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Phish | NYE Run | Review | Pics

January 5th, 2011 | No Comments

Words by: Garrin Benfield | Images by: Dave Vann

Check out the photos from Worcester and MSG below the review

Phish :: 12.31.10 :: Madison Square Garden :: New York, NY

Used with permission from Phish.
Photo by Dave Vann Â© Phish
2010

Getting to New York’s Madison Square Garden for Phish‘s New Year’s run was a
cakewalk compared to the blizzard
conditions that had universally complicated travel plans earlier in the week in Worcester. Outside the hallowed
venue, hundreds
of hopeful, ticketless souls wandered the tightly packed blocks of midtown Manhattan. Inside MSG, site of so many
notable moments in this band’s history, Phish closed the year in which they
truly
returned to form with three focused, sharp sets that were also not short on collective improvisation.

The first half of the first set was a perfectly paced party that also included its share of surprises. Â“Punch You in the
EyeÂ” and Â“AC/DC BagÂ”, despite being two of the oldest and most frequently played staples in the Phish repertoire,
were played with real commitment by the whole band. Trey particularly zeroed in on the climax of the
latter
tune. As Â“AC/DC BagÂ” concluded with its upwardly spiraling fade out, the mid tempo funk of Â“Moma DanceÂ”
emerged and quickly became the song when the band and audience truly relaxed into the set, the evening, and
perhaps the reality of another passing year. The clip of the infrequently played Â“Scent of a MuleÂ” took the energy up
a notch, and was spot on throughout, including the tricky to navigate transitions from the klezmer jam back to the
bluegrass outro. And, as someone who won’t shy away from saying that Phish sometimes has an uphill climb with
accurate vocal harmonies, Â“MuleÂ” was quite well sung.

The rest of the first set was a pleasantly mixed bag of debuts (the instantly likable shuffle of Phish’s next FM chance,
Â“Burn that BridgeÂ”), classic staples from the near-yet-far era of the mid nighties (Â“WeighÂ” and Â“Beauty of my
DreamsÂ”) and the downright unfamiliar (Â“GoneÂ”, the obscure track from Party Time, that in my opinion may
have
been this set’s only misstep, inserting a pensive, tentative note into an otherwise celebratory collection of tunes).
Â“Rock n’ RollÂ” closed out the early set with a textbook jam that demonstrated Trey’s newfound climax-building
concision, a distillation of years of experience in the rarified field of jam artistry.

After a relatively short break, the band returned and burned through a non-stop second set that never let up in
intensity. Trey’s recent, more aggressive distortion tone led the charge on Â“WilsonÂ” and a searing, Zappa-
fied Â“46
DaysÂ”. The whole band appeared recharged for this set and ready to lay down some serious psychedelic prog-funk.
As Â“SandÂ” opened up into a weave of pointed staccato accents, the room exploded and the evening’s promise began
to truly come to fruition. In a year of many versions of Â“Down with DiseaseÂ”, this outing delivered with both heroic,
major key riffage and twisted excursions into darkness. Â“GhostÂ” was also well balanced between its creepy funk
verses and a long, lighthearted major I-IV section. On a dime, the band collectively began to slow down until Trey
counted off a wonderfully executed Â“You Enjoy MyselfÂ” that included full blown Â“MantecaÂ” choruses interspersed in
the jam, the bass solo, and in the final vocal improv that closed out the set. I think it’s safe to say the folks who
have dutifully carried around that Â“MantecaÂ” banner all year were feeling pretty good right about now.

Used with permission from Phish.
Photo by Dave Vann Â© Phish
2010

Â“MeatstickÂ” ambled to life to open the New Year’s set and at first didn’t even hint at the 19 minute spectacle that was
to follow. After the Japanese lyrics, a quartet of men dressed in traditional African garb entered stage right and sang
a few choruses, followed by a Mariachi band stage left, followed by an increasingly diverse collection of cultural
representatives all dressed in traditional outfits. Around this time, either a pre-recorded version of Â“MeatstickÂ”
began playing or the front of house engineer had live-looped eight bars of the tune. Either way, the band was
subtley ushered off stage while the 50+ ensemble of dancers and singers went through a tightly choreographed
Broadway-style routine in the front of the stage and on risers behind the amps. Then the loop stopped, and the
company sang Â“MeatstickÂ” in a chromatically ascending pattern until Phish emerged in the Hot Dog from New Year’s
past! Thousands of hot dog colored (and shaped) balloons began falling as the band, all smiles, traversed the
rooftop of the arena tossing foam wieners down on the crowd. Eventually landing on the stage, the band seamlessly
continued the tune until the countdown. A brief but incendiary Â“After MidnightÂ” followed and served as the bridge
into the rest of the first set of 2011.

The whole band outdid themselves on the version of Â“Backwards Down the Number LineÂ” that followed. This was a
valentine to the crowd, managing to simultaneously channel both a heart-tugging poignancy and a ferocious energy.
The same could be said of Â“WasteÂ”, which induced memories of the many years and hundreds of shows many in
attendance had experienced together. Trey wove knots of Leslie-drenched notes at the song’s conclusion, and
eventually fell into a long, patient Â“Slave to the Traffic LightÂ”. The band gathered at the front of the stage for the
absurd barbershop of Â“GrindÂ”, and closed out a well considered and appropriately high energy show with Â“First
TubeÂ”. Though for the first time in the band’s history they and many in the room would be returning the following
night for another show, this set felt like the exclamation point it was meant to be — to a remarkable year for a band
whose diverse history is already marked with many.

All setlist information from Phish.net

Monday :: 12.27.2010 :: DCU Center :: Worcester, MA
I: Sample in a Jar, Funky Bitch, Cool It Down, Roggae, Heavy Things, What Things Seem, Roses Are Free >
It’s Ice, Mountains in the Mist, Julius

II: Mike’s Song > Mound, Weekapaug Groove, Farmhouse, Seven Below > What’s the Use? > Twenty Years
Later, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Possum > Cavern > David Bowie

E: Loving Cup

Notes: The end of Cavern was changed to “take care of your boots.”
Live Phish Download

Tuesday :: 12.28.2010 :: DCU Center :: Worcester, MA
I: Kill Devil Falls, My Mind’s Got a Mind of its Own, Alaska, She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride,
Wolfman’s Brother, Pigtail, Stash, Bouncing Around the Room > Rift, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, The
Birdwatcher
II: Carini > Backwards Down the Number Line > Back on the Train -> Limb By Limb > The Wedge >
Frankie Says > Albuquerque, Harry Hood > Bug
E: Shine a Light
Notes: She Caught the Katy was last performed on July 21, 1998 (323 shows). Trey used a device that
played Sarah Palin quotes during Alaska and after the debut of Pigtail. This show also featured the Phish debut of
Birdwatcher. Back on the Train featured a Streets of Cairo tease from Trey.
Live Phish Download

Thursday :: 12.30.2010 :: Madison Square Garden :: New York, NY
I: Cities, Chalk Dust Torture, Gumbo > Quinn the Eskimo, Halley’s Comet > Camel Walk, Maze, Driver,
Bathtub Gin, Fat Man in the Bathtub, Timber (Jerry) > Golgi Apparatus, Character Zero
II: Tweezer > Light > Theme From the Bottom -> My Friend, My Friend > Axilla, Fluffhead, Boogie On
Reggae Woman -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > Suzy Greenberg
E: Run Like an Antelope > Tweezer Reprise
Notes: The P.A. cut out during Camel Walk. My Friend did not contain the “Myfe” ending.
Live Phish Download

Friday :: 12.31.2010 :: Madison Square Garden :: New York, NY

I: Punch You In the Eye > AC/DC Bag > The Moma Dance > Scent of a Mule, Burn that Bridge, Weigh >
Ocelot, Beauty of My Dreams, Gone, Rock and Roll
II: Wilson > 46 Days, Sand, NICU > Down with Disease > Ghost, You Enjoy Myself -> Manteca -> You
Enjoy Myself
III: Meatstick, Auld Lang Syne, After Midnight, Backwards Down the Number Line > Piper > Free, Waste >
Slave to the Traffic Light, Grind

