Top 10 Phish Jams of 2010
In case you haven’t been following along, the past two weeks on Type II Cast (a weekly Phish podcast I am proud to be a part of) we have been counting down our collective “Best Jams” of 2010. With the second episode airing last Tuesday night, and now available for stream, I can now reveal my individual picks. However, given the extra time to consider my choices, I amended a few picks to make room for some jams that I either forgot or did not weigh highly enough the first time. So, without further ado, I present to you my Top 10 Phish Jams of 2010.
12.31.10 (Redredworm)
[Photo courtesy of Glowstickwars.com]
1. Ghost (12.31.10 Madison Square Garden)
The crowning moment of 2010.
2. Down With Disease > What’s the Use (8.14.10 Alpine Valley)
Few jams since the return have achieved a comparable level of transcendence. The finest segue of the year.
3. Backwards Down the Number Line (6.12.10 Blossom Music Center)
A seemingly overlooked gem from the beginning of summer tour. A dark journey ensues that finds the rare combination of Trey using his Leslie speaker and Mike using the meatball. Once the jam takes off, every note seems perfectly placed.
4. Simple (8.6.10 Greek Theatre)
One of the most impressive pieces of music from 2010. A psychedelic journey of all colors.
5. Light > Twenty Years Later (8.7.10 Greek Theatre)
The note at 10:05 may be my favorite note of the year as Mike and Trey and Page all come down on the same change simultaneously. Recalls a very ’99-’00 jam style. New song emerges at 13:35.
6. Chalkdust Torture (6.25.10 Camden)
Trey locks in with Mike early on propelling the jam into a rare type-II jam section. Pure hose [9:15] as Mike lays on the meatball, Trey experimenting with some strange combination creating a flute-like effect (rarely heard before). Mike emerges the leader in this jam.
7. Reba (10.19.10 Augusta Civic Center)
Leaping from one musical mode to another, crashing down with purpose. Some of Fish’s best drumming.
8. Stash (10.31.10 Boardwalk Hall)
Glorious major/minor shifts, fluttering licks from Trey. One of the most interesting versions in a long time.
9. Split Open and Melt > Have Mercy (10.20.10 Guyutica)
Band rides that rare wave of energy only found in the best shows. Seems to be almost tappable.
10. Harry Hood 12.28.10 (12.28.10 DCU Center)
Staccato ”Ya Mar”-like jam ensues. Improv surrounds Mike’s calypso bassline. Unique version.
Honorable Mentions:
Rock ‘n’ Roll > Carini (10.22.10)
Piper > Ghost (6.27.10)
Cities (8.6.10)
Check back tomorrow as we’ll have a special feature exploring Trey’s current guitar rig…
