My Year in Music 2011
Raw Statistics
Phish Shows – 9
Other Shows – 19
Festivals – Re:Generation (14 sets), Eugene Celebration (10 sets) & Outside Lands (5 sets)
Studio Albums
5) Rich Robinson – “Through a Crooked Sun”
In the seven years since 2004’s debut solo album “Paper” Rich’s vocal delivery has grown more confident while his music has stayed true to his roots. Joe Magistro (drums) and Steve Molitz (keys) join Rich (guitar/bass) to form his core band (Brain Allen plays bass live) while guests like Warren Haynes, John Medeski and Larry Campbell add their talents to three tunes. This is one of those albums that grows on you with each play and if old school rock is your thing you won’t be disappointed.
4) The Disco Biscuits – “Otherwise Law Abiding Citizens”
After the utter debacle that was 2009’s “Planet Anthem” the Biscuits rebounded with arguably their best record ever. The heavy overproduction that plagued “Anthem” has been replaced with stripped down straight up Bisco. From the opening grove party of “Great Abyss” to the slamming closer “Lunar Pursuit” the listener is taken on a voyage through all things Biscuits. Though no “new” songs appear fan favorites like “Spraypaint” and “Portal to an Empty Head” are given the full studio treatment.
3) Greensky Bluegrass – “Handguns”
Right from the opening track “Don’t Lie” you can’t help but be moved by Paul Hoffman’s lyrics and drawn into the pictures his words paint. Every time I hear “No Idea” I still get goose bumps just because the subject matter hits so close to home for me. The 11+ minute closing jam on “All Four” gives you a taste of their live show and the three piece horn section on “I’d Probably Kill You” works surprisingly well. From start to finish this album is a journey that is well worth taking for any music fan.
2) The Wood Brothers – “Smoke Ring Halo”
Brothers Chris (bass) and Oliver (guitar) truly struck gold on their fourth studio album. Tyler Greenwell joins them on drums, John Medeski makes a few appearances on organ and there are even horns on three tracks. There is something for everybody on this record. You have get up and dance numbers like “Shoofly Pie” and “When I was Young,” tender ballads like the title track and “Blue and Green” (the later no doubt a tribute their mother Renate who passed in 2010) and everything in between.
1) Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Revelator”
The husband and wife duo of Susan Tedeschi (guitar/vocals) and Derek Trucks (guitar) crafted a masterpiece with their debut release. Susan’s amazing voice is the star of record but the backing band has some serious talent too. You’ve got Oteil (bass) and Kofi (keys/flute) Burbridge, two drummers, two backup vocalists and three more horn players. That might sound crowded but it all comes together perfectly in a soulful southern rock stew. If you haven’t heard this one yet you are cheating yourself.
Official Live Releases
4) Soulive – “Bowlive” – DVD compilation of 3/2-13/10
This DVD chronicles Soulive’s very first Brooklyn Bowl residency and the cavalcade of guests and the quality of their sit-ins is an amazing sight to behold. Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Robert Randolph, Ivan Neville, Susan Tedeschi and DJ Logic are just the big names. Nigel Hall and The Shady Horns are also well represented and each track is preceded by one of the guests talking about Soulive. Charlie Hunter’s interview during the closing credits where he responds in German is DVD stealing hilarious.
3) Sound Tribe Sector 9 – “Axe the Cables” – 2 DVDs of 12/29/09
This double DVD set shows the iClips recording of the very first STS9 “acoustic” show (David Murphy plays electric bass throughout). Songs like “From Now On,” “986 Foot Tall Trees” and “So It Goes” thrive in this setting. Old favorites “Equinox,” “Satori” and “Breathe In” also flourish as do new numbers “South of Here” and “Glen Tells Kengo.” However it’s the tunes you wouldn’t expect like “Lo Swaga,” “Kamuy” and “Moon Socket” that steal the show. The only downside here is no surround sound option.
2) The Disco Biscuits – “Bisco Inferno 09/10” – 2 DVDs of 5/30/09 & 5/29/10
These discs document the Biscuits first two headlining shows at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The excitement of the band in 2009 when they first walk on stage is palpable. Then they drop into “Rock Candy > Strobelights and Martinis > I-Man > Strobelights and Martinis > Crickets > Sound One.” That totals an hour and fifteen minutes of a non-stop Bisco dance party. The 2010 show is no slouch with a guest guitar spot from Chris Michetti on “M.E.M.P.H.I.S.” but 2009 brings the heat from start to finish.