E: First Tube

Notes: This show featured the Phish debut of Burn That Bridge. Ocelot, NICU and First Tube contained
Auld Lang Syne teases. Beauty of My Dreams was played for the first time since July 22, 2003 (133 shows). Manteca
was played for the first time since October 30, 1998 (301 shows) and the ensuing YEM vocal jam contained Manteca
quotes. Before midnight, several groups of multiethnic dancers appeared on stage and sang the Meatstick lyrics in
their respective languages. The band joined the dancers and then stealthily disappeared from the stage, only to
reappear at the other side of the arena in the giant hotdog from past NYE shows (’94 and ’99). As a result, portions
of the Meatstick were pre-recorded. Appropriately, the post-show music was Captain Beefheart’s Tropical Hot Dog
Night.
Live Phish Download

Saturday :: 01.01.2011 :: Madison Square Garden :: New York, NY
I: My Soul, Tube > Runaway Jim > Foam, Guelah Papyrus > The Divided Sky, Round Room > Walk Away >
Gotta Jibboo > Reba, Walls of the Cave

II: Crosseyed and Painless > Twist > Simple, Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley > Makisupa Policeman ->
David Bowie

E: Fee, Frankenstein

Notes: Round Room was played for the first time since July 13, 2003 (140 shows). Twist contained
Manteca quotes from Trey. Makispua included the lyrics “I went home late last night after doing the New Year’s
stunt, I laid back on my couch and rolled myself a blunt” and also featured a “kick drum solo.” Frankenstein featured
Page on keytar.
Live Phish Download

var
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$(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=210″);}); 12/27/10 – 1/1/11 – Phish @ DCU Center
(Worcester, MA) & Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) View
Photos

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Nov. 23, 1889: S.F. Gin Joint Hears Worldâ€™s First Jukebox

November 23rd, 2010 | No Comments

1889: The first jukebox is installed at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco. It becomes an overnight sensation, and its popularity spreads around the world.
That first jukebox was constructed by the Pacific Phonograph Co. Four stethoscope-like tubes were attached to an Edison Class M electric phonograph fitted inside an oak cabinet. The tubes operated [...]

Phish | Halloween 2010 | Review | Pics

November 5th, 2010 | No Comments

Words by: B. Getz | Images by: Dave Vann

Phish :: 10.29.10-10.31.10 :: Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall :: Atlantic City, NJ

Pop over here to see the full gallery of pictures from the Halloween run!

Like a whirlwind of ocean and sand, the tidal wave that is Phish 3.0 stormed into Atlantic City for a Halloween weekend to close their fall tour. Halloween runs are always an event for the band and its minions; this would be no different as the boys gave new definition to “Boardwalk Empire.” Phans descended on the nearly century old Jersey Shore landmark, funneling a much needed boost to the off-season economy of this blue-collar destination while also taking full advantage of its 24 hour playground. The hotels, casinos and nightclubs were crawling at all hours with revelers, costumed and imbibed like only we do.

Friday, October 29

Photo by Dave Vann Â© Phish 2010

An elated, palpable excitement permeated the salty ocean air as people filed in for the first gig. Though a sea of heads clogged the boardwalk outside the venue all three nights, the stately hall slowly filled as tickets were hard to even give away Friday. Yet once the band lined up for a barbershop quartet “Star Spangled Banner,” everything was set in place for an blockbuster weekend.

The first set of music started out innocently enough, brevity and excitability contained within spirited takes. “Light Up or Leave Me Alone” shifted gears quickly, a sonic foreshadowing of treats to come, Page’s gleeful verses and choice Fender Rhodes Winwood-isms sparking the twilight. The second portion of the first frame sought to harness the frenetic energy within the room. “Timber Ho,” “Axilla” and “Rift” saw Trey Anastasio charging with fierce Languedoc tones, leading the tightly wound troupe into proper funk. “The Moma Dance > Cities > 46 Days” only served to up the ante, low-rider, uptempo cow-funk giving way to raging arena rock bombast, a collective effort in spades. The first set displayed command of some of their dramatic yet cohesive amalgams of style and substance.

Friday’s second set saw more sonic diversity, showcased by the devastating “Sand > Carini.” If the stutter-step crunk of 3.0′s “Sand” is criminology, then this is Exhibit A. The intoxicating dance riddims and sensual aural layers detonated an aggressive, steppin’ groove. Trey juxtaposed a forceful metallic vengeance – a “Carini” segue wrought with rampant redhead riffage as Cactus digi-bombs bludgeoned and shared descending insanity culminating in a clav-drenched milieu.

To steer into port, the boys demonstrated distinct intent with a masterful tandem of “Slave” and “Fluffhead.” The former was a beacon of 3.0 reinvention, blissed-out and ethereal in flight, its emotional command tangible. “Fluffhead” was a love letter from the boys, signed, sealed and deliberate, as was the atypically tipsy “Loving Cup” that kissed us off into the windswept midnight Jersey shore.

Friday Setlist
Set 1: The Star Spangled Banner, My Soul, AC/DC Bag, Ocelot, Sample in a Jar, Light Up Or Leave Me Alone, Sugar Shack, Timber (Jerry) > Bouncing Around the Room, Axilla > Rift, The Moma Dance > Cities > 46 Days
Set 2: Punch You In the Eye > Sand -> Carini > Prince Caspian, Corinna, Piper > Theme From the Bottom > Golgi Apparatus > Slave to the Traffic Light > Fluffhead
E: Loving Cup

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Saturday, October 30

Photo by Dave Vann Â© Phish 2010

Despite the typically great opening night, nobody could have dreamt the magic of the penultimate show Saturday night. After a soundcheck filled with their songs and a heavy-traction rumor that picked up steam, “Zeppelin” was on the tips of many tongues. On this marvelous evening, Boardwalk Hall would be adrift, a Mischief Night passage to a haunted house of the holy.

The punked-up bluster of “Cavern” announced an early fever, a tightly wound “Guelah Papyrus” scorched with concision. As the band careened skyward during “Chalkdust’s” fierce jam, Trey and Mike hijacked the vehicle with a potent “Whole Lotta Love” riff and the boys initiated a weighty liftoff. The ‘trick’ was unveiled with this vigorous verse, only this was a mission not a small time thing. A crunk detour in “Ha Ha Ha” and an anthemic “Walk Away” marched to an uber-funky Â‘Wolfman’s.” Toward the end of this boogie hustle, a peculiar vocal jam began bleeding into focused, mathematical cyber-funk sonic malevolence. This wicked display piloted into a phenomenal take on “Undermind.” With such first class Phish on display throughout the first frame, unmitigated bliss permeated the setbreak, and it seemed the band was keen to treat fans maybe not blessed with a Halloween ticket to their own magic carpet ride on this chilly Saturday night.

A second frame opening “Tube” was a proper funk workout, a lesson in premeditated groove science, but it was the open-ended “Tweezer” that set the room ablaze with an endless spate of getting the Led out. Portions of “Heartbreaker,” “Ramble On” and the exquisite “Thank You” were all stuffed inside the Zepplified “Tweezer,” only to cap the madness with an emotive rendering of “Stairway to Heaven’s” final coda, complete with Robert Plant-ish crooning and proper Jimmy Page-like wailing.

Lighting director Chris Kuroda was locked and loaded in furthering this mission, and per usual his accompaniment was indescribable visual delight. Phish fulfilled the Zeppelin rumor by bringing it to fruition – Halloween delivered early-style with gusto. The room was still reeling as “2001″ announced more funk ferocity, the band one nation under a groove, a collective in the zone, rolling into a magnificent “Bowie.” In suitable fashion, the evasive “Sleeping Monkey” settled back down to earth, with a colossal “Tweeprise” the exclamation point on a ridiculous penultimate journey.

