Mid-Season Report

With Indiana having finally played their 41st game on 1/23 it’s time for the eighth annual MSR. In the East five teams are eliminated as opposed to only three in the West (sorry Clippers) with seeding in question up and down the standings in both conferences. I’d say this season has lived up to its lofty expectations thus far.

OPFG% = opponent field goal percentage
RBDF = rebound differential
3P% = 3-point field goal percentage
* = teams I had making the playoffs in October

EAST

1. *Boston Celtics (34-10) – They have survived injuries to Kevin Garnett (right calf), Rajon Rondo (left ankle), Shaquille O’Neal (right hip), Delonte West (right wrist) and Jermaine O’Neal (left knee) without missing a beat. While the Cs defense is still stout (5th in OPFG%) it’s their league best shooting (50.3% as a team) that has been carrying them. They are the side to beat at the half way point as I see it.

2. *Miami Heat (31-13) – They flat out overwhelm teams with their talent, athleticism and speed on most nights but they do play some serious defense (2nd in OPFG%) too. Mike Miller (right thumb) is back in the rotation and Mario Chalmers has replaced Carlos Arroyo as the starting PG but if Udonis Haslem (left foot) isn’t ready by playoff time I just don’t think Chris Bosh will have the help up front to get the job done.

3. *Chicago Bulls (31-14) – They are first in OPFG% (42.3%) and second in RBDF while missing Joakim Noah (right thumb) for 21 games and Carlos Boozer (right pinkie) for 18. The combination of Derrick Rose’s greatness and Tom Thibodeau’s coaching is proving to be a very tough combination to beat. If VP John Paxson can acquire a SG (Stephen Jackson/O.J. Mayo) they could legitimately win the East.

4. *Atlanta Hawks (29-16) – As long as Al Horford (right ankle) returns soon and Marvin Williams’ back injury doesn’t linger they are the club none of the other top four want to see in a 7-game series. They still know how to use their athleticism on defense in big games but if they are to really be considered a legit threat Director Rick Sund has to upgrade the PG position (apologies to Mike Bibby & Jeff Teague).

5. *Orlando Magic (29-16) – They went 13-3 from 12/23 to 1/22 after trading for Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas and shot 41.4% from three over that same stretch. The defense (7th in OPFG%) and rebounding (4th in RBDF) is still there too. With Dwight Howard you can never count this group out but shaky PG play and lack of big man depth will likely be their downfall.

6. *New York Knicks (23-21) – They have had almost perfect health outside of Danilo Gallinari (left knee) so I’d say this is about their ceiling. They don’t rebound enough (28th in RBDF) to be taken seriously but a first round playoff exit will be a step in the right direction. And for the record, I don’t think trading for or signing Carmelo Anthony and pairing him with Amar’e Stoudemire is a recipe for success.

7. Philadelphia 76ers (19-25) – If you are Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider or President Peter Luukko I guess you are happy with the job Coach Doug Collins has done. The Sixers are 10th in OPFG%, play hard every night and are no longer a punch line. But should Philly fans really feel like the 7th seed is progress? I sure don’t and not playing Marreese Speights and Evan Turner more is very short sighted.

8. Charlotte Bobcats (18-25) – They are 9-6 since replacing Larry Brown with Paul Silas as coach and are certainly more entertaining to watch too. I doubt they can stay this high with Tyrus Thomas (left knee) set to miss about eight weeks, GM Rod Higgins shopping everyone on their roster and no LB to pull a late season miracle. The last two seeds in the East are a crapshoot though and they are in that mix.

*Indiana Pacers (16-25) – I’ve been a long time defender of Coach Jim O’Brien but those days are over. It took him 32 games to figure out that Tyler Hansbrough was better than Josh McRoberts. He’s also rotating Mike Dunleavy and Brandon Rush as starting SG and still refuses to play Darren Collison big minutes, These guys have more than enough talent to make the playoffs but do they have the coaching?

*Milwaukee Bucks (16-26) – Ersan Ilyasova and Keyon Dooling are the only two Bucks to appear in every game so far. While injuries certainly have played a major part in Milwaukee’s struggles I think GM John Hammond may have damaged their chemistry with the addition of ball hogs like Corey Maggette, Drew Gooden and Earl Boykins. I still expect them to make a big time run when they get healthy though.

