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Either way, in general I don't think they want to be the kind of band that jams that much. Internet loudmouths like us aside, there truly aren't many people going from town to town with this band anymore. They're playing in the moment, and for the most part they're playing the songs that they enjoy playing the most. Now, the outpouring of affection over these shows MAY make them want to up the jam ante a little bit, but do you really think they went backstage after OKC and heard a bunch of shit about how St. Louis was so much better?
Phish will start jamming more if they want to. As much fun as they seemed to be having at Dicks, they looked just as joyful at Superball running through about 700 songs in a day. They've reached a point where the pressure is gone. A point where people just BASK in the jams instead of picking them apart and whining about how they didn't go in the direction they wanted them to. Sitting here in 2012 it seems absolutely fucking ludicrous to bitch about the improv not sounding the way we wanted it to, doesn't it?
I can't blame Phish at all if they want to keep it that way. And I also won't be shocked if they continue to have flare-ups like this, like they've had their whole career, where suddenly they become Gods for a weekend or a week and then return to their earthly bodies.
And christ almighty, what are they playing at the end? I keep thinking of one of the bluesman guest appearances from 97 and I can't place it.
Where It's At?
This is wildly reminiscent of the 12/31/10 Ghost. After the show ended, it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. A year later, not so much.
The tension filled first half is among THE WORST segments in any Light since Providence 10. The latter half is good and does have an inspirational soaring jam, but I have a hard time classifying this version as BEST of anything due to its inconsistency.
@ItalianSpaghetti I do indeed love that middle segment. It's as juicy as it gets. Just feel like it's sandwiched between some stuff that's on the staler side.
I think the 8/19 Light is the best overall version we heard this year, probably to-date. 7/8 and 6/23 were both great, too. Shout-out to the 8/7/09 calypso-groove Light that no one seems to remember.
Look, I'm not knocking 8/31. It was a big, bold breath of fresh air. But I respectfully disagree that it's this Light that's getting overfluffed.
That said, 8/31 isn't overrated at all and almost has to be considered the best show of the three, even if you think (as I do) that the Light and Sand were the best two jams from Dicks. 8/31 was so good from start to finish and had four jams, any one of which would have been the highlight of over half of the shows this year.
Yes, the kind of jams the band played on 8/31 are what I really chase. Taste is a funny thing, and I'm not about to tell anyone they're hearing something 'wrong' or that they're opinion is ridiculous. But as I see it, if the majority has a certain opinion that seems to be gaining steam, all the more reason to question it if you feel differently, no?
I think the revisiting of the general concept of the jam in multiple incarnations is almost reminiscent of the revisiting of musical concepts in Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue album, as a theme. Not saying in key or sound but in concept. That jam could have ended many times but was patiently expanded on with contributions from everyone and continued to expand on the same musical idea.
This jam to me is an excellent example of creativity and patience.
Also the fact that they wrapped it up as it's own piece of music and didn't -> into something else really closed the whole tune. A fine piece of music that I feel could not be fluffed enough by fans.
the 25 minute sand kills this light, although it was unreal
I'm not sure how I feel about that Hood. The rest of the guys seem so confused by Trey's aggressive atonal stabbing.. I haven't heard it in awhile though.
St. Louis is the forgotten show though.. Holy crap that second set is fluid. I love the Limb exclamation point.
And i feel that the uninteresting rock jam and bluesy coda are the same thing, aren't they? I love how restrained they slip into rocking harder, nice and patient, no shredding. but the little part at the end is part of the same theme they're into by around 17 minutes, Page really lays into it around 20 though.
This doesn't seem uninteresting to me at all thou
I guess it isn't Chicken Shack, but I'm surprised i haven't seen anybody else mention it.
It is tight yet laid back, and careful yet cosmic -- unlike most you'll hear from any era. But hey, it could be just me. I'm sure the fact that I was too close to see Page's face over his own piano grants me some bias! Ha, well fuck it, I'm digging this new modern touch. Long Beach all the way to Dick's is tits and beer.
Comparing this with Dick's Light is "borderline ridiculous" (the lows aren't comparable) but it makes a general point. IMO, to be in top-10 discussions you need to have front to back excellence. That's why "the jam in ________" qualifier was invented.
i wish i was there to see it, but i think the MSG run proved that they are at a point where they are confident and in the pudding enough to do this sort of thing, if not on a nightly basis, every other show or so. can't wait for this summer.