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I'm sorry to thread-jack here, but will I be able to enjoy Phish at Roo if I just listen to their studio work? I much prefer studio albums to live albums, to be honest.
^^^ sure... just don't expect the songs to BE like the studio versions. They will be extended, jammier, some slightly, some greatly some will flown seamlessly into others some will end abruptly and there will inevitably be cover songs done (very well, I might add) that you know. The studio albums as with the Dead ( and really many other bands) will not give you the full effect of the live show and all around positive surrounding vibe (hopefully). And that could be a good thing for you first time seeing them be completely blown away by their live magnitude.
I don't care what you say about me, just spell my name right---P.T. Barnum "As I was walking up the stairs I met a man who wasn't there He wasn't there again today I wish to God he'd go away."
I would most certainly say yes listen to them before hand. With some of their songs it helps to know the origins and what the hell they are talking about and to me it helped me appreciate it a lot more.
And for what it was worth, when I went to Roo in '06, I had never listened to any Radiohead other than what I heard on the radio (ie Creep, My Iron Lung, High and Dry, and like Idioteque) and after seeing them and hearing them for the first time, I became a fan right on the spot and now they are one of my favorites so sometimes not listening to a band can be the correct decision. I just think with Phish it would be helpful to hear them and somewhat understand them beforehand
Last Edit: Apr 10, 2009 1:22:23 GMT -5 by nola - Back to Top
"I just got fragged by a non-working speak." 5 Roo's and counting
Post by candyflippedaround on Apr 10, 2009 10:28:36 GMT -5
i understand that its very easy to not know anything by a certain band, go to the show and fall in love. but to intentionally avoid listening to the music of a show you plan on going to doesnt make sense to me.
I completly identify with your predicament. Before Roo 2007 I hadn't even heard of the flaming lips much less one of their songs. My freinds insisted I see the show, so we camped out by the stage and got pretty close. I had no idea what to expect, but I was completly blown way. I was totally and utterly floored, it was so glorious!!! so sometimes not haveing any concept of who a band is and what kind of show they put on can be amazing. For that reason I considered the very same question and came to the conclusion I should atleast listen to their music before hand. I just started a phish radio station in pandora, which I HIGHLY recomend, they play alot of good phish plus some dead, string cheese, dispatch, etc... Keeps a good mix but you still get your phish studying done.
If I know I'm gonna go see a band I've never listened to I think it's always nice to familiarize myself a bit. The more you have a feel of the music going in, the more you can just jump right in. I also enjoy being blindsided live by a band I'm not familiar with, but I think this situation is different. You know of phish, you know you're gonna see them in a great setting, you have access to tons of their music for free. Start listening. You'll be at the show and they'll start playing that song you heard in your car driving down the highway one day that really got your toe tapping and be that much more excited.
^^^ sure... just don't expect the songs to BE like the studio versions. They will be extended, jammier, some slightly, some greatly some will flown seamlessly into others some will end abruptly and there will inevitably be cover songs done (very well, I might add) that you know. The studio albums as with the Dead ( and really many other bands) will not give you the full effect of the live show and all around positive surrounding vibe (hopefully). And that could be a good thing for you first time seeing them be completely blown away by their live magnitude.
Sounds good. While we're on the topic, what is the best studio album to start with or are they all pretty accessible?
Post by destinyunbound on Apr 11, 2009 21:58:49 GMT -5
Listen to live shows. The hampton ones are available on livephish for free download. they are great shows and have a lot of songs. Find the halloween 1990 show as well. really good. Look into listening to "The man who stepped into yesterday" album. Really listen and get the story, its tied into a lot of their songs. It will help to understand who Icculus and Wilson are, and Colonel Forbin, and what Gamehenge is. and who the lizards are/were.
Post by futurecowboy on Apr 12, 2009 22:40:00 GMT -5
Lots of good info from heads in here. I would heed all tips from everybody so far.
From me:
1) To each his own, but I personally prefer being familiar with a band's tunes from recordings (live or studio) before the first time I see them, if it's something I'm going to plan to see. That's my preference.
2) If you wanna see some great live footage w/ extended improv, you can get the new(ish) Live @ Walnut Creek DVD for $15 @ Best Buy. Some seriously crazy moments in that show.
3) I would recommend getting in the middle, far back enough to see the whole stage in your line of site. I like to have a symmetrical light-show experience.
I can't believe the number of people on these boards that don't listen to Phish! No other band will provide you with as many twists and turns throughout a live set - musically and emotionally!
I definitely recommend listening to some of their music now. It doesn't have to be just live stuff, try listening to Billy Breathes and Hoist and then compare those songs to their live versions. There are also historic shows to look for, like The Bomb Factory (google it) and the aforementioned Clifford Ball, as well as many, many more. If I had one recommendation to make it would be 12-7-97.