Detroit Pistons (17-28) – President Joe Dumars is surely to blame for this mess right now but he’s not really being allowed to fix things with the ownership situation in limbo. I’m sure Joe would love to buyout team cancer Richard Hamilton and see what he could get for Tayshaun Prince’s expiring contract. Sadly for Dumars and Coach John Kuester the new owner will probably fire both of them almost immediately.

Washington Wizards (13-31) – I give Coach Flip Saunders credit for playing young guys like Andray Blatche, JaVale McGee, Nick Young and John Wall (when healthy) big minutes when they haven’t earned them. With the team going nowhere fast it makes tons of sense to get the youngsters experience. Wall being so injury prone so early does worry me a little but they did manage to get rid of Gilbert Arenas.

Toronto Raptors (13-32) – They are last in OPFG% (48.3%) and 3P% (32.1%) which is not a winning combination. They have missed Leandro Barbosa (right hamstring) and Sonny Weems (back) but neither of them is a major difference maker. And for as good as Andrea Bargnani has been Linas Kleiza has been equal parts a disappointment. Methinks GM Bryan Colangelo should freshen up his resume.

New Jersey Nets (13-32) – Now that they won’t be mortgaging their future so Carmelo Anthony can sell tickets to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn they can refocus on the task at hand. First Coach Avery Johnson must help Brook Lopez regain his confidence. Next Derrick Favors needs to play way more than he deserves. Last would be President Billy King finding a new home for Troy Murphy or buying him out.

Cleveland Cavaliers (8-37) – Losing Anderson Varejao (right ankle) for the season was a killer blow to their defense (29th in OPFG%) and overall morale. Then throw in Mo Williams (left hip) being out indefinitely and the Cavs are down arguably their two best players. The cupboard is pretty bare with assets for both GM Chris Grant to trade AND for Coach Byron Scott to develop. What a mess.

WEST

1. *San Antonio Spurs (38-7) – They are 3rd in 3P% and outside of Matt Bonner (right knee) and rookie James Anderson (right foot) they haven’t had any injuries to speak of. What concerns me about the Spurs is they are only 12th in OPFG% and I don’t think the way they currently play is conducive to playoff style basketball. I also see them coming back to the pack a little over the second half of the season.

2. *Los Angeles Lakers (33-13) – They are 3rd in OPFG% and RBDF against the easiest schedule so those stats and their record probably need to be taken with a grain of salt. That said I’ve been noticing a little more focus recently especially on defense and sharing the ball. Being without Matt Barnes (right knee) until early March hurts but if Kobe Bryant continues to play the role of facilitator they should be fine.

3. *Dallas Mavericks (29-15) – They struggled while Dirk Nowitzki (right knee) missed nine games and they also lost Caron Butler (right knee) for the season on top of Roddy Beaubois (left foot) not playing yet. All things considered they have to like their position but if they want to be taken seriously they need to rebound better (22nd in RBDF). It will be interesting to see what if anything Peja Stojakovic has left too.

4. *Oklahoma City Thunder (28-16) – They are 23rd in OPFG%, 29th in 3P% and Russell Westbrook actually has a higher PER than Kevin Durant yet they are still winning. They no longer sneak up on people and their effort on defense isn’t anywhere near what it used to be. I know GM San Presti is not about to panic but this club’s ceiling is probably the second round unless he makes a move.

5. New Orleans Hornets (30-16) – I’ve been waiting for them to falter for a while now and have finally accepted that they are for real. Coach Monty Williams has them playing serious defense (4th in OPFG%) and Chris Paul directs the slowest paced offense in the league. They grind you down possession by possession on both ends of the floor but if David West or Emeka Okafor gets hurt they are in big trouble.

6. *Utah Jazz (27-18) – The main problem I see with them, other than being 24th in RBDF, is that Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap duplicate each other’s talents and weaknesses. With Memo Okur back I’d like to see Coach Jerry Sloan move Millsap back to the bench, Al over to PF and start Okur in the middle. I think this would balance out both the bench and the starting lineup while giving Deron Williams more help.

7. Denver Nuggets (26-18) – The Carmelo Anthony trade speculation isn’t going away and if you look closely enough you can see it is starting to wear on the team. They are 23rd in RBDF but Kenyon Martin (left knee) and Chris Andersen (right knee) appearing in more than 29 games combined would certainly improve that. Even if Melo stays I don’t see this group being more than one and done in the playoffs.

