Live Phish, Vol. 18 CD

 Bomb Factory
If you listen to live phish you most likely already know so this is for anyone who hasn't heard it. There are so many shows to choose from- if you somehow stumbled upon this show and didn't know... I'll spell it out. Set 2 is COMPLETELY ESSENTIAL.
Submitted by oopap (louisville, ky)
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 TWEEZERFEST !!
This show is not only an excellent snapshot of Phish's explosive live performaces, but it is also the #8 Phish show EVER (according to a fan poll which documented over 1100 Phish shows dating back to the early 80's). In my personal opinion (I am a Phishhead), this is my second favorite Phish show next to the legendary 12-31-95 in New York City. With that said, the music on these three meaty (and resasonably priced)discs will stand on its own to prove this assertion. The band was playing to about 1400 people at this show in a half-filled theater in Dallas. The energy that comes through in the playing, however, makes it seem like they are playing their last concert ever (in fact, this is the case for just about any Phish show.) The first set roars open, beginning with a firey "Llama," a satisfying "Horn," and a wonderfully intense "Divided Sky." The band tumbles through half a dozen other Phishy standards, including a raging and captivating "Split Open and Melt." Enter Set Two. As an excerpt in the linear notes reveals, the band decided between sets to "take a shot of whiskey...and completey jam the second set." The result was perhaps modern improvised rock music (if there is such a thing) at its highest level. The exploration began after an always welcome reading of the Roling Stone's "Loving Cup," and a hectic "Sparkle." The initial Tweezer, which served as the launch pad for the jam, extended past 25 minutes with beautiful and tangible melodic ideas from guitarist Trey Anistasio, which danced and crisscrossed magically through the inspired coloration of keyboardist Page McConnell. The whole jam was ultimately controlled by the rythmic conglomerations of bassist Mike Gordon (who selected this show for release) and the frock-clad Joh Fishman driving the bouncing and slamming rythmic phunk train relentlessly on the drums. Anyway, the jam is completey interesting the whole time, and magically interweaves itself through the whole set without really stopping. There is an engrossing digital delay loop-jam anchoring the center of the set. It takes the listener on a journey through classic rock dementia with the Who's "Sparks," and James Gang's "Walk Away" evolving out of the Tweezer jams. Got a thing for more moder music? The Breeder's Cannonball, and Prince's "Purple Rain" emerge in the latter portion of the set. There is even a "Sweet Emotions" tease that drifts out of the Tweezer jam before Cannonball. WHEW! Cap it off with an obligatory Tweezer Reprise, and you realize that you may have just sat through over an hour of the most interesting music out there. There are many naysayers when Phish is brought up- many that resist it because of some quasi-stereotype about the music being over indulgent, long-winded and immature. To all of those who have heard of Phish but have never listened to Phish, this Disc is living proof that it is entirely your loss.
Submitted by a reviewer (Philadelphia)
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