I am a loooong time listener to the boys myself. No other band has provided me with as much joy in my life as teh Phish!!!
Have fun!
Karma for the links, being able to listen to any show I want is awsome thanks alot!
OP I was a complete newbie to Phishes music same as you 2 or 3 months ago and since then ive gotten into them quite abit. They have so many great songs its ridiculous. As for where to start I dont know what to recommend because I cant really remember what really made me get into them. I think after awhile of listening to a few of the Live Phish cds it just clicked and I was really able to get into them. If I did have to make a suggestion I would suggest listeing to A Live One. Has some of their best songs and some really great jams, highly recommended if your want to dip your toe into Phishes immense catalouge. Ive been listening to them for a few months and I still feel like im just scratching the surface.
Post by questionablesanity on Apr 14, 2009 10:24:43 GMT -5
I would buy the three recent hampton shows and listen to them. Bittersweet motel is a great dvd. I think you can buy all three nights of Hampton for $28.00 in mp3 format. There's something like 84 songs without a repeat. It also includes some new material.
A Thieve's Parade 2/24 Conspirator 2/26 Kevin Smith 3/11 Keller 3/17 Papadosio 3/18 JJ Grey 3/25 Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer 3/26 Toubab Krewe 3/27 O'Death 4/11 Budos Band 4/22 EOTO 4/28 Summer Camp 5/6-29 All Good
Post by hurricane23 on Apr 16, 2009 4:41:37 GMT -5
Phish has written about 250 songs so I dont see you getting burned out on it before Roo. On top of that they've covered hundreds of others. The more you listen the more you will enjoy their live show or realize it is not for you.
by all means listen as much as possible beforehand
no matter how much you listen to, your first live experience will far outweigh any expectations you may have going into it, so why not have some songs under your belt that you know you'll wanna hear?
I'm torn here. I think Phish is best appreciated when you are familiar with the music. At the same time, my first Phish show I had no idea what was going on. Had never heard them before and scored free tickets from a friend. I had a blast and fell in love with Phish.
I think neither will hurt you because you will only really "get" Phish once you see them live.
^^I do that quite a bit. Recommendations for sleep shows (that sounds really weird actually....sleep shows) are:
A Live One Live Phish 6 Live Phish 12 Live Phish 17 (this one is great: Tweezer, California Love, Tweezer, then a Tweprise near the end....it's awesome. FYI may have hard trouble sleeping with this show going on haha) Live Phish 20
I'm a big fan of the 96-98 Phish, although the Live Phish 20 is from 94...............
Unless you're into jam bands, I recommend skipping their late night set on Friday and checking someone else out instead, and checking them out on Sunday when no one is up against them
Last Edit: Apr 26, 2009 3:08:04 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
sorry, not to dwell on things, or throttle deceased equines, but I was listening to a personal favorite live tune just now and had a further thought I figured I'd share...and this is a bonnaroo board so I have a feeling more than a couple of you may relate... If you've ever sat in a field with 70,000 people who never felt like strangers, and cried whilst smiling wide because you were suddenly overwhelmed by an acute reminder of all the things that were good and hopeful in society, humanity, and the world...then this music, and this community, probably make sense to you.
a lot of people will tell you different, but Coventry - when a lot of us thought this band, and this part of our lives, was through - was one of the more positive, soul-cleansing, perspective-re-arranging experiences of my life. maybe some of that was due to certain particulars of my experience that weekend, but the fact remains that it happened because of phish. Nowhere else in life have I ever felt the way I do at a phish show. We all have our own forms of therapy, and perhaps this music is one of mine, but damn if there isn't something great about seeing so many smiles in one place at one time for one reason. sweet blog, i know. sorry for the rant.
I went to my first Phish show in Vegas in '02 and along with the great music, the first thing I tell people is exactly what you've said. The energy is insane, to have so many smiles on so many friends all in the same place for the same reason is epic. Words truly can't explain the phenomenon, but I can't wait to experience an entire weekend of it in June!!!!!!!
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOOHOO!! What a ride!!!!"
So, I've got my tickets for Bonnaroo and I can't wait. One problem I've been having being that I haven't listened to a lot of Phish is I have two conflicting trains of thought about what to do leading up to Bonnaroo and Phish! I've only heard three or four songs as of now and I like what I heard. Should I:
1) Listen to as much now before Bonnaroo so I can appreciate it more when I get there?
or
2) Save it and don't listen to anything else so it's a new and unexpected experience at Roo?
Any input is appreciated! THANKS!
I've never seen or listened to much of Phish, all I know is, I can appreciate hippie music for what it is, but it's not really my thing. I saw Phil Lesh & Friends last year and it was a cool experience, but I definitely wouldn't go buy the CD. Same for The Allman Brothers. But I am glad I can say I've seen 'em and done the hippie thing. Hippies are awesome.
