Whatever You Do, Take Care Of Your Shoes

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 at the Pageant Theatre in St. Louis with Galactic.

The tour will consist of the same line-up of the past few Mike tours, featuring Scott Murawski on guitar, Craig Myers on percussion, Tom Cleary on keyboards, and drummer Todd Isler.  Tour dates and official tour video below.

MIKE GORDON MARCH 2011 TOUR

03/05 - McDonald Theatre, Eugene, OR
03/06 - Van Duzer Theatre at Humboldt State, Arcata, CA
03/07 - Crystal Bay, Crystal Bay, NV
03/08 - The Rio, Santa Cruz, CA
03/09 - House of Blues, San Diego, CA
03/11 - Orpheum Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ 
03/12 - Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO
03/13 - Belly Up, Aspen, CO
03/14 - Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO
03/15 - The Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS 
03/17 - Pageant Theatre, St. Louis, MO  w/ Galactic
03/18 - Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN
03/19 - Center Stage, Atlanta, GA
03/20 - Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
03/22 - Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY
03/23 - Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY
03/25 - The State Theatre, Falls Church, VA
03/26 - Higher Ground Ballroom, Burlington, VT

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.

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 set kicked off with a powerful “Punch You In The Eye” and “AC/DC Bag” combo that set the wheels in motion.  Gone were the hopes of a Gamehendge set, but the boys were out to make a statement.  A rare mid-first set “Scent Of A Mule,” “Weigh,” and “Beauty Of My Dreams” were excellent surprises, with the last not being played since Deer Creek ‘03.  “Burn That Bridge” also made its concert debut, after being soundchecked routinely this summer.  It’s a great bluesy number that hopefully will find its proper place in rotation.

The Garden really started heating up with the second set.  “Down With Disease > Ghost” served as the first real exploratory jam of the evening.  As the boys oozed their way into the “Ghost” jam, they found themselves in a major-chord progression which Trey immediately picked up on to deliver some blistering guitar licks.  This is a much hear jam!  In a welcomed change of pace, “Ghost” came back into the intro theme, followed by an incredible “YEM.”  This “YEM” is certainly for the books, as the gang launched into the first real “Manteca” since Vegas ‘98!  “Manteca” quotes dominated the remainder of the “YEM” jam, making this one of the most unique jams we’ve heard in years.

After a very brief intermission, Phish hit the stage roughly fifteen minutes before midnight, and began playing the “Meatstick.”  As the jam progressed, different ethnic groups/dancers emerged on stage singing and dancing along (the mariachi band sticks out in my mind).  It didn’t take long to realize that in the midst of all these people taking over the stage, the band had disappeared.  A few minutes later, out of a cloud of smoke, Phish resurrected their flying hotdog tradition, and flew over the Garden crowd as the “Meatstick” played on and the dancers kept grooving on stage.  They hit the stage and began throwing hotdogs into the crowd from two vendor carts at either side of the stage.  As the clock hit midnight, Trey launched into the classic “Auld Lang Syne” followed by the J.J. Cale/Eric Clapton epic “After Midnight.”  Check out the below video of the whole “Meatstick” spectacular.

As 2010 slipped away and we entered 2011, we saw the light growing brighter.  Phish is showing no signs of slowing down, and it couldn’t be better.  I can’t wait for tonight…

Friday December 31, 2010 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Set I: Punch You In The Eye, AC/DC Bag, The Moma Dance > Scent Of A Mule, Burn That Bridge*, Weigh, Ocelot**, Beauty Of My Dreams, Gone, Rock & Roll

Set II: Wilson > 46 Days, Sand, NICU** > Down With Disease > Ghost, You Enjoy Myself > Manteca > You Enjoy Myself

Set III: Meatstick*** > Auld Lang Syne > After Midnight, Backwards Down The Number Line, Piper > Free, Waste > Slave To The Traffic Light, Grind

Encore: First Tube

*Phish debut

**with Auld Lang Syne teases

***several groups of multiethnic dancers appeared on stage and sang the Meatstick lyrics in their respective languages. The band joined the dancers and then stealthily disappeared from the stage, only to reappear at the other side of the arena in the giant hotdog from past NYE shows (‘94 and ‘99). As a result, portions of the Meatstick were pre-recorded.

images courtesy of @amydanielle77.

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 out to make a statement.  Trey sounded much healthier than the Worcester run (it’s a wonder what a day off can do), and they set to unleash a high energy show.  I’ve read the tweets and some reviews, and while last night seems to be getting dogged (see Mr. Miner’s review), I will stand by my belief that it was a great show, showcased by two sets of high energy and confident jamming.  Hell, set two didn’t slow down once!

The first set served as a chance for the band to get acquainted with the crowd, unleashing a collection of songs that were each tackled with great charisma and power.  Highlights included a nice mid-set “Quinn” “Gumbo,” “Maze” and “Gin” jams, and “Fatman In The Bathtub.”  For those not in attendance, check out an audience recording to hear the PA cut out during “Camel Walk.”  The audience reaction as they sing Trey’s guitar part is fantastic, and the band didn’t even flinch.

Set two was nothing but a full on assault, opening with a “Tweezer > Light” power-punch that easily is in the running for jam of the year.  “Tweezer” featured some gorgeous spacey jamming, as the band meandered out of the song’s structure and into new, ambient territory.  Over eighteen minutes later, Trey finally made the transition into the tour’s first “Light.”  A strong “Light” (albeit nothing like the MSG version from last year) opened up into “Theme From The Bottom,” another well placed groove that fit perfectly.  Dancing in my seat last night, I felt it was only a matter of time before they toned it down with a ballad, but not that night.  It was one big dance party with Page dominating on the boards for “2001” and “Suzy.”  As the band returned to the stage for the encore, I don’t think anyone expected an “Antelope” after the monster set we just experienced.

