The B List: 10 Favorite Versions of Harry Hood

9. 4/18/1992 – Stanford, Palo Alto, CA

At first, I almost nixed this one from the list, because I remembered thinking it was sort of overrated due to the Linus and Lucy jam (a.k.a., the Charlie Brown theme). I hadn’t possessed a copy since an old tape, so I tracked it down and listened to it again a few times. It’s not the tightest or most raging Hood out there, but definitely worthy of a spot on the list. Perhaps listeng to the tape over and over again did some damage, but the noodling and teasing of the Charlie Brown theme is fun and makes this Hood a classic for sure.

8. 6/22/2000 – Amsouth Amphitheatre Antioch, TN

This modern Harry Hood comes in the form of a Dog Faced Boy sandwich with the tail end of the jam bringing some of Nashville’s finest pickers onstage. The band and their new friends delivered a bluegrass hoedown jam that kicked off a great night of bluegrass surprises.

7. 8/17/1997 – The Great Went, Limestone, ME

This oft cited “best ever” Hood is definitely an epic, but we think it’s partially due to the introduction of the glowstick war. Don’t get me wrong, I love this one musically and have listened to it probably 100+ times, but it’s the history that makes this one special. Any recording will illustrate a crowd roar unlike just about any crowd roar in any capacity, be it sports, concerts, or even tractor pulls (I couldn’t think of anything else), and it comes at a bit of a random part of the song. A keen historian knows that it’s the glowsticks coming out for a truly visual spectacle. While the glowstick war became a bit of a pain in the ass as they hurt like hell and make lots of annoying noises during the music, there is little denying that they look freaking sweet.

Here’s a cool slideshow set to the end jam from the Great Went with some really tremendous pictures. You gotta love Trey’s stoner moment at the end. “Keep thowing those things up in the air, cause it looks amazing. You have no idea. Go get some more of those things man.”

6. 10/20/94 – Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, FL

Harry Hood – Phish

There must be something in the water down in Florida that makes the band want to let Harry loose. Just three days before the famous A Live One version, the band released this mammoth version. In fact, scanning through the Almanac, one reviewer actually jokes that they think Phish mixed up their notes, because they picked the wrong Florida Harry Hood to include on A Live One.

Have you ever heard the Eric Clapton quote to the effect of, “Playing a guitar solo is the art of falling down and landing on your feet?” Well, here is the perfect example. Take it from our fearless leader Scotty B…

“At the three minute mark the band members are fully Akimbo, and could be playing as tight as they’ve ever played. It is at this point that something happens that changes this Hood, and brings it into another level, Trey plays a note which clearly doesn’t fit the normal realm of Harry Hood. It is the most beautifully dissonant note I have ever heard, and this crowd is behind me. As soon as that note is hit, the crowd explodes. Then all hell breaks loose, as Trey enters all new terrain and the band swiftly follows.”

5. 10/23/94 – The Band Shell, Gainesville, FL

The only reason this one isn’t a stronger contender for a higher ranking is that we have all listened to it to death. This is the probably the most widely known (for VERY good reason) Hood ever played as it was featured on the live release, A Live One. This Hood illustrates the “building” for Harry Hood, which the song is so well known. Also, Trey makes cool use of feedback and distortion to build the tension before releasing into the final ascent. While it often takes a serious listening hiatus to bring this one back in the repertoire for Phish fans, there is absolutely no denying its place on this list.

4. 12/30/1995 – MSG, New York, NY

The 12/30/95 Hood is a great example of the ’95-’96 sound of the tune. The distinction I always notice is that in the catchy chord section Trey often uses a Flanger effect. This provides a nice contrast to the crunchy distortion leading up to the Thank You Mr. Minor verse. The first minutes of the jam are nice and warm with the crowd driving the band by clapping perfectly in time (for once). All in all, there’s nothing gimmicky here, but it’s beautiful and clean with Page stepping out more than most Hood jams. I’d bet five dollars that from Trey’s building repetitive riff around the 10:30 mark until the end, you’ll all have goosebumps (P.S., I just moved this up 4 spots).

3. 2/4/93 – Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI

Are you sensing the theme here? Throughout ‘93, Trey was at his pinnacle of the rock guitar god phase. It wasn’t about the effects, loops and other gizmos, as much as it was about shredding. The nice fluffy ones are good too, but this is yet another screaming version loaded with energy. Also, the best Hoods often have a common element, which is that Trey will create a melody line or theme in the improvisation, which he repeats and alters throughout the jam, ultimately using it to build the tension and rocket into the high notes for the climax. This is a great example of one of those.

2. 3/31/93 – Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR

Kicking it off with Mike teasing the Pink Panther Theme in the intro and Trey summoning up the Simpsons, it’s clear that this ‘93 version is a treat from the get go. This gem, like so many others from the era, exhibits very tight improvisation across the board and Trey forgoing his Languedoc in favor of the M-16.

1. 12/31/93 – The Centrum, Boston, MA

It’s only fitting. This might just be the greatest show of them all. Ten years from the the start of their career, Phish held nothing back and delivered a handful of all-time favorites. The improvisational portion of this New Years Eve Hood perfectly exemplifies the transcendence from the quiet tranquil beginning to an absolutely towering climax. If I had to choose just one song only to listen to while trapped on a desert island for eternity, this is it hands down.

How does your list compare to Rupert’s? Leave us a comment telling us all about your favorite version(s) of Phish’s Harry Hood.

Related Content

42 Responses

  1. I spoke with Matisyahu at the Jammys and he said his favorite Phish moment was listening to the ALO “Harry Hood” in his bedroom when he was a teenager. Knocked me out because it was a very humble thing to say as most people forget those solitary moments of bliss away from the crowds, traffic jams, and Newcastles. GREAT WENT was sweet. Hard to beat the “had to be there” vibe, but still a stellar version.

