MSG December 28, 2022
Phish opens the their New Year's run and 69th show with a wide array of sound
How in synch can a band be after not playing together for months?
In boxing it’s called “Ring Rust,” here, I’ll call it “Stage-Dust.” But there was little dust to be found in the jam realm on Wednesday at The Garden.
Only the second song, and just a few minutes in, the Wolfman’s Brother jam was the reassurance we all needed. No worries!
Nearly 4:30 into the song (Phish App time) Trey started to rhythmically press the pedal, launching a spinning whirring loose guitar sound filling MSG.
I actually captured the moment!
They continued with a strong solid uplifting jam, extending the tune over ten minutes, undoubtedly with some rust or dust towards the end. But the tone was set.
They were here to play.
The band added more juice to the all-ready amped crowd with a whipping Maze, but then turned the tables with a beautiful Sigma Oasis. Until that is, Trey decided to use his slick sneakers to start waffling with his pedals again producing sound only he can produce, I believe with the Leslie. Layers of guitar sounds folded over the accompaniment bass, keys and snatching percussion. Exploration has become easy for Phish. We are ready to hear anything new. We trust Trey. And when it happens its an awakening. Ears are perked. And they were again during Oasis, but not for too long - lasting only a dozen-plus minutes.
The jams settled down for a bit before an interesting end to Set One. Stash jams are always special in a way that Trey finds a way to have his guitar almost pierce the air as Fish keeps a cymbal beat. Lightly tapping away as Trey goes off. Page joins with some light strokes added to an elevated and quicker jam which crescendos nicely.
Split Open And Melt closed the long first set, but had a lot to offer. Literally.
Halfway through the jam, it got dark and pretty much a kitchen sink’s worth of sounds were doled out. The jam was clearly all over the place - and I guess that was the idea.
In the second set, Phish jammed A Wave of Hope, making it the longest tune of the night, settling in just under the 20-minute oh-so craved jams. Playing within the framework of the song until a departure 13-minutes in the four-some pick up the pace for a frenetic end, which slowed and then had a slick segue into “It’s Ice.”
Later, we were treated to a Simple jam - but not one too long. At the 7:20 point (Phish App) Trey finds his growl and launches some licks to get going. Mike plucking along to his left. Perfectly blended Fishman’s tapping and Page’s smooth keys are carrying this jam in a neat but different direction. They then begin to tinker and toy with his robotic-like sounding pedal. They stay there. Abstract until the end with plenty of effects.
Phish.
Hood closed the show and it was glorious. I just miss the glow-sticks.