1) Phish – “Hampton/Winston-Salem ‘97” – 7 CDs of 11/21-23/97 (including the sound checks from 11/21 & 11/23)
“Emotional Rescue > Split Open and Melt” and “Ghost > AC/DC Bag” from 11/21 are 30+ and 40+ minutes respectively. Then “Mike’s Song > I am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove” and “Halley’s Comet > Tweezer > Black-Eyed Katy” from 11/22 are 35+ and 44+ respectively. Not to mention the near 32 minute “Bathtub Gin” from 11/23 too. Fred Kevorkian’s re-masters of Paul Languedoc’s original recordings capture the band at the height of their improvisational powers; a must have for any phan.
Top 5 Non-Phish Shows
5) 6/26/11 – Sound Tribe Sector 9 – North Plains, OR – Horning’s Hideout (34th show)
Equinox, From Now On, Moon Socket, South of Here, Glen Tells Kengo, ???, The New Soma, Circus, Roygbiv > Dance
See the number one show in this section.
4) 3/5/11 – Mike Gordon – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre (3rd show)
I: Horizon Line, Middle of the Road, Traveled Too Far, Willow Tree, Sailin’ Shoes, Be Good and You’ll Be Lonely, Babylon Baby^
II: Funky Bitch, Andelmans’ Yard, The Grid, Cruel World, Crumbling Bones, Pretend > She Said She Said, What Things Seem, Dig Further Down
E: Mound^
^first time played
I reached a milestone this year as I had my first ever review posted on Relix.com.
3) 3/6/11 – The New Mastersounds – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall (1st show)
Hole in the Bag, Run the Gauntlet, Take What You Need, Pure, Dusty Groove, On the Border, Thermal Bad, Return to Gijon, Fast Man, Give Me a Minute Part 2 > Six Underground, Carrot Juice, Make Me Proud!, 9 'Til 5, In the Middle, Baby Bouncer
E: San Frantico, Can You Get It?, Nervous
Things started slowly due to the late arriving crowd but by the time “Pure” rolled around the energy inside the intimate hall was crackling. What caught my ear about the first half of the show was that tunes like “Take What You Need,” “On the Border” and “Fast Man” had vocals...a surprise to this novice. From the opening guitar riff of “Carrot Juice” through the end of the show the boys were on fire and loving the enthusiastically dancing crowd. “Make Me Proud,” “In the Middle” and “Baby Bouncer” were also highlights. I really think they would have played all night long if there wasn’t a curfew…that’s how much fun everyone including the band was having (on a Sunday night no less). I didn’t know what to expect from my first Mastersound show but by the end of it I was a fan for life.
2) 11/17/11 – Greensky Bluegrass – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre (5th show)
Climbing Up a Mountain, Handguns, Doin’ My Time > Dry County > Time > Breathe Reprise > Doin’ My Time, Cold Feet, Can’t Stop Now, Train Junkie, Better Off, Little Red Corvette, Shuckin’ the Corn, Little Red Corvette Reprise
Hornedogs: ???, Up on Cripple Creek
Devolvers: Crowing at the Moon, Mean Old Wind
Green Butter: I'll Fly Away, I’m Working on a Building
In my 12 years of living in the Eugene area I don’t know of another band that made the jump from Sam Bond’s Garage (150 capacity) to the McDonald (1250 capacity) in the same calendar year. Well Greensky did just that playing Sam Bond’s on 3/10 and headlining the McDonald just eight months later. Granted the upstairs was closed and the floor was less than packed but I was impressed nonetheless.
The one-two punch of “Climbing Up a Mountain” and “Handguns” got things rolling but the show really took off with “Doin’ My Time > Dry County > Time > Breathe Reprise > Doin’ My Time.” That 20+ minutes saw bluegrass go in a direction that I didn’t think possible. The only way to describe the transition from “Doin’ My Time > Dry County” is “spacegrass” (copy write pending) featuring Anders Beck’s dobro at the forefront. New Grass Revival’s “Can’t Stop Now” had a nice jam but Beck was back at his spacey finest during a 13+ minute “Train Junkie.” During the peak in “Junkie” his dobro was literally reverberating off the walls of the theatre creating sounds that had to be felt in order to be fully appreciated. I thought Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” derailed the momentum of the show but it was only temporary.
