1 Ekim 2012 Pazartesi

August 12, 2011 Polo Fields, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA Sources Review

To contact us Click HERE
The final show on Phish's West coast run was a stop at the venerable Golden Gate Park for the Outside Lands Festival.  There have been many, many debates about Phish's various festival performances, particularly recently at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits.  These shows often are light on jamming and heavy on songs.  This show was no different.  In addition, both of these recordings were made stealthily and one is marred by several missing songs, which are patched from the other recording.  I want to thank both tapers for going out and capturing this night for all of the community.  Thanks a lot guys!

 
Source 1 (hereafter CA source)
Source: Church Audio STC-11 Cards  > CA 9100 > iRiver
Location: DFC, PAS, BOB ~100', Stick ~6'
Lineage: Adobe Audition (Fades, tracking, overall 50Hz HPF, spot 80Hz HPF for wind and incidentals, normalize to -.1dB) > xACT (SBE fix, flac level 8, tagged)

16 bit source



Source 2 (hereafter Senn source) ***patched in middle of 1st set from CA source***
Source: Sennheiser MKH 8050's-Oade Transparent Mod PMD 661
Location FOB 60 Ft. Back from Stage Dead Center standing against railing on left side.Mic's in Hat

16 bit source


Phish - 8/12/11 "Julius" from Phish on Vimeo.

The CA source is my pick for recording of the night.  Not only is it complete, but it is the better sounding of the two.  The dynamic range is level and distinct.  The bass is not as full as on the Senn source, but the recording is much clearer and sounds so much better in the mids.

The Senn source is very bass heavy and the overall effect is to sound boomy.  The highs sound fine, but there seems to be a great deal lost in the mids which makes the recording sound less dynamic than the CA source.

Happy listening!

August 15, 2011 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL Sources Review

To contact us Click HERE
Phish brought their traveling circus back to the Midwest for a 3 night stand at UIC Pavilion.  The site of many legendary shows, the anticipation level was high and Phish delivered the goods.  This first night provides many highlights and is a show that deserves several re-listens.  There are seven sources available for this night.  I want to thank all the tapers who recorded this show and shared it with the community.  Thanks guys!


Source 1 (hereafter KM84 source)
Source: (2) Neumann km84i  > Sound Devices 722 (24/96, 40 Hz rolloff @ 12 dB/oct.)
Location: DINish, OTS 4' LOC, ~ 12' high
Transfer: 722 HDD > Audiogate (+4 dB, fades, tracking, dither/re-sample to 16/44.1) > xACT (flac 8 w/ SBA & tags)

16 bit source
24 bit source


Source 2 (hereafter KM140 source)
Source: Neumann skm140 > Sound Devices Mixpre > Korg MR-1(24/96)
Location: OTS/~DIN/JLOC/11' High
Transfer: Korg MR-1(24/96) > Audiogate(dither[Korg AQUA]/resample to 16/44.1) > CDWave(tracking) > FLAC(16/44.1/Level 8)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 3 (hereafter Busman source)
Source: Busman BSC1-K31 > Naiant Littlebox > Edirol R-09HR (24-Bit/96kHz)
Location: DIN Configuration, OTS, 4' LOC, 10' High
Transfer: SDHC Card > Audacity > .wav (16-Bit/44.1kHz) > CD Wave Editor > .flac (Level 8)

16 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter MK41 source)
Source:Schoeps MK41(dina)> Kcy >Sonosax SX-M2/LS2 >R44(ocm)24/96
Location:OTS Stand 8ft
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44>Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter CCM4 source)
Source:SchoepsCCM4(din)>Sonosax SX-M2>R44(ocm) 24/96
Location:OTS Stand 8ft
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44>Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 6 (hereafter SP source)
Source: Sound Professional AT 853 Cardiods -> SP P/S -> Edirol R09-HR

16 bit source

Source 7 (hereafter Senn source)
Source: Sennheiser MD441U > Edirol R4Pro ( Oade preamp mod ) @ 24/88.2
Location: pointed at PA array, 2 feet right of center, 12.5 feet high.
Transfer: R4Pro > WaveBurner ( track on sector boundaries, fades, SRC, BDC ) > xACT ( to flac, and for tagging and checksums )

16 bit source


Phish - 8/15/11 "Undermind" from Phish on Vimeo.

