Ghost: the epic you're looking for - 13 Gems
Andrew Rose
not Phish has any more *epics* up their sleeve, I've been thinking about
what everyone is looking for. The tunes this word has most been associated
with tend by those with comlicated composed parts - a Guyute or a YEM. I
have to side with those who say that the band has moved away from writing
these kinds of songs. But that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't writing
epics. They're just redefining our conception of *epic* like they redefine
everything else in the wacky wonderful world of Phish. Folks, to tell you
the truth, I get WAY more out of a Piper, Bathtub or Ghost these days than
I do from a Guyute and to a certain extent, even YEM. The (relatively) new
songs that Phish has written aren't as intricate in the composed sections
but they allow for *fresh* exprimentation. This is what it's all about.
Keeping it fresh - new, unique. You'd be hard pressed to find two Guyutes
that vary as much as two Gins, or two Ghosts. The epics are in the story of
the jam. That's just it - it's the jam that's telling the story now, not
the composed section. That's what an epic *is* people - a STORY. What
better way to tell stories than to tell different ones each time - to
always vary on one theme or another - to "toss away stuff you don't need in
the end" but at the same time, to "keep what's important," if you catch my
drift. Anyways, this has led me to conclude that the *Story* of the Ghost
is Phish's contemporary epic, if such a thing exists. In light of this
thought, I've put together a quick list of my 13 favorite versions of this
tune, old and new ones alike:
13. 7/6/98 - This rocking version set the tone for what the jams the new 98
Ghosts would eventually end up producing. Nice segue out of Bag and into
Cities, this tight Ghost rocks from start to finish, with lots of nice
peaks.
12. 11/28/97 - Often an overlooked version. One of the few hidden gems from
this show that are overshadowed by the 11/29/97 Jim. It's long, funky and
experimental - really shows the boys' ability to play with a notion of
space.
11. 12/11/97 - Also overlooked sometimes. Kinda standard until Trey finds
this one groove that just rips and flawlessly launches the tune into a
raging DWD Reprise.
10. 7/3/97 - Half an hour over early summer 97 funk and fun in Europe.
9. 11/19/98 - Great portion of one of the better shows from fall 98.
Typical rocking 98 Ghost. Trey finds a nice little groove and the result is
a bunch of intense enjoyable peaks.
8. 7/19/98 - Combines the 98 space-rock feel with exprimentation and a
little funk. Listen for Page's clav work deep into the jam for a few *very*
nice moments.
7. 12/13/97 - I forgot about this one for awhile. Put it on recently and
enjoyed it quite a bit. Really funky, fun stuff ... relaxed feel that
mounts and hits peak after peak before launching into a playful Mike's
Groove.
6. 11/11/98 - Very similar to the 11/19/98 version, only better. Rage rage
rage.
5. 12/31/98 - 98 space rock at it best. This is the kind of jamming that I
hope is really going to take off in 99. Those deep, melodic grooves that
seem to be surfacing quite a bit in Bathtub have SO much pontential for
amazing stuff - listen for it this summer. I know I will be.
4. 11/21/97 - I've plugged this Ghost before. It's wonderful. If you're not
in a hurry and want to listen to some laid back, transcendent, funky stuff,
put this one on. Great segue into Bag too.
3. 7/9/97 - Victor Wooten.
2. 7/23/97 - Very close second. This one's got it all. Everything you could
possibly imagine in a 97 Phish tune is here. It's LONG and funky, thick
with textured grooves, tight clav work, ripping peaks and unique
transitional beats. Amazing.
1. 11/17/97 - Some might sight 7/23/97 as their all time favorite, but this
version for me anyways, slightly edges it out. It's beautiful. One of the
best moments of Phish's best tour ever. Some parts are simply tear-jerking.
What's great is that after the tune hits its peak, and surfaces so to speak
- the boys just kind of relax and play around as if they're in no hurry to
drop the ball. They just put it to rest very slowly. We need more stuff
like this.
So whether or not we get any new *epic* tunes this summer - I guarantee
you'll find plenty of wonderful epic jams. Those are the best kind of
stories anyways.
Andrew
RockrBoy13
among my favorites is that being composed songs, they have many different
parts. Each time they segue into another part, there is that feeling of
recognition, and the fact that you can sing along with a certain part in your
head. It is true that those songs do not vary as much as say Wolfman's Brother
or Ghost, but the fact that they have so many different parts prevents these
songs from getting old fast like, for example, Bouncin'.
brereto2
Ghost was the all time best. Still I agree with the idea of Ghost being
a new epic. I definitely am REALLY getting into this song. I get just
as excited when the band plays this one as when they play YEM or
Divided. Maybe even more...
maki...@widomaker.com
a texture you can't really describe
4/4/98- a must hear...the old style w/o the intro and the flat out funk by page
7/21/98 - a really long ghost that keeps peaking and slips into she caught the
katy !
Golgi19
>possibly imagine in a 97 Phish tune is here. It's LONG and funky, thick
>with textured grooves, tight clav work, ripping peaks and unique
>transitional beats. Amazing.
Exactly i was there and this ghost was simply beautiful. It totally blew away
the one I saw two days earlier in Va Beach. This was simply a balls to the
wall rockin ghost.
>1. 11/17/97 - Some might sight 7/23/97 as their all time favorite, but this
>version for me anyways, slightly edges it out. It's beautiful. One of the
>best moments of Phish's best tour ever. Some parts are simply tear-jerking.
>What's great is that after the tune hits its peak, and surfaces so to speak
>- the boys just kind of relax and play around as if they're in no hurry to
>drop the ball. They just put it to rest very slowly. We need more stuff
>like this.
>
I just recently got this tape and i've been listening to this Denver ghost
constantly. This jam is pure hose. Every member is soloing but the music
comes together beautifully. Everyone must run out and hear this ghost. This is
probably my favorite first set jam of all time.
peace,
matt
Mark Mezrich
> >1. 11/17/97 - I just recently got this tape and i've been listening to this
> Denver ghost
> constantly. This jam is pure hose. Every member is soloing but the music
> comes together beautifully. Everyone must run out and hear this ghost. This is
> probably my favorite first set jam of all time.
> peace,
> matt
And the set two Johnny B. Goode from that show is possibly my favorite jam of any
set!
Mark
MKagan
>add
>a texture you can't really describe
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
I have been talking about the 12/2 Ghost for over a year now and it is about
time someone backed me up. Everytime there is a Ghost debate I add my $0.02
about the 12/2 Ghost but no one has taken notice until now. Thank you!