8. *Portland Trail Blazers (25-21) – They might have the worst doctors/surgeons/training staff in the entire NBA but even with all the injuries they are still a pretty good side. You have to give Coach Nate McMillan credit for keeping their heads right and to LaMarcus Aldridge for really stepping up his low post game. They should make the playoffs but GM Rich Cho has some tough personnel decisions upcoming.

Memphis Grizzlies (22-23) – They have performed much better than I thought they would under the “circumstances.” O.J. Mayo has been benched and is pouting, Zach Randolph hasn’t killed Mike Conley for his 5-year $45 million extension yet and Rudy Gay has a career high PER after his monster extension. If they can all stay on the same page these guys have a punchers chance at the post season.

Phoenix Suns (20-23) – They are last in RBDF and 28th in OPFG% so you know I don’t fancy their outlook. The truth of the matter is they probably need to consider blowing things up and starting over by trading Steve Nash. I don’t know what else to say besides congratulations to Owner Robert Sarver. I hope the savings was worth systematically dismantling the most entertaining team of the past decade.

*Houston Rockets (21-25) – They are hands down the most disappointing squad in the league and it’s not even close. I know Yao Ming (left ankle) is lost for the season and Aaron Brooks (left ankle) missed 24 games but this bunch has no clue how to win a close game. They also don’t play the type of defense (25th in OPFG%) that such a deep team should. I’d like to say they can still turn it around but I doubt it.

Golden State Warriors (19-25) – They are certainly better than I thought they would be but not by much. It’s kind of hard to believe that a side with David Lee and Andris Biedrins can be 29th in RBDF. Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and Dorell Wright have all been superb on some level but there is more to the game than offense. New Owner Joe Lacob has to clean house in the front office this summer and start fresh.

*Los Angeles Clippers (17-27) – Imagine if Baron Davis had showed up in shape (both physically and mentally) and Chris Kaman (left ankle) had appeared in more than 10 games. You combine those two with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon and I wouldn’t look as stupid for picking them as a playoff team. Now that Gordon (right wrist) is out 3 to 4 weeks and with 24 road games left I can’t see them making a push.

Sacramento Kings (10-33) – The Maloof’s must be short on money or something since Coach Paul Westphal hasn’t been fired yet. They actually have a decent starting five of Beno Udrih (career high PER), Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins but they play no defense (26th in OPFG%) and don’t share the ball (28th in assists per game as a team) on offense.

Minnesota Timberwolves (10-34) – Believe it or not but they actually play at the fastest pace of any team in the Association. And thanks to the Kevin Love/Michael Beasley/Darko Milicic front line they are actually somewhat entertaining to watch. With that out of the way it’s hard to fathom just how little talent they have up and down their roster after so many years of high draft picks. “KAAAHHHNNN!!!”

Mid-Season Awards

Defensive Player – Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Sixth Man – Lamar Odom (Lakers)

Coach – Gregg Popovich (San Antonio)

Rookie – Blake Griffin (Clippers)

MVP – Derrick Rose (Chicago)

All NBA

PG – Derrick Rose (Chicago)
SG – Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
SF – LeBron James (Miami)
PF – Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas)
C – Dwight Howard (Orlando)

My Year in Music 2010

I don’t know what happened but this is certainly the year that I became an old man. You could have a had a great year in music seeing just the shows I skipped that I easily would have made it to only a few short years ago.

Friday/Saturday Non-Eugene

Greyboy Allstars

Sound Tribe Sector 9

ALO & Galactic

New Monsoon (x2)

Toubab Krewe

The Black Crowes

Garage A Trois

Weeknight Eugene

Signal Path

Greensky Bluegrass

Yonder Mountain String Band

Trampled By Turtles

Widespread Panic

Toubab Krewe & Railroad Earth

Emmitt Nershi Band

I don’t know what that says about me at this point other than convenience is king and I may be losing my steam a little. Alright, on to less depressing topics.

Raw Statistics

Phish Shows – 15

Other Shows – 20

Studio Albums

5) Mike Gordon – “Moss”

“The Green Sparrow” was my album of the year in 2008 and while “Moss” isn’t quite on that level it’s still a high quality effort from Phish’s bassist. Mike described the feel he was going for on this album as “The state where you’re in between being awake and sleeping.” When put in that context he certainly nailed it and I think any phan of Cactus will certainly enjoy this group of players’ second offering.

4) The Black Crowes – “Croweology”

This double album of all acoustic material has taken some flak for being a greatest hits compilation. While it’s true that no “new” songs are included that doesn’t mean the Crowes aren’t innovating on some level. Reinterpreting songs from throughout their career acoustically with such quality is a feat not many bands could pull off. You don’t have to be a hardcore Amorican to appreciate their talent.