I don’t want to jinx anything, but I don’t think I’m the only person that’s noticed the lack of a certain collection of songs this tour.  Let’s just hope they’re saving these for a reason.  I can’t wait for the next two nights.  Put on your sailin’ shoes, because it’s going to be a wild ride.

P.S.  Did anyone else catch Trey telling the band to play “Jennifer Dancer” before the start of “Tweezer.”  Classic.

Thursday December 30, 2010 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Set I: Cities, Chalk Dust Torture, Gumbo > Quinn The Eskimo, Halley’s Comet > Camel Walk*, Maze, Driver, Bathtub Gin, Fat Man In The Bathtub, Timber > Golgi Apparatus, Character Zero

Set II: Tweezer > Light > Theme From The Bottom > My Friend My Friend, Axilla I > Fluffhead > Boogie On Reggae Woman > 2001 > Suzy Greenberg

Encore: Run Like An Antelope > Tweezer Reprise

*PA cut out mid-song

setlist courtesy of www.phish.com

download the show here.

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 did appear a bit off, with scratchy vocals and some bad timing (“Rift”), but he managed to hold his own and carry his weight through two interesting sets.

The biggest surprise came with the out-of-left field bustout of “She Caught The Katy.”  This Taj Mahal penned-blues number has only been played six times by the boys, with four of those from the ’80s.  The last bustout was back in Phoenix ‘98, making this bustout all the more exciting.  Trey also used the first set to introduce a new song called “Pigtail,” co-written by Tom Marshall and dedicated to him.  “Pigtail” is very reminiscent of “Heavy Things,” with its pop-hooks.  This seems to be the song-writing direction Trey and Tom have shifted towards - less composition and more of a focus on lyrics and simpler arrangements (see “Summer Of ‘89,” and “My Problem Right There.”).  That being said, the first set did have some noteworthy jams like the show-opening “Kill Devil Falls” and an exploratory “Stash.” 

Set two built upon this carefree attitude of the first set.  The mellow-ambient feel kicked in with “The Wedge > Frankie Says > Albuquerque” segment.  “Frankie” had that spacey, ambient feel, that was very reminiscent of the spacey ‘99 era.  Trey didn’t need to shred, and his quiet and carefully executed notes flowed perfectly into Neil Young’s “Albuquerque.”  Following this gorgeous passage came a blistering “Hood” that shines as the jam of the evening.  Everything seemed to click here, as the band drifted out of the main theme into uncharted waters, with Trey laying down soft, staccato notes, before bringing it all back home for a fantastic ending segment.

These first two shows have been interesting.  Nothing too special and exciting, but it’s clear the boys are having a good time.  We’re one day away from the YEMSG run, and it’s bound to be a solid three nights.  See you there!

Tuesday December 28, 2010 DCU Center, Worcester, MA

Set I: Kill Devil Falls, My Mind’s Got A Mind Of It’s Own, Alaska*, She Caught The Katy**, Wolfman’s Brother, Pigtail***, Stash, Bouncing Around The Room > Rift, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, The Birdwatcher****

Set II: Carini > Backwards Down The Number Line > Back On The Train > Limb By Limb > The Wedge > Frankie Says > Albuquerque, Harry Hood > Bug

E: Shine A Light

*Trey used a devise that played Sara Palin quotes during the intro.

**last played 7/21/98 - 323 shows

***debut

****Phish debut

setlist courtesy of www.phish.com

download the show here.

image courtesy of Dave Vann.

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 night’s show was far from epic.  Amidst moments of brilliance, the show seemed a bit all over the place, lacking in any real flow.

The theme of the evening was certainly snow (Mike was dressed in all white), and the boys dusted off a few surprises, including “Mound,” which was last heard last year in Red Rocks.  For those keeping score, that’s only the third “Mound” since 1996, and the first time sandwiched in a “Mike’s Groove.”  Most of the first set was standard, though I’ll give special mention the jammed out “Cool It Down” extended “Roggae,” and appropriately placed “It’s Ice.”

Set two’s “Mike’s Groove” set the stage for what could have been a explosive set.  Trey’s playing throughout the segment was top notch, and I’ll place this “Mike’s Groove” in my top three this year easily.  But, with the closing of “Weekapaug,” the gang chose an oddly placed “Farmhouse” that seemed to suck the wind out of the room.  All was made up for when they dropped into a gorgeous “Seven Below” which segued perfectly into “What’s The Use.”  This dark jam fit the aura perfectly, reflecting the conditions surrounding the DCU Center.  The transition into “Twenty Years Later” was also fitting for the dark vibe, and it was nice to see this emerge out of something other than “Number Line” or “Light.”  Unfortunately, the set seemed to lose its mojo afterward, with a slew of staples that failed to get the flow back on track.

I hate to sound like a negative Nancy.  Let’s face it…an OK Phish show is still better than a lot of other shows where artists are at their best.  I have full confidence the band is just getting started.  We’ll consider last night to be a warm-up.

Monday December 27, 2010 DCU Center, Worcester, MA

Set I: Sample In A Jar, Funky Bitch, Cool It Down, Roggae, Heavy Things, What Things Seem, Roses Are Free > It’s Ice, Mountains In The Mist, Julius

Set II: Mike’s Song > Mound, Weekapaug Groove, Farmhouse, Seven Below > What’s The Use > Twenty Years Later, Wading In The Velvet Sea, Possum > Cavern > David Bowie

E: Loving Cup

setlist courtesy of www.phish.com

download the show here.

images courtesy of Christine Peterson/The Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp and @ericwyman.