How to Share in the Groove

I get a lot of emails from people seeking particular shows that are not LivePhish or archival releases. One person was seeking his first show, which was 4/21/94 — an unreleased show. Another was seeking an AUD version of a show for which there was a soundboard recording circulating.

Fish during “Bike” 6/28/12 via Mike Gordon all rights reserved

Phish is a band that encourages sharing their music. As long as it is not for commercial purposes, share in the groove.

The most complete and easy-to-use resource for downloading nearly every Phish show from 1983 to present is the The Phish Spreadsheet. Of the 1645 total known shows, 1345 are available, or 82%. This includes Phish shows, solo work, sit-ins, and remasters.  The Speadsheet was made and is maintained by Kevin Hoy and is a must-use tool for all Phish Fans.

Here is a link to The Spreadsheet: The Phish Spreadsheet

Now, to use The Spreadsheet you will need an unzipping program like WinRAR which you can get here for free: WinRAR

1. Find the show you would like.

2. Go into your music files and create a labeled folder for that show.

3. Click on the download link for that show and download the RAR file.

4. When the download is complete, click on it and WinRAR should pop up automatically.

5. Click “extract” and find the labeled folder you previously created and extract it to that location.

6. Load the show into whatever music player you use: iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.

7. In a matter of seconds you will be able to share in the groove.

If you have any problems, drop me a line and I will do my best to help.

Jones Beach webcast announced

-Couch Tour Alert- 

The fine folks at LivePhish.com have decided to webcast the two sold out nights from Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh, New York.

Available are several options:

• Single night webcasts for either night 7/3 or 7/4 for $14.99 a night;
• A two-night bundle for $25.99;
• Single night bundles with a venue specific tee-shirt for $36.99;
• A two-night bundle with a venue specific tour tee-shirt for $47.99.

For those who are unable to make these mid-week shows this announcement is sure to please.

For information and to order the shows go to LivePhish’s site here: http://www.livephish.com/phish/Jones-Beach-2012-Webcast.asp

In addition, Phish.com writes, “LivePhish.com will broadcast a 9-camera, high definition shoot with high quality audio mixed live. You can tune in on their large screen TVs via HDMI-equipped PCs or Macs, as well as on Android devices, Boxee, and Xbox game consoles.”

See you on couch tour!

Jones Beach venue tee 7/3 & 7/4

What does it all mean: Midwest Run Pt. 1 capsule review

6/24/2012 Blossom. Photo by Damon Beale © Phish 2012

You may have noticed that Phish Forum did not write a review of each show of the Midwest Run. I withheld my comments on purpose so as to allow the post-show glow subside and to review the run from a more objective point of view. Rather than writing about each show individually, I would like to consider the meaning of the run itself, the Midwest Run as an entity, and what it means to 2012 and Phish as a whole. So, rather than writing 5000 words each on Riverbend’s Twist or Blossom’s Ghost, let’s think about what the Midwest Run all means.

2012 has been a banner year so far. With a strong run at DCU Center to open the tour, to the festival-like stand at Bader Field, to the two-nights of contrasting composition at Portsmouth, 2012 has had something in it for every fan — new and old alike. Several themes have been developing this tour that carried over into the Midwest Run.

Communication is key- Communication between band members and between band and fans is at its highest since Phish’s triumphant return in 2009. Phish often talks about song selection between songs, more often in the first set, and this year has seen a more equitable discussion between the band when selecting subsequent songs. They are talking about what they are playing, and it is making for better music. But it is hard to talk out an improvisational jam mid-rage, and this year has seen some serious jams. The communication between the band is noticeably contributing the quality of the jamming. Whether it is by hand signals or just heightened awareness based on prior chats, communication is contributing to the quality of the music.

