Jam Chart for Whipping Post (12 entries)
| Date | City | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-11-03 | Burlington, VT | 15:54 | First known performance with Jeff on vocals and no Page yet. The Phish take on "Whipping Post" follows the Duane-era structure, with a first verse > first jam that is largely intense and straightforward, then a second verse and a second, more open, improv-oriented jam. Lots of Trey shredding here, and some great Mike after 12:00. |
| 1985-05-03 | Burlington, VT | 18:19 | Page is a guest at this point, but he makes a strong contribution to the uncharacteristically (for the ABB or Phish) settled first jam from, 5:30 - 11:45. This is a much different, more chill version than the typically fiery variety. Unfinished with a -> to a strong early "McGrupp." |
| 1985-11-23 | Plainfield, VT | 27:26 | Labeled "Whipping Post Jam" in the Setlist, little of this 27 minute open-ended improv session sounds anything like the song. It's more of an early example of the band's inherent improvisational nature. Even if not superb music, it's worth the journey back in time to hear where it all came from. |
| 1986-12-06 | Shelburne, VT | 12:01 | The first jam features some nice Page organ action. The second jam begins in customary style, then settles around 7:20 into some mellow and low-key grooving, including some great Mike after 10:10. |
| 1987-11-19 | Burlington, VT | 14:02 | Trey deploys some cool, spacey, Duane-like tecniques (almost like he is playing with a bow) in the more open-ended second jam section. |
| 1988-02-20 | Canton, NY | 13:58 | The second jam has a very unusual dissonant tone, and so it's no surprise that this dissonance leads to some "DEG" teases and jamming. Maybe it's not beautiful music, but it's certainly an improvisational take on the ABB classic. |
| 1988-05-24 | Burlington, VT | 26:05 | The straightforward first jam section is very extended, to 17:00, and includes great modulation of intensity and lots of Trey shredding. The second jam features Page on the B-3, followed by solid, rocking, but much more in-the-box jamming than some of these versions. |
| 1988-06-15 | Burlington, VT | 17:07 | After starting "Antelope," Trey says "Aw Fuck That!" Good call. The first jam is predictably intense. The second is more restrained, with Page switching keyboards, Mike sounding like Berry Oakley, and Trey only gradually bringing the heat. Great quiet before the final storm - 14:35 - 15:35. |
| 1988-06-21 | Burlington, VT | 25:26 | The extended first jam is unusually improvisational, seems to come back to normal "Whipping Post," then breaks into dissonant "DEG"-like jamming, and then more exploration. The second jam features Page on the B-3 and is more soothing and straightforward than the first. |
| 1988-09-08 | Burlington, VT | 13:53 | The second jam has some great strumming action from Trey, B-3 and keyboard musings from Page, a near stoppage, then Trey sounds like a demon possessed as they bring the jam back to "Whipping Post" to conclude. |
| 1988-11-11 | Newmarket, NH | 12:14 | The second jam includes some really cool spacey effects from Page and Trey, almost more Floyd than ABB-like, followed by a brief, intense return to "Whipping Post." This space jam is way, way out there for '88 Phish. |
| 1989-05-13 | Syracuse, NY | 12:34 | The second jam, which begins around 6:30, is very improvisational. Following some mellow Trey and Page-led grooving, the jam builds energy, launches into deep outer space (seriously), then returns to "Whipping Post" with strong Mike and shredding Trey. |
Jam chart versions are selected because of improvisational and other characteristics that distinguish these from typical versions of the song.
The jam chart team has highlighted some versions with a yellow background; these are the versions the team believes to be especially improvisational, or otherwise notable.
A purple date indicates that you were in attendance.
The jam chart team has highlighted some versions with a yellow background; these are the versions the team believes to be especially improvisational, or otherwise notable.
A purple date indicates that you were in attendance.
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