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Published: 2011/12/29
by Tom Volk

Phish, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY – 12/28

What you were looking for was a sign, a mere indicator that this would not be a night for Phish to shake off the rust and empty out their inner set list generator before moving on to three more nights of proper Dionysian musical excess.

We didn’t have to wait long for the sign to appear. The first ever “Free” to open a show (really?) was its typical anthemic self, which is to say perfunctory, and no indicator either way of whether a three and a half month layoff would affect the band. The wood block melody that signals the opening of “Glide” was just what we were looking for. Dusting off a tune like “Glide,” and well at that, for the first time in two years, is not a sign that the band would need to shake off anything in the way of ill effects from a lightened tour schedule.

Nor was a gift from the gods of first set improvisation during a mid set take on “Cities.” Delicate ambience, defined by rhythmic, pulsing leads emanating from Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon, bloomed into a clear highlight of the opening salvo, even if it buzzed to an end too early for this jam hound’s taste. There is still an aspect of “coitus interruptus” to many of the bands exploratory efforts at this point in their career, but when the compact and subtle ambient oeuvre that the they have carved out over the past few years works it’s a pleasure to behold, even when you want it to last for 5 more minutes.

The remainder of the first set was solid, nothing more, nothing less. Rarities like “The Ballad Of Curtis Loew,” the venerable Lynyrd Skynyrd chestnut, and “Contact” were well received and well done. “Stash,” the old improvisational stalwart of the mid-first set, threatened to get over the hump from average to spectacular a few times without ever quite getting there. “Bathtub Gin” closed out the proceedings with a wailing rave up that was either wholly satisfying if that is your thing, or a missed chance if you’re a fan of the bands more exploratory tendencies.

Those tendencies, along with a superlative “Harry Hood,” defined a second set of many highlights save for some bizarre set list inclusions in the depths of the set. “Carini” followed a concise “Birds of a Feather” opener, its outro modulating from fierce minor key licks from Anastasio into a lilting organ drone. Page McConnell, the master of the subtle improvisational shift, laid an ethereal foundation of droning chords on his organ and Fender Rhodes, colored by patient ascending and descending leads from Anastasio. A proper, layered segue into “Tweezer” followed. Its jam segment, comprised of staccato funk pickings that elevated to an anti climactic “Streets of Cairo” tease rather than the improvisational fireworks that are increasingly elusive in the bands de-facto excuse to jam. After a wailing workout of the Velvet Undergrounds “Rock and Roll” someone on stage forgot that the first set had ended an hour and a half ago and brought the momentum to a grinding halt with versions of “NICU” and “Bouncing Around The Room,” that, while they were well played, have no business being in the depths of a second set at Madison Square Garden, let alone anywhere.

Let’s give the set list generator a pass though, as any gorgeous, late set, “Harry Hood” has the power to redeem all. I don’t know if this version will settle onto anyone’s must-have classic “Hood” list, but Anastasio’s skill in negotiating the upper reaches of his fret board were the perfect tonic for the late set clunkers. That kind of brilliance is THE reason we/I keep coming back year after year.

It was the climax of a well played, solid opening show that certainly points to the potential of the next three nights to be what they should be. This is Phish at MSG after all. The closer, “Bug” and the encore of “Tube,” “Rocky Top,” and “Tweezer Reprise,” was fun, even if there is nothing worth noting save for the fact the “Tweezer Reprise” is the ultimate spectacle in arena rock today, but you already knew that.

And so it’s on to night two at MSG, and one can only wait and hope for more Dionysian musical excess at its best. On the evidence of the opener, I don’t think we’ll end up disappointed, but you already knew that too.

Comments

There are 27 comments associated with this post

York Durden December 29, 2011, 10:38:35

Complaining about jams that didn’t happen versus describing the ones that did doth not a useful review make. There were moments of great beauty and creativity last night, but this writer can’t get past song placement. Jesus. It’s not what they play, it’s how they play what they play.

Brian December 29, 2011, 11:03:36

What an awful negative-toned review of such an amazing well received show by all the fans.

otheride December 29, 2011, 11:08:05

big words and big attitude for a Phish review. perhaps he didn’t get any party favors.

york durden too December 29, 2011, 11:15:46

in regards to this review. i found it painfully Pretentious, but then again the only phish phans who take the time to write a review appear to only write it to try and be as pretentious as possible. kudos for taking the time to review. Hope your glad you spent $$$ (if you did) to see the show (it’s hard to tell if you were)
sounds like a fun night. There are 3 more to go, i’m sure they will just build from there (and continue to frustrate “true fans” who have been there since the beginning and love to be pretentious)

york durden too December 29, 2011, 11:15:47

i heart tom volk December 29, 2011, 11:21:29

I found this review to be unbelieveable pretentious, but then again, it seems the only phish phans who take the time to write a review, only do so to see how pretentious they can sound. Kudos for taking the time wo write a review, but i mean seriously… sounds like it was a fun time, regardless of your descriptoins and i hope you felt like you got your $$$‘s worth. I hope you are going all of the shows, and i hope you try to outdue yourself w/every review.

