I’ve been lucky enough to have seen most of the covers and originals in Phish’s repertoire, but I haven’t seen them all. And unless your name is Trey Anastasio or Mike Gordon, you haven’t caught every song either. Which raises the question: what songs do you most want to see the recently reunited quartet bust out this summer that you’ve never seen them play before?
I put together my list for this week’s B List…
10. All Things Reconsidered - I’d really like to sing along to this variation of the theme to NPR’s All Things Considered. ATR was last played on 2/23/1997 in Italy. Odds: 150 to 1
9. Glide Pt. 2 - There aren’t many originals that Phish only played one time, but a song that’s either called It’s Time, Glide Pt. 2 or Flip is one of them. Ever since they debuted this tender ditty at Lowell in 1995 I thought it would make the perfect breather between Mike’s and Weekpaug. Odds: 1,000 to 1
8. Walfredo - For the quartet’s European tour in February 1997 they learned two songs on which each band member played a different instrument than they usually play. Walfredo was one of them and Rock-0-William was the other. Rock-O-William was dead on arrival but the band did bust Walfredo out in Las Vegas as the opener to their second show at the Thomas and Mack in September 2000 giving us hope that it will rise again unlike the south. Odds: 350 to 1
A few months back, our very own Ryan Dembinsky headed over to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s New York City Annex for a great profile on the relatively new outpost. On May 12 the Annex will debut its second feature exhibit - John Lennon: The New York City Years, which will focus on the former Beatle’s time in the Big Apple. According to the press release “the show will feature numerous Lennon artifacts - including items representing his inimitable fashion statements - as well as iconic photographs, legendary instruments, original handwritten lyrics and artwork”.
The folks at the museum have also announced that they will be extending their hours of operation during the exhibit’s stay. The Annex will now be open until 10 PM during the week and until midnight on the weekends.
Finally, have you ever had the urge to own your very own rock club? Well, that dream could come true as Live Nation is currently looking for someone to take over the lease at the soon to be former Blender Theater at Gramercy. The 600 person bi-level space is “centrally located near all major subway and transportation hubs, has 186 fixed loge seats, lowerl level lounge with LCD TVs and an existing liquor license” - sounds good to us, so who wants to help raise some cash for the Hidden Track Theater?
Words: Luke Boyar and Jason Woodside Images: Jason Woodside
2009 has been a pretty good year for the Disco Biscuits, and the Louisville, Covington, Asheville stretch to close out the tour would hopefully be no different. Three All-American cities, each with their own unique charm, amazing spring weather and dirty untz jams. What could go wrong?
Something did go wrong back in January, when Mother Nature decided an ice storm would be nice for everybody, causing unsafe travel conditions, and Headliners in Louisville, Kentucky to lose power. The Disco Biscuits did more than make up for the cancellation by announcing two Kentucky dates before the tour closer in Asheville. 2009 has seen some incredible Biscuits shows, and these three would end up right on par with the rest of this stellar year.
After simply laying eyes on Headliners in Louisville, Kentucky it was immediately clear that everyone was in for a special night. This is the kind of place that the Biscuits really seem to thrive on. It is a small intimate venue in the middle of nowhere. The fast moving lines and friendly security really helped move the large crowd along smoothly, a crowd that almost looked too large for the tiny venue. Despite the size of the crowd there was still tons of room for the kids to get down, and Biscuits fans know how to get down. READ ON for more from the Biscuits’ recently completed tour…
Last Week’s Sauce is a recurring column featuring recordings of shows that took place the previous week. Thanks to dennisrtyler for this week’s photo.
Artist & Title: Assembly Of Dust - 45 Degrees Date & Venue: 2009-04-23 - The Mint, Los Angeles CA Taper & Show Download:Mikey Jones
Now this is cool. Ryan Montbleau sat in with Reid Genauer & Assembly Of Dust, just on vocals - and sang lead one of Reid’s originals Forty Five Degrees (one of the nicer sounding songs ever written about masturbation). Actually, if that’s true - does that make their little vocal-jam-duet awkward or ironic? Anyway, short of one lyric drop from Montbleau, this is pretty damn awesome. And it’s a welcome variation to your normal sit-in, a process that Genauer described as normally finding out what covers from 1969 everybody knows how to play. AoD next plays May 15th at Dartmouth College.
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READ ON for four more entries from the likes of Garaj Mahal and PGroove…
During the Q&A session following the New York City screening of Bela Fleck’s musical travelogue to Africa, Throw Down Your Heart, Bela introduced the film’s talented director and his younger brother, Sascha Paladino.