The encore was a band “competition” between “teams” picked by Bryan Horne (bass, Hot Buttered Rum) and Mike Devol (bass, GSBG). Even though The Hornedogs pulled off a nice version of The Band’s “Cripple Creek” with Greensky guitar player Dave Bruzza on drums the Devolvers won the “competition” in my book with choice covers by Joshua Davis and Kris Delmhorst respectively. The capper to the evening, and one of those things you had to be there for, was the joint set featuring every musician in both bands (except Horne) unplugged at the lip of the stage. The audience participation was particularly impressive since you had to be pin drop quiet to hear what was being played while alternately belting out the chorus’ to the traditional numbers at Bruzza’s request. Just a fine night of music all around that I’m sure won Greensky a ton of new fans in this area.
1) 6/25/11 – Sound Tribe Sector 9 – North Plains, OR – Horning’s Hideout (33rd show)
I: This Us, Instantly, Shock Doctrine, Frequencies 2 > Frequencies 3, Four Year Puma, Arigato > NIN Closer > Tooth, When the Dust Settles
II: The Unquestionable Supremacy of Nature, Golden Gate, F. Word, Water Song, Aimlessly, 20-12, Scheme, Rent
E: Breathe In, We'll Meet in Our Dreams
Check out my jambands.com review of the entire festival here.
Top 4 Phish Shows
4) 9/2/11 – Commerce City, CO – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (128th show)
I: Sample in a Jar, Sparkle, The Sloth, Sweet Virginia, Susskind Hotel, Strange Design, Stash, Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley > Sparks*, Scent of a Mule, Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan, Shine a Light, Split Open and Melt, The Squirming Coil
II: Sand, Simple > Steam, Soul Shakedown Party > Seven Below, Suzy Greenberg > Scents and Subtle Sounds, Slave to the Traffic Light > Silent in the Morning, Sanity, Sweet Adeline**
E: Sabotage***
* last time played 11/29/96 (463 shows)
** last time played 8/1/99 (285 shows)
*** last time played 11/21/98 (318 shows)
The vibe at the beginning of this night was unlike anything I’d ever experienced at a Phish show. The boys came on stage and stated playing and people weren’t even paying attention to them. Everyone was talking to their friends, getting situated or whatever but the band and the music was obviously secondary to most of the crowd around us. I think this was the main factor in the uneven start to the evening but once “Susskind” dropped the energy began to change.
I’d say around “Strange Design” is where people started to realize that all the songs so far had started with the letter “S.” So by the time Allen Toussaint’s “Sneaking Sally” started up people were going bonkers and the transition into The Who’s “Sparks” caught everyone off guard. “Melt” was ferocious and could have closed the set but “Coil” was the perfect way to send everyone into set break buzzing.
Normally set breaks are like quiet debates amongst friends about what they just heard but this intermission was different. Everyone was talking to everyone about what “S” songs were left for set two. We were having an open conversation with our row and the rows directly behind and in front of us (and for the record we did a good job naming most of the second set).
With wild energy like that during set break it’s no wonder that “Sand” absolutely exploded into a full on dance party and the set kept rolling from there. A nice “Simple” flowed ever so smoothly into a powerful version of “Steam” that had me getting down with reckless abandon. “Seven Below” was another highlight as was my first “Scents” since 8/12/04.
Part of the excitement in the crowd was that Carlos Santana was in town to play Red Rocks the next two nights and many in attendance thought we’d get an “S stands for Santana” prior to the encore. Well that didn’t happen but the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” was a very Phishy joke on everyone thinking that way. As we scampered back to our rental car we were giddy at the prospect of the next two nights after the quality of the opening show we had just seen.
3) 8/5/11 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre (122nd show)
I: Kill Devil Falls, The Wedge, Bathtub Gin, Nellie Kane, My Friend My Friend, Cavern, Taste, Roggae, Walk Away, Funky Bitch, Roses are Free, David Bowie
II: Backwards Down the Number Line, Rock and Roll > Meatstick > Boogie On Reggae Woman, Farmhouse, Show of Life, Julius, Character Zero
E: Loving Cup
The Gorge always brings something special out of Phish and 2011 was no exception. The show didn’t really get going until “Gin” but that suited us OK as we barely made it to the floor in time for the opener. Even with our just-in-time arrival we actually had plenty space to boogie on the floor toward the back on Fish side. The “Roggae” that was the next standout is a nominee for best version ever and the closing “Bowie” that brought on dusk was no slouch either.
