Circus Comes, Timber Ho, Theme From the Bottom, Tube, Gumbo, The Wedge, Joy, Backwards Down the Number Line, Strange Design, Lawn Boy, Let Me Lie*, Heavy Things**, Liquid Time**, Gotta Jibboo^ II: Night Speaks to …

TAB: Denver Downloads Read More »

2.26.11 (Michael Stein)

Trey played a smashing finale of his cross-country solo tour at Oakland’s Fox Theatre on Saturday night, bidding the road adieu with a scorching second set that concluded another well-received tour. In a tale of two halves, the electric set provided consistent fire from Big Red and his entourage ignited the audience with a set containing no discernible lulls. However, in a complete juxtaposition, Trey barely drew attention from from the crowd until the full band emerged to backed his acoustic efforts for “Heavy Things.” Once his band got behind his acoustic efforts—a rarity in Trey’s career—it became wholly apparent that this set-up should have comprised the entire opening half of the show. When “Heavy Things” started, the oversold Fox Theatre transformed from an annoyingly-crowded and over-sized cocktail party into a focused concert. Concluding the short, full-band, acoustic portion of the set with tour staples “Liquid Time,” and “Hey Ya!,” the night ignited in earnest with the set’s closing “Push On Til the Day.” A densely grooving rendition of the early-TAB classic set the show afire just before the lights came on (another odd nuance to this tour’s set structure.)

2.25.11 (M.Stein)

But the story of the show—as was the case for each night of this tour—unfolded in the second set. Without varying his setlist choices from his other shows, Trey’s band played crisply through a set of high-octane, dance-floor, fun. From the candy grooves of “Jibboo” to the funk of  “Cayman Review” and the uplifting melodic spiral of “Valentine,” Trey packed a wallop with each piece at the beginning of the set . The centerpiece of the show, however, came in the cerebral psychedelia of “Plasma.” A song that has been revived over this tour outshone any other piece in Oakland with legitimate whole-band improv. And its energy spilled directly into the popping jazz of Page’s “Magilla” and the island vibrations of Toots and the Maytals’ “Sweet and Dandy.” But after this lighter interlude, Trey and his band kicked down the most sinister portion of the show in ferocious “Sand” followed by “Clint Eastwood.” Migrating from full-on to laid back grooves over the two dark-themed pieces, TAB crafted the other improvisational beast of the show in “Sand,” with a pimped out cool down in The Gorillaz cover.

2.26.11 (M.Stein)

The final segment of the show was laced with Phish songs, as Trey closed the set with “Ocelot,” “Show of Life,” and “First Tube.” While the second two are songs that started in Trey’s side project and jumped to Phish, “Ocelot” is the first song to be debuted by Phish and brought into regular TAB rotation; a standout all tour long. Held down by the butter-smooth pocket of bass stalwart, Tony Markelis, this song translates better in TAB—with a full horn arrangement—than it does in Phish, where the song has remained painfully one dimensional. In fact a similar phenomenon took place in the blues-based “Alaska,” where the slower tempo and thicker groove coaxed far more dynamic playing from Trey than the Phish’s loafing rhythms. “Show of Life,” a song that has become a big-stage mainstay, has stuck around the solo circuit to slay TAB shows with its late-set catharsis.

2.25.11 (M.Stein)

Punctuating the night with a scintillating “Black Dog” encore, Trey and Jen Hartswick undertook musical relations as his guitar and her vocal solo merged in a mind-numbing hard-rock convergence. Trey dug into the Zeppelin cover with extra gusto as the last song of his tour, drawing a massive ovation from the adoring Bay Arena audience. In a fine ride through and through, and a great summation of their winter tour, TAB smacked down a fierce tour closer that illustrated the current strength of all things Trey. And with summer tour on the distant horizon, that couldn’t be more encouraging.

I: NICU, Backwards Down the Number Line, Limb By Limb, Down with Disease, Theme From the Bottom, The Wedge, Strange Design, Bathtub Gin, Let Me Lie*, Heavy Things**, Liquid Time**, Hey Ya!**, Push On ‘Til the Day^

II: Gotta Jibboo, Cayman Review, Alaska,Valentine, Plasma, Magilla, Sweet and Dandy, Sand, Clint Eastwood, Sultans of Swing, Ocelot, Show of Life, First Tube

E: Black Dog

* with Jen and Natalie, ** full band, acoustic, ^full band, electric

 

3.5.2011 – The Fox (John Florek)

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3.5.2011 TAB @ The Fox Theatre, Oakland, CA

FLAC Torrent (via etree), Mp3 Torrent, Megaupload < Links

The Fox Theatre

Here is the download of Trey’s tour closer. The setlist is above.

Plasma

Sand,” “Clint Eastwood

Source: Schoeps mk41>kc5>cmc6>sonosax sx-m2>sound devices 722

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Jam of the Day:

Theme From the Bottom” 6.7.95

An out-of-character “Theme” stemming from the dark sonic brew of Summer ’95.

Trey played a smashing finale of his cross-country solo tour at Oakland’s Fox Theatre on Saturday night, bidding the road adieu with a scorching second set that concluded another well-received tour. In a tale of two halves, the electric set provided consistent fire from Big Red and his entourage ignited the audience with a set …

Finishing With Fire At The Fox Read More »

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