SOUNDTRACK: PHISH-Live Bait 5 (2011).
When this was released it was an astonishing free giveaway. A mix of previously released and brand new recordings that spanned from 1987 to 2009! Over 6 hours of music! For free.
It’s fun to hear the really early stuff–like the songs that are from “Ian McLean’s Party at Connie Condon’s Farm” where the band is laughing with the audience (which seems like it’s about 100 people). And when they invite everyone to another free part coming up. This was back in 1987 before they had released their official debut Junta (who was taping all this stuff for them back then? And with such good quality?). But this one is especially fun because you can hear dogs barking during the quieter parts.
There’s also a big chunk of live Gamehendge material from Townshend Family Park in Vermont (circa 1989). The middle block features the addition of The Giant Country Horns who play on “Flat Fee” and great versions of “David Bowie” and “Gumbo.” I wouldn’t want the horns all the time, but they do add something to these shows.
Then there’s a jump to 1996 and a whole series of songs from shows at Loring Air Force base (through 1998). There’s a 27 minute “Down with Disease” and a fun “Bathtub Gin.” There’s then a bunch of songs from one show at the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation.
After a few year’s hiatus, they resume in 2003 back at Loring. There’s a great version of “Waves,” although I found the “Mike’s Song” from this era kind of anemic. And then, interestingly, there’s a “Split Open and Melt Jam” which is indeed, just the jam from the song and not the song itself. “Suzy Greenberg” features Sharon Jones–it’s funny to me to hear r&b singers singing about a Jewish woman going to a neurologist. Fish, by the way has some of the funniest lines during the “forgotten my name bit.” I’m also intrigued by the 2009 version of “McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters,” a pretty but kind of goofy song that dates back to 1985!
All in all, this was a very cool freebie to give to fans.
[READ: July 5, 2011] Five Dials 24
The newest Five Dials came as something of a surprise since Number 23 came out not too long ago and there was talk of the next issue being quite large. But I like the small editions of Five Dials. And this one is a cool, bite-sized nugget–a little fiction, an interview and an essay. I have to assume this one was released when it was because it has a remembrance of David Rakoff, making this release rather timely.
…plus bear illustrations like you won’t believe by BECKY BARNICOAT (funny and dark drawings), LIZZY STEWART (beautiful pencil drawings) and NEAL JONES (blue bears). (more…)
I Just Read About That... 