The KM84 source is my pick for the best of the evening.  There is nice separation of the instruments and the bass response is just right.  The clarity of the bass is ever so slightly better than the MK41 source and kicks the sub nicely.

The KM140 source lacks the bass clarity of the KM84 or the MK41 sources.  The highs are also a bit subdued.

The Busman source, like the KM140 source, lacks the clarity of the bass, particularly at the lowest frequencies, of the KM84 source or MK41 source.

The MK41 source is the second best recording to my ears.  It is much crisper than the CCM4 source and has better bass definition.  The differences between it and the KM84 are subtle.  Notice when Gordon comes in for the first time on Steam, on the MK41 source it has tone, but much of the attack is lost.  On the KM84 source it is there in all its glory.  That said, this is an excellent recording.

The CCM4 source lacks tonal clarity at the lowest frequencies and is a bit low overall. 

The SP source has very little bass response at all.  It sounds almost like there is a roll-off below 120Hz or so and all of that is just implied rather than actually on the recording.  I didn't do a frequency analysis or anything, suffice it to say, this recording will not kick your sub.

The Senn source, on the other hand, has a plethora of bass.  It kicks the hardest of all the recordings.  However, like several of the other sources, the lowest notes are lost on this recording, rendered as subkicks rather than tone.

Happy listening!

September 2, 2011 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO Sources Review

To contact us Click HERE
Coming right off the heels of a pretty good second leg of summer, Phish settled in for what many thought would be the last shows of the year out in Colorado.  A large gathering with onsite camping made for a very festival like atmosphere, and Phish did not disappoint.  The first of these shows, now forever known as the "S" show offered a ton of rare songs, including a bustout of Sparks which hadn't been seen in 15 years.  This is one you definitely want to download.  Making my job difficult, but rewarding, are 11 different sources for this night! I want to thank all the tapers who recorded this and shared it with the community.  Thanks a lot fellas!

Source 1 (hereafter AK40 source)
Source:  Neumann AK 40 (NOS) >  Lc3 > Km 100 > Aerco Mp2 > Sd 702 @ 24/48
Location: FOB/DFC 50' Back
Transfer: Cf Card > Wavelab 6.0 (resample,Uv 22 HR) > Cd Wave > TLH > 16.44 FLAC

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 2 (hereafter MK22 source)
Source: schoeps mk22 (stc 22g)> kc5> m222> nt222> Lunatec V3 (ACM)> SD 744t
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5'
Transfer: 744>samplitude>cd wave> tlh

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 3 (hereafter MK5 source)
Source: Schoeps mk5> KCY> VST62IU> EAA PSP-2> SD 744t (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: FOB, DFC, 6' Stand, cardioid/ORTF
Transfer: SD 744t> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

16 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter BSC1 source)
Source: Busman Audio BSC1/K21 (A/B @ 3 ft) > GAKable XLR > Busman HD-P2 (24/48)
Location: FOB/LOC 8ft up
Transfer: CF > WaveLab 6 (-24dB @ 85Hz, -12dB RMS Normalize, Fades,
Convert to 16bit, Resample to 44.1 with Apogee UV22HR Dither) >
CDWave (Tracking) > Traders Little Helper (FLAC6)

16 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter DPA 4022 source)
Source: DPA 4022(din)> oade m148> sd744t
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5'
Transfer: 744>samplitude>cd wave> tlh

16 bit source



 Source 6 (hereafter Milab VM44 source)
Source: Milab VM44-link > Lunatec V3 (24/44.1k) > Sony D50
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5' (thanks for the clamp space Adam!)
Transfer: D50> Amadeus Pro > xACT

16 bit source




Source 7 (hereafter DPA Matrix source)
Source: [DPA 4027(ORTF/FOB)->V2->Mytek 192 + DPA 4022(XY/FOB)->V3(analog)] -> Busman DR-680(24/96)->UV22HR(16/44.1)
Transfer: UV22HR(16/44.1)->CDWave->FLAC

