Whatever You Do, Take Care Of Your Shoes

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 stage last year.

The first set featured a carefully selected batch of songs, and interesting enough, featured quite a bit of jamming in staples like “The Divided Sky,” “Reba,” “Gotta Jibboo,” and fantastic set closing “Walls Of The Cave.”  Perhaps the biggest surprise came in the bustout of Mike’s “Round Room,” last heard at The Gorge in summer ‘03.

But let’s get to the meat of the show; set two.  Opening with the Talking Head’s “Crosseyed And Painless,” the band wasted no time getting down to business.  “Crosseyed” was very much Trey-dominated, staying on course and not venturing away from the song’s main structure, but in an interesting move, they refrained the “still waiting” lines towards the end of the jam, before a short feedback/spacey jam that fell into “Twist.”  “Twist” included an excellent jam, again showcased by Trey’s machine-gun licks over Mike and Page’s foundation.  As “Twist” neared its conclusion, the band made the leap into one of the best versions of “Simple” I’ve ever heard.  “Simple” may take the award for jam of the tour.  For the first time all tour, these four connected in that special way that results in a beautiful piece of unscripted, improvised music.  The jam out of “Simple is just that…simple.  Emerging out of a crushing standard jam, Page began playing a soft piano groove, which Trey immediately caught onto delivering soft guitar lines over.  As this progressed, the band found themselves playing a heavenly jam that was very much reminiscent of “What’s The Use.”  The music was so tight, many of us thought perhaps this was a new instrumental that was being debuted.  If you haven’t heard this “Simple,” you must.  It’s easily the jam of the tour, if not year.  As the jam concluded, Trey launched right into another monster, “Sneaking Sally.”  That’s right, “Sneaking Sally” and “Crosseyed” in the same set!  “Sally” brought the funk, and lots of it.  Out of the funky jam came a great vocal jam, before heading back into the “Sally” theme one last time.  As the groove dissipated into a short distortion segment, we were treated to a well-placed “Makisupa Policeman” that emerged from the darkness.  The “Makisupa” jam built off that cohesive vibe from “Simple,” with a very soft, ambient texture that made us feel like we were gliding on air.  Mike dropped his meatball effect, providing powerful bass bombs over the mellow, reggae foundation layed by Page.  “Makisupa” segued perfectly into a set closing “Bowie.”  “Bowie” proved to be a perfect end to an incredible set, allowing the band for one last time to branch out.

After a longer-than-usual encore break, the band returned once more for a great encore of “Fee” and “Frankenstein.”  With not even a single word, they took a bow and exited the stage.  So, with a powerful start to 2011, what’s next?  I don’t see a spring tour happening, as the rumors are strong about a possible TAB tour in February.  If we have to wait until summer again, it’s worth it.  Phish has had one of their best years, and each show is well worth the wait.

Saturday January 1, 2011 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Set I: My Soul, Tube, Runaway Jim, Foam, Guelah Papyrus > The Divided Sky, Round Room > Walk Away > Gotta Jibboo > Reba, Walls Of The Cave

Set II: Crosseyed And Painless > Twist > Simple, Sneakin’ Sally Thru The Alley > Makisupa Policeman > David Bowie

Encore: Fee, Frankenstein

setlist courtesy of www.phish.com

download the show here.

image courtesy of @amydanielle77.