Phish MSG Friday, December 4th

They nailed this show, the lights inside the garden were awesome and always getting more impressive. Steve Kimmock was packed. They played an epic YEM, Kill Devil Falls, Maze, Heavy Things and Seven Below (two songs which my old band used to play). Maze went went on as I was trying to navigate the narrow hallways and cryptic signs of Madison Square Garden. They may or may not have busted out vacuums but Mike and Trey performed some impressive synchronized trampoline acrobatics. Page has some new funky effects that make him sound like turntables. that is all

My at my friend from highschool who came to visit me fell on my badside and ran to the safe haven of the NYC jam community. We learned a good lesson. Not sure what it is but it has something to do with, surrendering to the flow. Phish shows are truly introspective learning experiences, Trey's journey and challenges mirror our own, and we are all evolving. This can be painful and I'm not sure if it's a good thing to "evolve" too fast. Cavemen had much less problems. If evolution of consciousness means the line for the guys bathroom is 3 times as long as the woman's, (at Steve Kimmock BB Kings afterward.) I question whats going on. Just an indication of the beta male qualities of indigo's/Phans kids.

I was questioning how to make the most of a job that is making me emotionally and physically sick (rush hour included) and how to make the most of it and stay healthy. How I myself can tap into the healer within which is all our ultimate potential. The answer came that I would develop yoga for programmers and people who are on the computer all day, this came at a perfect time were my awesome boss had to resort to taking codeine for back problems caused by his computer related job. All this inspiration came while I was completely sober too, it is just the energy of the people around you that can have you thinking in these higher minded way.

1st night review

by

sehrkosmisch

Set I

ACDC Bag- Although I prefer the second set extrapolations this song has yielded in the past, as an opener tonight it worked, high energy standard version for 3.0 with the band sounding in fine fettle.

Chalkdust- This took the energy level to the next level, a fiery and fierce version with several Trey dominated peaks, nothing mindblowing.

Wolfman's- a great song to chill the vibe out a bit, again the band sounding very tight during the composed section...the jam started in funkytown and ended on a rocking note.Again, nice and danceable but nothing jawdropping.

NICU-always great to hear live

Ocelot-not a fan of this tune at home but I see it's appeal in person. A nice mellow groover with the "jam" consisting of Trey blues wanking, fine for dancing but nothing memorable

Brian and Robert- how can a song about Eno and Fripp be so boring? a shit tune not particulary well-played...killed the energy.

Poor Heart- not a fan of pseudo-grass and im glad its over in three minutes

Sample-of course they were going to be play the "hits" this run. for their cheesy pop-rock songs this is the one i can stomach easiest. well played and average.

Peaches- never thought i'd ever hear them play this, one of my favorite Zappa tunes and I fucking freaked out when they started. It seemed most of the people in the Epstein Pavillion(section 71) didnt know what it was as they were all on their blackberries.Did they do it with Zappa-precision? No, but they did a damn fine fucking job and was easily the highlight of the show for me.

Divided Sky-perfect placement after Peaches, nicely done, Trey's sustain at the end was sweet and I always love hearing this tune.

Cavern-standard set closer, Trey flubbing lyrics all over the place.

Set II

Golgi- I'm no stats nerd, but I don't recall hearing this as a second set opener ever. I love the tune and it was played well but it foreshadowed the unevenness of the set to follow.

Light- there was no transition to this from Golgi, I feel like this song is cheated when there is no spacey intro. Still, it has proven to be a decent jam vehicle this year so I welcome it. The band obviously wanted to take it out there but they just couldnt hook up, there were cool moments but overall the band never gelled and this is one of those jams where length does not equal quality.

Slave-nice placement, composed section played to perfection...the jam had a weird droning segment that was super interesting and i wish they explored it a bit more before returning to the standard jam progression. good version.

Tweezer- much welcomed, it felt like they busted this out so they could get into another jam as quickly as possible. This verion ended up being straight Type I rock time. Very high energy and fun but nothing exploratory or particularly interesting to note.

Joy-again, no transition into this. this song is awful and has no place in a second set.

Sparkle- wow.double dose of garbage mid 2nd set, this was the first time i crossed my arms duting the show. i like the lyrics but the song blows. all of the 32 year old chicks loved it though

Harry Hood- great version, mike sounding great, excellent peak, best Hood I've heard this year

Wading-again, no transition into this, this song sucks and doesnt belong in asecond set, it seemed they flubbed the beginning and nobody cares cause its Wading.

Suzy-fun song I guess, although personally i think it should be shelved after the 8 version. this is a tune that really needs horns. page's clavi breakdown is cool but I was really dreading this would end the set.

Antelope-i never think i want to hear this song, but boy did those opening notes sound great after the meh-fest that preceded them. this ended up being a stellar version with the whole band on fire. this Antelope perfectly summed up the evening, tight psychedlic rock in the Type I vein.

Encore

A Day in the Life- not one of my favorites but played extremely well

Tweezer Rep- always a great way to end the show

Overall, this was a "you had to be there" show. Nothing amazing in the improv department, but the energy and execution were excellent and provided for a good time. It really reminded me of my very first show(10/21/96).Peaches was the absolute highlight for me personally, and this night left me ready for some intense jams over the next two nights.

Free Pair of Kimock Tickets

"Music is about the feeling you get when listening to good music. It comes from an emotional place in the performer and creates a succession of feeling states in the listener...The mystery of this art, the paradox, and duality of its realization, lie in the translation between its creation as a unique and deeply personal statement from the performer, and its perception as common, universally held emotions by the listener." - Kimock

I've got 2 tickets to Steve Kimock for the Post Phish show at BB Kings on Friday, and I'd like to give them away here. It's a great way to wrap up 3 nights of music at the Garden and at clubs celebrating throughout NYC. But we'll make it fun... and add some trivia. Email Julia@cegmusic.com with the answer to this question. First person to send the correct answer will win the pair of tickets. Good luck!

Question: Steve Kimock played with Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart and one of the members of Phish at The Jammys in 2006 and at summer festivals across the country. Which member of Phish played in this band, and what was the name of the project?