Phish - 6.7.9 - A Review
What can I say? I knew months ago when Phish announced their summer tour, that 5 years since my last show life had changed significantly, and all for the better. And while hopping on Phish tour has some appeal… and the idea of partying down with all of you would be awesome… I knew that I would not be seeing much Phish this summer.
What I did know is that I would see one show (that is until they announced that second leg – Maryland 2nd row FTW!). And if I was going to see one show, I was going to soak in every last drop of it.
Yesterday morning I felt that feeling, like I used to get as a kid before the first day of school. Nervous, excited, energized. Pre-show preparations were underway by 9am. I made a beer run, supermarket stop, packed the car, and was ready to leave before noon. I couldn’t wait to get down to Camden. We hit the road around 2, and by 2:45 we were parked in lot 1F, stones throw from the entrance to the E Center (or whatever it’s called now).
I brought along these kick ass gravity lounge chairs. So by 3, we were lounging and sipping on some icy cold beverages. Around 3:30 we decided to cruise to the lot under the Ben Franklin Bridge - aka Shakedown Street.
It was fun to see the scene in action again. The biggest change for me was not seeing very many wookies, or those really ganked out tour kidz. I don’t think I saw a single dog in the lot. And dreads must be out, or maybe it’s that everyone’s hair is out, ‘cause the cut of choice seemed to be the number one. There was hardly a nitrous tank in sight. Most of the scene was people relaxing, playing ladder ball or quates (sp?), listening to tunes, and sipping beers. And the lots are all paved now in Camden, and so organized. I felt like I was at a different venue.
Met up with Krista for a bit before the show. And tried to catch Heater before the show, but she was running late. Eventually hooked up with the local crew and sat around reminiscing about our favorite Phish moments. By about 6:15 we made our way back to the car and grabbed a few things before heading into the show.
Unfortunately, we had lawn tickets. But that was not where I was going to be seeing the show. No way. This was my one show, and I wanted to enjoy it. But security was tight. At every entrance to the pavilion they had 3 people checking tickets, including a double check system that involved having to show you ticket to an usher and security before getting down. At this point I thought we were screwed. But a little Wook Dawg Jedi mind trick, and we skirted right past the guards. We managed to find ourselves in a great row… just to the right of the tapers (which there were only 6 of) nearly dead center, about 15 rows back from the soundboard. We would pretty much stay there for the rest of the night, with plenty of room to get our groove on.
The show itself started off solid. You know anytime they open up with Chalkdust it’s going to be a rock ‘n roll style show. And this one did not disappoint. Chalkdust was followed by Fee, and while Trey flubbed a line or two, it was classic old-school Phish. I mean, you know, the kind of Phish that hooked you back before all that funk and ambient shit. Wolfman’s and Guyute were solid. I was actually excited to hear Guyute. No bathroom break for me Wahid. My Sweet One followed suite, and that’s when I really felt like I was back in 1998. It was the Phish I remember loving oh so much. 46 days was well executed, and if they were going to bust out a Phish 2.0 song, that was one I wanted to hear. But it was the remainder of the first set that really had me lose myself in the music. I was really hoping to hear Lizards, and when those first few notes registered in my head I had the biggest grin on my face. I mean, it wasn’t the excitement of Terrapin ’98, or the MSG Quinn, but it was pretty damn close. It was about this same time that Krista beamed in and joined us. The Wedge came next. And you know what’s funny… I love the Wedge, have heard it a million times, but there at that moment, I couldn’t remember the name of the song for the life of me. Not that I really cared, ‘cause I was busy dancing my ass off. The Wedge was followed up by a beautiful and perfectly placed rendition of Strange Design. Page sounded great. It was the perfect breather to set us up for the next 15 minutes of Tube followed up by First Tube to close out the first set.
Set break came at the perfect moment, as I was spent, and needed to sit down and regain my composure. All this talk about Phish and the training wheels – well, let me tell you, these guys were on their game, and the training wheels were about to bust right off… like that scene in the Goonies when those punk kids hold Brad’s hand down on the car and drive really fast… and the training wheels fly right off. I knew this show was solid, but it was confirmation by friends who had been at all of the shows since Phish 3.0 in Hampton, that confirmed we were really hearing Phish 3.0 kicked up to the next level.
The lights went down for the second set and Phish greeted us with a 22-minute Sand that was out of this world. I would have been satisfied right there, but they lead us right into an awesome rendition of Suzy Greenberg that had the place bouncing. Listen to page about 1:30 into that Suzy and you’ll hear what I’m talking about, then about 3 minutes or so in, Mike busts out some new funky ass bass sounds that get the crowed roaring. The solid Suzy was followed up by a perfectly executed Limb by Limb. This is one of those songs that really show Kuroda’s skills. The lights matched so perfectly to the vocal changes, and the crowed took notice. I heard people all around us yelling CK5, CK5! Then we got treated to something I did not expect to hear this tour, one of my personal favorites… a most beautiful Horse -> Silent. This was followed by a new Mike tune called Sugar Shack. It was well placed in the set, and with it’s islandy calypso groove, had the crowed bobbing and weaving. This is where Phish really knows how to execute… The powerful Character Zero. At this point I thought we were listening to the set closer, and while it was a short set, I was feeling completely satisfied with what I had heard. But Trey, Mike, Page and Jon were not done with us just yet. They book ended us with a bomb shell 17 minute Tweezer that was twisty, turny, funky, solid rock and roll. The set ended on such a high note. The crowed was buzzing, and everyone was acknowledging the witnessing of something special… Phish was back. The training wheels had been kicked off. These guys were leaving the North East, to head out on Tour to show you what IT is all about.
I would have been set right then and there, but of course this is Phish, and when they’re on, and know they’re on, they want to keep it going. Trey thanked the crowed for an awesome North East run, and being patient with the band… allowing them to play a bunch of their new stuff the other night. He said they were going to play one more new one for us. Trey also wanted to make sure no one was in a rush to get home. He said they were having fun and were going to play a few more. We were treated to a beautiful new Trey tune called Joy. This one was really good, but I was glad it was not going to be the encore. I wanted to dance my ass off and leave it on the floor of Camden. I knew there was a Tweeprise waiting for us, but I didn’t anticipate the Band’s next move. Bouncin’ is a crowed favorite, and such an up beat, beautiful tune. I love how they enunciate each word with the sharp “Ssss.” It may have helped that the sound inside the pavilion was spot on. Paul had that placed tuned perfectly. I have to think there is a new speaker system in use, because everything last night sounded so sharp and clear. I could hear each and every note of every instrument. As if the show wasn’t already solid, just when I expected to hear the Reprise, the first notes of Antelope hit. I wanted to leave it all with Antelope, but I knew that there was still one more to take us home. They ended with 4 minutes of pure energy. And when the last note of Tweezer Reprise hit, I knew we had just seen a great show.
I wish I could have shared it with all of you. It was a bit sad not to have the Pham there to experience it. But I’m glad we’re all getting to see Phish again – solid, good, rock ‘n roll Phish.
Enjoy the show(s) you’re seeing this summer. Hope to see you all soon!