Saturday Setlist
Set 1: Kill Devil Falls, Cavern > Foam, Guelah Papyrus, Chalk Dust Torture > Whole Lotta Love > Chalk Dust Torture, Ha Ha Ha, Walk Away, Wolfman’s Brother > Undermind > Bathtub Gin, The Squirming Coil
Set 2: Tube > Possum > Tweezer > Heartbreaker > Ramble On > Thank You -> Tweezer > Stairway to Heaven, Halley’s Comet > Also Sprach Zarathustra > David Bowie, Show of Life, Backwards Down the Number Line > Good Times Bad Times
E: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Sunday, October 31st

Photo by Dave Vann Â© Phish 2010

After arriving and receiving the welcome news (via the PhishBill) that the musical costume was Little Feat’s 1978 live album Waiting for Columbus, the anticipation was bountiful. Boardwalk Hall was levitating as, appropriately, Page McConnell’s keytar-led “Frankenstein” ushered in the final excursion. Halloween had arrived and the natives were restless. Costumes were plentiful and more than creative, the sold-out AC massive quaking in its boots. After the astonishing Saturday show, the bar was more than raised for the last gig of the tour. An early and snaking “Ghost” traversed slowed-funk riddims as Trey unveiled “Spooky” to fit the premise. “Divided Sky,” “Roses are Free” and “Boogie On Reggae Woman” also brought the goods. This particular trifecta was intricately woven, disparate in design yet similarly methodical – wide-ranging, cohesive jamming, all strikingly diverse intentions extremely well executed. Surprisingly, it was the dark, foreboding jam tucked within “Stash” that not only illuminated the night’s haunted aura, but most defined the limitless potential of a reinvigorated foursome.

I would like to add to the chorus of applause for this musical costume. Little Feat’s seminal double live record, recorded in London and Washington D.C. in 1977 was a perfect marriage of styles, song craft and spirit for Phish to tackle. Augmented by a five-piece horn section consisting of Aaron Johnson, Stuart Bogie, Ian Hendrickson, Michael Leonhart and Eric Biondo for several tunes, the band was ably assisted by Giovanni Hidalgo on percussion for nearly the entire set. From the opening “Fat Man in a Bathtub,” the vibe peaked with a strong, emotional expedition through this great record. Highlights speckled the whole frame, and included the Cajun-fonky “Oh Atlanta” and the familiar “Time Loves a Hero” and “Dixie Chicken”.

However the strongest for this writer was the excruciatingly dirty swank of “Spanish Moon.” Fish carried a drunken funk swagger while Hidalgo mixed it up in the space between as Gordon laid down merciless grooves, half steppin’ along as they let the horns blow. Later, “Willin’” simply wowed; masterfully introduced by Mike Gordon’s sublime piano and expressively crooned by Fishman in full frontman mode. The band in full even took a victory lap around the arena wearing shit-eating grins. From start to finish Waiting for Columbus was an absolutely ideal collection of songs and jams that was expertly executed by Phish with extraordinary accompaniment.

Photo by Dave Vann Â© Phish 2010

The final set of tour was a celebration of sorts, a fantastic voyage through the Phish songbook. A restarted “Disease” settled into a jovial “Jiboo” that saw climatic band interplay achieve a galloping pace. Beginning with the swagger-funk of “Camel Walk,” bubonic Gordon bombs crunched Red’s descending riffage with authority, culminating in a sinister, grinding “Wilson” metal jam that pulverized the venue to the core, Trey’s leads channeling the ghosts of Hendrix and Stevie Ray. “Hood” and “Silent” offered introspection and an emotive dalliance, and “YEM” was what Phish is in its essence – a passionate, joy-fueled romance between a band and its audience.

The “Julius” encore was icing, with the full complement of horns and Hidalgo returning for a feisty rollicking sendoff that may have been the finest rendition this writer has heard.

There were few walking out of the venue not completely blown away by this incredible three-day Phish display. Even the most jaded tour veterans were nearly speechless, delighted, cheesy grins abounded as full-blown dance parties ignited at the bars and casinos that dotted the boardwalk. Magic was in the salty ocean air as people traded superlatives to describe their own takes on the “Zeppelin trick” or “Little Feat treat.” Nights, weekends and tours like this solidify the arrival of a new era for this band. The comeback sun has set, and as hoped, IT happened – once again.

Sunday Setlist
Set 1: Frankenstein, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Ghost > Spooky > The Divided Sky, Roses Are Free > Funky Bitch, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Stash, Character Zero
Set 2: Fat Man in the Bathtub, All That You Dream, Oh Atlanta, Old Folks Boogie, Time Loves a Hero > Day or Night, Mercenary Territory, Spanish Moon, Dixie Chicken > Tripe Face Boogie, Rocket in My Pocket, Willin’, Don’t Bogart That Joint, A Apolitical Blues, Sailin’ Shoes, Feats Don’t Fail Me Now
Set 3: Down with Disease > Back on the Train > Gotta Jibboo > Camel Walk, Suzy Greenberg > Wilson > Harry Hood > The Horse > Silent in the Morning > You Enjoy Myself

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Continue reading for more pics of Phish’s 2010 Halloween shows…

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Phish Tour Dates :: Phish News :: Phish Concert Reviews

JamBase | Boardwalk Empire
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Phish: Augusta, ME Photos

October 22nd, 2010 | No Comments

FURTHER SNAPSHOTS FROM THE FALL TOUR

Images by: Dave Vann

Phish :: 10.19.09 :: Augusta Civic Center :: Augusta, ME

Set I: Chalk Dust Torture, Back on the Train, Torn and Frayed, Bathtub Gin, Gumbo, The Divided Sky, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Nellie Kane > 46 Days > Possum
Set II: Fuck Your Face > Mike’s Song[1] > Fuck Your Face > Light > Twenty Years Later > Fast Enough for You, Weekapaug Groove, Halley’s Comet > Free > Harry Hood > Golgi Apparatus, A Day in the Life
E: Reba[2], Backwards Down the Number Line

Notes: Mike’s Song (1) contained a “Fuck Your Face” tease. “Reba” (2) contained a “Manteca” quote (from Fish) and did not have the whistling ending. First Reba encore since 9/21/99 in Tucson, AZ.

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

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Phish performs again tonight (10/22) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI. Find complete tour dates here. Check back for more of Dave Vann’s pics from the Fall Tour tomorrow.

Phish Tour Dates :: Phish News :: Phish Concert Reviews

Oak Bar NYC Serving Up â€œThe Mel Gibson Bipolar Cocktailâ€

July 22nd, 2010 | No Comments

Mad Mel’s bloodcurdling audio rants have inspired the latest alcoholic concoction sweeping the City That Never Sleeps. Oak Bar in the Oak Room — neatly nestled away in New York’s famed Plaza Hotel — is serving up a special cocktail in honor of the Braveheart actor’s recent telephone tirades. Introducing â€œThe Mel Gibson Bipolar Cocktail!”The [...]

Phish 6.22.10 – 6.29.10 | Photos

July 2nd, 2010 | No Comments

Phish Summer Tour stopped
by Mansfield, MA this past week with a June 22 performance at Comcast Center (formerly Great Woods), and
continued
on June 24-25 for two nights at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ. After that, the band treated
audiences
to two nights at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD on June 26-27,
before heading to the Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) in Canandaigua, NY on June 29.
Photographer
Dave
Vann was on hand to capture the action.

View the photos in our gallery below or click to the next page to view them all at once.

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$(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=84″);}); 6/22/10 – 6/29/10 – Phish Summer Tour
(Mansfield, Camden, Columbia, Canandaigua) View Photos

Be sure to keep up to date with all things Phish via the JamBase Phish Twitter Feed.