16 bit source

Source 8 (hereafter SKM184 source)
Source: Neumann skm184>sd702>wav24/48
Location: FOB>LOC>10ft
Transfer: CF>goldwave(dither resample 16/441)>cd wave>flac level 8

16 bit source

Source 9 (hereafter CCM4 source)
Source:Schoeps CCM4 (Ortf)>VMS5u>R44(OCM) 24/96
Location: FOB, DFC, 6'
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44 >Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 10 (hereafter MK4v source)
Source:Schoeps MK4v(ortf)> Kcy > Sonosax SX-M2/LS2 >Mytek 192 adc aes/spdif>R44(OCM) 24/96
Location: FOB, DFC, 6'
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44 >Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 11 (hereafter BSC2 source)
Source: Busman bsc2 K2(Omni)>sd744>wav24/48
Location: FOB>LOC>10ft
Transfer: CF>goldwave(dither resample 16/441)>cd wave>flac level 8

16 bit source


Phish - 9/2/11 "Seven Below > Suzy Greenberg > Scents And Subtle Sounds" from Phish on Vimeo.

The AK40 source doesn't have the clear bass that you have on the 4022's or the VM44 source.  The recording is a bit boomy as well.

The MK22 source is quite good, though the bass could be a bit higher up in the mix.  Further, the bass is not as clear tonally as I would like.  When you compare the attack on Mike's bass on this recording vs. the VM44's, there really is a big difference.

The MK5 source sounds fantastic.  Unfortunately, the levels are a bit high, resulting in some crispiness during the louder parts.  Barring that, this would be my pick of the night, but with those problems, just couldn't pick it, particularly considering how nice the VM44's sound.

The BSC1 source sounds a bit boomy compared to the VM44 source.

The DPA 4022 source is quite punchy on the bass, with great mids.  However, the high-end just doesn't compare to the VM44 source.

The VM44 source is my pick for best sounding recording.  The bass is excellent and has great tonality throughout the frequency range.  The high-end is fantastic as well.

The DPA Matrix source has a very muffled high-end, though the low-end is quite nice.  Just doesn't have the dynamic range of the VM44 source.

The SKM184 source is not as punchy or as clear as the 4022 or the VM44 source.

The CCM4 source is probably the 2nd or 3rd best of the evening.  The low-end is quite clear and distinct with good dynamic range and tonality.  However, there is a pretty fair amount of crowd noise, and again, the highs aren't as nice as the VM44's.

The MK4v source sounds pretty good, with again, great, punchy low-end, but again, the high's just aren't as nice as the VM44.

The BSC2 source sounds very distant and boomy and has lots of crowd noise.

Happy listening!

September 3, 2011 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO Sources Review

To contact us Click HERE
I want to apologize for the delay in getting this review up.  There were 14!! sources to listen to.  As most of you know, this was a fantastic show and should be downloaded by everybody who is into Phish.  I want to thank all of the tapers who captured this night and shared it with the community.  Thanks a lot fellas!

Source 1 (hereafter MK4v source)
Source: schoeps mk4v(din)> kc5> m222> nt222> Lunatec V3 (ACM)> SD 744t
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5'
Transfer: 744>samplitude>cd wave> tlh

16 bit source 


Source 2 (hereafter MK5 source)
Source: Schoeps mk5> KCY> VST62IU> EAA PSP-2> SD 744t (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: FOB, DFC, 6' Stand, cardioid/ORTF
Transfer: SD 744t> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

16 bit source
24 bit source



Source 3 (hereafter BSC1 source)
Source: Busman Audio BSC1/K21 (A/B @ 3 ft) > GAKable XLR > Busman HD-P2 (24/48)
Location: SBD/LOC 10ft up
Transfer: CF > WaveLab 6 (-24dB @ 85Hz, -12dB RMS Normalize, Fades,
Convert to 16bit, Resample to 44.1 with Apogee UV22HR Dither) >
CDWave (Tracking) > Traders Little Helper (FLAC6)
Tagging: FLACs Tagged With Mp3tag v2.46a