Moreover, the band is talking to fans more so than in previous years. Two shows have already seen fans on stage, the first since 2009’s NYE Run in which Rich crushed the vacuum solo in Love You. This year has seen an extremely talkative Phish. Stage banter has been prevalent, and we are learning trivia that many of us eat up like a rare delicacy. Riverbend saw a particularly talkative Phish. After the Poor Heart and Moma Dance train wreck prompted Trey to rag on Fishman, fans learned that Buffalo Bill is Trey’s favorite drum-intro song, and that Chris Kuroda requests Bowie every night. Blossom featured Meatstick dancers on stage, and plenty of band/crowd interaction.

Let us hope that whatever is causing Phish to be so talkative in 2012 keeps working its magic. The atmosphere and music are better off when Phish talks it out.

Just a little patience. It is said that patience is a virtue. If that is the case then 2012 Phish is the most virtuous vintage in years and definitely since their return in 2009. The sets seem less rushed, as if they’re not trying to get through every song on a list, but rather they are exploring themes and ideas more fully. The Midwest Run displayed this patience quite well. Be it Riverbend’s Twist>Halley’s>Sand; Star Lake’s  Mike’s>Simple>Light>Groove; or Blossom’s Golden Age>Ghost, the Type II jamming is in full effect every night, and there’s no rush to get through it. It is making for perhaps the finest Phish jamming of the modern era. Granted, there have been a couple ripcords, but they are more often not in that particular night’s exploratory sequence, but are relegated to Type I jams. What is more is that any song may go into the stratosphere, and there is no one jam vehicle that they are relying on. A patient Phish is a Phish that can jam any song they so choose. Fans are all the more grateful. 

Compositional Contrast. This year we have been treated to a version of Phish that is in full control of the music. By this I mean we have been privy to varying types of shows. Phish is treating fans to jam-heavy gems like Star Lake to antic-filled frolics like Blossom. For every arena rock anthem there is an improvisational experiment to compliment it. There is an art to pairing fine wine and cheese or dank beer and food. There is also an art to striking a balance between show/playing styles. Just as each night of Worcester and Portsmouth differed in style, so too does the Midwest Run. Not only does contrast show that the band is playing how they want by design, it also is nice for fans to see shows that are not repeats of their predecessors. On any given night anything can happen, and Phish proved this once again with the three shows that comprised the Midwest Run. 

There is something for every type of fan in the past three shows. From jaded vet to newcomer, fans can find Phish playing to them. Whether it is bust out songs or statistical awareness for stat collectors, comical antics for fans of the early days, or dark, patient jams for the improvisational fans, Phish is on top of their game in 2012. The Midwest Run encapsulates all that is good about Phish. By communicating among themselves or with fans, playing patiently, and varying playing/show styles, 2012 is going to continue to please fans of all types.

Official 6/22/12 Cincinnati Poster by Status Serigraph

Official 6/23 Burgettstown, PA Poster Artist: Drew Millward

Official 6/24 Cuyahoga Falls Poster By Subject Matter Studio

For setlists and show notes see Phish.net 6/22/12; 6/23/12; and 6/24/12

See you all Thursday from Deer Creek!

Compositional Competency: nTelos Pavilion – Night 2 review

From the opening licks of Sparkle to the patience displayed during the first AC/DC Bag and Divided Sky of the tour, tonight’s show was destined to jam. After the previous night’s antics, Phish had it in mind to melt our brains and eat our faces.

Tuck. Photo by Richard Glasgow © Phish 2012

Sparkle (first Sparkle opener since 3/22/92) and Ha Ha Ha warmed the band right up, and as they launched into AC/DC it was apparent they were playing tight. Divided Sky was flawless. Period. But what came next was SHOCKING: the first appearance of Dog Log in nearly a decade, the first since 8/2/03 or 172 shows. And it was played by request taboot! The Undermined that followed was by the book, but flawless too. Fans will want to seek out the Mike’s Groove. This is 2012 Phish at their finest. Fun, precise, and happy to be playing music–for themselves and us. The Cities that followed started funky and had potential, but was cut slightly short with a -> into Ya Mar. The Page Show was in full effect during the Bold as Love, which could have very well ended a set on any given night, but 6/20/12 was special. To cap off this fine, fine set, Phish played a Julius that built into a cathartic peak. This set is one for the record books.