All shows are available for download at Live Phish.
All setlist information from phish.net.

Tuesday :: 06.22.2010 :: Comcast Center :: Mansfield, MA

I: Lit O Bit, Camel Walk, Possum, The Divided Sky, Dirt, Sample in a Jar, Kill Devil Falls, Dr. Gabel, Run Like
an Antelope

II: Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley -> Light -> 46
Days, Limb By Limb, Golgi Apparatus, Slave to the Traffic Light, Loving Cup

E: First Tube

Notes: This show featured the Phish debut of Lit O Bit and the debut of Dr. Gabel. In Antelope, “Marco Esquandolas”
was changed to “Leo Esquandolas,” followed by a Page solo.

Live Phish Download

Thursday :: 06.24.2010 :: Susquehanna Bank Center :: Camden, NJ

I: David Bowie, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Water in the Sky, Ocelot, Uncle Pen, Boogie On Reggae
Woman, Gumbo > Timber (Jerry) > I Didn’t Know, Birds of a Feather, Bouncing Around the Room, Reba, The
Rover

II: Down with Disease -> Crosseyed and Painless > Nothing > Twenty Years Later > Harry Hood >
Fluffhead > Julius, You Enjoy Myself

E: Bug

Notes: During I Didn’t Know, Trey mentioned his prediction from the 6/7/09 Camden show that the Flyers would
win the Stanley Cup and announced that Fish would perform a voodoo vacuum solo for next year’s Cup. Some fans
in the audience then began chanting “Let’s Go Flyers.” Reba did not have the whistling ending. The Rover was a
Phish debut. At the start of the YEM vocal jam, some fans again chanted “Let’s Go Flyers.”

Live Phish Download

Friday :: 06.25.2010 :: Susquehanna Bank Center :: Camden, NJ

I: Alumni Blues > Letter to Jimmy Page > Alumni Blues, Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Runaway Jim,
Army of One, Free Man in Paris, Summer of ’89, Split Open and Melt, The Sloth, Time Turns Elastic, Golgi
Apparatus

II: Chalk Dust Torture > Prince Caspian > Heavy Things > Alaska > Also Sprach Zarathustra -> Billie Jean
Jam -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > Light -> Possum > Character Zero

E: Shine a Light

Notes: This show featured the first Alumni Blues since July 24, 1999 (222 shows) and the first Letter to Jimmy Page
since July 15, 1994 (587 shows). This show featured the Phish debut of Free Man in Paris (Joni Mitchell). Both Chalk
Dust and Caspian were unfinished. 2001 contained a Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ quote from Trey, the ensuing Billie
Jean Jam contained a Thriller tease from Trey, and the second “verse” of 2001 contained still more Billie Jean teases,
all on the first anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. Billie Jean was a Phish debut.

Live Phish Download

Saturday :: 06.26.2010 :: Merriweather Post Pavilion :: Columbia, MD

I: Crowd Control, Kill Devil Falls, AC/DC Bag, Sugar Shack, Tube, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, Stash,
Backwards Down the Number Line, NICU > 46 Days, Suzy Greenberg

II: Rock and Roll > Free, Fast Enough for You, Sparkle > Tweezer, The Horse > Silent in the Morning >
Wolfman’s Brother > Slave to the Traffic Light > Tweezer Reprise

E: Show of Life, Good Times Bad Times

Notes: Prior to the start of the first set, Mike teased Do You Feel Like We Do. This show featured the Phish debut of
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel). Rock and Roll contained Moby Dick teases.

Live Phish Download

Sunday :: 06.27.2010 :: Merriweather Post Pavilion :: Columbia, MD

I: Walfredo, Mellow Mood, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan > The Divided Sky, Tela, My Soul, Ginseng
Sullivan, Sample in a Jar, Bathtub Gin, Brian and Robert, Run Like an Antelope

II: Wilson > Meatstick -> Saw It Again -> Piper > Ghost -> Jumpin’ Jack Flash -> Saw It Again > Contact,
You Enjoy Myself

E: Fire

Notes: This show featured the first Walfredo since September 30, 2000 (131 shows). Antelope contained Brian and
Robert teases and an alternate “Michael Esquandolas” lyric. Meatstick contained Japanese lyrics. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
was a Phish debut. Piper, Ghost, Contact, YEM and Fire all contained Saw it Again quotes. YEM also contained
Jumpin’ Jack Flash teases and, in the vocal jam, quotes of Saw It Again and Surfin’ Bird (The Trashmen). The lyrics to
Fire were changed to “Let Jon Fishman take over.”

Live Phish Download

Tuesday :: 06.29.2010 :: CMAC Performing Arts Center :: Canandaigua, NY

I: The Connection, Down with Disease > Sample in a Jar, Ocelot, Reba, Horn, Funky Bitch, Undermind, The
Ballad of Curtis Loew, David Bowie

II: Possum, Mike’s Song > Simple > I Am the Walrus > Weekapaug Groove > Limb By Limb > Joy, Harry
Hood > Golgi Apparatus

E: First Tube

Notes: This show featured the Phish debut of I Am The Walrus. Weekapaug was unfinished.

Live Phish Download

Thursday, 07/01/2010 Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek , Raleigh, NC
I: Llama, Roses Are Free, Kill Devil Falls, Time Loves a Hero, Alaska, Water in the Sky, Runaway Jim > The
Moma Dance > The Divided Sky, Cavern
II: Backwards Down the Number Line > Halley’s Comet -> Light > Fluffhead > Have Mercy, Light Up Or
Leave Me Alone -> Free > Wading in the Velvet Sea, The Squirming Coil > Suzy Greenberg
E: Boogie On Reggae Woman

Notes: This show featured the first Time Loves a Hero since December 31, 2002 (127 shows), the first Have Mercy
since December 10, 1999 (189 shows), and the first Light Up Or Leave Me Alone since December 30,
1999 (181 shows), which was subsequently teased in Suzy.

Thanks again to Phish.net for the setlists!

All photos Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann Â© Phish 2010.

6/22/10 Mansfield, MA

Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann Â© Phish
2010

6/24/10 Camden, NJ

Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann Â© Phish
2010

6/25/10 Camden, NJ

Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann Â© Phish
2010

6/26/10 Columbia, MD

Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann Â© Phish
2010

6/27/10 Columbia, MD

Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann Â© Phish
2010

6/29/10 Canandaigua, NY

Used with permission from Phish. Photos by Dave Vann Â© Phish
2010

Phish 6.15.10 – 6.20.10 | Photos

June 21st, 2010 | No Comments

Phish Summer Tour rolled
on this past week with a June 15th performance at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Portsmouth, VA before continuing
on June 17-18 for two nights at the Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT. The band then headed to Saratoga Springs,
NY for
two performances at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on June 19 & 20. Luckily, photographer extraordinaire
Dave
Vann was on hand to capture the action.

Be sure to keep up to date with all things Phish via the JamBase Phish Twitter Feed.

All shows are available for download at Live Phish.
All setlist information from phish.net.

