@nichobert said: [quote]Phish's improvisation is magnificent lately. Something I can't say about the vast majority of shows from fall 99 on.

I don't even think 97 Phish had the capacity to do some of the thematic jigsaw puzzles they've been crafting roughly twice every three shows for the past 2 years.

I mean, there's definitely value in riding the same funk groove for 6 minutes, or having Gordon play the Sand baseline with no variations for 20 minutes.

In the grand scheme of things, where - to me anyway- Phish should be remembered based on the improvisational moments they've had. it's almost like the whole post Remain In light / Eno influence era will be viewed as some evolutionary step to this era. Now there's jams where they get into multiple distinct movements in a very short period of time... But not in the same slightly ADD / OCD way they jammed in the early 90s.

They took the tine to really soak in minimalism and all kinds of dance music instead of utilizing it as one feather in their omnigenre prog rock cap. Then when they came back their best improv bore hallmarks of all that came before it. Each guy listening and leaving space but functioning as a kind of spontaneous composition where Segment A and segment E may have nothing similar, but Viewed as a progression each step makes sense.

Maybe it's just me. I like something like 4 jams from Dicks 2012 more than anything from Island Tour.[/quote

Excellent post. It's not just you , I hear it too.

This Ghost to me is a perfect illustration of what you're refering to. It starts out gritty and greasy, but then, as Fishman picks up the pace, it morphed into another anthematic jam typical of the last two years but this year in particular. It's funny that you bring up 99, because I hear many elements of that year's style in this year's tour, only with more focus and maturity.

Agree with your statement that they are accomplishing some pretty impressive high-wire acts these days, and I know that they couldn't play like this then. They were too loose and sloppy to play like this. In some ways they were better then, more free perhaps, but they are more diverse and in control now, it seems.

This Ghost went into transcendent territory, but was quickly reigned in with focus and direction and not allowed to dissipate into drivel. Great management of energy and flow.

Trey has switched guitars again, which of course changed the sound, too.

The DWD seemed to pick right up where the Ghost jam left off. Just delicious jamming.