16 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter Senn source)
Source: Sennheiser MD441U > Edirol R4Pro ( Oade preamp mod ) @ 24/88.2
Location: pointed at PA array, centered, 12.5 feet high
Path: R4Pro > WaveBurner ( track on sector boundaries, fades, SRC, BDC ) > xACT ( to flac, and for tagging and checksums )

16 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter DPA 4021 source)
Source: DPA 4021  > Lunatec V2 > Sony D50 (24/96)
Location: ORTF/FOB
Transfer: Memory Stick > Sound Studio > xACT > .flac (16/44)

16 bit source

Source 6 (hereafter DPA 4022 source)
Source: DPA 4022(din)> oade m248> SD 744t
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5'
Transfer: 744>samplitude>cd wave> tlh

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 7 (hereafter AK40 source)
Source: Neumann AK 40 (NOS) > Lc3 > Km 100 > Aerco Mp2 > Sd 702 @ 24/48
Location: FOB/DFC
Transfer: Cf Card > *Wavelab 6.0 (resample,Uv 22 HR) >
Cd Wave > TLH > 16.44 FLAC

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 8 (hereafter VM44 source)
Source: Milab VM44-link > Lunatec V3 (24/44.1k) > Sony D50
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5' (thanks again for the clamp space Adam!)
Transfer: D50> Amadeus Pro > xACT

16 bit source

Source 9 (hereafter MK21 source)
Source: Schoeps mk21  > kcy > Sonosax SX-M2/LS2 > Mytek 192 > Tascam HD-P2 (24/96)
Location: NOS/FOB
transfer: CF > Sound Studio > xACT > .flac (16/44)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 10 (hereafter SKM184 source)
Source: Neumann skm184>sd702>wav24/48
Location: OTS>15ft
Transfer: CF>goldwave(dither resample 16/441)>cd wave>flac level 8

16 bit source

Source 11 (hereafter CCM4 source)
Source:Schoeps CCM4 (Ortf)>VMS5u>R44(OCM) 24/96
Location: FOB, DFC, 6'
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44 >Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 12 (hereafter MK22 source)
Source:Schoeps MK22 (stc 22g)> Kcy > Sonosax SX-M2/LS2 >Mytek 192 adc aes/spdif>R44(OCM) 24/96
Location: FOB, DFC, 6'
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44 >Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 13 (hereafter BSC2 source)
Source: Busman bsc2 K11(cards)>sd744>wav24/48
Location: OTS>15ft
Transfer: CF>goldwave(dither resample 16/441)>cd wave>flac level 8

16 bit source

Source 14 (hereafter DPA Matrix source)
Source: [DPA 4027(ORTF/FOB)->V2->Mytek 192 + DPA 4022(XY/FOB)->V3(analog)] -> Busman DR-680(24/96)->UV22HR(16/44.1)
Transfer: CDWave->FLAC

16 bit source


Phish - 9/3/11 "Tweezer" from Phish on Vimeo.

The MK4v source sounds a bit muffled in the low-end and loses some tonal characteristics at the lowest frequencies.

The MK5 source is my pick for best of the night.  Frankly, its a toss up between the VM44 source and the MK5 source.  They both have great sonic separation and they both have great bass response.  The levels on the MK5 source are slightly better and I like the tone in the mids a bit better.  Plus, this one is also available in 24 bit for you die-hards out there.

The BSC1 source sounds a bit muffled at the low-end.

The Senn source doesn't have very much bass response at the low-end and overall doesn't sound as transparent as the MK5, VM44, or DPA 4021 source.

The DPA 4021 source is quite good.  I would call it the 3rd best recording of the night.  The bass response is excellent and the separation is also quite good.  However, the high-end just isn't as crisp on this one as the VM44 or MK5 sources.

The DPA 4022 source is, like the 4021's, quite transparent, however the low-end isn't as punchy as in the MK5 or VM44 sources, or even the 4021's for that matter.

The AK40 source is quite nice sounding, but like the 4022's, just doesn't have the bass response of the better sources.

The VM44 source, just like the night before, is excellent.  The sonic separation is fantastic, the bass response is exactly what I am looking for.  There are really only subtle differences between this recording and the MK5.  Easily the 2nd best recording and if your tastes differ slightly, you might prefer it.

