by Mockingbird Contributor Chris Glushko
Now that Phish has wrapped up their best tour since returning in 2009, it’s time to take a look back and rank the shows from worst to first. Why? Because we’re Phish nerds here at phish.net. It’s what we do best.
Phish.net is an all-volunteer project produced with two goals: to raise money for music education for children through The Mockingbird Foundation, and to provide the most objective historical reference for Phish on the internet. If you enjoy phish.net’s content, please consider donating to The Mockingbird Foundation, where more than 98% of the money raised is given directly to music education programs.
A few thoughts before we begin:
Now, on to the rankings...
Busch Light Division (you won't find many people requesting these shows, but they can still get the job done)
20) 6/10/2012 Bonnaroo
Golden Age > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Chalk Dust Torture, Carini -> Shafty > Rock and Roll, Alaska > Harry Hood -> Light > Character Zero > Rocky Top E: Show of Life > Julius > Tweezer Reprise
The Meat: Good question. I guess there are a few really interesting seconds as “Carini” transitions into “Shafty.”
The Achilles Heel: Festival Set Syndrome strikes again as little to no risk was taken.
The X Factor: For those who watched at home on YouTube, Alice Cooper was putting on a fantastic show on Bonnaroo Channel 2.
19) 6/19/2012 Portsmouth
Back on the Train > Rift, Split Open and Melt > The Mango Song > Backwards Down the Number Line, Limb By Limb, Shine a Light, Lengthwise -> Maze, Cavern > Fire E: Mexican Cousin > Slave to the Traffic Light
The Meat: Um? Trey plays the “Maze” intro with a toy light saber?
The Achilles Heel: Along with Bonnaroo, this is the only other show of tour that does not feature a jam worthy of a second listen.
The X Factor: Although the “tuck show” lacks meaty play, it is full of banter and fun antics. Fortunately, there was an official webcast so those at home could see the fun since this is definitely a had-to-be-there type of night.
Heineken Division (at least it's not Busch Light)
18) 6/20/2012 Portsmouth
Rock and Roll > Tweezer > Free > Guyute, Birds of a Feather, Harry Hood -> What's the Use? > Wading in the Velvet Sea > Possum E: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise
The Meat: “Rock and Roll” and “Tweezer” provide a very tasty opening sequence. However, the real action lies in the transition from “Hood” into “What’s the Use?”
The Achilles Heel: If “What’s the Use?” had only gone back into “Hood” instead of “Velvet Sea,” we would have another contender for best moment of tour.
The X Factor: Soft-shell crabs were in season and the venue is right on the Chesapeake Bay.
17) 6/17/2012 Atlantic City
Drowned > Also Sprach Zarathustra > Reba, Roses Are Free > Chalk Dust Torture > Prince Caspian -> Silent in the Morning, Bug > A Day in the Life > Down with Disease E: Gotta Jibboo > Quinn the Eskimo
The Meat: “Drowned” provides the set with a huge lift off. The “2001” is up there with Worcester from the prior weekend as the best versions (not paying tribute to Michael Jackson) since 97-2000, and a mid-second set “Reba” provides a welcome surprise.
The Achilles Heel: All the momentum gained in the first half of the set is obliterated during the “Caspian” through “A Day in the Life” sequence.
The X Factor: A rocking “Disease” closer and groovy “Jibboo” > “Quinn” encore continued the roller coaster theme of this show, closing on a high note.
16) 7/4/2012 Jones Beach
Boogie On Reggae Woman > Tweezer > Twist > Taste > Quinn the Eskimo > Julius > Rock and Roll > The Horse > Silent in the Morning > Harry Hood > Shine a Light > Show of Life > Slave to the Traffic Light E: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise
The Meat: “Boogie On” > “Tweezer” > “Twist” opens the set with fantastic energy, and both the “Tweezer” and “Twist” contain jams worthy of a listen or seven.
The Achilles Heel: The second half of the second set is quite ballad-heavy. Also, it was July 4 and there were no fireworks. America was insulted.