See you in 15 minutes.

Set II was a hot one, and it stood in stark contrast to the previous night’s jocular show. Phish came out swinging with a Rock & Roll that rocked and rolled in all the right places. This version is notable, though, for the ambient dissolve at the end into Tweezer. The segue between the two songs was dark and dissonant, everything good that Phish can and should be in this modern incarnation was on display here. Spacey layering coupled to full control by the band marks this transition. They are attuned to each other right now, and it shows in the music. Tweezer too got dark and gritty and had the potential to go through the roof, but the band (read, Trey) decided to pull back and shifted to Free. Free took flight as it is wont to do, hence the name. Free began to jam quite nicely when it too saw a -> into Guyute. This version of the Ugly Pig is very well executed–perhaps the best since ’09. The following Birds of a Feather was marked by the same control displayed throughout the show, but did not quite take off. Hood, however, did. The beginning composed sections flew by, and the song broke into Type II territory that morphed into What’s the Use. Gorgeous, amazing, awe inspiring, and whatever else you can think of describe this again unfinished Hood. Transitioning into a soulful Velvet Sea, Phish mixed musical prowess with emotion. Possum again made an appearance to finish out an inspired set of Phish.

Reaching back into the early ’90s, Phish brought out Sleeping Monkey and Tweeprise for the encore. Phish the Jedi masters teased the Star Wars theme and even reprised the  “tuck” theme from the previous night to close out a fantastic two-night stand in Portsmouth.

nTelos Pavilion night II showed off Phish’s compositional competency. This jam-laden show stands in contrast to night I’s playful antics, showing again that Phish is a band in full control of their music. From having fun to improvising on the spot, Phish is at the peak of their game in 2012. The Portsmouth stand contained all that is good about Phish and is why we keep coming back.

See you in Cincinnati, good people.

This band is dialed in. What joys await those of us who are attending this weekend’s Midwest Run from Riverbend to Star Lake to Blossom. Surely we are in for another treat.

And then the show got weird: nTelos Pavilion – Night 1 review

Phish opened the first night of a two night stand at nTelos Pavilion in Portsmouth, Virginia, in raucous style.

Though Set I didn’t get into Type II territory like 6/8/12, there were several highlights both musical and theatrical. Party Time featured an appearance by Carl “Geerz” Gearhart from the Giant Country horns. Geerz added that sweet brass sound that blends so well with Phish tunes. Speaking for all fans: MOAR horns, please. Tube was played as an acknowledgement of fan chants, which builds on the  close band/fan interaction theme developing nicely this year. A fine, fine Bathtub Gin started slow in tempo and built in speed to a raging denouement, an obvious highlight to the set. Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan briefly delved into dark territory, and a playful Antelope featuring alternate “tuck in your dress, man / you’re out of control” lyrics, which referenced Fish tucking his dress into his shorts during the vacuum jam in I Didn’t Know.

This is a band that is having fun playing, and it’s translating into a great experience for us fans.

See you in 15 minutes.

Official 6/19/2012 Portsmouth, VA Poster by Spike Press

Set II opened with a  pretty standard Back on the Train, which went into a slightly misplaced Rift. The first Split Open and Melt of 2012 carried over the “tuck” theme as the lyrics were altered. Lyrics aside, this version of SOAM is tight throughout and would be a highlight without the antics. The series of SOAM>Mango Song>BDTNL was the best executed playing of the evening, as the Limb by Limb and Shine a Light afterwards were not well executed and disrupted the set’s flow.

And then the show got weird. Fishman began singing Lengthwise while guests in matching Fishman attire joined the band on stage. Fish tucked and the guests tucked too. Everyone was tucking, but not to Trey’s liking. Trey mocked the tuckers and said they sucked at tucking. This prompted Trey to seize a lightsaber and call to Chris Kuroda for lights out. While using the lightsaber as a bow in the darkness, Trey quoted Star Wars and launched into a raging Maze. The Force was strong with this Maze, and the momentum of the set that was lost on Limb and Shine a Light was regained. Either Cavern or Fire are a perfect way to punctuate a set of Phish weirdness, but fans at Portsmouth were treated to both.