Quick links:
6.15 Portsmouth, VA |
6.17 Hartford, CT |
6.18 Hartford, CT |
6.19 Saratoga Springs,
NY | 6.20 Saratoga
Springs, NY

Tuesday :: 06.15.2010 :: nTelos Wireless Pavilion :: Portsmouth, VA

I: Tube, Kill Devil Falls, Slave to the Traffic Light, Lawn Boy, Poor Heart, AC/DC Bag, The Moma Dance >
My Friend, My Friend, Cold Water, Bathtub Gin, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan
II: Wilson > Seven Below > 46 Days > Idea > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Simple -> Joy, Taste, Theme From
the Bottom > A Day in the Life

E: Heavy Things, First Tube

Notes: This show marked the Phish debut of Cold Water and the debut of Idea.
Live Phish Download

var
siteRoot=”http://www.jambase.com”;var newPhotoIndex=”2″;$(document).ready( function() {
$(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=75″);}); 6/15/10 – Phish @ NTELOS Wireless Pavilion
(Portsmouth, VA) View Photos

Continue reading for more pics of 06/17 in Hartford, CT…

Thursday :: 06.17.2010 :: Comcast Theatre :: Hartford, CT

I: Punch You In the Eye, Ocelot, Dinner and a Movie, Stash, Esther, Walk Away, The Divided Sky, When the
Circus Comes, Sugar Shack, Alaska > Golgi Apparatus
II: Party Time > Down with Disease -> Sand -> The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Guyute, Farmhouse,
Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove

E: Shine a Light
Live Phish Download

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$(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=74″);}); 6/17/10 – Phish @ Comcast Theatre (Hartford,
CT) View
Photos

Continue reading for more pics of 6/18 in Hartford, CT…

Friday :: 06.18.2010 :: Comcast Theatre :: Hartford, CT

I: Fee > Rift, Wolfman’s Brother, Summer of ’89, Foam, Possum > The Moma Dance > Julius, Reba, Cavern
II: Halley’s Comet > Light -> Billy Breathes, Tweezer > Theme From the Bottom > Harry Hood > Wading in
the Velvet Sea, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan

E: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise, Tweezer Reprise
Live Phish Download

var
siteRoot=”http://www.jambase.com”;var newPhotoIndex=”1″;$(document).ready( function() {
$(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=76″);}); 6/18/10 – Phish @ Comcast Theatre (Hartford,
CT) View
Photos

Continue reading for more pics of 6/19 in Saratoga Springs…

Saturday :: 06.19.2010 :: Saratoga Performing Arts Center :: Saratoga Springs, NY
I: Tweezer Reprise, Chalk Dust Torture, Funky Bitch, Runaway Jim, Ya Mar, Sample in a Jar, Axilla >
Fluffhead, Bathtub Gin, Suzy Greenberg
II: Rock and Roll -> Free, Backwards Down the Number Line, Halfway to the Moon > Prince Caspian > Joy,
David Bowie, Show of Life

E: The Squirming Coil, Character Zero > Tweezer Reprise

Notes: This gig featured the first Tweezer Reprise opener since 11/9/95 (482 shows) and the debut of Halfway to
the Moon.
Live Phish Download

var
siteRoot=”http://www.jambase.com”;var newPhotoIndex=”8″;$(document).ready( function() {
$(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=77″);}); 6/19/10 – Phish @ Saratoga Performing Arts
Center (Saratoga Springs, NY) View Photos

Continue reading for more pics of 6/20 in Saratoga Springs…

Sunday :: 06.20.2010 :: Saratoga Performing Arts Center :: Saratoga Springs, NY

I: Brother[1], AC/DC Bag > Back on the Train, Undermind, Cities, Gotta Jibboo[2], Roggae, Sleep Again, Lawn Boy,
Run Like an Antelope

II: Carini > The Mango Song, Wilson[3] > Drowned > Swept Away > Steep, Makisupa Policeman[4], Piper[5] > Also
Sprach Zarathustra > You Enjoy Myself

Encore: Frankenstein[6]

[1] Band members’ children in a tub on stage. Happy Father’s Day!
[2] Tony Markellis on bass and Mike on a second guitar.
[3] Dixie tease from Trey.
[4] Solos by Mike, then Fish, then Page.
[5] Intro contained phrases from the previous Makisupa.
[6] Page on keytar.
Live Phish Download

In what is becoming a Father’s Day tradition (see 6/21/09), the show-opening Brother featured the band
members’ children jumping into a bathtub on stage, followed by Trey introducing each of them and wishing
everyone a Happy Father’s Day. Gotta Jibboo featured Tony Markellis on bass and Mike on a second guitar. The end
of Wilson contained a Dixie tease from Trey. In place of a traditional Makisupa keyword, Trey improvised lines that
set up solos for Mike, then Fish, then Page. The subsequent Piper intro included repeated phrases from the Makisupa
(“Mike,” “Policeman” “SPAC” and “House” among others).

var
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$(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=78″);}); 6/20/10 – Phish @ Saratoga Performing Arts
Center (Saratoga Springs, NY) View Photos

Thanks again to Phish.net for the setlists!

New Year’s Eve Setlist Roundup

January 1st, 2010 | No Comments

Happy New Year!

Here are some New Year’s Eve setlists from around our musical universe.

Phish | American Airlines Arena
| Miami, FL

1: AC/DC Bag, 46 Days, Water in the Sky, Bathtub Gin, Punch You In the Eye, The Moma
Dance, Guyute, Swept Away > Steep, Demand > Seven Below, Lawn Boy, Julius

II: Rock and Roll > Piper, Simple > Theme From the Bottom, Shine a Light, Ghost > NO2,
Suzy Greenberg

III: Party Time > Auld Lang Syne > Down with Disease, Fluffhead, Joy, The Squirming Coil,
You Enjoy Myself

Encore: Blue Moon, Loving Cup

Bag and Ghost contained Auld Lang Syne teases. Swept Away and Steep were played for the
first time since July 1, 2000 (145 shows). Demand was played for the first time since
November 14, 1996 (392 shows). N02 was played for the first time since July 13, 1999 (219
shows). Blue Moon was a Phish debut and was played while Trey thanked the entire crew.
After Down With Disease, Fishman crawled into a giant mirror ball that was loaded into a
cannon and fired into the crowd. The band recruited an audience member, Sara to play drums
on Fluffhead. Official Phish NYE Gag
Video!
Source: Phish.net

Download show from LivePhish.com

Furthur | Bill Graham Civic
Auditorium | San Francisco, CA

I: Shakedown Street, Jack Straw, Mama Tried, Candyman, Loose Lucy, Viola Lee Blues,
Truckin’

II: Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin’s Tower, Cassidy, The Wheel > Jam > Dark Star >
Time > * (First time played, Pink Floyd song), Uncle John’s Band, After Midnight

III:
Baby New Year flies in on a Skull from the back of the auditorium to the stage to the
Beatles All We Need Is Love > Countdown > Happy New Year > Baloon Drop > Golden Road to
Unlimited Devotion > Let It Grow > Cryptical Envelopment > Born Cross Eyed > The Other One
> Cryptical Envelopment > So Many Roads, St. Stephen > The Eleven > Not Fade Away, Donor
Rap

Enc: Sugar Magnolia
Source: jamarama in the comments!

Order show for download from livedownloads.com

Widespread Panic |
Philips Arena | Atlanta, GA

1 (acoustic): Let’s Get Down To Business > Wondering, Already Fried, Tortured Artist,
Clinic Cynic, Crazy, Vacation, Expiration Day, Holden Oversoul, Porch Song
2: Little Kin, Space Wrangler, Impossible, Jack, Action Man, Her Dance Needs No Body*, Up
All Night*, Ophelia*, Pigeons
3: Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’*, Tall Boy*, Arleen* > Surprise Valley > Drums > Surprise
Valley > Driving Song > Disco > Driving Song > Rock, I Wish* > Moondance*, Bust It Big >
Chilly Water > Jam > Chilly Water
E: Walking After Midnight, Protein Drink > Sewing Machine
* with The MegaBlasters on horns
[Only 'Walking After Midnight', Only 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'', Only 'Moondance';
'Another One Bites The Dust' tease during 'Arleen'; Last 'I Wish' - 11/06/03, 412 shows]

Source: @widespreadpanic & Snafunk’s comments
Order show for download from livedownloads.com

Gov’t Mule | Beacon
Theatre | New York, NY

Set 1: Bad Little Doggie, Inside Outside Woman Blues, Larger Than Life > Frozen Fear,
Forevermore, Painted Silver Light, No Need To Suffer, Mule > with Highway Star Tease,
Whole Lotta Love > Mule
II: Freedom*$ (Warren & Marc), Coming Into Los Angeles*$ (Without Matt), Good Morning
Little Schoolgirl, Going Home*, Ball & Chain*@#, Piece Of My Heart*@#, Savior*$ > Jingo*$,
Soul Sacrifice*$, Delta Lady*$@#, Let’s Go Get Stoned*$@#, With A Little Help From My
Friends*$@# > New Years Countdown > With A Little Help From My Friends*$@#, Dance To The
Music*$@# > Music Lover*$@#, I Want To Take You Higher*$@#

III: Fish Cheer* (Matt Solo Acoustic), Dark Star*$ > Somebody To Love*$@, I Put A Spell On
You*, Don’t Do It*&#, Mean Mistreater*, Helplessly Hoping* (Warren acoustic with Marc,
Danny, Dana & Pam), “Don’t Eat The Brown Acid”, Helplessly Hoping Reprise*, I’m Free* >
Listening To You*

E: Star Spangled Banner* > Purple Haze*

* First Time Played, # Buford Osullivan – Trombone, Pam Fleming – Trumpet, Jenny Hill –
Sax, @ Dana Fuchs – Vocal, $ Marc Quinonnes – Percussion
Source: jamarama in the comments! Thanks!

