Sunday 05/29/2011 by lumpblockclod

BETHEL2 RECAP

NOTE: This is hopefully the beginning of a regular Phish.Net feature where one of our esteemed bloggers will post a short paragraph or two containing their take on the previous night's show. We encourage further discussion and interaction in the comments section.

Those who thought the strong opening night at Bethel boded well for rest of tour were (initially anyway) proven right during Night 2. The first set contained a number of highlights punctuated by the no-doubt-about-it best “Halley’s” of 3.0 (the 6/16/09 Fox version may have been a touch longer, but last night was far more interesting) and a “Gin” & “Manteca” cocktail. "Runaway Jim" and "Cities" were also considerably more interesting than the vast majority of their 3.0 counterparts. Set II brought a “Disease” that descended into space, a fun “Makisupa” and a “BDTNL” that was well above average, but didn’t quite rise to the level of 8/11/09, 8/16/09, 6/12/10 or 8/17/10. Really, the second set didn’t live up to the expectations set by the first set (which was one of the best first sets of 3.0), but it, nevertheless, seems like we're off to a good start... a solid 6.5/10.

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Comments

, comment by MrBlood
MrBlood Good review, but I have to wholeheartedly disagree with that Makisupa. That Makisupa was pure Phish humor, something that I sorely miss, and was so happy to hear it again. And the "segue" or story-segue into Hood was perfect. That is easily my most favorite Makisupa I've heard. Maybe Bomb Factory comes close.

I'd give last night's show easily an 8 or higher. Personally, I'm inclined to say it's the best show I've heard from them since 1998.
, comment by LawnBoy0925
LawnBoy0925 The author has removed all of the text from their comment
, comment by Kurtzboy
Kurtzboy A 6.5 seems a tad too low. Otherwise, a well written review.
, comment by lumpblockclod
lumpblockclod @Kurtzboy said:
A 6.5 seems a tad too low. Otherwise, a well written review.
Well, if we're grading on a 3.0 curve it's more like an 8. But to me, the best all around show of 3.0 is probably Utica. There are a few others inthe discussion. But even those shows are probably 8.0 or 8.5 tops when compared to best shows from 93-95, 97 and 03.
, comment by _rrot_
_rrot_ Think one thing many of the top "all around" shows in 2010-11 have in common first of all is what MrBlood said: "that" humor factor. Utica, 10-26 Manchester had that factor also.

Maybe that's coming back now with better control over the material thanks to some wood-shedding??

What I'm also hearing these two nights -- and that I'm really liking -- is that jams aren't being preemptively aborted, as I often felt I heard so many get crushed in 2010...So although yeah many of the jams are still short by comparison to behemoths of the past, maybe they're happening more frequently, and unlike the very recent past are being allowed to at least somewhat grow without being nipped in the bud?

That said I'm with your score. 6.5. A serious, jammed Bowie last night probably would have put the show in the ranks of greats in the years you mention. But it wasn't there.

Nevertheless an awesome show for the times, I'd say. Well worth the coin at LP.
, comment by thechad90000
thechad90000 I would have rated it about an 8 overall. Just because it's new doesn't mean it has to be undersold imo...of course it doesn't mean it should be oversold either but that Makisupa was a return to humor by the guys and the Gin was almost perfect note for note after listening to the SBD.
, comment by JARdale
JARdale Bowie.... "wasn't there"??? Seriously? I've seen a ton of Bowies and last nights was pretty amazing. They jammed it waaay down and then brought it waaaaay up and nailed the ending. I'll have to listen to it again but I thought it was a pretty seriously jammed version. Also..... 6.5 is too low for a rating. The show was tight, unpredictable, and the jams were outstanding. The best I have seen since their return. Add in the "fun" factor with the Makisupa and Gin and you have to rate it higher. Well... you don't have to, but I would. To each his own. I'm just psyched that they are still back out there touring and playing quality shows.......... and last nights show was high quality.
, comment by charliefogg
charliefogg I think 6.5 is fair. Strong first set, ok second set. Remember, 1/2 of all shows are under 5. (I know, that should be obvious.) Yet we don't see too many shows rated under 5. This one is definitely above average.
, comment by ericwyman
ericwyman @MrBlood said:
I'd give last night's show easily an 8 or higher. Personally, I'm inclined to say it's the best show I've heard from them since 1998.
Yeah, 12/31/99 was easily a 7.5.
, comment by MrBelvedere
MrBelvedere This section is a great idea!! Glad to see reviews from people who know what they're talking about
, comment by MrBelvedere
MrBelvedere Best show since 98??? Don't know about that
, comment by mgh2001
mgh2001 @thechad90000 said:
I would have rated it about an 8 overall. Just because it's new doesn't mean it has to be undersold imo...of course it doesn't mean it should be oversold either but that Makisupa was a return to humor by the guys and the Gin was almost perfect note for note after listening to the SBD.
Well I don't think they're trying to "undersell" it, simply that it in the grand scheme of things it's not (imo as well) above a 7.5, because so many better shows were played earlier on in their career.

That said, I couldn't have asked for a better opening weekend of 3.0.
, comment by pauly
pauly Bethel nite 2 was as good as one could hope solid. playing,segues,improv.
Theme (opener), Halleys,Runaway Jim was very strong and the Bathtub with "Manteca"to close the set..

Disease was good,even the Number Line was had a tight little jam..Makisupa-> Hood.I had me feeling good..Bowie was above average..A Day in a Life,had to have a nice tune after that 2nd set
Good time good times!
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