To send fans on their way, Phish played the somewhat rare Mexican Cousin into a tight and well executed Slave to the Traffic Light.

What the show lacked in jamming it made up for in fun. On any given night Phish can be any band they so choose. From compositional kings to Star Wars geeks, Phish is in control in 2012. Portsmouth Night one saw a band that just wanted to have fun.

See you tomorrow. Same time, same bat channel.

Set 1: Sample in a Jar, Party Time[1], Simple > Axilla, Tube[2], Kill Devil Falls, Water in the Sky > Horn, Babylon Baby, Bathtub Gin > Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, I Didn’t Know[3] > Run Like an Antelope[4]

Set 2: Back on the Train > Rift, Split Open and Melt[5] > The Mango Song > Backwards Down the Number Line, Limb By Limb, Shine a Light, Lengthwise[6] -> Maze[7], Cavern > Fire[8]

Encore: Mexican Cousin[9] > Slave to the Traffic Light

[1] Carl “Geerz” Gerhard on trumpet.
[2] By crowd request.
[3] Trey requested that Fish tuck in his shirt; Fish complied.
[4] Alternate lyrics: “Tuck, tuck, tuck, tuck” and “Tuck in your dress man, you’re out of control!”
[5] Alternate lyric: “Split open and tuck!”
[6] With alternate lyrics “When you’re tucked, I sleep lengthwise,” “you suck at tucking,” Trey wielding a light saber, and “Tuck” audience member appearances on stage.
[7] Included Trey playing his guitar with his light saber.
[8] Alternate lyric: “Let the Tucker take over!”
[9] Mike and Trey sported sombreros.

Setlist via Phish.net

Portsmouth webcast announced

–COUCH TOUR ALERT–

The fine folks at LivePhish.com have decided to webcast the two nights from nTelos Pavilion in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Available are three options:

• Single night webcasts for either night 6/19 or 6/20 for $14.99 a night;
• A two-night bundle for $25.99;
• A two-night bundle with a venue specific tour tee-shirt for $47.99.

For those who are unable to make mid-week shows this announcement is sure to please.

For information and to order the shows go to LivePhish’s site here:  http://www.livephish.com/phish/Portsmouth-2012-Webcast.asp

See you on couch tour!

Portsmouth, VA venue tee 6/19 & 6/20

Pro Tip: where to go to find video

As Phish Forum is taking the weekend off from touring to take care of business, we find ourselves jonesing for Phish. Watching the setlists and following everyone on Twitter who is at Bader Field is torturous. Fortunately there are a few great sources for high quality Phish videos to tide us over until Riverbend, Starlake, and Blossom next weekend.

Currently, @mkdevo is KILLING it with HD video. Mkdevo has posted high-quality videos from every show so far except Bonnaroo, and there is an extensive library of Phish videos on his YouTube channel, as well as videos from other artists. It’s like having a great spot at every show minus the $10 beers and spun out brahs bumping into you. Check out 6/15/12 Sneaking Sally/Bowie and explore mkdevo’s YouTube channel here: mkdevo’s Live Music Videos.

For vintage videos from classic Phish shows check out @telekinetica. Telekinetica tweets Phish videos nearly every day, many of them never before seen. This is a treasure trove of Phishtory for those who like to see as well as hear The Phish. Explore telekinetica’s YouTube channel here: The Cosmic Jukebox .

For an easy to use site that sorts all Phish videos by year and shows the setlists with notes check out phishvids.com . This site is like an aggregator of multiple video sources. If there is more than one recording of a particular song, Phishvids lists all of them and users can choose whichever they please. You can also follow @phishvids on Twitter for tour tweets and Phish commentary.

Thankfully the practice of Phish releasing an official video for nearly every show that started in 2010 has continued into this year. No doubt you are familiar with the HD videos found on Phish’s vimeo channel. If not, see them here (Phish’s Vimeo) and enjoy.