3) Toubab Krewe – “TK2”

On their long awaited follow up to 2005’s self-titled debut the boys from Asheville, NC continue to refine their unique sound. On “TK2” they take a few more chances and get out of their comfort zone a little more but they always keep a foot (or at least a toe) planted in their West African/jam roots. If you are a person that yearns for something different and original, look no further.

2) Soulive – “Rubber Soulive”

I got so impatient waiting on the official release of this album in the USA that I ordered my copy from Japan. Since I’m not a huge Beatles fan I had no preconceived notions of what this album should sound like and needless to say I was blown away. Whether it’s Eric Krasno’s guitar or Neal Evans’ keys supplying the vocals you can’t help but sing along and bob your head to the bouncy grooves.

1) U-Melt – “Perfect World”

I admit that it’s a touch weird to be handing album of the year to a band that has since called it quits (11/26/10 was their final show). I’m not sure how these guys didn’t become bigger in the Northeast but in the end they couldn’t survive guitarist Rob Salzer’s departure, but I digress. None of that changes the fact that their third release is a masterpiece of quirky jam-rock sprinkled with a touch of electronica.

Official Live Releases

5) Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet – “Live at the Triple Door” – CD with highlights from September 2003

Unless you really follow releases from jambands closely this one probably flew under your radar. While you do get your normal dose of ST7 it’s the variety that elevates this disc. Guest vocalist Om Johari is my favorite on a cover of Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddamn.” But you also have a string quartet sitting in on four of the seven tracks. The only complaint I have is I wish it was longer than 42 minutes.

4) Phish – “Coral Sky” – 2 DVDs of 11/2/96

This was my eighth Phish show and first after fixing my broken down VW Scirocco. The video from this release is culled from the Amphitheater’s in house feed but you do have your choice of 5.1 Dolby Digital or PCM sound. The highlight of the DVD is the 38-minute set two opening combo of The Talking Heads’ “Crosseyed and Painless” into “Run Like an Antelope” with Karl Perazzo on percussion. It’s a must see.

3) Dave Matthews Band – “Europe 2009” – 1 DVD of 6/26/09 (with bonus video from 6/25/09) & 3 CDs of 7/5/09

I know this choice is one that will inspire many flames of my worthiness online but sometimes Dave deserves credit. This release is certainly aimed at hardcore fans but I think it’s also a good starting point for a newbie. While the DVD is good it’s the CDs from Lucca, Italy that carries the water. The coffee table book that accompanies the music with photos from all eleven stops on the tour is also very nice.

2) Grateful Dead – “Crimson, White & Indigo” – 1 DVD & 3 CDs of 7/7/89

This release documents the last ever concert held at the now demolished John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. You’ve got a multi-camera shoot, 5.1 Dolby Digital (DVD) and HDCD so quality is not a question. The Dead’s playing is also top notch with the highlight being a 25 minute “Let it Grow > Blow Away.” If you are a fan of late keyboardist Brent Mydland the “Blow Away” is absolutely can’t miss stuff.

1) Phish – “Alpine Valley 2010” – 2 DVDs & 2 CDs of 8/14/10 (with bonus video from 8/15/10)

I never thought it would be possible that arguably the best show of the summer would be released on DVD just four short months after the performance. Well, we’ve a got a 7-camera widescreen HD video shoot that was recorded using 57 channels of digital multitrack mixed and mastered to 5.1 Dolby Digital and PCM. I’ll have more on this later but if you want to know what Phish 3.0 is all about, buy this.

Top 5 Non-Phish Shows

5) 2/12/10 – The Bridge – Eugene, OR – Luckey’s Bar (7^th show)

I: Good Rhythm, New Mistake, Brother Don’t, Big Chief, In Dreams, Angelina, Dream in Blue > Bad Locomotive, Drop the Beat

II: Pick a Boogie, Way Down in the Hole > Station Blues, The Ballad of Clear Rock, Chavez, Coming Home, Get Out of My Life Woman*, Spanish Moon*

* with Ruins of Ooah

This was the second night of The Bridge’s Four Friday’s in February Eugene residency. Usually a venue being crowded, hot and small is not a recipe for a good time. But sometimes the music is so good that you forget about your surroundings. “Good Rhythm,” “New Mistake” and “Brother Don’t” provided just that kind of mental escape to where your eyes are closed and your limbs are flailing regardless of the people packed in around you. The first set also closed in style with a ripping “Bad Locomotive” and a funkified “Drop the Beat.”