The X Factor: It’s not often that you get a “Hood” and “Slave” in the same set. Unfortunately, they're also the only songs that kept people on their feet in the second half of the set.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Division (not among the elite, but still damn good)
15) 6/8/2012 Worcester
Down with Disease > Sand -> Nellie Kane, Mike's Song > Makisupa Policeman > Weekapaug Groove, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Also Sprach Zarathustra, Character Zero E: The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg
The Meat: An solid “Disease” and compact but fierce “Sand” give this set plenty of mustard.
The Achilles Heel: The Mike's Groove is average at best and “Wading” kills any momentum coming off the “Weekapaug.”
The X Factor: Putting aside the Camden 2010 Michael Jackson tribute “2001,” this “2001” along with the Atlantic City version one week later make up the most interesting and exciting performances of this tune since its 97-2000 heyday. Also, don’t discount the “Character Zero.” It might be the most interesting version of this standard rocker since Hartford 1997.
14) 7/1/2012 Alpine Valley
Crosseyed and Painless > No Quarter > Light > Ghost -> Back on the Train > Farmhouse, 46 Days, Heavy Things > Joy, Julius E: Meatstick
The Meat: “Crosseyed” > “Ghost” delivers a thrilling four-song sequence to open the set with “Light” providing the jam of the night.
The Achilles Heel: Following the “Ghost” is a collection of songs that most fans would probably rather not see late in a second set.
The X Factor: This version of “Farmhouse,” a ‘beer and bathroom song’ for many in the 90s, is an absolute pleasure to listen to.
13) 6/24/2012 Blossom
Golden Age > Ghost > Sweet Virginia, Rift > Tweezer -> Walk Away > The Horse > Silent in the Morning > Piper > Waste > Run Like an Antelope E: Loving Cup > Tweezer Reprise
The Meat: This is a love/hate set full of “almost” moments in the “Golden Age,” “Ghost,” and “Tweezer.” In the end, the best played pieces of the night were a scorching “Walk Away” and tease-filled “Antelope.”
The Achilles Heel: For as great as “Golden Age” > “Ghost” looks on paper, neither delivers, save for an exciting minute or two in each. In addition, the “Tweezer” is a bunch of different disjointed ideas that never comes together.
The X Factor: This is a classic example of a show that was a blast to see live, but doesn’t translate well to the recording. If this list was a survey of the best live experiences, I have no doubt. this show would be near the top.
12) 7/7/2012 SPAC
Down with Disease -> Blister in the Sun > Down with Disease > Boogie On Reggae Woman > Golden Age -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > Backwards Down the Number Line > Prince Caspian -> Scent of a Mule -> Blister in the Sun -> Scent of a Mule > Mike's Song > Contact > Weekapaug Groove E: Sabotage
The Meat: The “Disease” contains some thrilling jamming while “Blister in the Sun” teases throughout the night kept the fun-factor high.
The Achilles Heel: Outside of the “Disease,” there’s not much depth to any of the tunes. The truncated “Golden Age” > “2001” exemplifies this. Also, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a fan with “Number Line” > “Caspian” > “Scent” on their second set wish list.
The X Factor: Thanks to a “Blister in the Sun” infusion, both the “Number Line” and “Scent” are quite fun. And, the “Caspian” is one of the more interesting versions the band has played.
11) 6/30/2012 Alpine Valley
Backwards Down the Number Line > Carini > Wilson > Golden Age -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > Rock and Roll > Steam > Piper > Quinn the Eskimo, Harry Hood > Character Zero E: Good Times Bad Times
The Meat: The “Rock and Roll” > “Steam” > “Piper” sequence may be the most underrated segment of the entire tour.
The Achilles Heel: Up until the “Rock and Roll,” an average setlist produced average to below average versions of each song.
The X Factor: Even though the set has no true highs outside of the “Rock and Roll” > “Piper,” it also has no lulls.
