If I were to take this “Phish as a baseball team” metaphor into context for last night’s summer tour opener in Woosta, I would have called it a solid lead-off home run….
It looks and sounds like the four members of Phish are doing exactly what the community already has: they forgot that NYE even happened. Picking up right where they left off in Denver on 9/4/11, Phish executed a show that flowed and jammed from top to bottom. A “Buried Alive” sandwich if you will. Clearly energized by the rehearsals at the venue in the days prior, the band gave us new takes on old classics that had the entire ‘Centrum’ captivated. You can’t even skip over the “Ocelot” and “Possum” in the first set.
Moments to Hear:
“Ghost” — right off the bat Phish delivers a candidate for the jam of June. The intro alone is a keeper. Slowed down and special. Instead of the more straight forward renditions we are used to, they made this the center piece of the set. Moments like this “Ghost” shouldn’t be taken for granted.
![PHISH: Ghost → Boogie on Reggae Woman [HD] 2012-06-07 DCU Center, Worcester, MA](https://livemusicblog.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F8X2cB1BRUIc%2F0.jpg)
The “Norwegian Wood” teases in “Taste” — extra potent last night. Perfectly layered over Mike and Fishman.
“Nothing” — clearly sound checked and polished up. Let’s see if they keep bringing this one out or keep it a rarity.
“Carini” — With an uplifting jam that hinted at “My Left Toe,” it’s a must hear and would get top honors if it weren’t for that little diddy Ghost.
“Guy Forget” jam — Trey hinting at the jam in Guy Forget (displayed in Denver 2011) at the end of Boogie On which then slide into the first version of “If I Could” since November 2009. The perfect cool-down song, the audience needed a breather to fully realize how great this 2nd set was as it was unfolding.
“Buried Alive Reprise” — After opening the show, the band, clearly looked to bookend the night. Great upper hook after the supposed Cavern closer.
Here is my iPhone video grab of the jam in “Ghost.”
The buzz in the crowd as it unfolded was awesome, as was the buzz coming from the LD, Chris Kuroda. Even knowing that mkdevo was in the house and capturing the show in all it’s glory I couldn’t stop the record once it started. Mesmerized. Call it a bad habit. Time to get ready for Night two!
Phish: Thu, Jun 07, 2012 @ DCU Center, Worcester, MA
Set 1: Buried Alive > Runaway Jim[1] > Torn and Frayed, Funky Bitch, The Moma Dance > Rift, Nothing, Ocelot, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Possum[2], Rocky Top
Set 2: Carini -> Taste[3], Ghost > Boogie On Reggae Woman > If I Could, Quinn the Eskimo > Harry Hood > Cavern > Buried Alive Reprise
Encore: Loving Cup
[1] Buried Alive tease.
[2] Beauty of a Broken Heart tease.
[3] Norwegian Wood tease.
Notes: Runaway Jim included a Buried Alive tease, Possum included a Beauty of a Broken Heart tease and Taste included a Norwegian Wood tease (all from Trey). If I Could was last played on November 21, 2009 (102 shows).
[Setlist via Phish.net]