After such a hot set one I wasn’t expecting much in the second frame but “Pick a Boogie” threw that notion right out the window. What came next was probably the highlight of the entire Bridge run for me. Fans of the HBO show “The Wire” will recognize Tom Waits’ “Way Down in the Hole” but for my money guitarist Chris Jacobs pulls this off as good as, if not better than, anyone. The segue into the new tune “Station Blues” was nice and “Clear Rock” was a treat with mandolin player Kenny Liner beat boxing underneath it.

4) 12/3/10 – The Black Crowes – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (16^th show)

Acoustic: Soul Singing, Hotel Illness, Garden Gate, No Expectations, Thorn in My Pride, Whoa Mule, So Many Times, Nonfiction, Jealous Again, She Talks to Angels, My Morning Song

Electric: Good Friday, Peace Anyway, Evergreen, Ballad in Urgency > Wiser Time, Oh! Sweet Nuthin’, Sting Me, Twice as Hard, Hard to Handle, Remedy

E: Feathers, Thick N’ Thin

I was 17^th row dead center for my last Crowes show before their indefinite hiatus. My expectations were high which is always dangerous and after “Hotel Illness” “Garden Gate” they may have ratcheted up a few more notches. “Thorn” was the next highlight for me with the acoustic take adding just the right flavor to it. “Nonfiction” seemed like it was born to be an acoustic number and “Angles” goes without saying. “Morning Song” acoustic loses a little bit of its muscle but it was still a rousing closer.

As the second set started the place was still packed to the gills with yuppies seeing their only show of the year. I only mention this because they stand stiff as boards and do not move or take kindly to being bumped into. I didn’t mind as much since you can’t really rock out to the acoustic stuff but plugged in is a different story entirely. So I abandoned ship (and Mark) midway through the predictable yet still quality “Good Friday” opener and found an entire open row to boogie in. I was using all the space available during “Peace Anyway” and “Evergreen” with said yuppies all staring at me like I was a tour wook that hadn’t showered in a month just because I was shaking my ass.

“Ballad > Wiser” was the highlight of the night with Luther Dickinson’s psychedelic guitar solo stealing the show (much to the chagrin of original guitarist Rich Robinson it seemed). Rich got his chance next singing The Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’” and did an outstanding job with the vocals. The show pretty much petered out for me after that with a run of greatest hits material. (Meant to satisfy the yuppies in attendance I’m sure.) Although “Feathers” was expertly played and much appreciated (by me anyway).

3) 10/9/10 – theNEWDEAL – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom (1^st show)

Jam > Moonscraper > Chords > Glide > Octobong, Jam > Technobeam

It only took me roughly 10 years to finally see tND for the first time but they certainly made it worth my while. Arriving from the Fourmile Canyon Revival during “Chords” I was immediately the oldest person in the room but that did not stop me from getting down like a youngster. “Glide” was fierce with bassist Dan Kurtz shaking the room but it was “Octobong” that stole the show. There’s nothing better than when drummer Darren Shearer slows things down, counts off the crowd and then the band explodes into a raging hook. ”Octobong” personified that as did the closing “Technobeam.” The Pacific Northwest needs some New Deal…who’s with me!

2) 11/8/10 – Mike Gordon – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater (2^nd show)

I: Andelmans’ Yard, Walls of Time, Sugar Shack, Spiral, Can’t Stand Still > Field > Midnight, La La La, Idea

II: Ain’t Love Funny > Kryermaten > Ain’t Love Funny, Jaded, Cities, Suskind Hotel > River Niger, She Said She Said, Middle of the Road, Dig Further Down

E: Taking it to the Streets

By the time I got in to the sold out Aladdin the floor was completely packed so I headed upstairs and luckily the balcony had plenty of space. I staked out a spot right in the middle since I was solo and in only a few moments Mike and his boys were on stage. “Andelmans’” got the party started right and Scott Murawski’s guitar solo on “Sugar Shack” took it to the next level. I’m not sure if the spaciness of “Spiral” kept the momentum going or not but I sure enjoyed it. Whatever flow might have been lost was brought right back with “Can’t Stand Still” segueing into Max Creek’s “Field.” The “Idea” I had been waiting all summer for Phish to play came next and closed the set out in style.