10) 6/22/2012 Cincinnati
Down with Disease > Guelah Papyrus, Kill Devil Falls > Twist > Halley's Comet > Sand -> Roggae, Carini > Chalk Dust Torture, Golgi Apparatus E: Fluffhead
The Meat: “Disease” provides a solid opener. However, it’s the “Twist” that will set your stereo on fire – a best of 3.0 version as well as a contender for jam of tour.
The Achilles Heel: Following the “Twist,” the set suffers from a touch of ADD with six more songs played in less than 40 minutes.
The X Factor: “Fluffhead” appears in the encore slot for the first time in nearly 22 years.
9) 6/28/2012 Deer Creek
Mike's Song > McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters > Back on the Train -> Hold Your Head Up > Bike > Hold Your Head Up > Weekapaug Groove > Prince Caspian > Waves > Bug > David Bowie E: Show of Life > Tweezer Reprise
The Meat: “Waves” delivers the jam of the night, but it’s the surprise of a rarely jammed “McGrupp” that elevates the ranking of this set.
The Achilles Heel: “Caspian” and “Bug” keep this set from having any upwards momentum following the Mike’s Groove.
The X Factor: Fishman’s guitar debut during “Weekapaug” adds a fun-factor to an otherwise standard version.
Racer 5 Division (tough to find flaws, but still a level below the best)
8) 6/16/2012 Atlantic City
Crosseyed and Painless > Slave to the Traffic Light > Light -> Manteca -> Light > Theme From the Bottom > Golgi Apparatus > Sand > Backwards Down the Number Line > Run Like an Antelope E: Good Times Bad Times
The Meat: The ‘Lighteca’ is one of the best jams of tour and packed with thrilling improv.
The Achilles Heel: Following the “Light,” the rest of the set is very average with a “Golgi” and “Number Line” that many fans would consider poorly placed.
The X Factor: The transition from “Crosseyed” to “Slave” is simply gorgeous.
7) 7/3/2012 Jones Beach
Chalk Dust Torture, Sand -> Golden Age, Wolfman's Brother -> Walk Away, Bug > Fluffhead > The Wedge > Run Like an Antelope E: Character Zero
The Meat: “Sand” -> “Golden Age” delivers one of the jams of tour and the “Antelope” is a best-of-3.0 version.
The Achilles Heel: “Bug” > “Fluffhead” in the middle of the second set takes away momentum of what had been a very jam-heavy set up until that moment.
The X Factor: High tide was coming in during the show and flooding some sections. Once the “Walk Away” was over, the ocean got scared and the tide receded.
6) 6/29/2012 Deer Creek
Down with Disease > Sand > Twist -> Rift > Bathtub Gin -> Fluffhead > Ride Captain Ride > Run Like an Antelope E: Cavern > Sanity, First Tube
The Meat: “Disease” > “Sand” provides 25 minutes of solid heat to open the set.
The Achilles Heel: “Twist” and “Gin” are cut extremely short. “Rift” and “Fluffhead,” while fantastic songs, take up 20 minutes of prime second set real estate that might be better used on less structured tunes.
The X Factor: “Ride Captain Ride” provides a rare treat. Follow that with “Antelope” and a three-song high-energy encore, and nobody will care about the lost jams from earlier in the set.
5) 6/15/2012 Atlantic City
My Soul, Birds of a Feather -> Back on the Train > Heavy Things > Twist > Piper > Billy Breathes, Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley > David Bowie E: First Tube
The Meat: “Birds” -> “Back on the Train” provides one of the best jams of tour. The “Bowie” set closer also contains a plethora of interesting teases taking it beyond a standard set-closing version.
The Achilles Heel: From “Twist” on, the set lacked any earth-shattering improv. And yes, I only wrote that because I had a blank space in this section.
The X Factor: Outside of the rarely played “Billy Breathes,” there is little to no downtime in this set. Given that even the “Heavy Things” rips; there’s not one bathroom moment.
