DEER CREEK1 RECAP
At least in theory, this was a night when things were poised to go sideways.
Temperatures in Noblesville, Indiana, peaked near 110° F today as the entire Midwestern United States roasted. Phish issued a sober advisory to fans, warning them to seek shelter, hydrate, and SPF themselves liberally. In contrast with the scorching temps, the decision to interrupt leg one of summer tour with a four day break after three strong consecutive performances led some to wonder whether Phish might come back cold, and give back some of those hard-won gains.
Those fears were put to rest early and often during tonight’s “first quarter,” which featured an uninterrupted daisy chain of relative rarities and 2012 firsts. The a capella TAB staple “Birdwatcher” signalled the band’s desire to shrink the shed and invoke the spirit of the unexpected that has permeated so many of Phish’s epic performances at Deer Creek. A pristine and unpredictable “Curtain With” followed, suggesting a willingness to build energy patiently, and organically – and then gave way to the alleyway mugging of “Fuck Your Face.”
Mike sang beautifully through Deer Creek’s third “Old Home Place,” once again anchoring the set in place and time. A slightly choppy but very welcome “Pebbles and Marbles” perpetuated the variety pack theme, as did a slightly choppier but equally welcome “Weigh” (whose swimming pool reference must have seemed almost cruel to those in attendance).
“Chalk Dust Torture” kicked off the second quarter with a deliberately brief blast of blues rock, and precipitated a concise take on “Wolfman’s Brother” that smoldered but never truly ignited. The first “Cool It Down” since 2010 was a pretty solid bet to appear at some point during the evening, and those bets paid off with a laid back, earthbound version of the Velvet Underground chestnut.
“Tweezer” – the second in as many shows – was clearly a nod to the weather and, in contrast with the pranksterish “you had to be there” Blossom entry four nights earlier, colored well within the lines. An old school ritardando ending brought us to a full stop, and then Page introduced “Tela,” a song that’s hard to play right and easy to quibble with. No gold stars for this “Tela” but no offending clams either, as the verses summoned cooling winds “from beyond the mountains.”
A typically thunderous “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan” and it was time for a well-earned cold green tea break. Taken as a whole, this was a first set for bustout sluts and the longtime faithful – carefully prepared, lovingly delivered, and coherent in flow (if not improvisationally ambitious).
The second half roared to life with a “Mike’s Song” exactly like every other “Mike’s Song” in recent memory – feisty, pugilant... and too damned short. I wonder sometimes whether the band has simply forgotten that they were once both able and inclined to give this tune a workout, or whether the perfectly fungible nature of 3.0 “Mike’s Songs” stems from their contentedness to let it play a fixed role in a set list.
But it’s Phish, and like the weather in Indiana, if you don’t like it, just wait five minutes. A rare and wonderfully plinko-inflected “McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters,” you say? Don’t mind if I do! Trey absolutely pegged the climactic solo in this version, which outshined any in recent memory save for perhaps the sublime acoustic version from Festival 8. A must-hear.
“Back on the Train” galloped along for a while without apparent destination until finally Trey turned pedal-happy and proposed a decidedly extraterrestrial destination. A jaw-dropping deep space jam ensued that hinted at both “No Quarter” and Pink Floyd’s “Empty Spaces” before segueing deftly into a somewhat extended “Hold Your Head Up.” Fishman introduced himself as Henrietta and cajoled unmistakable motorcycle sounds from his Electrolux in the “Bike” that followed, revving the engine and shifting gears. Then, instead of going back to his kit for the “Weekapaug Groove” intro, Fishman picked up Trey’s guitar and doubled down on weird, offering some outside riffs that would have made Col. Bruce Hampton proud. He didn’t overstay his welcome, thankfully, but instead traded places with Trey to anchor an exceptionally hot “‘Paug.”
An unremarkable and unfinished “Prince Caspian” yielded promisingly to the year’s inaugural “Waves,” which found Fish pushing the tempo and Mike assuming melodic control from Trey as the jam drifted from its orbit. It is from sonic nebulae like this that the jarring rip-chords of disjointed song choices far too frequently emerge these days, but not this time; the band was content to establish and sustain a compelling mood before bringing things to an earned and lovely resolution. “Bug” has batted in the fourth quarter “Jerry ballad” slot in the lineup quite a bit of late, and so it did tonight. I know many fans feel differently but I love this song and appreciated the extra TLC it received at this show.