The MK21 source, like the 4022's sounds quite nice but doesn't kick the sub like the better sources.

The SKM184 source is quite clean sounding with good separation, but it doesn't have the bass response of the MK5's, the VM44's, or the 4021's.

The CCM4 source sounds a bit distant and the bass doesn't have the tone or punch of the better sources.

The MK22 source, like the CCM4's and MK21's doesn't kick the sub as hard as the better sources.

The BSC2 source sounds distant and muffled.

The DPA Matrix source has quite nice bass response, but like the night before, sacrifices high-end in the process.

Happy listening!

September 4, 2011 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO Sources Review

To contact us Click HERE
Phish wrapped up an epic three night run outside Denver with a smoking show.  Along with the previous two nights, if you don't download this show, you are missing out on some of the best top to bottom shows of the year.  Like the previous night, we are blessed with a plethora of recordings to choose from.  Thirteen different sources have shown up for this night, making my job more difficult, but ensuring that the best recording is truly fantastic.  Thanks again go out to all the tapers who get out there and capture this great music and share it with the community.  Thanks a lot fellas!

Source 1 (BSC2 source)
Source: Busman bsc2 K31(hypers)>sd702>wav24/48
Location: OTS>15ft
Transfer: CF>goldwave(dither resample 16/441)>cd wave>flac level 8

16 bit source

Source 2 (MK22 source)
Source: schoeps mk22 (stc 22g)> kc5> m222> nt222> Lunatec V3 (ACM)> SD 744t
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5'
Transfer: 744>samplitude>cd wave> tlh

16 bit source



Source 3 (MK5 source)
Source: Schoeps mk5> KCY> VST62IU> EAA PSP-2> SD 744t (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: FOB, DFC, 6' Stand, cardioid/ORTF
Transfer: SD 744t> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

16 bit source
24 bit source


Source 4 (DPA 4022 source)
Source: DPA 4022 (nos)> Oade m248> SD 744t
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5'
Transfer: 744>samplitude>cd wave> tlh

16 bit source

Source 5 (SKM184 source)
Source: Neumann skm184>sd744>wav24/48
Location: OTS>15ft
Transfer: CF>goldwave(dither resample 16/441)>cd wave>flac level 8

16 bit source

Source 6 (VM44 source)
Source: Milab VM44-link > Lunatec V3 (24/44.1k) > Sony D50
Location: FOB/DFC 6.5'
Transfer: D50> Amadeus Pro > xACT

16 bit source

Source 7 (AK40 source)
Source:  Neumann AK 40 (NOS) > Lc3 > Km 100 > Aerco Mp2 > Sd 702 @ 24/48
Location: FOB/DFC 50' Back
Transfer: Cf Card > *Wavelab 6.0 (resample,Uv 22 HR) >
Cd Wave > TLH > 16.44 FLAC

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 8 (DPA Matrix source)
Source: [DPA 4027(ORTF/FOB)->V2->Mytek 192 + DPA 4022(XY/FOB)->V3(analog)] -> Busman DR-680(24/96)->UV22HR(16/44.1)
Transfer: CDWave->FLAC

16 bit source

Source 9 (BSC1 source)
Source: Busman Audio BSC1/K21 (A/B @ 3 ft) > GAKable XLR > Busman HD-P2 (24/48)
Location: FOB/LOC 10ft up
Transfer: CF > WaveLab 6 (-24dB @ 85Hz, -12dB RMS Normalize, Fades,
Convert to 16bit, Resample to 44.1 with Apogee UV22HR Dither) >
CDWave (Tracking) > Traders Little Helper (FLAC6)

16 bit source

Source 10 (CCM4 source)
Source: Schoeps CCM4 (Ortf)>VMS5u>R44(OCM) 24/96
Location: FOB, DFC, 6'
Transfer: SDHC>Audacity 16/44 >Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 11 (MK4v source)
Source: Schoeps MK4v(ortf)> Kcy > Sonosax SX-M2/LS2 >Mytek 192 adc aes/spdif>R44(OCM) 24/96
Location: FOB, DFC, 6'
Transfer: SDHC>Audacity 16/44 >Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source

