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Phish: Hampton/Winston-Salem '97
by Doug Collette
Less than halfway through Phish's Hampton/Winston-Salem '97, it's very clear what distinguishes these shows, documented in this seven-CD box, as singular entries in the band's pantheon of concert performances. The funk pervading this music makes a consistent backdrop for lengthy improvisations, the likes of which merely sprawled earlier in the group's career. Entries like the segue from “Ghost" into “AC/DC Bag" are not so sharply defined, but nonetheless provide continuity to the performance. No loose ends dangle within ...
Continue ReadingPhish: Live in Utica October 20, 2010 At The Aud
by Doug Collette
PhishLive in Utica October 20, 2010 At The AudJemp2011 It may demean the occasion to call it an instant classic, but Phish's October 2010 appearance at The Auditorium in Utica, New York has all the earmarks of a unique event. The main distinction of the evening was the music, some of the most self-challenging and rewarding the Vermont band has played since its reunion in 2009; but there's also the unusual ...
Continue ReadingHalloween 2010, Atlantic City, NJ: Little Feat - Waiting For Columbus
by C. Michael Bailey
Phish Halloween 2010, Atlantic City, NJ: Little Feat—Waiting For Columbus Self Produced 2010 Phish's “Musical Costumes" fully hit their stride with 2009's Halloween cover of the Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street (Rolling Stones, 1972). That show was the first Halloween “Musical Costume" show since 1998's cover of The Velvet Underground's Loaded (Cotillion, 1970) (and the subsequent cover, a month later, of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (Capitol, 1973)). So, what was ...
Continue ReadingPhish: 10.31.09 Festival 8: Indio, California
by C. Michael Bailey
In 1994, Phish inaugurated the practice of covering a famous classic rock album as the second of three sets making up its Halloween concerts. The band termed these concerts its “musical costumes." The first classic recording it chose to honor was The Beatles' White Album (Apple, 1968). Since that time, Phish has honored, in 1995, The Who's Quadrophenia (Polydor, 1973); in 1996, Talking Heads' Remain In Light (Sire, 1980); in 1998, the Velvet Underground's Loaded (Cotillion, 1970); and a surprise ...
Continue ReadingPhish: Alpine Valley 2010
by Doug Collette
PhishAlpine Valley 2010Jemp2010 During the online pre-order period for Alpine Valley 2010, a full-length, remastered compilation of selected performances from the quartet's previous appearances at the scenic Wisconsin venue was available. Hearing that disc, however, only reaffirms what the two DVDs and two CDs in this box-set suggest in no uncertain terms: Phish has become no less expansive, only more efficient in its improvisations since regrouping in 2009. Seeing and ...
Continue ReadingPhish: Coral Sky
by Doug Collette
PhishCoral SkyJemp2010 What's most striking at the outset of Phish's Coral Sky DVD is how much the band's presentation here, in November 1996, is so remarkably similar to the sound and vision of the Vermont-based jamband since its reunion in 2009. From the sight of drummer Jon Fishman in his trademark dress on stage, to the near telepathic tradeoffs during improvisational segments, this might well be a recent performance.
Continue ReadingPhish Live Summer 2010: Back to Back at SPAC
by Doug Collette
PhishSaratoga Performing Arts CenterSaratoga Springs, New YorkJune 19 & June 20, 2010 Early in their second set on June 19th in Saratoge, Phish played “Free," one of a number vintage tunes offered that night interspersed with the occasional newer tune such as “Joy." But the ringing guitar refrain combined with the soaring harmonies on the former had special resonance here in 2010. A year after the comeback of 2009, the quintessential jamband are indeed ...
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