After a set break that saw me have to take a seat outside to get some fresh air I was back up in the balcony ready to rock and the MGB did not disappoint. The opener of J.J. Cale’s “Ain’t Love Funny” was a little suspect but things took off in a big way with a sick “Jaded.” The funk had the whole place bouncing and when The Talking Heads’ “Cities” dropped the place about erupted. This wasn’t a Phishy “Cities” at all though. It was sped up with Murawski nailing the vocals (“Home of Elvis that big fat mother fucker.”) and a nice solo on the keys by Tom Cleary.

The meat of the set was still to come with the Mike/Trey original “Suskind” setting the place ablaze but it was percussionist Craig Myers’ “River Niger” that blew the roof off. The combination of Myers on kora and the swirling hallucinatory lights had the whole place moving as one. They then pulled off The Beatles’ “She Said” with aplomb and closed with a massive “Dig Further Down.” Cleary on vocals for The Doobie Brothers’ “Streets” was almost unnecessary and I walked out pretty much blown away by the quality of Mike’s band. At this point I’d certainly see them over Trey’s band…oh yes I did!

1) 5/21/10 – Soulive – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge (3^rd show)

setlist unknown

It’s tough for me to give this show its full due without the setlist or a copy of the show (I saw you there taper, why aren’t you sharing?) but I’ll do my best. The Doug Fir is an awesome venue for a mid-sized band and even sold out we still had space to dance, and boy-oh-boy did we ever cut a rug. The first half of the show consisted of Soulive originals highlighted by a third song “Rudy’s Way” that I never thought I would hear live. I really can’t explain how raging, grooving, whatever both the band and the crowd were throughout.

The second section of the show featured Beatles’ tunes off of “Rubber Soulive” and much to our surprise it was unbelievably awesome. They just didn’t play the songs but they jammed the hell out of them and with those in attendance singing the lyrics it was just magic…it really was. They closed the night with a few more originals and encored with an extended “Do it Again” with drummer Alan Evans belting out the vocals. When the music finally stopped no one wanted the show to end. Especially us with a 20-minute walk in the pouring rain staring us the face but that’s neither here nor there.

Top 5 Phish Shows

5) 8/12/10 – Noblesville, IN – Verizon Wireless Music Center (112^th show)

I: Runaway Jim, Punch You in the Eye, Roggae, Cars Trucks Buses, Sample in a Jar, NICU, Horn, Sugar Shack, Wolfman’s Brother, Time Turns Elastic

II: Drowned > Gotta Jibboo > Bathtub Gin, My Friend My Friend, Buffalo Bill, Twist, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Split Open and Melt > Dog Faced Boy, Harry Hood, Golgi Apparatus

E: Fee* > NO2 > Kung > Fire

* last played with megaphone 2/25/97

The choice of this gig might be somewhat controversial but for my money it was the most underrated show of the 15 I saw and if I don’t mention it no one else will. It was a super hot day but our driver Jim took care of us and ended up seeing the show for his trouble! The “Jim” “PYITE” combo got the show stated right but “CTB” was the first major highlight of set one. “Wolfman’s” was also nice and I may have been the only person in Indiana that enjoyed the “TTE” closer.

I know personal experience isn’t supposed to play a part in the quality of a show but I’m old enough that it does. And since we had an entire row in the pavilion to ourselves for most of the first and all of the second set that makes a difference in enjoyment level.

The opening 35 minutes of “Drowned > Jibboo > Gin” let you know that set number two was going to be something to be reckoned with. Instead of a ballad to slow things down the boys chose a double dose of bust outs in “MFMF” and “Buffalo Bill” before dropping a nasty “Twist.” The highlight was yet to come with a massive “Melt” that delivered big time. “Dog Faced Boy” was another bust out/breather and the one-two punch of “Hood” “Golgi” punctuated a high quality phrame of Phish.

The icing on the cake was obviously the four song encore that featured enough antics and rarities to make even the most jaded vet smile. No matter what you’ve heard about this night the second set and encore are worth the price of a download.

4) 8/10/10 – Telluride, CO – Town Park (111^th show)

I: The Squirming Coil, Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan, Ya Mar, Timber (Jerry), Let Me Lie, The Divided Sky, Walk Away, Roses are Free > Limb by Limb, Bouncing Around the Room, Run Like an Antelope

II: Party Time, Mike’s Song > Crosseyed and Painless > I am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Destiny Unbound, Carini > Free, Heavy Things, You Enjoy Myself

E: Shine a Light

This is yet another show that the Phish literary does not fully appreciate and will certainly rip me for. As I see it a show doesn’t need to have a transcendent jam to be considered good. Sometimes it’s just nice to have a dance party and get down with everyone around you and that is where this night truly excels.

