2. @Jacculus: With respect to your question ("My one question for all Phish historians/aficionados is this: When, if ever, will we begin truly appreciating the band's "3.0" style of staccato/plinko style jamming in relation to other era's lauded styles i.e. the fast paced jazz of the early 90's, the psychedelic rock of the mid 90's, the funk of '97-'98, and the ambient jams of the late 90's??" , it inspired me to do some research of my old "reviews" in order to back up what I'm about to say.

I appreciate the staccato/plinko jamming style (I just dislike the term "plinko" . I think it's particularly wonderful in the 12/30/10 Tweezer and 8/6/10 Cities (which is among my favorite improvisations in Phish history, even though it's short). So I don't know if your comment is directed at me or not. I "truly" appreciate it. Period. That said, in my opinion, it is not really a "3.0 style." Yes, it has made a number of appearances in the modern era to be sure, but not so much in 2009 (right?), but more importantly, Trey's employment of a staccato-like style in his solos goes back quite a ways. For example, check out the following:

(a) 4/21/92 Hydrogen (listen at 2:25, even though it ain't pretty);

(b) 11/4/90 YEM (staccato-esque noodling in the early part of the jam);

(c) 4/23/93 Weekapaug (Trey's playing is similar in part to the "plinko" style, especially around 6:40 into it);

(d) 8/7/93 Mike's Song (listen to Trey around 10 mins into it, during the so-called "Irish Diddy" section);

(e) 12/1/95 Mike's (beginning at 10:20 or so, and then for several mins);

(f) 7/9/99 Mike's (listen to Trey during the tramps segment(!));

(g) 7/25/98 Tweezer (listen to Trey, briefly, around 10:45, for some Manteca-esque "plinko" playing);

(h) 11/14/95 Stash (Trey's playing in a staccato-like manner in the composed section and in the first mins of the jam segment);

(i) 7/15/99 YEM (listen to Trey around 12-14 mins in);

(j) 7/23/97 YEM (Trey around 12:30-13:30);

(k) 11/28/97 YEM (Listen to Page after 20 mins..).

Anyway there are some examples. I just don't think it's really correct to refer to the so-called "plinko-style" as a "truly" "3.0" phenomenon. Just my two cents of course.

Charlie -

Thanks again for your wonderful insight and for giving me some tunes to listen back to with a new perspective. This is why those of us that came late to the Phish world really appreciate when you offer your $.02 (or is it $.04 now).

Sorry if you interpreted my question as directed at you. It wasn't meant to be directed at you or even at .netters just a feel across the fan base as a whole.

I would argue that while the staccato-style (I also don't care too much for the term "plinko" of jamming may have been touched on in previous eras, it has developed into THE style of the last few years. Just like the band performed some funky groove-based jams before '97 or some ambient-style jams before '99, they were played with more regularity during those respective times and became synonymous with those times.

Then again, what the hell do I know. I'm still discovering something new about this wonderful band every day.

Again, many thanks and keep the insights coming.