Heady Topper Division (Vermont's finest)
4) 6/7/2012 Worcester
Carini -> Taste > Ghost > Boogie On Reggae Woman > If I Could, Quinn the Eskimo > Harry Hood > Cavern > Buried Alive Reprise E: Loving Cup
The Meat: Where do you begin? The “Carini” is the best “Carini” in a tour packed with great versions and qualifies as one of the many best jams of tour. The “Ghost” is the best version of tour, and may be the best version since 12/31/2010. Then, you have the scorching “Boogie On” – one of only three jammed out versions in the 3.0 era, along with Red Rocks 2009 and Raleigh 2010.
The Achilles Heel: The “Taste” isn’t perfect, and one can say the set loses some steam after “If I Could.” But we are really nitpicking here.
The X Factor: A beautiful rendition of “If I Could” that in many fans' minds ranks behind only Holmdel 2000 and Greatwoods 1995 among all-time greatest versions.
3) 7/6/2012 SPAC
Chalk Dust Torture > Carini > Sand, Roses Are Free > Punch You In the Eye > Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley > Ghost > Suzy Greenberg > Run Like an Antelope E: Loving Cup
The Meat: “Carini” > “Sand” wets the palate with some nice jamming. But it’s the “Sally” – a top five jam of tour – that takes this set to the next level.
The Achilles Heel: “Punch” is more of a first set tune? There were better “Sands” this tour? “Ghost” could have been longer? “Suzy” didn’t contain the rare bonus third jam? I’m trying.
The X Factor: Start to finish, this was the most high-energy set of tour with absolutely no downtime.
2) 6/23/2012 Star Lake
Gotta Jibboo > Mike's Song > Simple > Light > Weekapaug Groove -> Seven Below, Bouncing Around the Room > Julius > Slave to the Traffic Light E: The Lizards
The Meat: The “Light” through “Seven Below” sequence may be the most thrilling segment of tour. “Light” shows why it’s currently Phish’s top jamming vehicle while the “Weekapaug” is clearly the best version of 3.0.
The Achilles Heel: “Bouncing” > “Julius” mid-second set takes away a good chunk of the momentum coming off “Seven Below.”
The X Factor: “The Lizards” encore makes you forget about the “Bouncing” > “Julius” so you can remember the good times.
1) 7/8/2012 SPAC
Axilla > Light > Twist > Kill Devil Falls -> My Friend, My Friend > Swept Away > Steep > Piper > Free > Kung > Harry Hood > Cavern > David Bowie E: You Enjoy Myself
The Meat: “Light” once again delivers a memorable jam. But for once this tour, it is not the star of the show. That honor goes to a thrilling 15-minute “Piper” that alone would have been enough to carry the set.
The Achilles Heel: Picking out a weak spot of this set is grasping at straws. On setlist alone the “Kill Devil Falls” > “Steep” segment looks to be the low point of the show. But “Kill Devil Falls” ended up being one of the top three versions of the song (with only Bethel 2011 a clearly better version) and “Steep” even contained an interesting outro.
The X Factor: In terms of sheer quantity, there is more exciting jamming in this set than any other of the tour. And then you get to the “YEM” encore.
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.
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I might also lower AC3 and up the tuck/saber Portsmouth show because of the fun factor.
Although I agree with SPAC III as the best 2nd/encore, I wonder where it would have ended up if the whole show was taken into account. I felt the show started reallllly slow.
More to the point though, in disregarding first sets we're completing overlooking some great jams. The 6/8 Roses, the 7/1 Fee (one of the highlights of the tour). Frankly I'm surprised that official .net nerds signed off on this truncated summary (who collecitvely voted on this list anyway?). What happens when you want to start comparing the above to previous 3.0 shows? Do we rule out 8.7.09 I? 11.17.97 I? Why are we giving Phish a pass on the first sets and telling them they don't matter?
I'm being a bit facetious and ultimately just nitpicking as well; this list is great and I agree with much of the above in terms of second sets. A few exceptions:
I think 7/3 is among Vermont's finest. The Sand-> Golden Age sequence may be the best jamming of the tour. And in terms of fourth quarter filler in this day and age, I'll take a Bug Fluffhead Wedge over Cavern, Julius, Suzie..
