The 10 Best Phish Concerts of the 3.0 Era...so far

10 Best Phish 3.0 era shows

This is the perfect list for those of you who just don't have enough room on those ipods for all the Phish they'd like. These 10 shows are the creme de la creme of 3.0 Phish. I have listened to it all several times and a few of these are debateable but most are spot on. They are ranked in order.

1. MemorialAuditorium Utica NY 10/20/10Set 1: My Soul, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Vultures, Wolfman's Brother ->; Cities; Guyute, David Bowie>,Wilson; McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters; Saw It Again->;Run
Like an Antelope

Set 2: Drowned ->; Sand >; Theme From the Bottom, Axilla > Birds of a Feather, Tela > Split Open and Melt ->;Have Mercy >; Piper ->; Split Open and Melt >; Slave to the Traffic Light

Encore: Good Times Bad Times

Known as the Guyutica show for the monster Guyute Bowie>;Wilson sequence. Without too much debate, this is the best Phish has performed thus far during the 3.0 era. A complete mind-fuck of a show that was littered with teases and free flowing improvisation. The setlist was perfect and included the rare and sublime tracks of Vultures and McGrupp both of which are best 3.0 versions of each song. Slave to close out set II is also the best version you will ever hear in the 3.0 era. This was put on Album and DVD for good reason. Not to be missed

2. US Bank Arena, Cinncinatti, Oh. 11/21/09
Set 1: Wilson>; NICU, Wolfman's Brother,Ocelot, Torn and Frayed, Strange Design, Ginseng Sullivan, Albuquerque, Split Open and Melt, Dirt, Limb By Limb, Run Like an Antelope

Set 2: Rock and Roll>; Ghost->; If I Could, Backwards Down the Number Line; Prince Caspian, Suzy Greenberg >; Also Sprach Zarathustra > The Squirming Coil

Encore:Sleeping Monkey, Axilla

They played two nights down in Cincy and grizzled phisheads will tell you. “Never miss a Cincy show” and this is why. While the setlist may not overwhelm, the band was on fire. The first set featured the rare and much treasured “Torn and Frayed” along with the best ever version of Split Open and Melt. Trey commented before the encore that the band could play there for a week, which is a testiment to how comfortable the band was at this venue. The previous night’s show is well worth a listen as well.

3. War Memorial One Center, Syracuse, NY. 11/22/09
Set 1: David Bowie, Julius, Sparkle, Kill Devil Falls, Lawn Boy, Heavy Things, Funky Bitch, Sample in a Jar, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Let Me Lie, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Stash

Set 2: Drowned; Twist > Piper>;Big Black Furry Creature from Mars, Tube, Theme From the Bottom; Maze, The Horse >; Silent in the Morning>; Character Zero >; First Tube

Encore: Good Times Bad Times

If you understand anything about Phish (jam bands in general) you’ll find them not very much different than an elite sports teams. They play at a fairly high level each time out but they can go through spurts where they play like demi-gods. This night followed the monster in Cincy and wasn’t quite as good, but wasn’t far off either. Highlights abound throughout and the band was on fire. The second set was spectacular from start to finish and one would be hard-pressed to find flaw with this wonderful and under the radar show.

4. DTE Energy Theatre, Clarkston, Mi. 6/3/11
Set 1: Wolfman's Brother, Funky Bitch, Sample in a Jar, NICU, Mike's Song>; I Am Hydrogen >; Weekapaug Groove, Tela <; Chalk Dust Torture, The Wedge

Set 2: Down with Disease >; Fluffhead>; David Bowie, Waste>; Also Sprach Zarathustra>; Cavern
Encore: Good Times Bad Times

This was easily the best show of the 2011 summer tour, others were close, but none surpassed this gem. An underwhelming setlist is offset by otherworldly jamming. One listen to the jam during Funky Bitch and you'll know you're in for the shit. FB would set the tone for the night. The 1st set closer of The Wedge will seem kinda weird to phishheads because it’s generally not a closer song, but they nailed this version big time and you can understand why they had to break. Like I said, This show on paper won’t make you go wow, but the jamming was out of control, highlighted by an epic DWD intersperced with John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme was the height of sublimity for any fan of type 2 phish jamming.

5. Verizon Wireless Theatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, Ga. 7/3-4/10
Set 1: Character Zero, Destiny Unbound >;Rift, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters, Bathtub Gin, Mountains in the Mist,NICU>; Gumbo>; My Sweet One, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Strange Design, Sanity, Run Like an Antelope

Set 2: Rock and Roll >; Prince Caspian>; Tweezer ->; Slave to the Traffic Light, Bouncing Around the Room,Possum, Backwards Down the Number Line>; Harry Hood>; Loving Cup
Encore: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise

7/4/10
Set 1: The Star Spangled Banner, Punch You In the Eye>; Colonel Forbin's Ascent>; Fly Famous Mockingbird, Camel Walk, Ocelot, Heavy Things>; My Friend, My Friend >; Lawn Boy, David Bowie, Gotta Jibboo

Set 2: Down with Disease.; Piper >;Ghost>; Waste, Julius >; Mike's Song>; Tela, Harpua>; Killing in the Name>; Harpua>; Weekapaug Groove
Encore: First Tube

Ok so I cheated a bit on this one. I just couldn’t decide which of these two nights was better and they both may just deserve their own place on this list. One thing is for certain these were the two best shows on the 2010 summer tour.Hands down So much so that the following year’s shows were offered pay per view webcasts. Alas, the magic was not recaptured. Listen and be amazed

6. Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Me. 10/19/10
Set 1: Chalk Dust Torture, Back on the Train, Torn and Frayed, Bathtub Gin, Gumbo, Divided Sky, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Nellie Kane>; 46 Days> ; Possum

Set 2: Fuck Your Face>; Mike's Song>;Fuck Your Face>; Light >; Twenty Years Later >; Fast Enough for You, Weekapaug Groove, Halley's Comet>; Free>; Harry Hood>; Golgi Apparatus, A Day in the Life
Encore: Reba, Backwards Down the Number Line

Remember what I said about the great shows coming in bunches? This was the precursor to Utica and an absolute gem. Show was in a tiny gym and the energy was pulsing from the opening chords of Chalkdust. The second set opener was more like FYF>;MS>;FYF>;MS>;FYF and the band was loose and exploratory all evening and every thing has a little something extra and the following night they would boil over. Reba encore was very unusual and this version was amazing and among the best of the 3.0 era

7. American Airlines Arena, Miami, Fl. 12/30/09
Set 1: Soul Shakedown Party, Runaway Jim, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Dixie Cannonball, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Corinna, What's the Use?, Tela, Gone, Rocky Top, Chalk Dust Torture, David Bowie

Set 2: Sand, The Curtain With > Lifeboy, Back on the Train > Wading in the Velvet Sea, Hold Your Head Up>; Love You>; Hold your Head Up, Free, Boogie On Reggae Woman>; Run Like an Antelope.

Encore: Frankenstein

This is an infamous show known for the tremendous Boogie>Antelope closer which is Phish at their best. The Curtain With opener doesn’t hurt either, but the entire show is fairly noteworthy as the band was feeling really very good about closing up their first year back together. It didn’t hurt that 2009 turned out to be one of their finest.

8. Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH. 10/26/10
Set 1: After Midnight, The Sloth, Alumni Blues>; Letter to Jimmy Page>; Alumni Blues, Mellow Mood, Access Me, Llama, All of These Dreams, The Curtain With > Scent of a Mule, A Song I
Heard the Ocean Sing, It's Ice>; Walls of the Cave

Set 2: Possum>; Light>; Mike's Song>;; Simple>; Makisupa Policeman>;; Night Nurse->;; Makisupa Policeman>; The Wedge, Ghost >;; The Mango Song>; Weekapaug Groove >; LlamaReprise
Encore: Show of Life

Just look at that setlist and then know that they played like gods this night.

9. UIC Pavillion, Chicago, Il. 8/17/11
Set 1: Colonel Forbin's Ascent > Fly Famous Mockingbird, Gumbo > Possum, Weigh > Divided Sky, Alaska, Bathtub Gin, Maze, Cavern > First Tube
Set 2: Crosseyed and Painless -> No Quarter > Timber (Jerry) > Tweezer > Prince Caspian[1] > Piper > Ghost -> Makisupa Policeman[2] > Sleep > Buffalo Bill, Golgi Apparatus > Character Zero[3] > Run Like an Antelope[4]
Encore: Funky Bitch, Show of Life > Tweezer Reprise.

Another Phish Sunday special. Just look at the set-list and  any Phish-head is going to want to hear this one. This show contains the rare Forbins>Mockingbird and a No Quarter. Just a ridiculous, ridiculous show

10. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, Ca. 08/19/12

Set 1: Crowd Control, Party Time, Axilla, Reba, Free > Mound > Walk Away, NICU > Back on the Train, Gotta Jibboo > Roggae, David Bowie

Set 2: Crosseyed and Painless > Light -> Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley -> Crosseyed and Painless > Theme From the Bottom > Rocky Top, Boogie On Reggae Woman > Meatstick[1], Bug, You Enjoy MyselfEncore: Ride Captain Ride > Tweezer Reprise

This show was a game saver for this three day SF run and easily needs to be included in this list. This second set featured Phish at it's finest. Trey's explosion during light just has to be heard. The best show of 2012(period).

10 Best Guitar Players in Rock History

The only criteria I used for this list is that the guitar players had to be from the genre of rock. Blues, Jazz and Classical guitar players were omitted although a lot of these guitar players display these tendencies they would never be considered anything but Rock. The following guitar players were not chosen for their place in history or for pioneering anything. Without disrespect, I think of guitarist like Curt Kobain or Keith Richards who are often included in popular lists, but therir talent level was average at best. The guitar players on this list were chosen based on their technical and emotional prowess along with my personal taste. I limited it to 10 There were a ton of folks I couldn’t include so don’t be mad if you don’t see Eric Clapton on here and you’re abashed with Jerry Garcia as my number one choice

1. Jerry Garcia: The Grateful Dead are like scotch, an acquired taste, so the general population may laugh at this selection at the number one spot. However, People who know me know I LOVE scotch almost as much as I love Jerry Garcia. He was the perfect combination of of technical precision and raw emotion. There was simply nothing that was beyond his talent level: Jazz, Bluegrass, Fusion, Blues, and Latin. You name it he could not only play it, but imprint it with is trademark style. He was a remarkable man and the greatest talent to ever pick up an axe.

2. Jimi Hendrix: A career that was cut way way too short, but the body of work we have remaining is enough. Hendrix wasn’t nearly as versatile as Garcia, but every bit as visceral. I grieve when I try to imagine what he would have done had he lived another 20 years.

3. Jimmy Page: He could be here just for what he has meant to rock as a pioneer, but instead he is here because he deserves to be. You just can’t go wrong with him and many of his greatest solos are out there to be heard

4. Carlos Santana: A passionate, beautiful wonderful human being and that passion comes through in his guitar playing. His guitar work is Joyful and uplifting and always with a Latino feel.

5. Frank Zappa— He is known more for his mastery of composition and twisted sense of humor than his guitar playing but FZ could flat shred as well. Slow or fast it didn’t matter his genius wasn’t limited to arrangement and composition

6. Duane Allman: He had it all and left us way too soon. Listen to The Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore East if you don’t believe me.

7. Trey Anastasio—The only guitar player to make this list that is actually still in his prime and still actively touring in the USA. You’ll never be overwhelmed with Trey’s work in the studio and Phish is a “niche” band, albeit a big one, but Trey himself is a wonder. His passion and genius stems from a deep understanding of music and how it works. He has more technical talent and ability then everyone on this list with the exception of Fripp and can still make your heart soar by hitting one note.

8. Steve Howe: Howe was a wondrous guitar player and the importance of his work with Yes (the most underrated band in rock music) can’t be understated. His studio work is a where you’ll hear his best

9. Stevie Ray Vaughn—Not the most versatile of guitar players and his being branded a rock guitar player is almost a misnomer as Vaughn was more of a traditional blues guitar player than any other on this list, but I won’t argue. He was as visceral as they come and had enough technical acumen to make this list

10. Robert Fripp—The King Crimson lead guitar player will leave most of these guys in the dust if technical precision is your thing. There is hardly a better technical guitar player this list, but he won’t ever make you weep. The type of guy who would prefer you don’t talk while he’s playing, that doesn’t change the fact that he can go up and down the fret board leaving nothing but vapor trails.

10 Best Comedies on TV

1. Curb your Enthusiam—Is there a more comedic genius than Larry David? Outside of Woody Allen, I don’t think so and it shows. Much of the show's dialogue is improvised and it all seems to work really well while maintaining its fluidity over the last 8 years.

2. Louie—FX just is not to be underrated as a purveyor of original programming. Louis CK has created a grittier, raunchier way more hysterical version of Seinfeld. Each episode is in it’s own container and there is no continuity, but not many folks care. However, It is the sole reason why this show doesn’t occupy the #1 spot, because for pure belly laughs, nothing on this list is even close.

3. Weeds—Weeds is wonderful stuff. Nancy Botwin is the role model for post modern liberal mothers everywhere, she kicks ass, take names and uses her sexuality to her own ends. Not nearly the funniest show on this list, but one of the best.

4. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia—A big time hit or miss show, but when it hits, it’s usually with the force of a class 4 hurricane.

5. The League—Fantasy football fans love it, but others would too if given a chance. It's rauncier than some may like and sometimes to clever for it's own good, but still not to be missed. On a side note:The funniest character on the show by far is Rafie, who’ unfortunately, only guest stars occasionally.

6 American Dad/Family Guy—Seth Mcfarlane has created two extraordianrily funny shows. They are a lot alike, but both provide a pile of belly laughs, American Dad seems to continue to get stronger and stronger

7. The Simpsons--There is a reason it’s been on for 20 years and nearly 500 episodes. Although not as topical as it once was, it is still The Simpson

8. Bored to Death--Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis and Ted Danson take this show to the next level. There may not be a better written comedy on TV..Jonathan Ames… A failing wirter turned unlicsended private eye and his various adventured. Alas HBO cancellled this one

9. Eastbound and Down--Danny McBride is a washed up disillusioned baseball player who you either you love or hate.Personally, I find any show that portrays a teacher doing lines in a middle school cafeteria is going to hit me in the funny bone.

10. Wilfred—This BBC adapation is taken to the sublime by Elijah Woods

Review: City of Dragons-Robin Hobb

City of Dragons: Volume III: The Rain Wild Chronicles
Robin Hobb
HarperVoyager Publishing 334 pgs.

Robin Hobbs’s latest work is the third volume in The Rain Wild Chronicles entitled City of Dragons. If you read my review of Dragon Haven, you will know I felt her last book wasn’t anywhere close to being her strongest effort. However with City of Dragons, Robin Hobb has seen a return to form. I think most of her fans will agree City of Dragons is her strongest effort in years and did well to remind me why Robin Hobb is among this genre’s finest authors.

The story takes up with the crew of the liveship Tarman having reached its destination of the lost city of Kelsingra. After successfully navigating up the Rain Wild River, Captain Leftrin has delivered his cargo of dragons, keepers, and hunters and has embarked on his return voyage to Cassarick to collect on his contract and resupply for his return voyage to his beloved Alise and Kelsingra. Meanwhile, Thymara and the rest of the keepers are still struggling in their duties as dragon keepers to service and feed their dragons. The dragons are still far from being fully developed and the keepers are continuing their transformation into Elderlings. The entire expedition are all encamped across the Rain Wild River unable to reach their ultimate destination of Kelsingra because of the lack of any land-based approach or a proper place for the Tarman to moor. The only access to the city for Alise and the others is on the back of the tiny little dragon Heeby.

Although, I didn’t find Dragon Haven to be an overly compelling novel, when I finished reading City of Dragons it became apparent to me that the extra time and care Hobb spent fleshing out those characters in the previous novel really payoff in City of Dragons. With the relationships and conflicts firmly in place, Hobb is able to move the plot forward effortlessly and each of the various plot threads remain very tenderly wrought without suffering from the melodrama that plagued Dragon Haven. If you couple that with a richly detailed setting, a strong sense of continuity and fully formed characters, you have the recipe for a wonderful fantasy novel and that is exactly what City of Dragons is.The only real problem I found with City of Dragons is that it seems to be more like half a book than a full novel. At 334, the page count is quite light and the novel’s ending isn’t neatly done therefore giving it that incomplete feeling. But to be fair, “book-splitting” seems to be becoming more and more common these days and seems to be affecting the entire fantasy genre, so I can’t fault Hobb. I just chalk it up to capitalism and thank the Lord I get these books free. After all, why should the publishing house sell one 700 pg book when they can sell two 350 page books? In that sense, City of Dragons needed a better place to end or needed about 400 more pages to finish. As it is, nearly nothing gets fully resolved and you’ll probably be infuriated that you just won’t be able to simply continue the story, but you and I will have to wait until Blood of Dragons comes out next year to satisfy our appetites and further deplete (y)our pocketbooks.

Phish - Torn and Frayed - 11.21.2009 Cincinnati, OH

Just remembering one of the best Phish shows of the 3.0 Era. With this beautiful version of "Torn and Frayed"