The B List: Five Post-Breakup Phish Misses
There is no denying that Phish has been absolutely killing it this summer. Let me put that out there right at the beginning to alleviate any thoughts that this list is meant to serve as a bashing mechanism. The first leg (June) of the summer tour was highlighted, musically, by Camden, a scorching final day Bonnaroo first set with Bruce Springsteen and two awesome shows in Wisconsin at Alpine Valley. July and August have proven to be just as solid with incredible stands at Red Rocks and The Gorge so far.
But equally undeniable is the fact that some of the songs Phish used to absolutely demolish are still not feeling quite right. Not that the 2009 versions of these songs have been awful but they just haven’t lived up to their potential. So while it’s early in the life of this incarnation of the band, let’s take a look at a few songs that could use a vintage version…
The Moma Dance
Black Eyed Katie + lyrics about sailing = Fantastic. With 25 appearances in 1998 (only Birds of a Feather appeared more that year) Phish played the hell out of this song and shaped it into one of their most consistently funky offerings. For a while this was a song that just kept getting better and better and riled the crowd into dance party mode.
READ ON for four more songs Phish needs to work on…
The 2-26-03 (Worcester) and 6-17-04 (Brooklyn) versions both cross the 14-minute mark with fantastic and funky jamming. But Phish 3.0 has struggled to extend the song passed six or seven minutes and just when it should be taking off, it begins winding down. The versions at Fenway and Red Rocks were particularly off with the band never quite finding the right funk or rock and roll groove to carry the end of the song. And it’s not just about the length. The 7-15-98 Portland version isn’t long but packs a lot more punch than what we’ve seen so far in 2009.
Gumbo
The band has reverted back to the old-school, super short Gumbos and I’m not quite sure why. For a good chunk of their most successful years, Gumbo was a platform for some seriously funky improvisation and became a fan favorite. Two versions played in the summer of 1997 – Phoenix and Burgettstown – really stretched this song to its maximum levels and the 7-22-03 Deer Creek version stretched out to over 18 minutes.
But here are the song timings of the five Gumbos played since 2004:
4-16-04: 7:48
6-20-04: 4:35
3-7-09: 5:01
6-9-09: 5:21
8-11-09: 5:51
C’mon now…Gumbo is way too good of a song for it be a five minute jam-free ditty. Of all the songs on this list, Gumbo is the one that seems to me to be furthest away from its potential.
Split Open & Melt
This is one of those Phish songs where each version truly takes on a personality of its own. There have been A+ versions across the board – funky, creepy, straight ahead rock and roll – and from April 1993 (4-21-93 to be exact) up until the first hiatus it was one of their more consistent jams with its time signature changes and overall ferocity.
Granted two of the Summer 2009 versions have been rain soaked – Jones Beach on 6/5 and especially Red Rocks as the band withstood a sideways downpour as their crew scrambled to cover their gear – but the versions seem to just sort of plod along without much direction. Two of my favorite versions – 7-13-94 and 8-16-96 – both go in all sorts of different directions but the band never seems to be lost. I think one or two killer versions could bring Melt back into the mix of songs fans really want to hear.
Taste
This isn’t one of their smoother songs to begin with whether it’s called Taste or Fog That Surrounds or Tasty Fog. But it’s been a little choppier than usual lately. I actually thought this was one of the songs that Phish 2.0 was really nailing, especially in 2003. They played sensational versions at the Gorge and in Philadelphia (one of the best versions ever). But the four versions since the return, particularly the 8-7-09 version, have come up a little short. I think the more they play this one the better it will get.
Mike’s Song
At first I thought about using the entire “Mike’s Groove” in this slot but in thinking about it, there have been some solid Weekapaug Grooves, especially the Knoxville version. But something is off on the Mike’s. Changes are frequently missed and the awesome stop/start segment before the > into Hydrogen has been rough.
The beginning has been fairly solid but just seems like the boys have struggled to find their way from the end of the lyrics to the transition. Not sure if they are planning what goes in the middle of the Mike’s in advance or not. But whichever way they are doing it, maybe try it the other way. You can’t have a sick Mike’s Groove without a sick Mike’s Song to kick it off.
Do you agree with Luke’s thoughts on these five songs? Any other songs you think should make this list? Let us know by leaving a comment below…
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Inspiration come and goes , ebbs and flows. Hope the energy finds it way into all of the songs , but am glad, glad ,glad to have phish back
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 9:58 am
PIPER. To me..the song has yet to really soar since they came back in March. I’m sure there are moments of greatness that I have not heard (I admit I havent’ listened to every version in detail)but i was at the Saturday Hampton show, & while NOTHING dissapointed me that weekend, the Piper felt hurried, & somehow incomplete. The version on “Hampton Comes Alive” recorded in 98 is so perfect, its as if they played it so well they dont want to do it again. I miss the long , long buildup….