Dave December 29, 2011, 11:21:44

Bouncing Round the Room is good at any point in the show. back when they were playing the Haunt in Ithaca NY, they used to bust that out deep into the third set and use the tramps to bounce into the crowd.

shazam December 29, 2011, 11:39:36

I actually thought that was a pretty spot on review. It never ceases to amaze me how a little criticism can get people so worked up. News flash-last night was a lot of fun, some great moments, but also some not so great. Song selection and placement are extremely important to the overall experience, and NICU-Bouncin’ late in the 2nd set is just poor placement.

scott December 29, 2011, 12:17:18

The band continues to find interest in entertaining themselves with fresh takes on tried and true chestnuts and that energy, of course, is contagious. That could be my defacto review for any Phish show. This band does not need to be disected everytime they take the stage, it’s not that calculated or thoughtful, it’s spontanious fun. Maybe reviews of Phish shows should be exclusively within the medium of video clips of dance moves. That might be more descriptive.
Can’t wait to see what Bieber will perform with the boys.

Carey December 29, 2011, 12:49:10

Blah Blah Blah….why take the magic out of the moment? It was a great show. IS Beiber really expected to make an appearance at some point?

rob December 29, 2011, 13:04:04

this was my first large scale show, despite having gone to UVM with them and occasionally hearing them at Nectar’s and other Burlington spots. Suffice it to say, last night was one hell of a good time.

Sofa Dude December 29, 2011, 13:05:29

It was a perfectly average phish show. Unfortunately, that leaves a lot of phans with something to complain about.

Mick December 29, 2011, 13:16:16

The boys just weren’t sharp last night: bottom line. But, they are Jordan-esque and will allow this sub-par performance to get them extra fired up the rest of the stand. I’ve been to 6 MSG shows ’97 was my first and last night just didn’t stack up; it was generally uninspired. Also, Phish fans don’t let someone else’s opinion get you so down. If you were into that show, good for you, that’s awesome. But, honestly you sound like a child if you won’t allow others to their own take on the show. Remember: It’s not a cult.

Scott December 29, 2011, 13:56:09

I disagree with Shazam. Song selection and placement are indeed important, but I think they did a good job. They came out of the Rock and Roll jam with an off tempo, “upstroke” type jam that had a distinct reggae feel to it, which led into NICU. They played out the reggae vibe into BATR which, while not a jam song, is beautiful, concise, poppy and was very well played. Remember that this is night one of four, and had quite a few casual fans. These songs play well to them. They followed up with the reggae infused opening to Hood, and brought it all back around to a rising beautiful jammed out song. Was it the best 2nd set ever? No. But the flow and placement made sense and wall were well performed. May not have been what you were looking for, but it was not the “swing and a miss” you make it out to be.

JAY December 29, 2011, 15:11:21

I don’t know about this guy but everyone around me had a GREAT time last night and the buzz (no pun intended) at halftime was as positive as could be. Every Phsih show has some downsides, it’s the nature of improv. But last night was a blast and I can’t wait to see them again on Friday. All I can say is there are 25,000 very lucky people that will be there tonight.

Robert Champion December 29, 2011, 15:20:56

“someone on stage forgot that the first set had ended an hour and a half ago and brought the momentum to a grinding halt with versions of “NICU” and “Bouncing Around The Room,” that, while they were well played, have no business being in the depths of a second set at Madison Square Garden, let alone anywhere.” Absolute garbage. I’m embarrassed for you as a writer.

Barnaby December 29, 2011, 16:03:54

Review was spot on- I don’t know why some of you people get so put off by a well written accurate assessment of the show. Maybe someday you’ll get phish and understand this review.

i heart barnaby too December 29, 2011, 16:23:12

again with the pretentiousness and needing to be so to “get phish” and “understand the reveiw” you sound so gosh darned uppity about “your music” people can be have their opinions, and sure it is “well written” but i mean seriously… as robert champion says above… that statement (amongst others) is garbage.. sure “well written” but unessessary. you just want to see how pretentious you can be when writing about imporv music.

UltimatelywhogivesaF#cK December 29, 2011, 16:37:57

LOL! PEOPLE! I can practically see your glasses getting all fogged up !! Now staighten out your baseball caps and grab a Snickers bar! Try out some new drugs..learn a new language…but DO YOU LIKE PHISH or NOT??? Buy a ticket…take the ride…and remember..Ultimately , Who gives a F#cK

No Left Turn Unstoned December 29, 2011, 19:55:05

Pretty accurate review from my perspective, which was the couch. Mr. Champion, I’ve checked out your blog….. Lighten up, Francis.

John December 29, 2011, 23:49:56

Phish can play anything in their catalog and it would be a good show. Who wrote this review? It had a negative vibe, not cool.

John December 29, 2011, 23:50:46

Phish can play anything in their catalog and it would be a good show. Who wrote this review? It had a negative vibe, not cool.

The guy who decides whether stuff is good December 30, 2011, 00:52:27

Spot on review. Thanks for taking the time.

Dr. Mantis Toboggan December 30, 2011, 09:47:24

The story, as always, is that the band refuses to play any material from the past ten years. They did play one song from the 21st century (Kill Devil Falls), and the reviewer completely ignores it. The Cities jam was the highlight of the show. I relistened to the show last night, and I was surprised how short that jam was. They played four cover songs, and no 2.0 material, and only one 3.0 song. I had a great time, but this is why I only see about two shows a year now.

nichobert January 6, 2012, 14:34:14

I feel bad for everyone who was all “This is just night 1, it’ll get better” Because in retrospect, the 28th absolutely dominated the other nights.

Agreed January 8, 2012, 22:35:54

Yeah, night 1 was by far my favorite musically speaking. Lots of flubs this run…but still had a great time with a band I will continue to see as long as they’re playing.

name January 18, 2012, 14:40:56

I don’t think this guy was purposely trying to be pretentious when he wrote this review. It’s his job to pick apart the set list as he would with any show he reviews. Phish phans, put your clubs and pitchforks away hahah the article was pretty positive overall.

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Phish, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY – 12/28

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