Apart from the first set “McGrupp,” “David Bowie” featured Trey’s most sure-fingered picking and fretting of the night. It was a compact and straightforward version, however, that seemed to want for a “Catapult” sandwich or something that would otherwise reinforce the evening’s decidedly psychedelic motif. Still, an energetic conclusion to an extremely strong set of Phish.
I will confess that I hate “Show of Life.” It only works for me if I re-imagine the lyrics as bone-dry satire, much like I do when forced to listen to, say, Glenn Frey. I was unable to accomplish that tonight, but I’m glad to set the selection aside as it’s certainly not enough to dampen my enthusiasm for what came before it. Mike deployed two unusually massive bunker busters as the obligatory “Tweezer Reprise” cranked up, and a few minutes later this one was in the books.
It’s hard to imagine that anybody left Deer Creek unsatisfied tonight, despite the aforementioned pre-show worries. I reserve the right to adjust my appraisal tomorrow upon hearing the show a second time, but for now this feels like the most consistent tip-to-tail show of 2012, and perhaps by a large margin. As cliched as it sounds, it featured something for everyone, including demanding jam partisans (who dined sumptuously in “BOTT” and “Waves”). But, hey: the buried lede from tonight may very well be that after two must-hear performances in a row, “Mike’s Groove” is back. Which would be truly something!
We shall see...
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Phish.net
The Mockingbird Foundation
Pretty fair and agreeable assessment. I'll save my review for later, but what a night. Somehow managed to keep heat stroke at bay. Fucking horrible!
And, it was written with the Dude of Life over an iPhone chat. If that's not in the spontaneous improvisational spirit of Phish (although the text of the song doesn't allow for improv like we desire), then I don't know what is.
Great review, nicely done!
The "ballad slot" has gotten a lot of attention this year, becoming a consistent feature in almost every 2012 setlist and seemingly part of a set "flow" that the band is working towards perfecting, with several unique choices ("If I Could," "Billy Breathes" etc) so far. I'm looking forward to further developments.
I agree with others about "Show of Life" too, though I understand where the reviewer is coming from. For me its one of the least cringe-worthy of a recent batch of sentimental/nostalgic songs, and it seems sincere to me, especially in the moment. Phish is certainly entitled to an occasionally overt gesture like that, it seems to me.
There is no other way to process these songs
Chew on this: I think a few people could maybe do well to take a step back and wonder why reading a critique of a show (a critique implies informed criticism, not unquestioned lauding) gets them so riled up to the point of questioning whether said reviewer has "issues."
It's Phish. They are an improvisational, jam band. They have the right in that context and format to experiment, make flubs, and be 'not exactly perfect' everytime they play a song. If you are looking for prefect replication of songs---- I suggest you find a different band to follow! (I hear Madonna does a good job of repeating the same show night after night)
@realitycheck said:
> > > "Dude I understand that your reviews are just your opinion, but ALL your reviews tend to be somewhat negative...."
I Wholly disagree -- this was an overwhelming positive review, with few personal opinion critiques thrown in. It is a critical review....and done honestly, if not a bit too mechanically.
Its seem you guys are the ones focusing on the Negative in his reviews -- and ignoring the overall positive tone of this review, and the many positive reviews form this summer so far.
And to start telling someone they have issues is just sad --- and quite hypocritical, given the tone of your judgmental and negativity laced rant.
The vast majority of this review was that the show was great! (and made me wish I was there -- and excited to go home and give it a listen). You just chose to pull out 1 or 2 negative lines and focus on them. Ironically -- exactly what you are complaining that the reviewer did with his review!!!
You say:
> > > "put some positive spin on them just a little..."
1st point in Review:
> > > ..."led some to wonder whether Phish might come back cold, and give back some of those hard-won gains --- Those fears were put to rest early and often"
That's pounds pretty damn positive to me!!!
> > > "A pristine and unpredictable “Curtain With” followed, suggesting a willingness to build energy patiently, and organically – and then gave way to the alleyway mugging of “Fuck Your Face.”"