I'd also take some issue with the 7/6 praise on the strength of the Sally. It's a great jam and one of the better sets of the tour. But better than the 7/3 Sand or Golden Age? The 7/1 Fee? The 6/15 Birds? The 6/23 Light? The 7/8 Piper? The 6/7 Carini? It's just not in my top 5 jams is all.
And I think I prefer 6/28 to 6/29, and 6/22 to 6/16.
My two cents!
Great list tho, great tour...can't wait for leg 2
Not so sure I agree that #2, #3, or #4 belong after 7/8. Not so sure 6/7 ever or 6/23 ever lost steam.
Once again, thanks for the outstanding article. I can't wait to see more comments from others.
Even the Grateful Dead frequently played first sets worthy of mention, and yes, the 7/1 Fee is better than many of the jams mentioned favorably in this piece.
But overall I think CG did a good job with this. The task is sort of herculean.
Well done.
But Chris G's point is well-taken that, nowadays, with so little to differentiate between first sets (other than technical execution of compositions, an element with which many fans are not very concerned), it's very difficult to have a substantive argument about the merits of a particularly good Type I jam versus the perceived historical importance of some breakout.
What would be even more helpful for me is simply a list of the best jams of the tour.
Also, I think SPAC 2 is very underrated. Not the best quality jams and BDTNL and Caspian were not ideal song choices, BUT that is one of the funniest sets I've ever heard. Lots of energy and crowd pleasers even if not jammed out to their potential.
@J_D_G said: Dream big...
The word bug is actually Latin for Achilles Heel.
7-1 Light> Ghost is a top 3 jam IMO. I know the Fee can't enter into the equation, but I have a much higher opinion of this show. Glad I added SPAC to my summer at the last minute!
The McGrupp is truly amazing, and the spectacle of the Weekapaug after Bike really has no comparable moment of which i'm aware. And, if Bug is the heel, it's not an Achilles'. The segue from Waves is amazing and could not have found a better denouement. Furthermore, Caspian before Waves is a great combination, for obvious lyrical reasons, and Caspian was a nice break to talk about the silliness of Weekapaug, not to mention a sweet dance jam picked up out of thin air once instruments returned to their normal hands.
Oh yeah, i only caught Deer Creek first leg so everything i've just written is probably moot!
But, thanks for the nerd-out. Need more of it... What about a ranking for first sets? Then a combination of the two rankings for complete shows? Just dreaming...
Really, aside from 'Roo, there is no wrong answer. Your top five is just exquisite.
My only real complaint about this scale is that it does not take into account that the 7/1 Fee may be a best-of all time version with that Jam. There have only been 3-4 Fee jams, and while there was one in '99 that was longer and arguably better than the most recent, busting out the first Fee in over a year in that fashion shows a band that is completely locked in and more comfortable with their immense catalog than ever before. The state of Phish in 2012 is better than anyone could have expected. They can do it all in one show.
"The X Factor: Even though the set has no true highs outside of the “Rock and Roll” > “Piper,” it also has no lulls.
What about the Golden Age from Alpine1?? I thought it was excellent, with a very groovy/funky, extended take on it, and into a very funky, albeit perfunctory, 2001.
The soundcheck from SPAC day 2 deserves it's own category. 7-8 songs. must have been about 45 mins. awesome experience catching that on the lawn playing wiffle ball.
tube > psycho killer > tube and the sabotage were fun but horrible renditions imo. trey's sing-songy lyric style doesn't work with sabotage anymore. the tube was slow and the psycho killer can't touch Hartford 09.
-cp
To @NigelTufnel, I'm surprised you don't feel like they "got there" in the Light and Piper from SPAC. I thought that was some of the most cohesive and purposeful jamming of tour. They explored a really interesting similar melodic idea in both of the jams at length, and each resolved very naturally. Similar to Star Lake, where the ideas from one jam spilled into the next. Both really great shows. I think both featured really connected playing.
