To say this show is a mere 'gem' would be heresy; this show positiveley reaks of headiness. It boasts one of the most solid, well-played, thought-provoking jams the band has ever created, (Roses>Nassau Jam)a well above-average Mike's Groove, (with a special emphasis on the funkdified Weekapaug) a...
This 27-minute(!) Roses starts out as robofunk in the vein of the 12/30/97 AC/DC Bag, though it lacks that jam's magical film-score climax. It's got the porno-percussive vibe of e.g. the 11/17/97 Ghost at first, but way more ambient-electronic trickery and remarkably patient playing from all...
This is the weakest of the four Island Tour shows, to my ears, but that's like being the wrinkliest hundred dollar bill. From Wolfman's Brother through Twist it's pure uncut early-1998 funkspace; the boys sound especially chuffed to be playing Sneakin' Sally again (first time since 12/30/97 - a...
Fan-favourite for winter '03, and not just for the ballyhooed Destiny return: Gin and Walls rock, the Hood is a joy, you've got a high level Bowie, and the multipart Tweezer is probably the best post-hiatus version even without the cooldown Shakedown. Deeper than 2/26, less escapist(?!), and...
An incredibly gripping show from start to finish. It’s tough to know where to start and how to process it all. But I’ll give a few tidbits as I’m heading back home after the show...the Ghost>Rift was an incredible one-two opening punch. The Ghost immediately had this gooey thickness and...
(Published in the second edition of The Phish Companion...)
There has been lots of discussion about this show, but anyone who was there knows that they witnessed something very special, both for the fans and the band. Exceptional jams in...
Maybe this was one of those Rorschach test shows... a Phish litmus test. I realize there was no 20 min “tent pole” jam, but I was still surprised to hear gripes walking out of the Coliseum tonight, I thought Phish brought us the Sunday night heat in Nassau.
Rocking Ghost show opener gives...
Last night was the night that where (IMO) Phish mastered the microjam formula and used it to great effect. At no point did I feel let down, with song choices or a dip in energy. It felt like N2 of Camden, but done right. There was no big Tweezer or Roses but an entire second set that felt like...
Before I begin let me preface this with some backstory on the night so anyone reading this in the future will know. It was a miserable cold and icy rain night in the tristate area, and driving to Uniondale from Philadelphia was an awful experience. I was ready for Phish to throw down to make the...
Another incredibly exploratory '03 "Gin." Every bit as improvisational as 2/22/03, the jam has more of a melodic, flowing nature to it, and thus bears more resemblance to the versions from the late '90s, within the context of 2003.
An incredible jam emerges out of "Roses" proper, opening Set II in a historic and highly regarded show. The improvisational jam combines dark sentiments, ambient sounds, major mode playing, and groove-based action. Must-hear version which > to a strong "Piper."
Arguably the funkiest "Weekapaug" ever, this one is essentially "Weekapaug -> Funk Jam -> Weekapaug." Teases of the song that would become "Mozambique," "C&P" (sung, not played!), "Nellie Kane," and "Brazil" are just gravy in this extraordinarily improvisational version of the Phish classic.
After a gorgeous building intro, this version is somewhat unique in that the jam follows the ending coda that was common in early versions of "Piper." The jam itself is restrained and contemplative, based somewhat on the ending coda.
-> in from "Wolfman's Brother." A heavy funk groove breaks out following the lyrical section with some great Fishman percussion. Great collective playing as the jam progresses and segues -> into "Frankie Says."
The jam almost immediately breaks into exploratory ground that is unusual for this period. Following an ending section without vocals, the jam at 13:10 breaks into a gorgeous ambient jam (first of '98) with "Frankie Says" quotes.
Exceptional, multi-section version. The jam breaks away from "Twist" at 6:30 into a serene and lush ambient soundscape. At 13:10, an effects-laden darkness overtakes and continues until a > to "Sleeping Monkey."
> from "Ruby Waves." This is a dark, swirling, Mike-led jam that wastes no time getting started once the song proper ends. Page and Fish create an ambient background while Trey and Mike interplay. The end of the jam gets quite heavy before dissolving into > "Backwards Down the Number Line."
Totally tubular, Trey, around 4:40, hits upon groove, absolutely chill and pitch-perfect smooth (check out the audience's reaction) before leaning into his effects, matched by Page, who, on point, creates sounds which slowly ebb and flow, arriving in huge, bend-but-never-breaking waves. Page jumps to his concert piano, Trey (in sound) follows suit, and the jam lifts off with the band slowly building to a sustained and euphoric peak.
A "Call to the Post" tease from Trey before the song begins indicates he's ready and raring to go. Swirling synth play from Page and heavy effects from Trey highlight this cool jam; Mike and Fish lay down a slick groove to let their bandmates shine. There's a menacing end to the jam before it > into "Down With Disease."