The show opened with a non-stop phun phest of “Coil,” Stealing Time,” “Ya Mar” and “Timber” with each tune building on the momentum of the prior. The “DSky” was really something special with the pause for effect happening as the sun went down over the mountains. Words really cannot describe the beauty that was Town Park, especially at sunset. Ween’s “Roses” was the next highlight that got the crowd going and “Antelope” closed things out in style like it always does.

The second set was what made this show for me though. I’ve heard “Party Time” three times and every time the set that has followed has been…well…party time. “Mike’s > C+P > H2 > Groove” speaks for itself and was a 26-minute throw down boogie-fest. Following that with “Destiny” was a perfect choice and “Carini > Free” brought the weirdness. “YEM” closer and The Rolling Stones’ “Shine a Light” encore was really the only way to cap this picturesque run.

Overall this is probably a show that you had to be at to appreciate the way I do. We had good people around us, plenty of space, good weather and Phish coming at us from all angles with a precise rock and roll dance-a-thon. Our after party was epic as well but unfortunately that is not fit for print.

3) 10/30/10 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall (120^th show)

I: Kill Devil Falls, Cavern, Foam, Guelah Papyrus, Chalk Dust Torture > Whole Lotta Love* > Chalk Dust Torture, Ha Ha Ha, Walk Away, Wolfman’s Brother > Undermind, Bathtub Gin, The Squirming Coil

II: Tube, Possum, Tweezer > Heartbreaker^ > Tweezer > Ramble On** > Thank You^ > Tweezer > Stairway to Heaven^, Halley's Comet > Also Sprach Zarathustra > David Bowie, Show of Life, Backwards Down the Number Line, Good Times Bad Times

E: Sleeping Monkey, Tweezer Reprise

* last played 3/1/91

** last played 8/12/98

^ first time played

We had absolutely great seats for this show; straight on, four rows off the floor and right on the end of the aisle. “KDF” was a solid opener and I’ll never complain about an early first set “Foam.” The madness of the show really started when “Chalk Dust” segued into Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” With rumors swirling that Zeppelin was going to be the Halloween costume Phish ended that speculation and put the joke on us when they playfully dropped “Ha Ha Ha” next.

The highlight of the first frame was definitely “Wolfman’s > Undermind” with “Wolfman’s” bringing some thick funk and a vocal jam before moving into a great “Undermind.” But the boys weren’t done as evidenced by the huge “Gin” that came next. “Coil” is a gorgeous closer that always seems to set the stage for good things to come.

“Tube” has got to be one of my all time favorite openers just for the way it juices up the crowd and gets the energy phlowing. “Tweezer” started out innocuous enough but when the opening licks of Zep’s “Heartbreaker” started the crowd literally erupted. Rolling in and out of “Tweezer” by getting the Led out with “Ramble On,” “Thank You” and of course “Stairway” took the energy in the building up to 11. Outside of the Hampton comeback show this was the most energy exchanged between crowd and band I’ve experienced in the 3.0 era. The place was literally cracklin’.

A short but sweet “Halley’s” kept the energy high but it Deodato’s “2001” that took it up even another level. With the swirling lights and extended space-phunk segments in between peaks this “2001” is a certain keeper. The end of “2001” splashed down into the opening hi-hat intro of “Bowie” and the boys also took this version for a ride. After some down time another Zep cover closed things out appropriately as Phish always tears apart “GTBT.”

People were still buzzing non-stop as they spilled out of Boardwalk Hall not able to contain their excitement for what would be in store for us on All Hallow’s Eve. (Side note: 10/31 probably makes my Top 5 if not for an unforeseen calamity that beset us not allowing for full enjoyment of the show in the moment.)

1b) 8/6/10 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre (108^th show)

I: Chalk Dust Torture, Guyute, Ocelot, It’s Ice, Cities, The Moma Dance, Bathtub Gin, Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan

II: Rock and Roll > Ghost > Mike’s Song > Simple, Backwards Down the Number Line, Show of Life, Seven Below > Weekapaug Groove, You Enjoy Myself

E: Good Times Bad Times

After a brilliant day chilling in the hills of Berkeley we ended up a lot closer to the stage then we ever thought we would on an angle that allowed us to view both the crowd and the stage simultaneously. Classic opener “Chalk Dust” got the night rolling and “Ocelot” was taken for a meandering Grateful Dead style jaunt. “Ice” is really where things got cooking for me as the boys nailed the intricate composition hitting all the changes with force.