The meat of the second set, and arguably the best jam of the year, was the near 38 minute combo of “Rock and Roll > Meatstick > Boogie On Reggae Woman.” The Velvet Underground classic was a blast of supreme psychedelic “storage jamming” with Page moving over to the theremin and taking everyone on a ride through the cosmos. The segue into “Meatstick” was seamless and out of left field and gave me a brief respite to digest what I had just seen. My jaw was literally hanging open as I wondered if what just happened would translate upon re-listen (it did). As “Meatstick” became Stevie Wonder’s “Boogie On” I think most people there were floating above the ground with smiles as wide as the Columbia River Gorge.
“Farmhouse” was the final high point of the evening as the set kind of fizzled for me after that. This is the reason why the show containing the jam of the year only finishes third on my list.
2) 9/4/11 – Commerce City, CO – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (130th show)
I: Maze, Back on the Train, Rift, Bathtub Gin, The Way It Goes^, Halfway to the Moon, Gumbo, Halley's Comet > Tube, Timber (Jerry), Roses are Free, Chalk Dust Torture
II: Rock and Roll > Come Together* > Twist > Piper > Harry Hood, Roggae, Ghost > Guy Forget** > Ghost, Walls of the Cave
E: Backwards Down the Number Line
^ first time played
* last time played 12/8/95 (537 shows)
** last time played 10/1/00 (199 shows)
This show got started with the first “Maze” opener since 12/9/95 (536 shows) and let everyone know the boys meant business as they bid adieu to the western states for the year. Another sick version of “Gin” anchored the first set and the debut of Gillian Welch’s “The Way it Goes” was nailed and saw me dancing up down an entire empty row by myself. The transition between “Halley’s” and “Tube” was unexpectedly smooth and “Chalk Dust” closed down what was an incredibly consistent first set from start to finish.
Set number two was a straight up rager from beginning to end. Once again “Rock and Roll” kick started things and as the jam was getting out there all of sudden they were playing the Beatles’ “Come Together?” Wow. After a short stopover in “Come Together” the classic combo of “Twist > Piper” was next to deliver the goods complete with a brief jam on War’s “Low Rider.” But the boys weren’t done yet segueing one more time into a sublime “Hood.” That was nearly 46 minutes of non-stop playing or something you don’t see very often from Phish 3.0.
When the familiar bass lines of “Ghost” started up everyone knew something top-shelf was coming but it’s the second time ever rendition of “Guy Forget” (100% club for me) that made this version special. A tightly fierce “Walls” closed things down and as we walked back to the rental we were in awe of the three night run we had just witnessed. Money well spent.
1) 8/6/11 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre (123rd show)
I: Possum, The Moma Dance, Sample in a Jar, Limb by Limb, Ocelot, Poor Heart, On Your Way Down, Wolfman's Brother > Maze, Wilson, Fluffhead
II: Chalk Dust Torture, Tweezer > Prince Caspian > Sand > Tweezer > Birds of a Feather, Waste > Golden Age, Reba, Run Like an Antelope
E: Suzy Greenberg, Sanity, Tweezer Reprise
Rather than the floor we opted for a perch in the flat mezzanine section of the Gorge lawn this time around (thanks to Brian, Doug & Doug for holding the spots under the sun) and it turned out to be a good choice. With our entire crew of ten people all right next to each other the stage was set for an outstanding night. Toussaint’s “On Your Way Down” was my first highlight but the substance of the first set was the near 20 minute jaunt of “Wolfman’s > Maze.” I also thought the “Fluffhead” closer was extremely well played.
If the first set was light on standout versions the second frame more than made up for it. “Chalk Dust” openers always signal good things ahead and this instance was no different. The 38+ minutes that was “Tweezer > Caspian > Sand > Tweezer > Birds” featured some sick, sick jamming in both “Tweezer” and “Sand.” And when the dance party that was “Sand” segued back into “Tweezer” the place erupted. The highlights don’t stop there though.
“Waste” was a much needed breather but the dance party kicked right back into high gear again when TV on the Radio’s “Golden Age” started up. Then out of nowhere we got a late second set “Reba” that created a night time dreamscape with its delicate and building guitar outro. Oh but the hits kept coming with an “Antelope” that featured teases of “Reba,” “Tweezer,” “Sand” and “Golden Age.” It was quite obvious that the boys were having a grand old time up there.
The encore fit my mood perfectly as “Sanity” was just the song I needed to hear before one last rave-up in “Reprise.” This was far and away the most fun I had seeing music all year. Just being around good friends all day shooting the breeze in the Terrace Camping area was fun enough, but then you throw some top quality Phish into the mix and you have one unforgettable experience.