Bela explained that he and Sascha did not really know each other so well growing up in New York City. Being 17 years Sascha’s senior, Bela’s musical career was just taking off, taking him far from home for the better part of Sascha’s formative years; so much so that Sascha referred to Bela as “that weird guy who just showed up at holidays.”
Hence, what better a way for two brothers to bond, than to pack up the banjos, heaps of film and audio gear, and a ridiculously talented recording engineer and head for Africa to make a documentary?
You are probably thinking “haven’t we seen this whole musicians travel to Africa thing before?” (i.e., Trey & Dave’s VH1 documented road trip in Senegal), but you would be doing yourself a massive disservice by forgoing that conclusion. As the two brothers traverse the massive continent, stopping in Uganda, Tanzania, Gambia and Mali (as well as Senegal if you count car troubles), Bela and a colorful assortment of local musicians overcome traditional communication barriers to conjure up what can only be described as heartwarming magic.
READ ON for more of Ryan’s review of Bela’s new film…
Earlier this afternoon, Kristy Manning, Trey’s sister, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She was one of Phish’s first fans and biggest supporters. In recent years, Kristy helped form and lead Trey’s non-profit endeavor, The Seven Below Arts Initiative.
Kristy was a loving sister, mother, daughter, friend, and a role model for all. Her positive attitude, strength of character and continued outpouring of love and support left a profound impact on everyone she knew.
We’d like to welcomeAlan Silverto tell a most cautionary tale…
This is a real experience I had with New York City local precinct officers. The names and the exact details have been changed to protect those involved.
[A Hidden Track re-enactment via Google Images]
Blocks away from meeting my brother at Madison Square Garden to see The Dead, I made a decision that changed the course of that evening. I decided to light up a joint on the streets of New York City. Minutes later a check out my new haircut type of guy approached me shouting, “HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT IS THAT? IN YOUR HAND, LET ME SEE THAT!” I threw my roach to the ground and showed him empty hands. Within sight of the MSG billboard flashing “The Dead Reunion” I am being restrained by handcuffs.
In the back of the paddy wagon - a dark maroon van with tinted windows - I had nothing to do but look at the undercover cops work. It was like watching a lion stalk its prey. I knew that everyone I saw was headed to a legendary show, everyone except us in the van.
Being handcuffed from behind, I sacrificed my left arm to reach my right pocket. I covertly texted my brother “ARRESTED, IN A VAN ON 37TH AND 8TH. NO JOKE.” The cuffs became as tight as possible, but I got the message out.READ ON to see how the rest of Alan’s night went…
After catching one of three concerts on the incredibly scenic and serene - for New York City at least - Governor’s Island last summer, I was sure there would be a full slate of Highline Ballroom-produced concerts on the isle this summer. Well, as of now only one concert has been scheduled for 172-acre island located only a half a mile from Battery Park. The Dark Star Orchestra will return to The Beach at Governor’s Island on July 11 along with Keller Williams and Pete Francis (of Dispatch) and Barefoot Truth.
Tickets are currently available for this show and from the looks of the recently redesigned Governor’s Island Concert Series page there should be more shows announced soon. In other NYC-area venue news, Live Nation has announced the opening of The Bay Stage - a 5,000 capacity general admission venue adjacent to Jones Beach. Watch out SummerStage.
Here’s six other articles to help you get over the hump…
Finally, Jeff told you about the Rock The Bells tour a few weeks back, so we wanted to let you know that the producers of the event have added a few additional tour dates to the schedule for the touring festival. Also, Busta Rhymes, GZA and The Knux have been added to the lineup.
Eminence Front is one bad-ass tune on the otherwise forgettable 1982 album from The Who called It’s Hard. This song has got it all from the great synth intro to the driving guitar lines to the singalong chorus - the whole package.
Checking in on last week’s contest, Give Us The Money Lebowski has emerged victorious. If you like what you heard, don’t forget to check out these guys at Awesometown next weekend in Morrisville, PA.
The Contestants:
Cousin Fungus: This week Cousin Fungus makes their Cover Wars debut. These guys were part of the collection of emerging jambands of the late ’90s. The levels on the recording are a little hot, but they do a good job with this one. Friend of Hidden Track Dan D. is responsible for getting this show, and most of the others up on the LMA. Source: 7-2-2000
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READ ON for the rest of this week’s contestants and to place your vote…