Speaking of the Burgh show, Weekapaug had a something going for it, something different (which is good), but I can't give it "best of 3.0" status. Not unless all 3.0 Weekapaugs have been crap. There are certainly others that eclipse this one.
(Other than star lake and deer creek, when can we hear fully loaded mike's grooves?)
Don't forget, they jammed out boogie on at telluride.
Bamd doesn't really hit the mics with energy, and the playing on this version is standard at best, actually i thought a little weak, and i took this from the recording. with that being said, i did enjoy it at the show.
so to me, it seems like some set lists are being judged on song selection rather than how the song was played.
finally, i'm not sure we need to saturate this site with more rankings of best this best that. can we not just go to shows and enjoy them. and when we do go to shows, can we not come back to boards that try to kill your post show buzz by people's opinions who were not there. although i will agree with write up that blossom was much better to be at than listen to. nonetheless, i still enjoyed being at it and hearing the second set later.
Carini -> Taste > Ghost > Boogie On Reggae Woman > If I Could (about as good as it gets).
Plus HOOD Plus the Buried Reprise = amazing.
This is the set of the summer that I listen to most. I thought 7/8 picked up towards the end, but did not think it got off to a great start. Just my $.02.
1) In a perfect world, this would have been a list of whole show reviews. It was painful to not include things like the Alpine Fee, A/C Wolfmans, Jones Beach Skin it Back, Worcester Roses, SPAC Light Up, etc. But in the end, it was nearly impossible to be objective on the first sets. Since the first sets are largely song-based, with the exception of a few shows, rating would come down to sets with my favorite setlists. That's just too subjective.
2) I have nothing against Bug. I've even grown to not hate Caspian as much as I did in the 90s. But this list is about ranking. Therefore, comparisons have to be made. The Bug and Caspian don't make shows like Deer Creek1 a bad show. But what makes a set better -- a late set Bug and Caspian or a late set Ghost or Sally? There's nothing wrong with a ballad, but when other factors are even, typically the set that keeps up the heat is going to get the nod.
3) The only shows on this list that I would consider weak shows are in the first two divisions. And, it's even a bit of a stretch to call the Heineken Division "weak." As I said at the top, shows that ranked 15-10 just on this one leg would have been top ten shows in all of 2010 or 2011. That's the whole point of this list -- that there is so much depth compared to the last couple years. For example, I think both nights of Alpine are fantastic. It just so happens this was a really good tour and when forced to put the shows in order, I think there are 10 shows that are even better.
Cheers,
Chris
What drew me into Phish many years ago is the fact that they play different shows every night. You get to compare and contrast. There used to be nothing like hearing about some legendary performance and then getting the tapes in the mail a few weeks later.
Without bad shows, you can't have good shows. Without terrible shows, you can't have legendary shows. If you prefer to just take an "it's all good" attitude, more power to you. But for me, if every Phish show made me feel exactly the same, I might as well go on tour with Steve Miller.
That said, this is a great list and I completely agree with your top 3.
Trey mangled Mike's in PA, and it wasn't until Light that things got going. At DC, the Mike's was ripping, the McGrupp contained an amazing and rare jam, and BOTT clocked in at 12 min. Add a Fishman song, and the heist of Trey's axe, and I think there is a hell of a lot that transferred to tape that rocks. Hell, it is more enjoyable on tape probably, because you likely aren't in 110 degree heat!
Oh yeah, did I mention Caspian > > > Bowie?
Tough task you had here, and I was intrigued by your stated constraints on judgement, wondering perhaps if you were Mr. Miner.
Great job!
Also loved "America was insulted." from the 4th.
And I think I prefer 6/28 to 6/29, and 6/22 to 6/16.
My two cents![/quote]
dead on balls accurate Andrew; that's a well put TOP 5 jams list
Chris excellent job with the article. I very much enjoyed the format you setteled on to deliver the content. The "X factor" portion was my favorite and the way you ranked them by brews was fresh as well.
