July 2011
4 posts
2 tags
Trey Announces Small Fall Run
The Trey Anastasio Band will play a few shows this fall in addition to their headlining slots at Langerado and the Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival. The East Coast run sees Trey continuing picking up from his last few solo tours, playing smaller theaters and clubs. Trey will tour with the septet that debuted on his 2010 winter tour; featuring Russ Lawton (drums), Tony Markellis (bass), Ray...
2 tags
Levon Helm & Emmylou Harris' Summerstage Ramble
Two of America’s musical legends teamed up this past Monday in Central Park, when Emmylou Harris and Levon Helm delivered a perfect night of music. Emmylou’s set leaned heavy on newer cuts from her Hard Bargain album, but also touched on classics like “Red Dirt Girl” and a gorgeous rendition of “Long Black Veil.”
Levon and his band, anchored by the...
1 tag
Railroad Earth's Patchogue Pickin'
In a game-time decision, I took the LIRR ou to Patchogue last weekend to check out the Great South Bay Music Festival. Loaded up with many local bands and some up-and-comers, the main reason for my travel was to check out Railroad Earth’s hour set right before the headliners, Umphrey’s McGee. The festival was beautiful; situated right on a park on the water, and featured a main...
7 tags
The Biggest Ball Of Them All?
That’s a question I’ll leave you to decide. But, after giving these Super Bal IX sets a few listens over the past few weeks, I have my own opinions on that. The bar was set pretty high even before the boys descended onto Watkins Glen for their July 4th festival spectacular. The first leg of this summer’s tour had been a strong one, seeing the band pick right up where they...
June 2011
1 post
6 tags
Surrender To The Flow: Summer Tour 2011 Leg One...
Right before Summer Tour started, I decided to make a conscious effort to not write anything until the first leg was over. This was a departure from my current coverage, where I typically do a small write-up after each night, but I wanted to try something a bit different and try to view the first leg as a whole. In an essence, a tour is often like one long story anyhow.
This first leg was...
May 2011
2 posts
6 tags
Phish Announce Colorado Dates To Close Summer Tour
Well, so much for Chicago closing out the second leg of summer tour. Phish gave word today that they will play three consecutive nights near Denver, at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, over Labor Day weekend (September 2-4). The band still have no additional plans to tour this fall or winter, though do we really want to believe it?
2 tags
Railroad Earth's 10th Anniversary Blowout
Railroad Earth brought it all back home Saturday night, as they descended upon the Montclair’s Wellmont Theatre for a tenth anniversary blowout. Jackie Greene supported, and kicked the night off with a great opening set spanning his career (side note, check out his set closing “New Speedway Boogie,” complete with a “The Other One” jam and “Bird Song”...
April 2011
5 posts
5 tags
A Few Choice Words On Record Store Day
It was quite an eventful morning as I traveled down to the Village to partake in the annual Record Store Day. I’ll be the first to admit, I do not have much of a vinyl collection, having built the majority of my music catalog in the CD form. That said, I was intrigued by a few releases being put out today, especially Phish’s Two Soundchecks.
I arrived around 9:15 at Other Music...
6 tags
Additional Summer Dates Announced
Phish announced their second (and last?) round of dates for this summer’s tour. As expected, leg two sees the band venturing west, beginning with a two-night stint at the Gorge. Along the way, the band will play their first ever Hollywood Bowl, first ever stops in gorgeous Lake Tahoe, and San Francisco’s Outside Land’s Music Festival. Summer tour will wrap up back in Chicago...
5 tags
Heavy Rotation
It’s been a while since I brought this back, but here’s what’s been in heavy rotation this past week.
1. Tom Waits - Real Gone
The man just keeps getting better with age. Real Gone finds Waits delivering some of his most political lyrics to date, and experimenting with turntables and voice-looping for the first time. Highlights include “Sins Of My Father,”...