Even when he complains, it was just that that Mike's was "too short..." --But he he ends the review with some clear excitement about Mikes-Groove form this tour!!!
How about -- next line ---
> > > "A rare and wonderfully plinko-inflected “McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters,” you say? Don’t mind if I do!"
That is negative????
You get the point.
@TwiceBitten said:
Once I came to terms with the depth of my issues I stopped doing almost everything. Not for me, but for everyone else. No one should have to suffer from my piss poor attitude. Even when I try to say something positive, people will be able to smell the latent negativity like dogs and bees smell fear. It's just too fucking risky.
Last night's show was fucking A-MAZE-ING-ISH! I hope everyone basks in the glory of the love and light that exploded from Noblesville, wrapping all who attended in a magnificent jet-cooled bubble of nirvana. Bring on night 2! OMGLOLLOVELOVELOVE!
I don't want people to sugar-coat a review. Listening to the tour so far, they are all shows I wish I could've been at - I only see them a few times a year and they are typically the musical highlight of my year. but that doesn't mean all these shows are on par with the best phish that has ever been. these are your typical, average-great (Dirksen has taken a lot of heat for that tag but I think it's perfect) phish shows. certainly better than the cracked out '99 shows or the pre-haitus shows in 2004, but the band is capable of more than this. Just wait for the rest of tour, they will top these shows. and *that* will be amazing.
there is great music, and there is great Phish. most nights, phish makes great music. and that's what they're doing. every once in a while, they make jaw-dropping, amazing Phish.
"Right now they seem to be as consistently on fire, enthusiastic, and clearly blowing minds and showing folks a very, very good time"
To me, that is the very definition of average-great Phish. A truly amazing Phish show is a transcendent spiritual (not just musical) experience, and it sells the greatness of Phish short to call every show amazing in the context of what is possible.
First, the show happens in chronological order. No way around that. It's the way I and many others (hopefully) experience it, so it's the way my brain likes to process it in review, and so that's how I write. It's my default mode. There are certainly other ways to go about it, but I was also writing in real time (while listening to an outstanding feed, by the way) so that's how it came out.
Secondly, I believe that sets and shows are not always the sum of their parts. I can listen to a set of Phish laced with a huge highlight or two and feel let down, and can listen to a set of Phish with average-great delivery and very little jamming and feel quite satisfied because there was flow or purpose. So if my song-by-song appraisal is disconnected a bit from my take on the overall performance, that's why. I don't think this is uncommon.
Thirdly, and it pains me to even have to explain this, the staff here are under no obligation to deliver you anything but their unvarnished opinion. The vast majority of the staff remains obsessed with this band and glad to the bone that they are alive and well and playing tours. But I think we've earned the right to call it like we see it. If you think we're being punitive or overly negative then tell us why. We will be glad to listen, consider, and respond. But telling me that an overwhelmingly positive review that I took the time to write is evidence that I have psychological problems or that I am leading an unhappy life? Apart from how off-target the statement is, what does it say about @realitycheck's inability to process a review of a Phish show without putting a complete stranger's personal life on blast?
But I'm the one who needs to self-examine. I see.
@Twicebitten, I know it wasn't you who wrote the post I'm referring to, by the way.]
That said, I wish I had been there as two of my friends (of the 50 plus show variety) told me via phone today that it was a special show for them, particularly the way it flowed.
Sincerely,
Dosque
A song I usually couldn't care less bout is Stealing Time. But it fucking rocked and Trey just sang it like he lived it. It's awesome to finally hear songs like Pebbles coming to full life via Trey's miraculous vocal upturn. He just seems to be feeling those songs like Crowd Control that never came to full life though the darker period...it's like they'ref finally gelling and I can get it. Very cool show.
I reserve the right to adjust my appraisal tomorrow
i know i'm not the only one smelling the CREEPING FASCISM happening in these posts
i mean these admins have really gone over the moon
the moon which is no longer crescent shaped
you know what i mean
SWASTIKA MOON
really nothing could be plainer.
(please upvote me i have nothing else)???0;''
Swastika moon?
WTF are you on about?
Nevermind.