For great Phish, TAB and other live music videos, also check out @LazyLightning55’s YouTube channel. LL55 captures nearly every awesome show in NYC and surrounding areas, as well tons of Phish. Here is LL55’s Harry Hood – 12/30/12, and you can find more on YouTube here: The Good Stuff.

@phishvideocol has an easy to search site that has full shows as well as individual Phish videos. Check out Page’s snazzy pink sweater in this full show 4/29/90 – Woodbury Ski & Racquet Club. Explore the site here: Phish Video Collection.

If you know of any other tweeters or good YouTube channels, please leave a comment and share with the rest of us. And if you’re in possession of rare or as-of-yet unseen video, PLEASE contact any of the accounts above and get that video out there for everyone to enjoy.

Review: Bonnaroo Webcast

Let’s address the elephant in the room right away: the repeats.

A lot of talk made its way around the interwebs about the repeated songs played at Bonnaroo. 13 out of 26 songs had been played at the DCU run.

Our thoughts on the subject: BOO HOO.

Consider first that 99% of the people at Bonnaroo were probably NOT at Worcester. Second, throughout the early ’90s it was common for songs to be played night after night. In 1992, Foam was in the 2nd slot of the 1st set so often it was mind numbing. Either that or they would flip flop songs. If a song was played in the 1st set one night, it would be flipped to the 2nd set the following night, and so on. Moreover, most people complaining were watching the show for free from the comfort of their own couch. Phish Forum for one cannot complain about seeing a free Phish show whilst enjoying beers that did not cost $10+.

Now, on the the music.

Phish – 6/10/12 – Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival – Manchester, TN – Photo by Dave Vann © Phish 2012

The first set featured at Tweezer that is sure to please any Phish fan. There were two distinct movements to the song. The first section is a standard Tweezer, nothing out of the ordinary. At about 5 minutes in the song slows to creep and quiets down to a whisper. The band break it to its rudiments and build it into a jam that does not break into Type II, but is scorching nonetheless considering its in the first set. It dissolves into plinko and segues into an energetic Free. Well played, Phish.

Fans of sit ins will want to seek out this show for The Gambler featuring the man, Kenny Rogers.

Though it was not a set for the ages, 6/10/12 has several > type segues and Phish enjoyed themselves. Punctuated by another great Cavern, 6/10/12 is standard average great Phish. See you in 15 minutes.

Set two also featured some fine Phish playing, as well as Shafty, which had been shelved for nearly a decade.

The Golden Age Set II opener rocked as they have since its debut. The segue into 2001 was buttery and the funk sets in. Chris Kuroda’s light show went epileptic seizure inducing during 2001, and the crowd funked it the funk up. Fine Phish.

2001 segued into 2012’s first Chalk Dust Torture, which, from the view on the couch, the band and crowd enjoyed immensely.

The following Carini brought out the heavy metal early, then got dark–really dark. Look for Carini to jam out this year some more, which gets our full endorsement. The -> segue into Shafty, though, is the stuff of legend. Shafty sounded like a faint tease at first before becoming the first version since 12/30/03 Miami.

Shafty was merely a novelty compared to the raging version of Rock & Roll that followed. This was the obvious highlight of the show and absolutely had the couch elevated off the floor. The enthusiasm of the Trey, Page, Mike and Fish while playing this song is astounding. When the band enjoys themselves, fans enjoy themselves. Even the Alaska that followed was made better by watching Phish like to play their own music.

Following Alaska they broke into a Hood that started sweet and soft like the best versions do. This version, however, had the plug pulled and remained unfinished. The Light born of Hood was equally energetic. Though it is Light, this version got dark near the end. The Character Zero and Rocky Top that followed cap off a set marked by brief but impressive jams, and a monster Rock & Roll that makes the show.

For an encore Phish dialed up Show of Life in the first slot. Love or hate it, the band again looked like it enjoyed playing the song. Julius in the second position made up for any buzz kill wrought by Show of Life. Though not as interesting as 6/8/12’s slow build version, we’ll take a Julius encore any day. To close the show and festival was the inevitable Tweezer Reprise accompanied by fireworks. Watching Trey dance to his own playing was the reward for couch touring this show.