Anonymous asked: Hey Adam - I'm a 194 UD grad - started in '79 and quickly became part of the Newark Deadhead tribes. Wilbur St. was the epicenter... Began going to shows..Moved with my wife to Seattle in 1986.. ANYWAY - Here is my "ask you anything": It's known that SBD tracks of the "Real Gin" from 1995-12-29 exist in compilations. I want to know if the entire SHOW may have...
5 tags
Phish To Release "Live In Utica" DVD/CD Set
Phish quietly announced today the release of last year’s famed Utica set in a deluxe 2-DVD/CD set. This marks the second release from 2010, and the second consecutive release of a recent show rather than digging into the archives.
Phish’s stop in Utica marked their smallest venue on their 2010 fall tour. The hype that preceded the show was enormous, and fans expected all the stops...
March 2011
7 posts
7 tags
CONFIRMED: SuperBall IX Festival At Watkins Glen
Oh the anticipation of waiting for Phish to finally announce what we’ve all known to be true for the last few days. Today, Phish officially announced SuperBall IX, a three-day festival to take place over July 4th Weekend at Watkins Glen International.
SuperBall IX continues a tradition started fifteen years ago with the famed Clifford Ball, whereby Phish holds their own festival in a...
6 tags
New Live Phish Archive Release For Japan Relief
It’s been a while since a new archive release (was it the Haiti relief of 2010?), but the band quietly announced the release of 7/31/99 with a release date of April 15. Just like the Haiti relief, this release will see 100% of the proceeds to go relief in Japan, specifically Peace Winds America.
The set will include the entire two sets performed that day (as part of the Fuji Rock...
2 tags
TAB At The FOX
Saturday March 5, 2011 The Fox Theater, Oakland, CA
Set I: NICU, Backwards Down The Number Line, Limb By Limb, Down With Disease, Theme From The Bottom, The Wedge, Strange Design, Bathtub Gin, Let Me Lie*, Heavy Things**, Liquid TIme**, Hey Ya**, Push On Til The Day***
Set II: Gotta Jibboo, Cayman Review, Alaska, Valentine, Plasma, Magilla, Sweet And Dandy, Sand, Clint Eastwood, Sultans Of...
2 tags
TAB At The Music Box
Friday March 4, 2011 The Music Box, Los Angeles, CA
Set I: Chalk Dust Torture, Bathtub Gin, Prince Caspian, Theme From The Bottom, Joy, Cavern, Backwards Down The Number Line, Wilson, Heavy Things*, Liquid Time*, Gotta Jibboo**, Push On Til The Day**
Set II: Cayman Review, Burlap Sack And Pumps, Ocelot, Valentine, Devil Went Down To Georgia, Money Love And Change, It Makes No Difference,...
2 tags
TAB At The Ogden - Night Two
Wednesday March 2, 2011 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO
Set I: Sample In A Jar, Mountains In The Mist, The Horse > Silent In The Morning, My Friend My Friend, Runaway Jim, Carini, Wilson, Shine A Light, Wading In The Velvet Sea*, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan**, Hey Ya***, Push On Til The Day****
Set II: Cayman Review, I Done Done It, Valentine, Money Love And Change, Drifting, Small Axe, Burn...
2 tags
TAB At The Ogden - Night One
Tuesday March 1, 2011 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO
Set I: Farmhouse, Wolfman’s Brother, When The Circus Comes, Timber, Theme From The Bottom, Tube, Gumbo, The Wedge, Joy, Backwards Down The Number Line, Strange Design, Lawn Boy*, Let Me Lie**, Heavy Things***, Liquid Time***, Gotta Jibboo****
Set II: Night Speaks To A Woman, Acting The Devil, Ooh Child, Ocelot, Burlap Sack And Pumps, Clint...
2 tags
TAB At The Riviera
Sunday February 27, 2011 Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL
Set I: Backwards Down The Number Line, Theme From The Bottom, Farmhouse, Gumbo, Kill Devil Falls, Halley’s Comet, Dirt, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, The Wedge, Let Me Lie*, Water In The Sky*, Wading In The Velvet Sea*, Heavy Things**, Liquid Tim**, Hey Ya**, Push On Til The Day***
Set II: Gotta Jibboo, Ocelot, Valentine, My...
