Phish
Live: 12/28-29-30/24
MSG NYC
Another year wrapping up finds Phish returning to their annual holiday run at the world's most famous arena. RtBE went to 3 of the 4 show at Madison Square Garden, skipping New Years Eve, and has a few thoughts about them.
12/28:
A clear warm-up show from the band who hadn't taken the stage since their benefit shows up in Albany at the end of October. This show never got into any sort of flow or rhythm as the quartet of Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, and Page McConnell played well, just never flashed the true connective spirit they have shown in the past.
While it was odd having the first night of the run be on a Saturday, the opening tune of "Simple" ended up being the show's high point as the thirteen and a half minute jam delivered huge meaty riffs and great drumming/low end work. A well played "Reba" a dark spin through the newer "Oblivion" and an energetic "Run Like an Antelope" closed the first set strongly.
The second set again was played with precision, but never took off. "Axilla (Part II)" had the Chase Bridge bouncing while "Round Room" was a rare quick treat. The best moments of the second set were the overdriven, electro-based keyboards from Page in "I Always Wanted It This Way" and the delicate guitar playing from Trey in the middle of "Twist". The show ended on a hard rocking note with "46 Days" really ripping, rivaling the opening "Simple" for the highlight of a solid, if unspectacular, Phish show.
12/29:
The second night unlike the first seemed to start with the band more connected as a grooving "AC/DC Bag" flowed into the minimalist funk of "MOMA Dance". The set's zenith was a flowing version of "Prince Caspian" that was extended by huge riffs from Trey, as the band got a bit darker during this excursion with deep bass from Mike and pumping drumming from Fishman, a standout effort. That slightly darker Phish vibe flowed into "Runaway Jim" before the ending pairing of "YEM>Ghost".
While the first set proved the band was more interlocked, I don't think most fans were ready for what was next. After a brief spin through "Bathtub Gin" the band seamlessly started "Ruby Waves" and after the lyrics were out of the way, proceeded to do what they do best; take fans on a sonic journey. The astounding 45 minute jam ebbed and flowed from rock, to free jazz, to teases of "Frankie Says" to grooving funk, all led by Anastasio who seemed to be conducting with his riffs and gestures as the full band worked as a synced up unit.
The "Ruby Waves" jam is must hear for any Phish fan, but they also ended the set well with their best ballad, "Waste", a fun "Fuego" and a rocking cover of The Talking Heads "Crosseyed and Painless" that had MSG pumped up. A bust out cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Bold as Love" was the encore cherry on top of an excellently adventurous Phish outing, highlighted by one mega jam.
12/30:
Always a great night to see Phish, the show before the show, 12/30 delivered again for the band. The first set was fun with an excellent "Wolfman's Brother" a gorgeous "Divided Sky" and a fun Phish moment when Trey thanked the crowd, pumped faked the end of the set, and started up "Fluffhead".
During the second set the band took two old warhorse tunes for a spin and delivered top notch versions which highlighted the whole show. "Down With Disease" was a twenty minute joy ride that had huge riffs fantastic drumming, piano work and more as the band stretched out and rocked before flowing into "Winterqueen". A brief pause and then the opening riff to "Tweezer" sent the Garden soaring with another twenty minute jam that seemed to feed off of "DwD" but add its own funky spin to the night. Both tunes were dynamite.
The band spun out "Seven Below" a quick but fun "Piper" and a brief yet funky "2001" before wrapping up with a crowd sing-along of "Everything's Right". The ballad "Life Beyond The Dream" opened the encore and an excellent take on yet another older tune, "Harry Hood" (With Gordon teasing "I Have A Little Dreidel") ended the strong night of classic Phish.
Overall:
Depending on your tastes, both 12/29 or 12/30 could be considered the show of the run (that we caught), but whatever your feeling on that, it is great to see the band still clicking on such a high level. While it might not be at every single show, the magic that made Phish such a unique live experience is still flowing.
_____________
Support the artists, and peep some video from each of the above shows below:
No comments:
Post a Comment