It was a festival set. There were surely some highlights in the Kenny Rogers appearance, Tweezer, Rock & Roll, and band enthusiasm. First set jamming and segues are a good thing to see in the evolution of 2012 Phish. The second set won’t make any record books, but is enjoyable nonetheless. The band is happy to be playing music, and we’re happy to have watched it for free.

See you in Atlantic City.

Set 1: Down with Disease > Funky Bitch, The Moma Dance > Sample in a Jar, Axilla, The Gambler[1], Possum[2] > Wilson > Tweezer[3] > Free > Backwards Down the Number Line > Cavern

Set 2: Golden Age > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Chalk Dust Torture, Carini -> Shafty > Rock and Roll, Alaska > Harry Hood[4] -> Light > Character Zero > Rocky Top

Encore: Show of Life > Julius > Tweezer Reprise

[1] Phish debut, with Kenny Rogers.
[2] The Gambler and Streets of Cairo teases.
[3] Walk This Way tease from Trey and I Am Hydrogen teases from Fishman.
[4] Unfinished.

Notes: The Gambler (Kenny Rogers) was a Phish debut and featured Kenny Rogers on vocals. Possum featured The Gambler and Streets of Cairo teases. Tweezer contained a Walk This Way tease from Trey and I Am Hydrogen teases from Fishman. Shafty was played for the first time since December 30, 2003 (159 shows). Hood was unfinished.

A little extra jam

Fan anticipation was at a peak Friday after Thursday’s throw down. Would Phish bring the heat again on night 2? Of course they would and did, but in a distinctly different style than the previous night.

From the Free opener to Bathtub Gin first set closer, each song had a little extra Type I added to it. The only exception was the jammed out Roses are Free, which delved into Type II territory for a solid five minutes of improvisational composition.

Phish – 6/8/12 – DCU Center – Worcester, MA – Photo by Dave Vann © Phish 2012

After the Free opener, The Phish cranked out Kill Devil Falls. They limbered their fingers for the rest of the show and got into the Type I jamming, nothing too special though.

Next was the first jammed out Roses are Free since Phish’s return in 2009. The crowd erupted when the song started and again when the jam began. Though it was brief, it was beautiful. It’s nice to see the band launch into new territory so early in a show. All the jams labeled “[City Name Jam]” based on cover songs have been in the second set, so this version was a real treat for fans. Early improvisation = jaded vets pleased.

The Theme from the Bottom was definitely a crowd pleaser. Sufficiently Type I’ed and well played. The Axilla that followed was well played as well, making up for the butchered 12/30/11 II version. This version was a rocking headbanger.

The Julius that followed is worth noting. This version KILLED. Julius almost never goes into Type II style jamming (try 12/5/97) and most others already rock, but this version was destined for the <a href=”http://phish.net/song/julius/jamming-chart“>Jam Chart</a> from the start. The subdued intro and beginning to the song remain throughout the first 7 minutes until the band builds the song into a raging crescendo that had the crowd screaming.  Definitely a highlight of the set after Roses.

Phish then cooled it down with a standard version of Bouncing Around the Room, but the Maze that followed raged as Maze always does. CK5’s brilliant light show combines with Page’s organ playing (read, slaying) to make this Maze rage as it was meant to.

The patience seen in night 1, Roses, and Julius is seen again in the Bathtub Gin that followed Maze. Slow, patient and jam chart worthy. This version capped off a fantastic first set of Phish that crushed the previous night’s first set. See you in 15 minutes.

Set II opened with a Disease that jammed Type I through out. High energy and expanded jamming within the DWD structure mark with version until the end when the band briefly went into improvisational territory before launching a short but rocking Sand that saw Page on his feet for much of the song and Trey embellishing the jam. This version is noted for the -> into Nellie Cane. Nellie Cane was short and precise, what followed is a definite show highlight.