Phish Shows – 9
Other Shows – 19
Festivals – Re:Generation (14 sets), Eugene Celebration (10 sets) & Outside Lands (5 sets)
Studio Albums
5) Rich Robinson – “Through a Crooked Sun”
In the seven years since 2004’s debut solo album “Paper” Rich’s vocal delivery has grown more confident while his music has stayed true to his roots. Joe Magistro (drums) and Steve Molitz (keys) join Rich (guitar/bass) to form his core band (Brain Allen plays bass live) while guests like Warren Haynes, John Medeski and Larry Campbell add their talents to three tunes. This is one of those albums that grows on you with each play and if old school rock is your thing you won’t be disappointed.
4) The Disco Biscuits – “Otherwise Law Abiding Citizens”
After the utter debacle that was 2009’s “Planet Anthem” the Biscuits rebounded with arguably their best record ever. The heavy overproduction that plagued “Anthem” has been replaced with stripped down straight up Bisco. From the opening grove party of “Great Abyss” to the slamming closer “Lunar Pursuit” the listener is taken on a voyage through all things Biscuits. Though no “new” songs appear fan favorites like “Spraypaint” and “Portal to an Empty Head” are given the full studio treatment.
3) Greensky Bluegrass – “Handguns”
Right from the opening track “Don’t Lie” you can’t help but be moved by Paul Hoffman’s lyrics and drawn into the pictures his words paint. Every time I hear “No Idea” I still get goose bumps just because the subject matter hits so close to home for me. The 11+ minute closing jam on “All Four” gives you a taste of their live show and the three piece horn section on “I’d Probably Kill You” works surprisingly well. From start to finish this album is a journey that is well worth taking for any music fan.
2) The Wood Brothers – “Smoke Ring Halo”
Brothers Chris (bass) and Oliver (guitar) truly struck gold on their fourth studio album. Tyler Greenwell joins them on drums, John Medeski makes a few appearances on organ and there are even horns on three tracks. There is something for everybody on this record. You have get up and dance numbers like “Shoofly Pie” and “When I was Young,” tender ballads like the title track and “Blue and Green” (the later no doubt a tribute their mother Renate who passed in 2010) and everything in between.
1) Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Revelator”
The husband and wife duo of Susan Tedeschi (guitar/vocals) and Derek Trucks (guitar) crafted a masterpiece with their debut release. Susan’s amazing voice is the star of record but the backing band has some serious talent too. You’ve got Oteil (bass) and Kofi (keys/flute) Burbridge, two drummers, two backup vocalists and three more horn players. That might sound crowded but it all comes together perfectly in a soulful southern rock stew. If you haven’t heard this one yet you are cheating yourself.
Official Live Releases
4) Soulive – “Bowlive” – DVD compilation of 3/2-13/10
This DVD chronicles Soulive’s very first Brooklyn Bowl residency and the cavalcade of guests and the quality of their sit-ins is an amazing sight to behold. Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Robert Randolph, Ivan Neville, Susan Tedeschi and DJ Logic are just the big names. Nigel Hall and The Shady Horns are also well represented and each track is preceded by one of the guests talking about Soulive. Charlie Hunter’s interview during the closing credits where he responds in German is DVD stealing hilarious.
3) Sound Tribe Sector 9 – “Axe the Cables” – 2 DVDs of 12/29/09
This double DVD set shows the iClips recording of the very first STS9 “acoustic” show (David Murphy plays electric bass throughout). Songs like “From Now On,” “986 Foot Tall Trees” and “So It Goes” thrive in this setting. Old favorites “Equinox,” “Satori” and “Breathe In” also flourish as do new numbers “South of Here” and “Glen Tells Kengo.” However it’s the tunes you wouldn’t expect like “Lo Swaga,” “Kamuy” and “Moon Socket” that steal the show. The only downside here is no surround sound option.
2) The Disco Biscuits – “Bisco Inferno 09/10” – 2 DVDs of 5/30/09 & 5/29/10
These discs document the Biscuits first two headlining shows at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The excitement of the band in 2009 when they first walk on stage is palpable. Then they drop into “Rock Candy > Strobelights and Martinis > I-Man > Strobelights and Martinis > Crickets > Sound One.” That totals an hour and fifteen minutes of a non-stop Bisco dance party. The 2010 show is no slouch with a guest guitar spot from Chris Michetti on “M.E.M.P.H.I.S.” but 2009 brings the heat from start to finish.
