I think you can get the job done for almost every song in 15 minutes max. There's almost always a point where it stops bearing much resemblance to it's parent song and I kind of lose interest a bit.
Different strokes for different folks, for sure. When I was seeing Phish regularly, I went for the moments where the jam was so far from the original song that it was unrecognizable....like they could have gotten to that point using any song as a launchpad, and the jam became its own independent piece of music.
I was more into that when I was younger. I think I've just gotten more discriminatory as time passed, especially since I think Phish can still write amazing songs and pieces of music, and I prefer to hear what they can do with those. I don't think they can really conjure compelling music on the fly at this point, but if it was 1994 or 95 I'd probably feel closer to the way you do. But I still don't need a 57 minute "Jim".
I made myself a complete Gamehendge double album from soundboard recordings complete with narrations to tell the story. Only Divided Sky and Llama have studio versions that have been released, but even with those, I used live versions just to keep the vibe the same. My next compilation will consist of non-studio songs like Harpua, The Curtain With, Brother, etc. and go chronologically. They have so many great early songs that never made it to a studio album.
That's what im dying to do but there's no lists or anything out there to make sure ive got all the songs. Then theres the matter of which versions to use. If you make another compilation please post the tracklisting/sources!
Now playing 7/8/99 Virginia Beach. Was not the best show I saw on this tour, but it is not without highlights. Was surprised to see an episode of the Helping Friendly Podcast dedicated to it, so was interested to see what feedback they had on it. The Fee and the Terrapin (not Terrapin Station) encore were the only specific highlights that I had offhand. Memories of this show were ultimately totally smoked after the next night at Merriweather: Phish, 7.8.99, Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA Set 1: Julius, Fee -> Jam , Guyute, Dirt, Nellie Kane, Stash, Cavern Set 2: Birds of a Feather > Prince Caspian > Jesus Just Left Chicago, Saw It Again, Sleep, Meatstick, Tube > Simple E: Terrapin > Hold Your Head Up, Character Zero Helping Friendly Podcast: Episode 107: Phish 7.8.99, Virginia Beach, VA
The Tahoe Tweezer is a pretty good indication they can still crank out the compelling extended jams.....
I believe you. That's just my least favorite Phish song ever. If they ever release that show as part of something I can stream, i'll give it a shot.
Easily. Sorry not sorry? I mean, there's some stuff off "Big Boat" that's pretty lame, but at least I know "Blaze On" will be over in 5 minutes and the next, inevitably better song will arrive in 5-6 minutes.
I definitely will, and the sources will be from all over the place. I do tend to stick to Phish 1.0 as that's when they had the most complex non-album songs in their playlists. When I used to go see Phish, they were definitely musician's music, and I went for that reason. When I make a compilation, it takes a long time because I want the most well performed and exciting versions of the songs, but also in the best sound quality possible. For Gamehendge, it was hard to find a version of Sloth that sounded great where Mike didn't mess up the middle section. I finally found one, though! Back when I saw them in '92 - '93, they played Buried Alive a lot that was just insane. Songs like that and Harpua, Brother, Gumbo, Leprechaun, Letter To Jimmy Page, NICU, Tube, etc.
In a live context I agree with you. For a year or two after A Picture Of Nectar came out, they played Tweezer live like it was on the studio album. It wasn't overly long. I went to a show in the summer of 1995 where they played that song for an entire set. I've only seen them twice live since then. It bored me to death!
My intro to it was the Live One version. I think i've maybe gotten through it twice in 23 years. I just don't think it's much of a composition, especially compared to the other amazing stuff they were writing at the time.
I love "Tweezer." I do, however, know the feeling of the band starting up a song I don't like and realizing that the next 10 minutes or more of the show are going to go to that song. Once on a Phish show day in 1996 I remember thinking I wasn't too fond of the song "Esther" and then it was the third song that night.
I agree. Even on Nectar, I prefer the Reprise of Tweezer. It's more energetic. I'd rather hear a great version of Lizards, or something cool like that in a live situation. If they're going to jam on something for a long time, I'd rather it be one of their more complex compositions. Tweezer isn't one of those.
Really? You don't like Esther?? That song is legendary to me for its musical content. Plus, it's one of the times Trey wrote lyrics that tell a great, and yet bizarre, story.
Got through set 1 of 10/31/09 the other day and made it to Sweet Virginia. Restarted from Rocks Off and am continuing the show. Love the horns but they couldn't find someone to do the sax solo in Casino Boogie? Threw me for a total loop not hearing that solo. I was like "what?!". Doesn't matter cuz this is still a great performance and another reason to listen to one of my favorite albums all over again one more time.
Mud Island Memphis? Not sure of year - 94, 95? That was apparently nearly an hour. Don’t think I’ve ever listened. Edit - June 14 1995
Music is good but doesn't vary much live from the studio version, and I'm not a fan of the lyrics. It's been a few years since I heard that song, so maybe if I hear it now I'll like it more.