The Disco Biscuits
| Nokia Theatre at Times Square | New York, NY

Set I: M.E.M.P.H.I.S.> Caves of the East> Gangster> Above The Waves*> Shem-Rah Boo**
Set II: Mirrors, Astronaut > I-Man > Strobelights and Martinis > Countdown Medley (Orch
Theme > Morph > Run Like Hell > Vasillios > Mr Don > Above Waves > Munchkin Invasion >
Crickets) > Basis for a Day**, On Time, 7-11 > I-Man > Helicopters

III. Down to the Bottom > Naeba (inv) > Humuhunupunupuapuaa > Mr. Don, Spacebird
Matingcall > Down to the Bottom
E: Rocafella

* inverted, ** end only

Soure: PhantasyBisco
Order show for download from livedownloads.com

Umphrey’s McGee |
Aragon Ballroom | Chicago, IL

I: Cemetery Walk>Triple Wide, Divisions, Red Tape (horns), Headphones & Snocones (horns,
Mike Mirro on marimba, Jake on perc), Mulches

II: Jazz Odyssey (pre-recorded PA intro) > FOH electro jam (full band at sbd on
synths/drum pads), Hajimemashite, Ringo (horns), The Skunk, The Goose & The Fly (horns),
Bridgeless > Ocean Billy, Move Your Rug (debut, Jeff Coffin, horns), 10th Avenue Freeze-
Out (debut, Bruce Springsteen, horns) > Bridgeless

III: Much Obliged (horns) > Auld Lang Syne (horns), Hurt Bird Bath, Gulf Stream, Phil’s
Farm, Turn & Dub (debut, horns), Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (debut, Frankie Valli, horns,
Ryan vox), Cemetery Walk II.
E: 1348, Reelin in the Years (debut, horns)
Source: @umphreysmcgee
Order show for download from livedownloads.com
The Floor: NYE Video

Sound
Tribe Sector 9 | Wells Fargo Theatre | Denver, CO

I: (Rilly Wut Tease) > Peoples, Tooth, One A Day, Evasive > EB, Circus, Move My Peeps,
Shock Doctrine

II: This, Us > New Years Countdown with Family on stage, ATLAS, Rent, EHM (Economic Hit
Man), HHHF (Hidden Hand Hidden Fist), Lo Swaga, ISB (Inspire Strikes Back)

E1: Wika Chikana, The Unquestionable Supremacy of Nature
E2: Be Nice *Murph says “yall do that in 2010, Be Nice”

Source: nick1304 in the comments

Yonder
Mountain String Band | The Fillmore | Denver, CO

I: Bolton Stretch> Reuben & Cherise, Fingerprint, Spanish Harlem Incident, Old
Dangerfield, Illinois Rain, Complicated, Honestly, On The Run> East Nashville Easter> On
The Run
II: Angel> Girlfriend Is Better> Angel, Blue Collar Blues, *Auld Lang Syne, *Good Times,
*I’m Your Boogie Man, *Celebrate Your Life, *Superstition> *We Want The Funk>
*Superstition
E1: King Ebeneezer> Casualty
E2: Up On The Hill Where They Do The Boogie, Bloody Mary Morning, Get Me Outta This City

Comment: Darol Anger on fiddle entire set. *= The Lee Boys full band & John Di Maggio
on vocals

Source: Setlist.com

Tea Leaf Green | The
Compound | Phoenix, AZ

I: Coffee Bean Brown: Rattlin, 7th Story, Ignoring the Oracle, Training a Cloud, Darkened
Hall, Strange Ode to Nature, The Only Son of Father Time, Slip Away, Honey Bee, All Washed
Up, Flippin The Bird, Cops Took My Weed, For Every Lonely Lady > The Garden Pt 3.

II: Ride Together, If It Wasn’t For the Money, Let Us Go, Kali Yuga, Got No Friends, Lil
Hood, This is Real, Arise, Baseball > Auld Lang Syne > Baseball Jam > Papa’s in the
Backroom, Hot Dog, Drink of Streams, Freedom, I’ve Got A Truck, Hello Jane, Deathcake >
Country Seduction, Hanging from a Tree, Innocence, Gasaholic, Devil’s Pay, Don’t Curse the
Night
E: Sex in the 70s

Source: @letsallride_set

Toubab Krewe | The
Orange Peel, Asheville NC

Djarabi, Area Code, Wassoulou, Tamasanko, Tighten Up, Gine Fare, Man Sauli, Cluck Old
Hen*, Sekou, Beacon, Asheville to Abijan, Konicoda, Nirvana the Buffalo*, Rockin’ in the
Free World**
E: Sirens, Drums***
*w/ Rayna Gellert, **w/ State Radio, ***band members with various percussion instruments
marching through crowd on dancefloor with house lights on for 5-6 minutes.

Source: direwolf207 in comments!

If you know of a show’s setlist that isn’t listed, add it to the comments section and
we’ll add it to the list.

JamBase | Happy MMX!
Go See Live Music!

Phish Festival 8 | 10.31.09 | Indio, CA

November 1st, 2009 | No Comments

Words by: Brian Bavosa | Images by: Steven Walter

Phish Festival 8 :: 10.31.09 :: Indio, CA

Phish Festival 8 :: 10.31 :: Indio, CA

For the passionate Phish fan, few events are met with the anticipation of a Halloween three set extravaganza. Add to this the fact that it had been 11 years since Phish performed one of their legendary Halloween shows, and the scene was set for a historic rock concert.

With temperatures pushing into the low 90s, Saturday afternoon was hot, contrasting nicely with the rather chilly weather from the previous night. As soon as day broke it wasn’t hard to find excited Phans decked out in colorful costumes ranging from Hulk Hogan and Rainbow Bright to a “Golden Shower” and Fluffhead to name a few.

TRES

Walking into the concert grounds, the band finally gave in and let the masses know via their traditional “Phishbill” (modeled after the Playbill you’d get at a Broadway play) that the musical costume for the night would be The Rolling Stones‘ Exile on Main St. But before the hungry crowd could feed on Exile, there was the day set. Featuring hot weather that definitely translated into the band’s performance, the afternoon set was relaxed, loose and difficult to dance to with hardly any shade in sight. Even McConnell and Anastasio looked to be conserving energy as the sun burned across their faces.

Opening up with the standard guitar punch of “Sample in a Jar,” the band again seemed to be playing it safe. “The Divided Sky” soared without a cloud in the sky, while “Lawnboy” saw Trey give a shout out to the beautiful venue and Page pay homage to the very grass the patrons were standing upon. Afternoon sets have always been a time for McConnell to take center stage and this one was no different, featuring his sprawling digits on the opening chaos of “Bathtub Gin” and the lullaby outro of “The Squirming Coil.”