I am curious....is this based purely off being able to re-listen to the shows? If so I understand the low rankings for shows like Ptown 1 and July 4.
Do you plan on doing the first sets? There were some pretty good ones out there.
Does that sum it up?
I have been saying since 6/7 went down that set 2 was the best of the tour. I still stand by that. I think if you drop that set mid tour at SPAC or some other big venue it is #1 with just about everyone. That set has had a hard time shaking the "great for first night of tour" label. Oddly in a game of numbers I think the closest competitor is 7/6 set 2.
Why does everyone not mention the Chalkdust to start set 2 on 7/3?? I thought it was great and really got that set going.
Can we all agree that Light and Sand were the most consistent songs? Every version is great with some even greater than others
Haters gonna hate, those shows were awesome.
"Along with Bonnaroo, this is the only other show of tour that does not feature a jam worthy of a second listen"
Maze, cavern> fire has a ton of energy and the mexican cousin> slave to close is on point. Def worthy of a listen. U need to lock it up and tuck it in
SPAC 1, SPAC 2, AC 2, AC 1, JB 2, SPAC 3, AC 3, JB 1
My minuscule contribution: Deer Creek night 1 as my favorite of four shows from DC> AV. 'Waves' and 'BOTT' from said night seem underemphasized in the review, which is certainly understandable considering the vast amount of awesome Chris attempted to review in one sitting.
with that said - 7/3, 6/23, 6/7, 6/15&16 and 6/28 were the best on re-listens I had.
It's praple.
I know. I saw him do it.
No mention of the AC Piper? I'd say that it was definitely "meaty" & next to SPAC's masterpiece, is my favorite Piper from tour.
Thanks for the analysis!
Bring on the first set rankings!
I just love the whole band interplay on the AC Piper not to mention the crazy energy of the crowd with all the "Woo's" during the intro. Tons of fresh ideas getting tossed around like a hot potato, and that lick that trza starts playing at 4:50 or so is $$$$! While the BOTT is short, they slide into it beautifully, and the Heavy Things that follows is pure high octave Trey bliss imo. Twist> Piper is swanky! A pretty well played/placed Billy Breathes cool down followed by a late set surprise Sally, and a killer Bowie closer had me thrilled to be a witness. Yes, I am an AC 1 fluffer
ANY other?
Wo-wo-Wow.
It doesn't matter, I guess. Harry Hood has a shank in a back alley for you though.
I'd go Worcester 1, spac3, ac1, star lake, ac2, spac2, spac1
That AC heavy things is maybe my fav solo from this tour, weirdly enough
The BDtNL from 'Roo of all things is in my top 10 jams of the tour. Not kidding. Its so light and airy and fluid and delicate and connected. I'm personally over the cornyness of the song, I've been enjoying the instrumental part so much. Not a beer/pisser song for me at all.
And the SPAC version - shit, if that "drained the energy"...I dunno. Maybe start getting some exercise or eat some more vegetables or something.
love the Steve Miller reference within the context of the beer rankings. Excellent stuff.
[6/7, 6/15, 6/23, 6/28, 7/6]
1) seemed like you had trouble searching for SPAC night 1's "achilles heel..." well, for me, something that slightly killed momentum was the amount of repeats from JB night 1, just a few days earlier. i completely agree with you about the solid quality versions of songs throughout the set, but just like when you get a ballad and/or non-jamming tune in the second set, sometimes repeats can bring you down a little. like i knew the antelope wasn't gonna be anything near JB's jam-fest. same deal with sand (though in general, i'm not complaining as much about getting a 3.0 sand any night). chalkdust set 2 opener again? i don't know, i flew across the country to catch phish's last 5 shows of their tour, expected few repeats, and got LOTS. i know that they surpassed their 200 song goal, but to some extent i'd rather hear them play multiple versions of the more rare tunes than play 6-8 versions of the most common 3.0 go-to's...