The highlight of the night came next with the best version of “Cities” I have witnessed firsthand since the epic masterpiece dropped on 8/10/97. As the band entered liquid-phunk territory the crowd let out a giant roar of approval and almost immediately the phab phour rode that wave of energy into an even deeper groove. That in turn made the phans go even more wild and the band continued to take the groove to another plane. It was one of those moments where the crowd was playing the band and everyone there was getting down like they were alone in their living room.

It didn’t stop there though as Trey leaned in to Mike and they exploded into some more uber-phunk with “Moma.” The extended groove-o-rama that was “Cities” “Moma” took us through the dusk hours in complete style. “Gin” was solid but an absolutely ripping version of “Stealing Time” (probably the best I’ve seen) closed the set on the highest of notes.

With a first set like that you never know what the second will bring but Phish managed to keep the momentum rolling with a 15-minute version of The Velvet Underground’s “Rock and Roll” (which I called at set break). The band slid into “Ghost” next and the place went nuts again practically begging the band to bring the cow phunk. The next highlight came with a near 16-minute “Simple” that contained a jam that can only be described as sublime psychedelia.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed when Trey decided to chop off “Seven Below” after only three minutes and the truncated “Groove” seemed like the end of the set. But the boys had more in store slapping us upside the head one last time with an awesome “YEM” dance party. They destroyed “GTBT” and sent the crowd out in to the summer night completely satisfied.

1a) 8/14/10 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre (114^th show)

I: Tube, The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg, Funky Bitch, Reba, Fuck Your Face, Alaska, Back on the Train, Taste, When the Circus Comes to Town, Lawn Boy, Sparkle, Gumbo, Run Like an Antelope

II: The Sloth, Down with Disease > What’s the Use > Scent of a Mule, Mike’s Song > Dirt, Sneaking Sally Through the Alley > Weekapaug Groove, Bug

E: Quinn the Eskimo

We had great seats for this show, the kind where you are close enough to have a good view of the stage but also far away enough to enjoy the lights as well. The only complaint I could have was that it was hot, real hot, the kind of oppressive heat where sweat was literally pouring off me. I think it had to be our location because nary a breeze ever touched our faces all night and my shirt was completely soaked through when all was said and done.

The show could not have opened any better for me with “Tube,” “Oh Kee Pah > Suzy” and Son Seals’ “Funky B.” It was one after the other high energy let’s rawk numbers that had the place in a total uproar. After a mellifluous “Reba” I got the song I had been chasing all summer in “Fuck Your Face.” Trey really shredded Mike’s short and quirky tune from the early 80’s making it everything I hoped it could be. I wanted better than “Alaska” next but the combo of “Train” “Taste” was able to distract me from my slight disappointment.

We headed to the bathroom during Los Lobos’ “Circus” figuring “Antelope” was next but the set kept rolling in a never ending fashion. We took in the next two songs by the concession stands closest to our seats since we needed a bit of fresh air. We made our way back to the seats as “Gumbo” started and enjoyed the firey “Antelope” closer quite a bit. Looking back on this set the sheer length should have been a tip off to the DVD but who really thinks like that during a show?

Set two got off to rousing start with a “Sloth” that amped the crowd up for the main course of the evening. “Disease > Use” might be the best jam I saw all year and the 23+ minutes seemed to go by in a flash. The jam out of “DwD” flowed so smoothly into “WtU” that no one saw it coming at the time, yet everyone exploded to the opening lick of “Use.” From there we had a rare “Mule” and a “Mike’s” that kept the momentum rolling along. “Dirt” kind of killed some of that for me but Robert Palmer’s “Sally > Groove” took it right back up.

Bob Dylan’s “Quinn” was a great choice to cap such an epic evening and I have to believe that Kenny and Larisa were happy they decided to leave the next day rather than skipping this one. If you replace “Dirt” and “Bug” with some more upbeat choices we could be talking best show ever material. As is the best of 2010 will have to do.

> No new bands really caught my ear this year but with the dissolution of U-Melt I’m pleading with everyone to get out there and support The Heavy Pets when they come to your town. It would be a real shame if a group of guys with that much talent and so many good songs don’t make it semi-big.