Wednesday 03/16/2016 by n00b100

N00B100 PRESENTS: MY FAVORITE SETS OF 3.0, DIRECTOR'S CUT (PART 2)

In case you missed it: Part 1 (HM and #50 - #41)

And now, part two! A few quick comments at the top:

  1. Thank you all for the comments (and the politeness)! I’m glad to know there’re folks that are enjoying reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it out.

  2. As @ucpete mentioned in the comments to the last blog entry, we’re talking “my favorite” 3.0 sets, not “the best” 3.0 sets, and the reason that distinction is important is because the term “the best” (at least, IMO), is something that is a) impossible to quantify and b) really doesn’t exist when we’re talking about something as subjective as art (de gustibus non est disputandum, or to put it another way, “ya likes what ya likes”). As long as we’re all on board with that and nobody’s feelings are getting hurt, I think everything should be gravy.

But just to make sure we’re all on the same page:

DISCLAIMER: All of this is just one man's very subjective opinion. Feel free to discuss, disagree (gently), and point out anything I may have missed or ignored in the comments. Vive la différence!

NUMBERS 40-31

40. 8/5/11 II, The Gorge, George, WA

Rock & Roll” -> “Meatstick” -> “Boogie On Reggae Woman” would brighten up just about any set they’ve ever played. Throw something else in there to recommend, and we’re looking at about 15-20 higher spots.

39. 12/31/10 II, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Much like a set we'll get to in a couple spots, a set that’s business in the front and party in the back (or is that like a mullet? I can’t remember). This one would have been much higher circa July 2011 or so. How can you not giggle at the “crab in my shoemouth” vocal jam?

38. 8/21/15 II, Magnaball, Watkins Glen, NY

Not Just The “Bathtub Gin”: The 8/21/15 Story. We need more Phrygian mode!

37. 6/3/11 II, DTE Music Theater, Clarkston, MI

This one would have been much higher circa July 2011, too. Phish has practically turned playing uplifting jams into a science these days, but the “Disease” here still manages to stand out. Really good “Bowie,” too, if you’re of the inclination that they still can play a good “Bowie” these days (now, playing a classic “Bowie,” that's another debate).

36. 8/4/15 II, Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN

Here’s all you need to know about this killer set – the first “Mike’s Song” with a second jam in over a decade, and it was damn near overshadowed (some would omit the "damn near") by the uber-dark “Weekapaug Groove” that closed the set. An absolutely superb “Mike's”/”Paug” duo, probably the finest since 2000 - not that that's a particularly high bar to leap - and one of the most exciting sequences of the year.

35. 7/27/13 II, The Gorge, George, WA

I wrote a good deal about this set here. Random thought: I used to quibble about “Fluffhead” in the 4th quarter, and now I’m sad they haven’t played it in a while, so it’s always possible to see changes in your fandom.

34. 11/1/14 II, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV

A slightly more refined version of 7/27/13 II, which is why I hold it a tiny bit higher in my heart. It’s hard not to love that roar from the crowd when “The Dogs” comes hurtling out of “Light’s” jam, as you can tell they’re still in love with the Halloween costume. The only Halloween 2014-related crowd roar I love more came about two months later.

33. 8/22/15 III, Magnaball, Watkins Glen, NY

This could have been a total throwaway after…well, we’ll get to that, but they still came out and played a killer set of music nevertheless. “Light” and “Blaze On,” in particular, really stand out, but don’t skip that “Mind Left Body”-inflected “Cities,” either.

32. 7/3/11 I, Superball IX, Watkins Glen, NY

A truly charming mix of giddy nostalgia (“Forbin’s” > “Mockingbird”!), strong jamming (for any set), crazy surprises (that “Wilson” > “Mound” duo!), and a grand “Reba” -> “Bowie” to top it off. If only the rest of Superball (“Storage Jam” excluded) had had this much quality to it…

31. 7/24/15 II, Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA

Summer 2015 had only just started, and here they were playing a show of absolutely sterling quality, headlined by a truly killer “Twist” > “Light” duo. Expectations were raised pretty high out of the gate. The wildest thing is that the band actually met them.

Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment below, and look forward to Part 3 on Friday, March 18!

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Comments

, comment by Midcoaster
Midcoaster The part I like best about @n00b100's project and style is that it just brings so much joy (ahem) to the appreciation of 3.0. IMHO, there's no more need for anyone to qualify this era's music as being fantastic and well worth appreciating with a diminutive, "well, good for 3.0." I'm digging the Ram Dass vibes of this project: Be Here Now! It's efforts like these which demonstrate how our cups are more than half full. Indeed, they demonstrate how our cups runneth over and over.
, comment by Rick_like_an_Antelope
Rick_like_an_Antelope I'm enjoying this series very much. Like @Midcoaster said, 3.0 is a great time for Phish. By 2017, I will have been to more shows in 3.0 than in 1.0. My top shelf of shows is nearly even across all eras. Cheers @n00b100 !!
, comment by philanthropist
philanthropist Fantastic stuff here!! Thanks for your hard work!
, comment by paulj
paulj Can't wait to compile the full list and then, keeping my thoughts to myself, figure out where I think he's wrong and where's he's right. At the start of each day I'm always thinking, "What should I listen to today?" This'll be a great source.
, comment by RobPJohnson3
RobPJohnson3 Enjoyed the second installment, thanks very much.