February 2011
15 posts
2 tags
Waiting For Columbus
Trey’s tour moved west last night, as they entered Columbus for their latest stop on the acoustic/electric tour. As with the previous few evenings, Trey played the first set solo acoustic, running through another selection of songs from his ever-growing Phish and solo catalog. Columbus was treated to fine renditions of classics including “Wilson,” “Sample In A...
2 tags
Trey & TAB Roll Into Pittsburgh
The latest stop on the TAB Winter Tour was Pittsburgh. Set one featured another great selection of Phish nuggets including “Stealing Time,” “Gumbo,” and “Theme From The Bottom.” Amongst the repeats, Trey did manage to pull out “Driver” and “Talk,” for their tour debut. As with previous nights, he was joined at the end of the set by...
2 tags
Lighting Up The Electric Factory
Trey and TAB hit the Electric Factory Wednesday night for another stop on his aggressive two-week, cross-country tour. The acoustic set fit the mold of previous nights, showcasing stripped down versions of Phish nuggets like “Sample In A Jar” and “Suzy Greenberg.” A few debuts did surface with “Twenty Years Later,” “Twist,” and “Back On The...
2 tags
Trey & TAB In An Empire State Of Mind
Trey and TAB returned to NYC’s Terminal 5 last night for an incredible two sets of music. New York was treated to several tour firsts in both sets. Trey wasted no time with the show opening “Down With Disease,” which even in its stripped down form had a power-punch to kick the night off. In a nod perhaps to the Middle-Eastern theme for the Phish Summer Tour video that was...
6 tags
Phish Announce First Leg Of Summer Tour 2011
Just as many of us suspected, Phish announced their fist leg of their 2011 Summer Tour. This will surely be an interesting one, with Phish returning to some venues not played at in quite some time. As a long-time Jersey native, I’m psyched as hell for the return to PNC and the Camden dates! The complete run-down is below, as well as the tour announcement video. Should we expect a...
2 tags
Heavy Rotation: Trey Edition
In preparation of tonight’s Trey and TAB show at Terminal 5, I’ve dusted off some shows and collections over the last week to get psyched. Here’s what’s been in heavy rotation:
1. 5/8/99 Oscar Mayer Theater, Madison WI:
There are a bunch of great shows from Trey’s first solo jaunt, but I keep coming back to this one. For the unfamiliar, this tour featured one...
2 tags
TAB Tour Moves Up To Boston
Trey and TAB took on Boston last night in the latest stop on their winter tour. Trey continued to dive deep into his song book and tackle some interesting songs one would not expect to hear acoustic. The biggest shock came with “Punch You In The Eye,” a relatively complex Phish song. Trey stripped it down well and the results speak for themselves (see video below). Other acoustic...
2 tags
Trey And TAB Light Up The Palace
Trey and co. rolled into Albany last night for the second stop on their winter jaunt. Much like the previous evening, two solid sets of music were delivered that spanned Trey’s entire solo and Phish catalog. Trey seems to have really put some thought into the solo set, as he’s been playing some interesting and gorgeous renditions of songs you wouldn’t think would show up. ...
2 tags
Happy Birthday Fishman!
A quick happy birthday to Jon “Tubbs” “Henrietta” Fishman. Our beloved drummer turns 46 today. Here are some classic Fish moments…
2 tags
Trey Opens Tour In Portland With Some Nice...
Trey opened his two-week, cross-country acoustic/electric tour last night in Portland, ME. Returning to his 1999 tour form, Trey played one set solo acoustic, followed by one electric set with the current TAB lineup. Always looking to keep things fresh, Trey dug deep into the Phish archives and played some unexpected gems amongst the predictable ones. Great takes on “Suzy...
2 tags
More Record Store Day Goodness - Mike To Release...
