Anticipation could not have been higher heading into Phish's 6/4/11 show at the Blossom Music Center. The night before in Clarkston they had raised the bar for the tour (and, arguably, 3.0) with one of their strongest start-to-finish sets in recent memory. Was that going to be the new "normal" or just a fortunate aberration?
After the first set, the jury was still out. The set included a little bit of everything: well played versions of composed numbers like "Guyute" and Foam," energetic versions of rockers "Kill Devil Falls" and "Antelope," a return to the Little Feat catalog with "Rocket In My Pocket," and even the aural monstrosity that is "Fuck Your Face." Still, while everything was played well, they never really left the confines of any single song.
That all changed in Set II. The set opened with the first "Birds" of 2011. "Birds" has become something of a rarity these days, so expectations were high for a second set opening version. Alas, it was a pretty ordinary performance. When the band dropped into "Possum," many fans probably groaned (to themselves, anyway). Perhaps no song has been as overplayed in recent years without really going anywhere interesting as "Possum." of course, in true Phish fashion, the band responded with probably the most interesting and creative version of "Possum" since the mid-'90s.
The ashes of "Possum" melted into the first original debut of 2011 with "Steam." The new Anastasio/Marshall composition with lyrics that recall the Game of Thrones book/TV series (or so I'm told) and a steamy cymbal effect from Fish, "Steam" may have more jamming potential than any new song since "Light." A brief "Piper" followed which segued into the now-rare "Lizards."
What followed will be known in Phish lore as When Harry Met Sally and is a simply outstanding 30 minutes of music. The "Sally" jam is sublime. All four band members are locked in and the result is a truly unique, must-hear jam. "Sally" melted into a "Harry" -> "Have Mercy" -> "Hood" that is simply majestic. Trey wove the "Have Mercy" theme throughout the "Hood" jam finishing off a set that is among the best of 3.0. I prefer the previous night's second set somewhat, but which one you like better probably depends more on the style of set you prefer. The fact that the "Slave" encore is reduced to near-footnote status speaks to its greatness. If I'm giving a rating to this show it's probably a 7.0, a notch above Bethel2 earned almost entirely on the basis of the second set. But seriously, ignore the number. The important part is that the second sets from Pine Knob and Blossom are the two best sets if 2011 IMO and would hold up in any era of Phish.
If you liked this blog post, one way you could "like" it is to make a donation to The Mockingbird Foundation, the sponsor of Phish.net. Support music education for children, and you just might change the world.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Phish.net is a non-commercial project run by Phish fans and for Phish fans under the auspices of the all-volunteer, non-profit Mockingbird Foundation.
This project serves to compile, preserve, and protect encyclopedic information about Phish and their music.
Credits | Terms Of Use | Legal | DMCA
The Mockingbird Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Phish fans in 1996 to generate charitable proceeds from the Phish community.
And since we're entirely volunteer – with no office, salaries, or paid staff – administrative costs are less than 2% of revenues! So far, we've distributed over $2 million to support music education for children – hundreds of grants in all 50 states, with more on the way.
I love Birds but unfortunately this one didn't get "out" there. Oh well its nice to know that it's back in rotation. Steam is an amazing song. Cool beat, twisted lyrics and a platfrom for intergalactic space travel. LOVE IT! Salley was the best version I've heard since fall of 99' although I'm still not a fan of the vocal scat jam. Hood was a monster throw in a Have Mercey and you have one of the all time greats. Slave encore is just the cherry on top!
Amazing second set! Who knew what was on deck for the next night? I sure didn't!
And grateful props for still referring to it as Pine Knob and not DTE Energy Music Theater. We here in MI still call it the Knob as well.
First set had a better Ocelot than last year's Blossom show, the second ever Rocket in my Pocket, which was super tight. In fact, the whole back end of first set was excellent. Guelah was the best I've heard in a while, Page almost bit me on that Hammond, and then Tube! Page tore up Tube on the Clavinet, and then an Antelope to close? Good grief!!! If that's just average for you, then you are more of a jaded old timer than I am.
I've been to all five Blossom shows since 1992 and this was by far the best one, although I would love another Spock's Brain.
Just my opinion...
Listen again. This is painfully inaccurate, at least until the jig section.
Also, speaking of old timers- I think the lagging tix sales I've been reading about on boards are largely explained by one thing- the crowd is getting older- I'm 36 and I didn't feel like the old guy at the show. And the kids aren't catching on in the #s they did before the hiatus/breakup. Every show I've seen since the reunion have been awesome- energetic- old school shows. (Does anyone out there remember Fall 97- I wrote a whole novel listening to just that tour) But they lost a lot of people back in 2004. I'm enjoying the lag. The boys ain't broke- and I remember what happened to the Dead- we don't want that either.
Oh, and ESQUANDOOOOLLLLAAAASSSS!
(Not sure what a steamy cymbol effect is...pretty sure that was Page).
Since you mention the Dead, it stuck me hearing it that Steam is Phish's 'West LA Fadeaway'.
And I'm glad there are still cheap lawn seats available. If there hadn't been, I wouldn't have seen my bro that was just passing through Cinci the next night on job purposes.
6/3 and 6/4 were truly a reawakening for them.