At first I was surprised that so many 2011 sets made the list, and some were ranked higher than really good 2015 sets. Then after I thought about it, and realized all the amazing 2015 sets that have yet to be mentioned, I think last year will get the treatment it deserves.

Even so, it's hard for me to consider even the best pre-2012 Phish as being in the same ballpark as a good 2015 show. Trey is so much better now than he was a few years ago, that almost disqualifies even the most beloved early 3.0 shows in my mind.
, comment by phunky58
phunky58 saving all those summer 2012 and fall 2013 sets for the top, like it. though i must say magnaball had sum sets that were pure fire
, comment by User_21049_
User_21049_ good call on 7/3 superball - stellar evening (and day) that was.
, comment by CypressMikes
CypressMikes Right when I saw 7/24/15, i knew that set II was special.
, comment by ekstewie1441
ekstewie1441 11/01/2014 is a fine second set but not really in the same class as others especially when contrasted to 7/27/2013. Fourth quarters are just a wee bit different: Sally, 2001, Fluff, Walls, Antelope vs. Wading, Hood, Golgi, Numberline. Maybe I don't understand the word "refined"?

Overall, great posts though! Thanks.
, comment by chrismichels
chrismichels I have been re-visiting shows in order from '89 on. Not every show. Currently in summer99 trying to stay on track but this is making me want to skip ahead
, comment by Rick_like_an_Antelope
Rick_like_an_Antelope Thanks for the Latin Maxim:
de gustibus, non est disputandum
I'm totally going to rock that for a few days.
, comment by fhqwhgads
fhqwhgads I'm glad to be reviewing these sets with you all. I got hooked during 1.0 and I'd be lying if I said that wasn't my favorite era, but how could anyone disagree with the undeniable facts that it is great to still have Phish active and that for phans many songs, sets, and shows (including many sets represented in @n00b100's list so far) are still taking us to that place (it's in your soul.)
, comment by n00b100
n00b100 @fhqwhgads said:
I'm glad to be reviewing these sets with you all. I got hooked during 1.0 and I'd be lying if I said that wasn't my favorite era, but how could anyone disagree with the undeniable facts that it is great to still have Phish active and that for phans many songs, sets, and shows (including many sets represented in @n00b100's list so far) are still taking us to that place (it's in your soul.)
Hear, hear. I'd be lying if I said 1.0 wasn't my favorite era, as well. Everything you said in this post is true.
, comment by matthewgoldsmith
matthewgoldsmith Thanks for the Gorge love. You're right that more would be needed to launch this set any higher on the list but I'll quibble simply with the adjective for that R&R. That is some dark shit and spookier than some chilling thrilling sounds. The screeching theramin opposes the thrumming bass and Fish adds a cacophony until it all breaks...and comes back like Sabotage.

Great lists and thanks for the offseason read.
, comment by JesusFreak
JesusFreak I bet if we rated these sets on the overall concert experiences they were, instead of pure headphone listenability, that 8/5/11 Gorge set would be much much higher. Come on people. I know there are many of us out there who were either there that night, or you just get it. You understand. That jam, on that dark night, in that dark canyon. It was like the war of the worlds at the gorge. Like being abducted and taken into the nether regions of space by aliens, and just when you think all hope is lost, and that you've been abandoned to die in the lonely darkness of deep space, you're suddenly launched back to the earth joyously, only to find all your friends and family partying and waiting for you there.
I had hoped perhaps for another big epic song later in the set, but I think I understand the band's mindset here. I think that R&R was so magnificent that the band was probably just eager to get off the stage and talk about it :) :) :)
Overall though, every single song in that set was played flawlessly, beautifully. It's an absolutely, perfect set. Short & sweet. But perfect. Deserves even more love than it is getting here I believe.
, comment by n00b100
n00b100 @JesusFreak said:
I bet if we rated these sets on the overall concert experiences they were, instead of pure headphone listenability, that 8/5/11 Gorge set would be much much higher. Come on people. I know there are many of us out there who were either there that night, or you just get it. You understand. That jam, on that dark night, in that dark canyon. It was like the war of the worlds at the gorge. Like being abducted and taken into the nether regions of space by aliens, and just when you think all hope is lost, and that you've been abandoned to die in the lonely darkness of deep space, you're suddenly launched back to the earth joyously, only to find all your friends and family partying and waiting for you there.
I had hoped perhaps for another big epic song later in the set, but I think I understand the band's mindset here. I think that R&R was so magnificent that the band was probably just eager to get off the stage and talk about it :) :) :)
Overall though, every single song in that set was played flawlessly, beautifully. It's an absolutely, perfect set. Short & sweet. But perfect. Deserves even more love than it is getting here I believe.
With absolute respect to the concert experience that you had (which, by the way, I've been to zero of these shows, so you'll have to forgive me with making do with what I have), let me say this:

1. Here's how I feel about the 8/5/11 Rock & Roll: http://phish.net/song/rock-and-roll/comments/127732/

2. If a set was gonna be on here strictly based upon one utterly astonishing mind-melting jam...well, maybe it says something that this set's on here and, um, another one isn't?
, comment by JesusFreak
JesusFreak I respect your decision nOOb :) Sorry to hear you haven't attended any of these shows ;)
, comment by n00b100
n00b100 @JesusFreak said:
I respect your decision nOOb :) Sorry to hear you haven't attended any of these shows ;)
You and me both, buddy.
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