Just as Phish announced yesterday with their Two Soundchecks limited edition 7-inch for Record Store Day, Mike announced today that he will release two offerings for the occasion.
First up is a special re-release of Mike’s first album, Inside In, pressed on 180g orange vinyl. This double-LP set includes “Minkinetics”, “Trinners March” and “Be Your...
6 tags
Phish To Release Limited Edition 7-inch For Record...
For the first time, Phish will partake in the annual Record Store Day tradition by releasing a limited edition 7-inch called Two Soundchecks. This will mark the band’s first ever live vinyl release and Record Store Day release.
Two Soundchecks will be limited to just 2000 hand-signed copies, so fetching one of these babies will be tough. Side A features an instrumental jam culled from...
1 tag
Something New: Heavy Rotation
A lot of people always ask me what I’m listening to, so I thought I’d start a new section of the blog appropriately titled Heavy Rotation (thanks Page), where I provide some insight into what’s playing in my world. I’ll try to make this a weekly segment that includes at least one Phish-related show or project.
So without further ado, here’s what’s been in...
1 tag
Railroad Earth Rock The Brooklyn Bowl
Railroad Earth returned to Brooklyn Saturday night for the next stop on their winter tour. I’ve had the opportunity to see these guys three times, and last night’s show was by far the best I’ve seen. Each member shines in their own right and the songs and jams delivered are with such grace. They really are a pleasure to watch.
The night flowed perfectly with a fine selection...
1 tag
The White Stripes Call It Quits
Jack and Meg White announced today via their website and their Third Man Records site that The White Stripes have officially split as of today. They have noted that this is not due to creative differences or health reasons, rather they have decided to walk away on a high note and “preserve what is beautiful and special about the band.” They will continue to release archived...
January 2011
4 posts
2 tags
Mike Announces Cross Country March Tour
Mike announced today a two week cross-country March tour. The 17-date club run will see Mike and his band begin their trek in Eugene, OR and end at a hometown gig in Burlington, VT. Along the way, the band will stop in cities including San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Telluride, Atlanta, Asheville, and for the first time, a two-night stand at the Brooklyn Bowl. Also, a very special show will be played...
2 tags
Trey Announces Winter Acoustic/Electric Tour
Just as a few dates began to trickle out today, Trey officially announced this evening a small tour with his TAB band. The tour will kick off at the State Theatre in Portland, ME and end in Oakland, CA.
Just like last year’s Classic TAB lineup, the band will consist of Natalie Cressman (trombone and vocals), Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet and vocals), Russ Lawton (drums), Tony Markellis...
6 tags
Entering 2011 On A High Note
Phish wrapped up their 2010 New Year’s run last night at Madison Square Garden with their first ever New Year’s Day show. Building off the strong foundation and stellar performances of the previous two evenings, Phish delivered arguably their finest set of the tour with last night’s second set. The band gelled throughout the set, connecting in a way unseen since the return to...
6 tags
Shocks My Brain: Phish Ring In The New Year
As I type these words and recount last night, I can’t get the “Meatstick” out of my brain. Phish rung in the New Year in true Phish-style, playing three sets of intense jamming, a few rarities, and old favorites to a sold out Madison Square Garden crowd. Each year, we ask the same question: What are they going to do this time? Well, they never seem to disappoint.
The first...
December 2010
7 posts
6 tags
Taking It To The Next Level
Phish descended onto the famed Madison Square Garden last night for the first of three nights for their annual New Year’s Run. 12/30 has some large shoes to fill, especially when looking back at some classics like 12/30/97, 12/30/03, and 12/30/95 that have all solidified themselves in Phishtory as legendary shows. From the opening notes of “Cities,” it was clear that they were...
6 tags
Gliding Through Worcester
Phish wrapped up their two night stint in Woostah with a mellow, laid-back show that worked in a strange way. Unlike the previous night, which lacked in any real flow or direction, Phish glided through their second show at the DCU with smooth grooves and a more care-free attitude. Those favoring more improv may have been disappointed, and while the show appears to lack on paper, it worked. Trey...
