The B List: Five Post-Breakup Phish Misses

The 2-26-03 (Worcester) and 6-17-04 (Brooklyn) versions both cross the 14-minute mark with fantastic and funky jamming. But Phish 3.0 has struggled to extend the song passed six or seven minutes and just when it should be taking off, it begins winding down. The versions at Fenway and Red Rocks were particularly off with the band never quite finding the right funk or rock and roll groove to carry the end of the song. And it’s not just about the length. The 7-15-98 Portland version isn’t long but packs a lot more punch than what we’ve seen so far in 2009.

Gumbo

The band has reverted back to the old-school, super short Gumbos and I’m not quite sure why. For a good chunk of their most successful years, Gumbo was a platform for some seriously funky improvisation and became a fan favorite. Two versions played in the summer of 1997 – Phoenix and Burgettstown – really stretched this song to its maximum levels and the 7-22-03 Deer Creek version stretched out to over 18 minutes.

But here are the song timings of the five Gumbos played since 2004:
4-16-04: 7:48
6-20-04: 4:35
3-7-09: 5:01
6-9-09: 5:21
8-11-09: 5:51

C’mon now…Gumbo is way too good of a song for it be a five minute jam-free ditty. Of all the songs on this list, Gumbo is the one that seems to me to be furthest away from its potential.

Split Open & Melt

This is one of those Phish songs where each version truly takes on a personality of its own. There have been A+ versions across the board – funky, creepy, straight ahead rock and roll – and from April 1993 (4-21-93 to be exact) up until the first hiatus it was one of their more consistent jams with its time signature changes and overall ferocity.

Granted two of the Summer 2009 versions have been rain soaked – Jones Beach on 6/5 and especially Red Rocks as the band withstood a sideways downpour as their crew scrambled to cover their gear – but the versions seem to just sort of plod along without much direction. Two of my favorite versions – 7-13-94 and 8-16-96 – both go in all sorts of different directions but the band never seems to be lost. I think one or two killer versions could bring Melt back into the mix of songs fans really want to hear.

Taste

This isn’t one of their smoother songs to begin with whether it’s called Taste or Fog That Surrounds or Tasty Fog. But it’s been a little choppier than usual lately. I actually thought this was one of the songs that Phish 2.0 was really nailing, especially in 2003. They played sensational versions at the Gorge and in Philadelphia (one of the best versions ever). But the four versions since the return, particularly the 8-7-09 version, have come up a little short. I think the more they play this one the better it will get.

Mike’s Song

At first I thought about using the entire “Mike’s Groove” in this slot but in thinking about it, there have been some solid Weekapaug Grooves, especially the Knoxville version. But something is off on the Mike’s. Changes are frequently missed and the awesome stop/start segment before the > into Hydrogen has been rough.

The beginning has been fairly solid but just seems like the boys have struggled to find their way from the end of the lyrics to the transition. Not sure if they are planning what goes in the middle of the Mike’s in advance or not. But whichever way they are doing it, maybe try it the other way. You can’t have a sick Mike’s Groove without a sick Mike’s Song to kick it off.

Do you agree with Luke’s thoughts on these five songs? Any other songs you think should make this list? Let us know by leaving a comment below…