Three more old school favorites, “Runaway Jim,” “Possum,” and “Run Like An Antelope” brought the day set to a close. Not much in the way of “bust-outs” or extraordinary versions, everything up to this point had been well executed, but seemed in many ways to be an introduction for what was to come. With a few hours before the night sets, fans gathered around jumbo TV screens to watch the World Series, touched up their costumes or chilled under palm trees awaiting the madness of Phish Halloween.

QUATRO – EXILE ON MAIN ST.

One of the greatest rock albums of all time, Exile on Main St. represents the very essence of what it means to be alive, in a band, and pouring your heart into rock & roll. Trey says the classic slab was ingrained in the band members’ “DNA” and
in the previously mentioned Phishbill, there was a superb essay by Rolling Stone magazine’s David Fricke in which he explained the story of Exile, and its logical choice for the boys of Phish.

Exile on Main St. :: 10.31 :: Indio, CA

Joined onstage for the set by soul singer Sharon Jones (The Dap-Kings), David Gray (trumpet), David Smith (trombone), Tony Jarvis (sax) and Saundra Williams (vocals), Phish donned its musical costume and delivered a two-hour experience that defied expectations.

From the opening one-two combo of “Rocks Off” and “Rip This Joint,” something at Festival 8 seemed to change instantaneously; in band, in crowd, and in the holy spirits that certainly swirled around us. Building momentum at a breakneck pace, the night turned a corner during the raucous “Tumbling Dice,” and the slow, beautiful twang of “Sweet Virginia” that found Fishman on vocals with the crowd singing along in perfect harmony, especially to the line, “Got to scrape that shit right off your shoe.”

Arguably the strongest song of the set was “Torn and Frayed.” Around the mid-point of the album, it was here that Phish finally made Exile its own. Built around the first big Trey jam of the night, it was hard to not see some of Anastasio in this story of a rock & roller struggling with the life he’s chosen, “but never more than one great lick away from redemption” as Fricke explained. This is the story of Phish’s past decade. Stardom. Pressure. Addiction. Failure. Redemption. Exile was Phish’s “one great lick” on Halloween.

The ninth track, “Loving Cup” was first covered by the band in ’93, at the very first show that McConnell debuted his baby grand, and it has been a staple ever since. Highlighted by the guest horns and a valiant effort by each member, this take rivaled any single version of this tune over the past 16 years.

Exile on Main St. :: 10.31 :: Indio, CA

Many of the songs on the album had rarely, if ever, been played live by The Stones, making them all the more special on this occasion. The crude “Turd on a Run,” and slow cooked “Let it Loose,” were two such examples. With no road map except the album versions to go from, Phish was able to play these songs in their traditional sense, while adding swirling piano chords and sprawling fret work by Anastasio, who played out of his head all night.

Phish was not only playing this costume, but actually living it with each and every note. By the time “Shine a Light” rolled around, many in the audience had goose-bumps and shouted along to the choir-like epiphany of, “May the good lord shine a light on you/ Make every song you sing your favorite tune.” Phish was doing exactly that, with every song off the album executed near perfection and played with a sense of joy and vigor that radiated throughout the audience.

Exile on Main St. will rank with the best cover albums Phish has ever played. While the title of the album speaks of being in Exile, Phish continued their return to glory with this set.

CINCO

How the hell do you follow up THAT? Simple. You deliver one of the best sets of improvisational music you’ve played in the past decade. “Backwards Down the Number Line” began a five-song set, followed by the thumping thunder of “Fluffhead,” in which Gordon took center stage. No flubs to speak of, this mega-number has certainly been a welcome addition to the band’s catalogue in version 3.0.

Phish Festival 8 :: 10.31 :: Indio, CA

The song of the night, though, was the Halloween appropriate “Ghost.” From the funky opening this roughly 15-minute cut took on a life of its own. Fueled by Trey’s furious guitar work, the theme developed into a scorching jam before returning full-circle to the loose structure of the introductory chords. The one breather tune of the set was a stirring rendition of Los Lobos’ “When the Circus Comes to Town,” with the line, “the day I burn this whole place down” foreshadowing some of the pyrotechnic displays that would happen shortly thereafter.

“You Enjoy Myself” is arguably Phish’s biggest, most popular composition. You could call it the quintessential Phish song. The Halloween ’09 version ranks up there with some of best they’ve performed. Led once again by Trey’s possessed guitar work, it was classic Anastasio. During the breakdown, the structures that defined the outer limits of the concert ground blew fire out of their tops in unison with the music. The band was locked-in, fired up (literally), and ready to conquer the world. After Exile and this third set, they’re a step closer.

The encore welcomed back out the horns for “Suzy Greenburg.” A song that has been overplayed since the band’s return, this version was easily the best one yet and again warrants talk of possibly a “best ever.” Jones’ vocals gave the ending jam an added boost and Page and Trey were blowing a gasket. Those onstage were having so much fun, they didn’t want things to end, and when the song was about to be over, Trey led everyone back into a reprise jam, akin to the Darien Lake ’00 “Suzy.”

Basking in the glow of fire, neon and the glory of a show this good, Phish rose to the occasion and made Halloween 2009 one for the ages. Not only did they conquer a classic in Exile, the boys turned in some of the best versions of their own classics.

More photos of this show are available here.

Phish perform again today in Indio. Keep an eye on jambase.com/phish for live Tweets, setlists, pics and full reviews. Complete Phish tour dates available here.

Phish Festival 8 :: 10.31.09 – Halloween :: Indio, CA

Set I (Afternoon): Sample In A Jar, The Divided Sky, Lawn Boy, Kill Devil Falls, Bathtub Gin, The Squirming Coil, Runaway Jim > Possum, Run Like An Antelope

Set II (Night) – The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St.: Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Shake Your Hips, Casino Boogie, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Sweet Black Angel, Loving Cup, Happy, Turd On The Run, Ventilator Blues > I Just Want To See His Face, Let It Loose, All Down The Line, Stop Breaking Down, Shine A Light
Soul Survivor

Set III (Night): Backwards Down the Number Line > Fluffhead, Ghost, When the Circus Comes, You Enjoy Myself

Encore: Suzy Greenberg

Exile on Main St. & Suzy Greenberg featured Sharon Jones, David Guy, Tony Jarvis, David Smith & Saundra Williams

Phish Festival 8 | 10.31.09 Day 2 Pics & Setlist From Indio, CA

November 1st, 2009 | No Comments

Images by: Steven Walter

Phish Festival 8 :: 10.31.09 – Halloween :: Indio, CA

In depth review of this show available here.

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Continue reading for night time Halloween photos of Phish Festival 8…

Phish perform again tonight in Indio, CA. Keep an eye on jambase.com/phish for live Tweets, setlists, pics and full reviews. Complete Phish tour dates available here.

JamBase | Spooky

Go See Live Music!

The Sheer Joy of Well Crafted Prose

September 4th, 2009 | No Comments

As a younger man I wrote only to pass on knowledge. I still print rather than use cursive because it’s easier to read, and my copy was the same way – lacking irony or metaphor, but communicating effectively.
Now I worship the well-crafted phrase. It’s not enough to get your message across. Great copy can also [...]

EAâ€™S THE SIMS 3 WORLD ADVENTURES TO FEATURE GLOBAL ARTISTS

August 28th, 2009 | No Comments

The Sims fans around the world will be rockinâ€™ out to new Simlish music in The Simsâ„¢ 3 World Adventures Expansion Pack* for the PC and Mac this fall. The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that in The Sims 3 World Adventures, players will have their chance to get [...]

Phish | 08.13 | Darien Lake Photos

August 14th, 2009 | No Comments

Images by: Heather Ainsworth

Phish :: 08.13.09 :: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center :: Darien Center, NY

Set 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

Set II: Drowned > Prince Caspian > Rift, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Sparkle, Run Like An Antelope, Suzy Greenberg, Fluffhead

E: Joy, First Tube

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Phish perform next on Friday, August 14 at Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT. Check back for live Tweets, setlists, pics and full reviews. Complete Phish tour dates available href="http://www.jambase.com/Artists/2698/Phish/Shows">here.