  2. I was always fond of my first show…which had a killer Hood in it..11-4-90, Fort Ram Niteclub in Ft collins,CO

  3. Good list but I just can’t see my way around putting the ALO version number one. Additionally, I always loved the version from Live Phish Two and think that might have bumped out the bluegrass version for me.

  4. As with Hoopinman, my first show 7/14/94 Cananadaigua, NY. That Hood had 2 climaxes/peaks/whatever. After the first the band faded out softly only to build up as gradually as they faded before going in to the end lyrics!

  5. 10. 3/18/97
    9. 7/25/03
    8. 2/20/93
    7. 12/6/96
    6. 12/30/95
    5. 7/1/95
    4. 4/18/92
    3. 12/31/93
    2. 10/23/94
    1. 10/20/94

  6. 12-30-95 is THE one – glad to see it made the list.

    Would have liked to have seen 7-1-95 or 7-15-98 on there instead of NYE 19998

    Also think the Went version is way overrated…as are the glowsticks. could have lived without them ever being part of the Phish experience.

  7. THANK YOU for your inclusion and high ranking of 2/4/93. I am not ashamed to admit it, but that literally made me cry when I saw it. Rearranged what I thought I knew about what music could do to me. Not sure it’s the *best*, but it is definitely my favorite (which is what you were asking). 12/31/93 was also pretty sweet, though and would probably be on my list were I to sit down and make one, which I might just do… might.

  8. Well, first of all, The Centrum is in Worcester, MA, not Boston. That being said, the 12/31/93 Hood is, in my mind, the most perfect piece of music Phish ever played.

  9. Good list – haven’t heard a couple of these so I’m going to check them out tonight. If you’re a fan of Hoods and want to hear an absolutely beautiful one – the one that caused me to buy tickets to many subsequent Phish shows-, check out 8.10.97. It soars.

  10. Good list. 12/30/95 is probably my favorite. I’d also give honorable mention to 3/18/97 and the creek 97 one, 2 of my other favs.

  11. Hey I have to agree with this list, check out 4/10/94 for an epic trey example as well! is there anyway to download the two 93 Hoods that aren’t the 12-31-93 masterpiece? cuz they belong in my collection 😉

  12. great idea. defy my favorite tune. 7.1.95 is my number one song of all time, let alone hood. i always question the hood’s ability to fill the spot right after the post minor jam, but everytime it reels me in. true melodic beauty. also i suprised not to see 10.7.95 up there. from spokane – a rare one, but none the less amazing…great post! can’t foxing wait

  13. At the height of my tape collecting days, I always said that the 12.30.95 Hood was the greatest single piece of music I had in my collection.

  14. Thanks, Hood is my favorite song and I’m a “list guy”. I am fortunate enough to have attended 12/31/98 and 8/17/97. There are a few on your list I have not listened to yet, but am looking forward to doing so.

    Two Hoods not on your list that are note worthy: 11/22/97, Hampton and the the version played at The Coral Sky Amphitheater in 1996.

    Ah so many good Hoods and so little time.

  15. I second Stew’s post regarding the 4-10-94 version. It’s an overlooked scorcher. The last couple minutes before the release are mind blowing, possibly more so than 12-31-93. Trey hoses us down while the rest of the band backs him perfectly. And Fish crashes the cymbals with some extra pop right before they launch into the “Feel good” verse. When I listen to this version with headphones at a high volume, my mind explodes every time. It’s just that powerful.

  16. 11/12/94. How no one has mentioned this one yet is beyond me. Amazing group work all around, and every note is perfect. They bring it down near complete silence in the middle of the jam, then bring it home with crashing symbols and soaring riffs. I’d actually describe it close to how ben described 4-10-94.

  17. Jones Beach, 6/28/95. This is the best Harry Hood of all time. The next Hood after this one, at Great Woods on 7/1/95, seems to be getting all the praise, and I get that, I was at that show and the double peak and tremendous leadup to the final verse is thrilling.

    But the 95 Jones Beach Hood gets me every time, like the Albany YEM that year. The melodies are so distinct, the playing so unified, and Trey’s timing at the end is just . . . perfect. 12/30/95 is great, but Trey jumps all over the peak too early.

    1. 11/4/90
      totally agree. why doesn’t everyone feel this way?
      i mean, every note they play is perfect. it keeps rolling out, building, building, building. they hold it as long as they can and then let it explode. it’s the perfect hood: not as shrill as the 93 hoods would become (including 12/31/93) but still maintains its sense of purpose and direction. this one demands to be listened to. a lot.

  18. good bump and link mooj!

    if you haven’t already, listen to 8-26-93 as I’m doing right now. just beautiful.

  19. Also shocked there’s only been 1 mention of 11/12/94. It’s my second favorite after 12/31/93 (was really happy to see that it made your #1 too)

  20. Has anyone here ever heard the Hood from 11.11.1995???
    I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s up with NYE ’93, A Live One, or 10.20.1994, but it’s close IMO…maybe it just hasn’t surfaced in the PT or other phish communities, but it’s an EXTREMELY tight, high-energy jam that is worthy of at least an honorable mention…if you haven’t yet, check it out 😉

  21. I have to say that I am quite partial to the Clifford Ball Hood. Trey is so patient, with lines that make you feel like you’re exhaling. Then it all erupts in a fireworks jam crescendo…. That one is right up there for me, but it’s hard to argue with what you’ve got.

  22. Those of you who love harry hood and are not familiar with the sizzling version from 7/20/1998 should immediately go track it down.

  23. 7/16/1994 has been my favorite recently, one LP2. nothing touches those ’94 hoods where trey just WAILS. epic divided sky tease during the shred fest leading up to the climax

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter