Great write-up. Though I went into about 1% of the detail you did here, my proclamation that 6/14/00 II was the best set of the tour — and that was without a single Relisten — still stands.
Of shows I’ve attended, I’ve probably listened to that show more than any other show. Well 6/17/91 Giants GD too.
One fun note: that’s me yelling “LET’S GO FLYERS!” just before Carini starts. 🏒🧡🖤
It's a smart observation that there's a dissonance between it being perhaps being the greatest phish show ever yet not being really representative of the band (although FWIW when played a snippet of the jam during a guessing game Trey guessed Big Cypress and said all he remembers about Japan is being really tired).
What's "true Phish" about it in terms of sharing with snobby music friends is that part of the magic of going to a phish show is understanding anything is possible. You could get a Fukuoka Set II. You won't, but you could. And it's fine to show people what's possible, even if it's rare.
Also part of the barrier to Phish is there's a really high entry level to finally understanding what they're all about (took Amanda Petrusich 10,000 words and she didn't totally get it all)...so the desire to hit people's music tastes/predispositions first, is the correct one.
After reading just about every show write up by you the last few years, I know you don’t like bringing up drug influence that much. But perhaps in this instance it warrants a mention, since that set 2 is so unlike others. A mushroom is even on the Jim Pollack cover! But who knows, not sure if that is confirmed or just another assumption based on fan experience with them being legal in 2000 in Japan.
I am that "certain type of music snob" you described above and I gotta say: I enjoyed this show. You wrote that this recommendation hasn't worked so far; if by "worked" you mean converted someone into a rabid Phish fan, well, it's far too early to tell. But if by "worked" you mean "got a non Phish fan* to listen to a show and dig it", then yes, it worked. Thanks!
*I should add that I'm not totally new to Phish: I got into them for a summer in high school (they were on hiatus), and I've heard a few shows and albums here and there. My attitude towards them for the past 20 years has been "skeptical, but willing to be convinced". I'm also, I should add, a huge Dead fan, and I thank/blame 36 from the Vault for turning me from "guy who really likes the Dead" to "guy who won't shut up about the Dead". I listened to 4/3/98 when y'all did the episode about it and liked it, but, no surprise, liked this one a little more.
re: "[city name] Jam" tracks: There's no time-based royalty fee, so the commonly held Phan perception that they did this to save on royalties is not correct.
The actual reason they did this stems from essentially what you said here: If the jam is significantly different enough from the song it came out of, they wanted to copyright that distinct piece of music and get their own royalties from it.
I don't know why they stopped; presumably the administrative cost wasn't worth what they were getting back from it (particularly when everything went streaming).
This was all said by Kevin Shapiro years ago (can't remember if it was via Twitter or email).
Sweet stuff my man. This is still my favorite show ever, and the Twist is my favorite jam ever.
The two Fukuoka jams are timeless pieces of music that must be remembered for decades. And that Gumbo, so spacey and amazing. Whoever requested that deserves a medal.
Great write up as always. I actually think the 2001 is pretty great, esp Mike's playing during the first few minutes. I also want to highlight Page's playing in this set: it is subtle, tasteful, and melodic in the Twist, and in the later jams, he just propels the band through space. Each band member really shines in this one.
Metaphysical question: was this a four song second set?
Also, the old "Primer" is amazing. Shall we take it from your terse assessment of 2.0 ("avoid") that this project will be ending in about 3 1/2 months?
The Japanese audience is much more keen to experimental music. This is a country with vast psychedelic and noise rock icons. This IS the nation that foisted The Boredoms onto the world.
Great write-up. Though I went into about 1% of the detail you did here, my proclamation that 6/14/00 II was the best set of the tour — and that was without a single Relisten — still stands.
Of shows I’ve attended, I’ve probably listened to that show more than any other show. Well 6/17/91 Giants GD too.
One fun note: that’s me yelling “LET’S GO FLYERS!” just before Carini starts. 🏒🧡🖤
It's a smart observation that there's a dissonance between it being perhaps being the greatest phish show ever yet not being really representative of the band (although FWIW when played a snippet of the jam during a guessing game Trey guessed Big Cypress and said all he remembers about Japan is being really tired).
What's "true Phish" about it in terms of sharing with snobby music friends is that part of the magic of going to a phish show is understanding anything is possible. You could get a Fukuoka Set II. You won't, but you could. And it's fine to show people what's possible, even if it's rare.
Also part of the barrier to Phish is there's a really high entry level to finally understanding what they're all about (took Amanda Petrusich 10,000 words and she didn't totally get it all)...so the desire to hit people's music tastes/predispositions first, is the correct one.
Listening to this show for the first time in a very long time.
I didn’t really like it when I first got into phish, but now the second set is (unsurprisingly) right in my wheelhouse.
After reading just about every show write up by you the last few years, I know you don’t like bringing up drug influence that much. But perhaps in this instance it warrants a mention, since that set 2 is so unlike others. A mushroom is even on the Jim Pollack cover! But who knows, not sure if that is confirmed or just another assumption based on fan experience with them being legal in 2000 in Japan.
I am that "certain type of music snob" you described above and I gotta say: I enjoyed this show. You wrote that this recommendation hasn't worked so far; if by "worked" you mean converted someone into a rabid Phish fan, well, it's far too early to tell. But if by "worked" you mean "got a non Phish fan* to listen to a show and dig it", then yes, it worked. Thanks!
*I should add that I'm not totally new to Phish: I got into them for a summer in high school (they were on hiatus), and I've heard a few shows and albums here and there. My attitude towards them for the past 20 years has been "skeptical, but willing to be convinced". I'm also, I should add, a huge Dead fan, and I thank/blame 36 from the Vault for turning me from "guy who really likes the Dead" to "guy who won't shut up about the Dead". I listened to 4/3/98 when y'all did the episode about it and liked it, but, no surprise, liked this one a little more.
re: "[city name] Jam" tracks: There's no time-based royalty fee, so the commonly held Phan perception that they did this to save on royalties is not correct.
The actual reason they did this stems from essentially what you said here: If the jam is significantly different enough from the song it came out of, they wanted to copyright that distinct piece of music and get their own royalties from it.
I don't know why they stopped; presumably the administrative cost wasn't worth what they were getting back from it (particularly when everything went streaming).
This was all said by Kevin Shapiro years ago (can't remember if it was via Twitter or email).
Great write-up about a killer show!
Sweet stuff my man. This is still my favorite show ever, and the Twist is my favorite jam ever.
The two Fukuoka jams are timeless pieces of music that must be remembered for decades. And that Gumbo, so spacey and amazing. Whoever requested that deserves a medal.
Love it as always.
Great write up as always. I actually think the 2001 is pretty great, esp Mike's playing during the first few minutes. I also want to highlight Page's playing in this set: it is subtle, tasteful, and melodic in the Twist, and in the later jams, he just propels the band through space. Each band member really shines in this one.
Metaphysical question: was this a four song second set?
Also, the old "Primer" is amazing. Shall we take it from your terse assessment of 2.0 ("avoid") that this project will be ending in about 3 1/2 months?
Not at all, it just means it's going to get interesting in 2028-29!
The Japanese audience is much more keen to experimental music. This is a country with vast psychedelic and noise rock icons. This IS the nation that foisted The Boredoms onto the world.