Keep up to speed with all things Phish at jambase.com/phish.

JamBase | Lakeside

Go See Live Music!

Phish | 7.31 | Red Rocks Day 2

August 1st, 2009 | No Comments

Words by: Brian Bavosa | Images by: Dave Vann

Phish :: 07.31.09 :: Red Rocks Amphitheatre :: Morrison, CO

Phish :: 07.31 :: Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Opening with “Runaway Jim” and a blazing “Chalkdust Torture,” two of the band’s favorite starters, signs pointed to night two at Red Rocks being another treat for all. Judging by the ticket-less masses outside and the growing anticipation every hour, the final, few shows here are going to be insane. Friday seemed to push things off towards that path. “Bathtub Gin” conjured up the elements of weather, as a bit later, the crowd would certainly shout, “Because we’re all in this together, and we love to take a bath.” The jam in this tune was strong and focused, led by Trey.

“Time Turns Elastic” found a new slot in the middle of set one, and seemed a good opportunity for many to grab a beer or hit the head. While it’s a beautiful composition, it just doesn’t do it for many, myself included. “Lawnboy” saw Page crooning and offering, “Thank you. Thank you very much,” followed by “Water In The Sky,” another foreshadowing tune with a Page piano intro that allowed him to really take charge. “Water” was loose and featured some dizzying dueling by Trey and Page at the song’s conclusion. The second new tune of the night, “Stealing Time From a Faulty Plan” is a darker one, with a razor sharp tone, strong direction and the haunting line, “I have a blank space where my mind should be.” Along with the set-closing “Split Open and Melt,” where the sky decided to open up something fierce, the band channeled that energy and played a dark, mean, winding jam that led us into what felt like a longer than normal set break where many fans were diving for cover in the downstairs museum area or under concession tents.

Phish :: 07.31 :: Red Rocks Amphitheatre

After seemingly an hour or so, the band reemerged, with the rain gone, and like Deer Creek a month back (read the review here), opened the post-rain break with a smoking rendition of The Who’s “Drowned.” Led by the fierce chops of McConnell, who, again, owned set two, the band found their way quickly to a meaty jam, which saw the four cylinders collectively lock in and Trey leading them into “Crosseyed and Painless.” A mighty surge of energy descended upon the masses when this one hit, and the set was only minutes old. Long a fan favorite, “Crosseyed” saw some wailing licks by Trey and an all out blitzkrieg by the band.

“Joy” followed for its second ever run-through and features some lyrics that some would call beautiful while others might term ‘sappy,’ I’ll call it a nice filler tune. However, the song of the night was “Tweezer,” where the band finally let loose for the first TRUE time all weekend. This version was the ’03 equivalent of David Ortiz on steroids and slugged its way to the Triple Crown. Fierce, fierce playing by all led to a jam that devolved into a breakdown of sorts. Easily, the song of the run thus far.

McConnell & Anastasio – Phish :: 07.31 :: Red Rocks

“Backwards Down the Number Line,” the third and final new tune of the night, simply feels the most “Phishy.” The lyrics are appropriate for version 3.0 and the jam simply soars. As if the statement of set two wasn’t already made, “Fluffhead” nailed that point home. Obviously practicing this song has reinvigorated the band and they have enjoyed playing it, and all those who pined for it for almost nine years have sure gotten their fill of “powerful pills” since Phish’s almighty return. “Fluffhead” segued into a short, quick reading of “Piper” before slipping into a piano solo akin to the end of “Squirming Coil,” where McConnell tickled the keys before starting up the set closing cover of The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” A masterpiece of a song, Phish does this one justice and it was the cherry on the sundae of set two.

An encore of “Suzie Greenburg” again saw Page crush the ivories, while Fishman joked that he wished he was a neurologist before the exclamation point of “Tweezer Reprise” closed things out proper. Two shows into the tour, the band seems to be focused and ready to go, with the “Tweezer” leading the way for early tour MVP.

Phish :: 07.31.09 :: Red Rocks Amphitheatre :: Morrison, CO

Set I: Runaway Jim, Chalk Dust Torture, Bathtub Gin, Time Turns Elastic, Lawn Boy, Water In The Sky, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Split Open and Melt

Set II: Drowned > Crosseyed and Painless > Joy, Tweezer > Backwards Down The Numberline > Fluffhead > Piper > A Day in the Life

E: Suzy Greenberg > Tweezer Reprise

Phish :: 07.31 :: Red Rocks Amphitheatre

For more pics of Phish at Red Rocks night 2 go here. And for coverage of Night 1, go here.

Phish perform again tonight at Red Rocks. Check back
for live Tweets, setlists, pics and full reviews. Complete Phish tour dates available here.

Just like Leg I of Phish’s Summer Tour, JamBase will be at every stop with more coverage than you’ll find anywhere! Keep up to speed with all things Phish at jambase.com/phish.

JamBase | Gone Phishin’
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Phish | 07.31 | Red Rocks Photos 2

August 1st, 2009 | No Comments

Images by: Dave Vann

Phish :: 07.31.09 :: Red Rocks Amphitheatre :: Morrison, CO

Set I: Runaway Jim, Chalk Dust Torture, Bathtub Gin, Time Turns Elastic, Lawn Boy, Water In The Sky, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Split Open and Melt

Set II: Drowned > Crosseyed and Painless > Joy, Tweezer > Backwards Down The Numberline > Fluffhead > Piper > A Day in the Life

E: Suzy Greenberg > Tweezer Reprise

Order the show for Download on LivePhish.com

Phish perform again tonight at Red Rocks. Check back for live Tweets, setlists, pics and full reviews. Complete Phish tour dates available here.

Just like Leg I of Phish’s Summer Tour, JamBase will be at every stop with more coverage than you’ll find anywhere! Keep up to speed with all things Phish at jambase.com/phish.

JamBase | Rain Rocks

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Larry Jon Wilson:Larry Jon Wilson

July 23rd, 2009 | No Comments

By: Dennis Cook

Forget the compelling backstory, the old school shoulda-been-famous tale and disillusionment with the nuts ‘n’ bolts of the music industry that made him withdraw in 1980, and just listen to Larry Jon Wilson‘s self-titled return to recording after a nearly 30 year absence (released June 30 on Drag City). There’s a purity of form, the intimate-as-can-be mingling of a fantastically lived-in voice and the practiced, natural movement of hands on an acoustic guitar, that’s undeniable. “I’m still drinking gin/ sure bought a lot of gin today,” is a simple enough sentiment but delivered with Wilson’s shit-this-feels-real burr it hits your gut like that one shot too many that makes you aware of all the sickness you carry around inside.

While Steve Earle and countless others salute Townes Van Zandt, here’s a living singer-songwriter who pitches a tent not far from Townes’ lonely, sadly true country. And like Townes, Wilson slips in sharp flashes of hope or just catalogs of the small things that get us through. A romantic fiddle floats in and out here, sticking to the edges of Wilson’s singing and picking, and rightly so, but adding a lovely dance hall of the damaged vibe. This whole set lays bare our tattered collective spirit, picking through what’s been left behind by all the wildfires and stupid decisions and holding up what endures, the pleasures and pains that live through the blaze and stumble, the stuff we just can’t shake, for good reasons and bad.

The only folksy release in recent times that even remotely compares is last year’s similar return-to-recording marvel Misfit Scarecrow by Sammy Walker (JamBase review). Like Walker, Larry Jon Wilson drives down to a resounding, unshakable essence – a real, adult, all-too-human understanding given nigh perfect form. This is an instant classic for God’s lost children and you cheat yourself of something special if you miss it.

JamBase | Real Life
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