Mike’s Song was also given the Extra Jam treatment. The walls of DCU Center reverberated with the vibrations of Mike’s bass, and the crowd dug it deeply. The transition into Makisupa Policeman (first ever Mike’s>Makisupa) again made the crowd cheer. And the wailing Weakapaug Groove that followed make for 20 minutes of fine fine Phish.

The Wading in the Velvet Sea that followed was also well played. Again, this is a band that did their homework over the 5+ months they had off.

Next up–Funky Dance Party aka 2001. Kuroda took the arena into space with the band accompanied him. If you didn’t dance to this version, you were doing something wrong.

Character Zero had the crowd pumping their fists and banging heads, but was a standard version in a night with so many highlights.

The Oh Kee Pa>Suzy Greenburg encore was given the same Type I treatment.

Overall Worcester II saw Phish embellish their songs with more energy and precise playing. Set I is notable for the > segues that night I lacked. Moreover, the improvisation in Roses are Free within the first set was a departure from contemporary Phish. Fans should seek out both shows and listen for two different types of Phish. Night I showcased Phish’s ability to get deep into improvisational territory, and Night II saw Phish embellish their songs with a little extra jam. The extra effort on both nights made for one hell of a two-night tour opener.

See you at Bonnarroo—–>

Set 1: Free, Kill Devil Falls, Roses Are Free > Theme From the Bottom > Axilla > Julius, Bouncing Around the Room, Maze, Bathtub Gin

Set 2: Down with Disease[1] > Sand -> Nellie Kane, Mike’s Song > Makisupa Policeman[2] > Weekapaug Groove, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Also Sprach Zarathustra[3], Character Zero

Encore: The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg

[1] Unfinished.
[2] Keyword was “Sour Diesel.”
[3] Sand teases from Fish and Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine) and Mike’s Song teases from Trey.

Notes: Down with Disease was unfinished. Makisupa’s keyword was “Sour Diesel.” 2001 contained Sand teases from Fishman and Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine and Mike’s Song teases from Trey. (setlist via Phish.net)

The only rule is it begins

Happy happy oh my friends!

It’ s finally here. Summer Tour began last night, and Phish came out swinging. Expectations were high as the New Year’s Eve run left people confounded, and the five long months off with no shows (save for solo work) left fans yearning for those sweet subtle sounds.

Phish did not disappoint. Period. Full stop.

Last night’s Phish was a band that was well practiced, technically precise, and enjoyed playing their own music.

The old school one-two punch opener of Buried Alive>Runaway Jim recalled early ’90s Phish and shades of Machine Gun Trey. The band was limber and the sound was vintage. But this is modern Phish,  and they then gave a tip of their hats to where they are now with a version of The Rolling Stone’s Torn and Frayed. Torn started off a bit flat and they realized it. Page added the energy with his vocals and key work, and Trey cranked it up a notch with his guitar work. The energy was rising.

They then launched into Funky Bitch. This is contemporary Phish at its finest. Mike slays the bass and vocals; Trey is not over top and lets the band play; Fish is on point so much so that he’s like a well-tuned machine; and Page works the boards like they’re an extension of his body. This version was truly Page’s jam.

There was a bit of discussion before starting the Moma Dance, probably to remind Fish that he would need to move his mic as he has vocals on the song. The bass was thumping and the playing funky, but this version was laid back. Rift was laid back as well. After all the years since Rift’s debut, the band looked like they still enjoyed playing it, but this version was quotidian/average great.

Next up was Nothing, which was nothing worth shouting about. The crowd cooled down, but the playing was at least precise.

Ocelot started in the same fashion as Moma Dance, laid back. The band has a new-found patience, and this song displayed it well. Everyone played slow and quite at first, but there was a tension building. The tension broke and the result was a lot of Trey Face. Pitch bending guitar work stood in for an ocelot slinking around in the shade.

Ocelot gave way to Beauty of a Broken Heart. Like Nothing, this version was standard. Still though, the band played with a technical precision that’s easy to appreciate.