1) Phish – “Hampton/Winston-Salem ‘97” – 7 CDs of 11/21-23/97 (including the sound checks from 11/21 & 11/23)
“Emotional Rescue > Split Open and Melt” and “Ghost > AC/DC Bag” from 11/21 are 30+ and 40+ minutes respectively. Then “Mike’s Song > I am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove” and “Halley’s Comet > Tweezer > Black-Eyed Katy” from 11/22 are 35+ and 44+ respectively. Not to mention the near 32 minute “Bathtub Gin” from 11/23 too. Fred Kevorkian’s re-masters of Paul Languedoc’s original recordings capture the band at the height of their improvisational powers; a must have for any phan.
Top 5 Non-Phish Shows
5) 6/26/11 – Sound Tribe Sector 9 – North Plains, OR – Horning’s Hideout (34th show)
Equinox, From Now On, Moon Socket, South of Here, Glen Tells Kengo, ???, The New Soma, Circus, Roygbiv > Dance
See the number one show in this section.
4) 3/5/11 – Mike Gordon – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre (3rd show)
I: Horizon Line, Middle of the Road, Traveled Too Far, Willow Tree, Sailin’ Shoes, Be Good and You’ll Be Lonely, Babylon Baby^
II: Funky Bitch, Andelmans’ Yard, The Grid, Cruel World, Crumbling Bones, Pretend > She Said She Said, What Things Seem, Dig Further Down
E: Mound^
^first time played
I reached a milestone this year as I had my first ever review posted on Relix.com.
3) 3/6/11 – The New Mastersounds – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall (1st show)
Hole in the Bag, Run the Gauntlet, Take What You Need, Pure, Dusty Groove, On the Border, Thermal Bad, Return to Gijon, Fast Man, Give Me a Minute Part 2 > Six Underground, Carrot Juice, Make Me Proud!, 9 'Til 5, In the Middle, Baby Bouncer
E: San Frantico, Can You Get It?, Nervous
Things started slowly due to the late arriving crowd but by the time “Pure” rolled around the energy inside the intimate hall was crackling. What caught my ear about the first half of the show was that tunes like “Take What You Need,” “On the Border” and “Fast Man” had vocals...a surprise to this novice. From the opening guitar riff of “Carrot Juice” through the end of the show the boys were on fire and loving the enthusiastically dancing crowd. “Make Me Proud,” “In the Middle” and “Baby Bouncer” were also highlights. I really think they would have played all night long if there wasn’t a curfew…that’s how much fun everyone including the band was having (on a Sunday night no less). I didn’t know what to expect from my first Mastersound show but by the end of it I was a fan for life.
2) 11/17/11 – Greensky Bluegrass – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre (5th show)
Climbing Up a Mountain, Handguns, Doin’ My Time > Dry County > Time > Breathe Reprise > Doin’ My Time, Cold Feet, Can’t Stop Now, Train Junkie, Better Off, Little Red Corvette, Shuckin’ the Corn, Little Red Corvette Reprise
Hornedogs: ???, Up on Cripple Creek
Devolvers: Crowing at the Moon, Mean Old Wind
Green Butter: I'll Fly Away, I’m Working on a Building
In my 12 years of living in the Eugene area I don’t know of another band that made the jump from Sam Bond’s Garage (150 capacity) to the McDonald (1250 capacity) in the same calendar year. Well Greensky did just that playing Sam Bond’s on 3/10 and headlining the McDonald just eight months later. Granted the upstairs was closed and the floor was less than packed but I was impressed nonetheless.
The one-two punch of “Climbing Up a Mountain” and “Handguns” got things rolling but the show really took off with “Doin’ My Time > Dry County > Time > Breathe Reprise > Doin’ My Time.” That 20+ minutes saw bluegrass go in a direction that I didn’t think possible. The only way to describe the transition from “Doin’ My Time > Dry County” is “spacegrass” (copy write pending) featuring Anders Beck’s dobro at the forefront. New Grass Revival’s “Can’t Stop Now” had a nice jam but Beck was back at his spacey finest during a 13+ minute “Train Junkie.” During the peak in “Junkie” his dobro was literally reverberating off the walls of the theatre creating sounds that had to be felt in order to be fully appreciated. I thought Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” derailed the momentum of the show but it was only temporary.