Source 12 (MK21 source)
Source: Schoeps mk21  > kcy > Sonosax SX-M2/LS2 > Mytek 192 > Tascam HD-P2 (24/96)
Location: ORTF wide/FOB
Transfer: CF > Sound Studio > xACT > .flac (16/44)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 13 (DPA 4021 source)
Source: DPA 4021 > Lunatec V2 > Sony D50 (24/96)
Location: ORTF/FOB
Transfer: Memory Stick > Sound Studio > xACT > .flac (16/44)

16 bit source
24 bit source


Phish - 9/4/11 "Bathtub Gin" from Phish on Vimeo.

The BSC2 source lacks good separation throughout the sonic spectrum and the low-end lacks the umph of the better sources.

The MK22 source loses some of the tonality at the lowest frequencies.

The MK5 source is superb.  The levels are excellent, there is good balance between the instruments, the bass has good tone as well as kicking the sub nicely.  This source gets my nod ever so slightly over the VM44 source because it sounds slightly brighter.

The DPA 4022 source is a bit more bass heavy than the VM44 source, but the highs aren't as nice.

The SKM184 source sounds a bit bass heavy and lacks high-end.

The VM44 source is excellent. There is a tremendous dynamic range.  The tone of the bass is great, even at the lowest frequencies.  In the end, the differences between this recording and the MK5 are slight.  This recording seems to lack a touch of the brightness of the MK5 recording, which is why it did not get the nod.

The AK40 source is really bass heavy and lacks the crisp highs of the MK5 or VM44 source.

The DPA Matrix source has lots of bass, and like so many matrix sources, loses a bit of the high-end.

The BSC1 source lacks good separation and sounds a bit bass heavy.

The CCM4 source sounds a bit distant compared to the VM44 source, but the sound is quite good, if a touch heavy on the bass.

The MK4v source is quite nice sounding, with good bass tone, however some of the tone is lost at the lowest frequencies.

The MK21 source is quite good.  The tone is nice down low, however it lacks the great highs of the VM44 or MK5 source.  I would say this is probably the 3rd best recording of the night.

The DPA 4021 source doesn't have the tone down low of the VM44 or MK5 source, and the highs aren't as nice either.

Happy listening!

30 Eylül 2012 Pazar

God Bless Charlie Dirksen ... A Day Off and a Look Back on Phish at Bethel Woods

To contact us Click HERE

Well, here we are. Memorial Day 2011. The 2010 New Year's Run doesn't seem that long ago in some ways. My winter and spring were busy, and I didn't listen to Phish all that much for the first time since their return at Hampton, except for a two-week stint back in March when I was obsessing on these YouTube videos.

So, when Phish took the stage Friday night at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and I settled in at HoodStream.com for Couch Tour 2011, I wasn't as dialed in to Phish as I normally would be. I was thinking, OK, yeah, a rippin' Chalk Dust Torture to open the summer, maybe an early first set Foam, perhaps some Country Mike, and maybe an Ocelot as Phish got warmed up.

There would be no warm-up show.

Phish signaled what was to come by dropping a first-song-of-the-summer Tweezer that segued into My Friend My Friend. After steamrolling a handful of songs, Stash appeared and like the tornadoes that ravaged the South and Midwest in recent weeks, this one kept gaining momentum, starting quietly, getting darker and darker, adding layers and growing wider until it was a full-fledged spinning beast laying waste to everything and everyone in its path. To give everyone a quick breather Phish then "ran through the motions" on Bouncin' before cranking up Kill Devil Falls, a great version that sailed along psychedelic style like a balloon dancing over the crowd.

Set two started off with the first-set, song-by-song flavor of Carini, Back on the Train and Boogie On Reggae Woman but once the verses ended to Boogie On Phish entered new, free-form territory. It sounded like a tape does when it slows down and the music and voices seem grotesquely stretched out and deep.

THIS IS TRUE HOSE. The likes we have not seen in years.