2) IMHO, star lake's light still holds up as the jam of the tour. as a fan who is consistently rooting for the band night after night, i really don't think that anything else from this leg got to that level. and to add on to the "x-factor," let's go to the videotape (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjsO6qbQVvQ&feature=plcp#t=26m16s), where kuroda absolutely kills it. a true fifth member of the band level sequence here... however, it seems like ck5 killing it is just standard op's these days. anyway, for this jam alone (and i don't even have to go to the sick paug, et. al. to make this claim), i'd put star lake as #1. but #1 vs. #2 is small potatoes i guess. clearly you dig the show.
3) sadly, the "achilles heel" for JB night 3 had to do with my personal expectations. i think sometimes this is something we all have the capacity to struggle with from time to time, but it really hurt me that night. so much so, i might rank it as my least favorite show of the five nights i saw phish (maybe one notch above JB night 1). for some examples, here are a few things that got to me- to not get a reba or a divided sky, after they had only played the former twice and the latter ONCE all tour, after seeing 5 sequential phish shows was unprecedented IMO. i could've used a theme too (again, only played twice this tour)... also with a last show of tour, especially in 3.0 (closing it out on their home turf venue, no less), there's the possibility of them busting out the big guns. harpua, icculus, forbin's -> mockingbird... welp, i guess not this leg. so, in other words, song selection can sometimes hold you back from getting there. perhaps that idea might thematically sum up a downside of this tour. there's some great stuff in there, of course, but in no way are they entering a new "era" as some people like to say... 4.0?! give me a break. none of this stuff is even 3.5, 'fellas (and personally, i still don't think we've gotten anything close to as epic as the gorge rock & roll. honorable mentions being tahoe's light, and CO's tweezer last summer). for most of us, it takes the band going WAY deep for the show to get there, and frankly, they just haven't been doing that. hopefully that's what will happen in leg 2, and we'll get less odd choices in our second sets, less songs in general in our second sets, and a willingness to taking it out there.
4) last but not least, and on a slightly unrelated note, i hadn't ever had heady topper until SPAC night 2 post-show. as beer-snobby as i've become living on the west coast these last 5 years, heady topper stands up to any beer i've ever tasted. truly a top quality american beer... i mean, with this one brew alone, the east coast really gains some serious relevancy/notoriety, which as a former east coaster, pleases me. so yeah, between SPAC night 2 and following the show up with a few of my first heady toppers, it was basically like i was cumming all night. you know, like arnold in pumping iron?
just curious tho like set 1 creeks blow shows out of the water same with set 1 alpine night 2 but lets not talk about those sets lol.....
just seems weird u focused just on the 2nds sets lol but I guess it works whats next nastiest first sets from leg 1? oh but then you'd have to show respect to the midwest shows lol
you forgot Prince Caspian, Waves> bug> Bowie
Caspian is a song that wears on people. Its an amazing song when played to full potential but it also has alot of potential for spaciness and also when its bad its bad.... but this caspian was 4mins 50secs long and non stop beautiful caspian jamming (obv if you get passed the first 40secs lyrics I mean) so again relisten to this caspian as it is amazing to me. I wish all caspians would be like this short and powerful. Both nights creek were amazing. They fell short of epic but who cares they were still amazing shows. and their first sets crush same with night 2 alpine...
you say 6-28-12 caspian and bug stop the second set from having any momentum after a nasty mikes groove
well you obviously didnt listen to caspian or bug from this show sir....
caspian for caspian is one of the better versions and also with bug?
to hate on these versions of each song to me you are just hating on the song / placement of the song. trust me i wanted a YEM to after the groove but once it didnt come I was very happy with the well played caspian and bug!! re listen for me ok... especially to caspian what more are you gonna expect from a caspian again you are purely hating on the song prince caspian and the 2nd set placement as this song (which isnt even 5mins lol) is very very well played probaly best 3.0 caspian sir
But like I've said before, Phish is like sex....when it's good it's really good and when it's bad it's still pretty damn good.