The encore was a band “competition” between “teams” picked by Bryan Horne (bass, Hot Buttered Rum) and Mike Devol (bass, GSBG). Even though The Hornedogs pulled off a nice version of The Band’s “Cripple Creek” with Greensky guitar player Dave Bruzza on drums the Devolvers won the “competition” in my book with choice covers by Joshua Davis and Kris Delmhorst respectively. The capper to the evening, and one of those things you had to be there for, was the joint set featuring every musician in both bands (except Horne) unplugged at the lip of the stage. The audience participation was particularly impressive since you had to be pin drop quiet to hear what was being played while alternately belting out the chorus’ to the traditional numbers at Bruzza’s request. Just a fine night of music all around that I’m sure won Greensky a ton of new fans in this area.
1) 6/25/11 – Sound Tribe Sector 9 – North Plains, OR – Horning’s Hideout (33rd show)
I: This Us, Instantly, Shock Doctrine, Frequencies 2 > Frequencies 3, Four Year Puma, Arigato > NIN Closer > Tooth, When the Dust Settles
II: The Unquestionable Supremacy of Nature, Golden Gate, F. Word, Water Song, Aimlessly, 20-12, Scheme, Rent
E: Breathe In, We'll Meet in Our Dreams
Check out my jambands.com review of the entire festival here.
Top 4 Phish Shows
4) 9/2/11 – Commerce City, CO – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (128th show)
I: Sample in a Jar, Sparkle, The Sloth, Sweet Virginia, Susskind Hotel, Strange Design, Stash, Sneakin’ Sally through the Alley > Sparks*, Scent of a Mule, Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan, Shine a Light, Split Open and Melt, The Squirming Coil
II: Sand, Simple > Steam, Soul Shakedown Party > Seven Below, Suzy Greenberg > Scents and Subtle Sounds, Slave to the Traffic Light > Silent in the Morning, Sanity, Sweet Adeline**
E: Sabotage***
* last time played 11/29/96 (463 shows)
** last time played 8/1/99 (285 shows)
*** last time played 11/21/98 (318 shows)
The vibe at the beginning of this night was unlike anything I’d ever experienced at a Phish show. The boys came on stage and stated playing and people weren’t even paying attention to them. Everyone was talking to their friends, getting situated or whatever but the band and the music was obviously secondary to most of the crowd around us. I think this was the main factor in the uneven start to the evening but once “Susskind” dropped the energy began to change.
I’d say around “Strange Design” is where people started to realize that all the songs so far had started with the letter “S.” So by the time Allen Toussaint’s “Sneaking Sally” started up people were going bonkers and the transition into The Who’s “Sparks” caught everyone off guard. “Melt” was ferocious and could have closed the set but “Coil” was the perfect way to send everyone into set break buzzing.
Normally set breaks are like quiet debates amongst friends about what they just heard but this intermission was different. Everyone was talking to everyone about what “S” songs were left for set two. We were having an open conversation with our row and the rows directly behind and in front of us (and for the record we did a good job naming most of the second set).
With wild energy like that during set break it’s no wonder that “Sand” absolutely exploded into a full on dance party and the set kept rolling from there. A nice “Simple” flowed ever so smoothly into a powerful version of “Steam” that had me getting down with reckless abandon. “Seven Below” was another highlight as was my first “Scents” since 8/12/04.
Part of the excitement in the crowd was that Carlos Santana was in town to play Red Rocks the next two nights and many in attendance thought we’d get an “S stands for Santana” prior to the encore. Well that didn’t happen but the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” was a very Phishy joke on everyone thinking that way. As we scampered back to our rental car we were giddy at the prospect of the next two nights after the quality of the opening show we had just seen.
3) 8/5/11 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre (122nd show)
I: Kill Devil Falls, The Wedge, Bathtub Gin, Nellie Kane, My Friend My Friend, Cavern, Taste, Roggae, Walk Away, Funky Bitch, Roses are Free, David Bowie
II: Backwards Down the Number Line, Rock and Roll > Meatstick > Boogie On Reggae Woman, Farmhouse, Show of Life, Julius, Character Zero
E: Loving Cup
The Gorge always brings something special out of Phish and 2011 was no exception. The show didn’t really get going until “Gin” but that suited us OK as we barely made it to the floor in time for the opener. Even with our just-in-time arrival we actually had plenty space to boogie on the floor toward the back on Fish side. The “Roggae” that was the next standout is a nominee for best version ever and the closing “Bowie” that brought on dusk was no slouch either.