Finally, they settled into one of the spaciest jams I can remember hearing. There is something different about this one from anything that came before it. Trust me on this. Give it a listen. The free-flowing exploration continued through Waves and the band continued to nail it right up to the final notes of Wading in the Velvet Sea.

So, I figured, OK, that was a killer start to Summer Tour 2011, but they likely will tone it down a little on night two.

Nope.

The second night at Bethel Woods is quite simply one of the best Phish shows I've ever heard since first being introduced to the band back in 1991. It's a face melter and I could go song by song here, reviewing the steps this monster took across my brain, but this show is better to listen to yourself than to hear my opinion. Do yourself a favor and download it.

Put it this way ... when the show ended and the chat room on HoodStream was thinning out I hung around feeling like I do when I witness a mind-blowing show in person. It was orgasmic, nostalgic (as Mr. Minor alluded to) and I didn't want the feeling to end. The crowd sounded like it felt that way, too. After the last note the cheers were more of a long, dull roar than a burst of excitement and applause. One of those, "What the hell just happened?" cheers that only Phish can milk out of a crowd that knows their music all too well. My friends across the country felt the same way; my phone started blowing up a couple of minutes after the show ended with people saying things like, "Did you hear that?" and "That was amazing."

Night Three at Bethel Woods (download it) didn't have the improvisational twists and turns of night two, but it was a solid barn-burner and a classic East Coast ripper of a show. Night three reminded me of the Machine Gun Trey days of the middle 1990s, especially Antelope; it doesn't always reach the highest of high peaks like it used to, but this version received the full-on windup treatment. And of course, to wrap up the entire weekend in a nice little Bag O' Phish, the band bookended the final encore with Tweeprise.

The Summer Tour 2011 circus stops next in Holmdel, N.J., on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. What's next? I'm hoping to hear some new material. Then again, if they continue tearing apart the space-time continuum like they did in Bethel, I don't care what they decide to play as long as they are playing.

LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB
Phish Finishes Tweezer, Bethel Run (Jambands.com)
Friends, Food and Phish Delight Crowd (Times Herald-Record)
Police Fish Out Drug Use at Jam Band Concert in Sullivan County (The Journal News)
Phish Bethel Night Three: Setlist and Skinny (Hidden Track)

OFFICIAL PHOTOS
by Dave Vann Posted on 'From the Road'

Phish at Holmdel, N.J. Night One Setlist, Links and News from Around the Web

To contact us Click HERE

Tweet
Phish Summer Tour 2011 rolls into the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J. tonight. This is a de facto New York City show as the amphitheatre is just a short drive, maybe 45 minutes, over from Manhattan. Interestingly enough, as of this post the show is not sold out.

Couch Tour 2011 continues over at HoodStream.com. I'll be in the chat room. Stop by and say hello. Did you miss Bethel Woods? Check out a summary of the action here.

Did anyone take advantage of the day off and swing through Princeton to find The Rhombus? If you did, post your story in the comments section below.

While you're waiting for show time, check out the videos of 46 Days, Backwards Down the Number Line and Waves that Phish posted on its Vimeo site. And scroll down on this page for the latest news stories on Phish from around the web.

And as always, I will post a link to download an audience recording of tonight's show once it becomes available. If you want to purchase a soundboard copy head over to LivePhish.com.

PHISH AT PNC BANK ARTS CENTER NIGHT ONE SET LIST

SET ONE
Chalk Dust Torture, Roggae, Punch You in the Eye, The Moma Dance, Rock'n'Roll, Sand, Tube, Divided Sky, Character Zero

SET TWO
After Midnight, Possum, Drowned -> Maze, Dirt, Alaska, *You Enjoy Myself

ENCORE
**Fire

SHOW NOTES
*Right when Mike started his bass solo, Trey said, "Oh, shit yeah."; **"Oh move over Rover, and let Cactus take over."

PHOTOS
Mike Kissing The Boss after a Run 

LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB
Phish Comes to PNC Bank Arts Center (NorthJersey.com)
Phish 'Phans' Were Fantastic, Officials Say (Times Herald-Record)
Drug Arrests Made During Phish Concert (Mid-Hudson News)
11 Busted on Felony Charges at Phish Concert (Times Herald-Record)