Then came the intro to Possum. We all knew it was coming and the crowd erupted. It is an awesome experience to see the band enjoy playing a song, have the crowd respond in kind, and the two energies combine to make the musical experience peak. This is the point at which CK5 started to shine as well. Music and energy combined in a beautiful symbiosis. Fun, plain and simple.

To close off the set the band again recalled the early ’90s with a tight version of Rocky Top. See you in 15 minutes.

6/7&6/8/2012 Worcester, MA – Poster by John Vogl at The Bungaloo

Set II was the big test. Would Phish dust off their improvisational skills or would they let them lie until later in the tour?

Absolutely seek out Set II as it is The Jam.

Carini started out heavy metal rock fury. The sound, the volume, and intensity combined to stir up the crowd into frenzy. People were banging their heads. But Carini soon gave way into Type II spacey territory and the Centrum achieved orbit. Carini showed that Phish can improvise at their whim. The band was in full control. CK5 induced a spacey trance while the band layered musical textures that sounded on the verge of What’s the Use.

Up next was a true -> into Taste, which pulled the crowd back down to earth to revel in the band’s harmony. This version was gorgeous, simply gorgeous. The official setlist should add “[1] Piano Fest”, because Page again played like a man possessed. Also, listen for Trey’s tease of Norwegian Wood.

Ghost, though, is where a new Phish emerged, or rather an older, more patient Phish returned. From the intro, the band played like the curfew was a week away and the setlist was not something they had to finish. Seek out a video and watch how much Page is enjoying himself. Mike took over on lead bass and Trey accented.  Clocking in at nearly 15 minutes, fans will have to reach deep into the Phish catalog to find a better way to spend 1/4 hour.

Mike again took the lead and jammed a > into Boogie on Reggae Woman. PURE DANCE PARTY. Funky, rollicking, jovial, party-like: whatever adjective you choose fits this Boogie perfectly. The crowd was moving and the band was too. Again energy and sound combined into something greater than the two constituent parts could ever be. The Centrum was again in upper orbit with CK5’s lights and Mike in the lead. Have you listened to this Boogie yet? No? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

At this point they again pulled our heads out of space and cooled the room back down with a brilliant version of If I Could–the first since 11/21/09 or 102 shows. This song showed how well-practiced Phish is right now. Technical precision and harmony define this version.Of the three versions since 2009’s return, 6/7/12 is by far the best. Well played, sirs.

Quinn the Eskimo again featured a band that loved to play music. The crowd dug the tune and the band responded in kind. This version is quotidian, though, and will not make any “best ever” lists.

>Hood, however, just might. The Worcester Centrum was built for Harry Hood. This brief (12:00 min) version contained the themes present throughout the show–patience, practice, and band/crowd interplay.

>Cavern relit the fire in the room. The lyrics and playing were both on point and the energy was amped. This very well would have punctuated the set, but Phish had a surprise Buried Alive Reprise to end one fine Set II. The Loving Cup encore was just as energetic, and the band could have played all night from the looks of it, but they bumped into the curfew and left the stage to roars from the crowd.

6/7/12 saw a band that was prepared to play and patient to do so. Like the master musicians they are, Phish contolled the audience and energy in the room to make for an awesome musical experience. Fans in attendance will not soon forget this show, and those listening to the SBD should listen to the whole show and then glue themselves to Set II. Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars for precision, patience and a well crafted setlist.

Set 1: Buried Alive > Runaway Jim[1] > Torn and Frayed, Funky Bitch, The Moma Dance > Rift, Nothing, Ocelot, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Possum[2], Rocky Top

Set 2: Carini -> Taste[3], Ghost > Boogie On Reggae Woman > If I Could, Quinn the Eskimo > Harry Hood > Cavern > Buried Alive Reprise

Encore: Loving Cup

[1] Buried Alive tease.
[2] Beauty of a Broken Heart tease.
[3] Norwegian Wood tease.

Notes: Runaway Jim included a Buried Alive tease, Possum included a Beauty of a Broken Heart tease and Taste included a Norwegian Wood tease (all from Trey). If I Could was last played on November 21, 2009 (102 shows). [setlist via Phish.net]