The meat of the second set, and arguably the best jam of the year, was the near 38 minute combo of “Rock and Roll > Meatstick > Boogie On Reggae Woman.” The Velvet Underground classic was a blast of supreme psychedelic “storage jamming” with Page moving over to the theremin and taking everyone on a ride through the cosmos. The segue into “Meatstick” was seamless and out of left field and gave me a brief respite to digest what I had just seen. My jaw was literally hanging open as I wondered if what just happened would translate upon re-listen (it did). As “Meatstick” became Stevie Wonder’s “Boogie On” I think most people there were floating above the ground with smiles as wide as the Columbia River Gorge.
“Farmhouse” was the final high point of the evening as the set kind of fizzled for me after that. This is the reason why the show containing the jam of the year only finishes third on my list.
2) 9/4/11 – Commerce City, CO – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (130th show)
I: Maze, Back on the Train, Rift, Bathtub Gin, The Way It Goes^, Halfway to the Moon, Gumbo, Halley's Comet > Tube, Timber (Jerry), Roses are Free, Chalk Dust Torture
II: Rock and Roll > Come Together* > Twist > Piper > Harry Hood, Roggae, Ghost > Guy Forget** > Ghost, Walls of the Cave
E: Backwards Down the Number Line
^ first time played
* last time played 12/8/95 (537 shows)
** last time played 10/1/00 (199 shows)
This show got started with the first “Maze” opener since 12/9/95 (536 shows) and let everyone know the boys meant business as they bid adieu to the western states for the year. Another sick version of “Gin” anchored the first set and the debut of Gillian Welch’s “The Way it Goes” was nailed and saw me dancing up down an entire empty row by myself. The transition between “Halley’s” and “Tube” was unexpectedly smooth and “Chalk Dust” closed down what was an incredibly consistent first set from start to finish.
Set number two was a straight up rager from beginning to end. Once again “Rock and Roll” kick started things and as the jam was getting out there all of sudden they were playing the Beatles’ “Come Together?” Wow. After a short stopover in “Come Together” the classic combo of “Twist > Piper” was next to deliver the goods complete with a brief jam on War’s “Low Rider.” But the boys weren’t done yet segueing one more time into a sublime “Hood.” That was nearly 46 minutes of non-stop playing or something you don’t see very often from Phish 3.0.
When the familiar bass lines of “Ghost” started up everyone knew something top-shelf was coming but it’s the second time ever rendition of “Guy Forget” (100% club for me) that made this version special. A tightly fierce “Walls” closed things down and as we walked back to the rental we were in awe of the three night run we had just witnessed. Money well spent.
1) 8/6/11 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre (123rd show)
I: Possum, The Moma Dance, Sample in a Jar, Limb by Limb, Ocelot, Poor Heart, On Your Way Down, Wolfman's Brother > Maze, Wilson, Fluffhead
II: Chalk Dust Torture, Tweezer > Prince Caspian > Sand > Tweezer > Birds of a Feather, Waste > Golden Age, Reba, Run Like an Antelope
E: Suzy Greenberg, Sanity, Tweezer Reprise
Rather than the floor we opted for a perch in the flat mezzanine section of the Gorge lawn this time around (thanks to Brian, Doug & Doug for holding the spots under the sun) and it turned out to be a good choice. With our entire crew of ten people all right next to each other the stage was set for an outstanding night. Toussaint’s “On Your Way Down” was my first highlight but the substance of the first set was the near 20 minute jaunt of “Wolfman’s > Maze.” I also thought the “Fluffhead” closer was extremely well played.
If the first set was light on standout versions the second frame more than made up for it. “Chalk Dust” openers always signal good things ahead and this instance was no different. The 38+ minutes that was “Tweezer > Caspian > Sand > Tweezer > Birds” featured some sick, sick jamming in both “Tweezer” and “Sand.” And when the dance party that was “Sand” segued back into “Tweezer” the place erupted. The highlights don’t stop there though.
“Waste” was a much needed breather but the dance party kicked right back into high gear again when TV on the Radio’s “Golden Age” started up. Then out of nowhere we got a late second set “Reba” that created a night time dreamscape with its delicate and building guitar outro. Oh but the hits kept coming with an “Antelope” that featured teases of “Reba,” “Tweezer,” “Sand” and “Golden Age.” It was quite obvious that the boys were having a grand old time up there.
The encore fit my mood perfectly as “Sanity” was just the song I needed to hear before one last rave-up in “Reprise.” This was far and away the most fun I had seeing music all year. Just being around good friends all day shooting the breeze in the Terrace Camping area was fun enough, but then you throw some top quality Phish into the mix and you have one unforgettable experience.
posted by D$ at 2:01 PM
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