6 tags
Breaking The Ice In Night One Of Worcester
Phish hit the stage in Woostah last night for the first of five gigs that make up this year’s News Year’s run. After a massive snowstorm blanketed the Northeast, many fans braved the roads and conditions to get to the tour opener with high hopes of the band breaking through barriers and coming out of the gates hard-charging. Phish certainly didn’t disappoint, but last...
5 tags
The Calm Before The Storm
Well OK, maybe we are in a storm right now. As the Northeast gets blanketed in white from the season’s first snow storm, it’s a good time to start thinking about the New Year’s run that will begin tomorrow up in Worcester. I’m not going to focus on shows that have exploded during storms, or the ‘95 and ‘97 New Year’s runs that have been the talk of the...
2 tags
Trey Releases Live From Princeton
Just in time for the holidays, Trey’s recent show with the Scorchio Quartet has popped up on LivePhish.com. Oh yeah, and it’s FREE!!! The release features most of Trey’s performance from that night, showcasing interesting new takes on “Stash,” “Gone” (with Trey on piano), and “Wolfman’s Brother” (which starts with Trey on piano before...
6 tags
Phish Announce Pay-Per-View MSG Video Streams
Looks like Couch Tour just got a massive upgrade, as Phish has just announced that they will offer pay-per-view video for their upcoming MSG run. Fan streams on UStream and others have been nice, but let’s be honest…they’re a far cry from a nice view.
The pay-per-view packages will be available via LivePhish.com, in conjunction with Nugs.net. You can purchase the three night...
1 tag
Rare Bob Dylan Lyric Sheets To Be Auctioned Off
Good news for the avid music memorabilia collector. Got a couple hundred thousand dollars to spare? If so, read on…
Sotheby’s will auction off Bob Dylan’s hand written original lyrics to “The Times They Are A-Changin” on December 10. The lyrics were written sometime in 1963 on a piece of long, white paper. The reverse side contains lyrics to another song,...
November 2010
7 posts
2 tags
Trey Returns To Princeton For One-Night Hometown...
Trey returned to Princeton last night for a one-night, sold-out acoustic performance. Joined by the Scorchio String Quartet, Trey treated a dedicated audience to a set full of Phish staples, solo material, and newly penned songs. A confident Trey stayed mostly on acoustic guitar, though switched to piano a few times (“Bar 17,” “Gone,” and “Wolfman’s...
6 tags
Finally Back On The Train
“It took me a long time to get back on the train.” There couldn’t be truer words to sum up this past fall tour. Phish has finally turned a corner, and what we witnessed over the last few weeks was their best tour since reuniting in Hampton last year. Everything just seemed to click - songs, jams, energy.
In my opinion, the venues played a key roll in this transformation. ...
1 tag
Black Crowes Bring The Dirty Blues To NYC
It’s really a shame that the Black Crowes are going on yet another indefinite hiatus at the end of this year. The current lineup (which features an excellent Luther Dickenson of the North Mississippi Allstars on guitar), is easily the strongest the Crowes have had in ages. In addition, the last two albums they’ve released (2008’s Warpaint and 2009’s Before The...
5 tags
Confirmed: Phish To Release Alpine Valley 2010 Box...
Phish confirmed the latest rumors regarding their next release today on their site. Just as expected, the Alpine Valley 2010 2-DVD/2-CD set will be released on December 14th. The set will include the complete August 14th show, with highlights from the following night.
The nearly three hours of music was recorded that night using 57 channels of digital multi-track and carefully mixed and...
7 tags
Ladies And Gentlemen, Little Phish!
It was immediately following the “Zeppelin Show,” that I (and countless others) began thinking about what the musical costume this year would be. The rumor mill was in high gear, with folks claiming it was everything from Zappa’s Hot Rats or Joe’s Garage, to Paul Simon’s Graceland, to King Crimson’s Lark’s Tongue In Aspic. It was not until 30 minutes...