Phish – Ghost – July 23, 1997 Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amp.
I’ll admit that I’ve never been a big Phish fan. A few of their tunes interest me (mainly the instrumental passages, crazy prog epics like YEM, and funk work-outs like Meat) and many do not. But when a friend of mine forwarded me this 26 minute version of Ghost from a 1997 show, it gave me a newfound appreciation of the band.
I always heard that they were capable of “transcendant” musical moments, etc. but I rarely had the patience to get past the vocal heavy song beginnings and the many goof-ball choruses. One listen to this track caused me to revisit their 1998 album, The Story of the Ghost. Since then, I’ve learned that 1997 was the year of their “funk” sound period. And I do believe I may search out more 1997 live recordings in the future.
Randy –
Good shit man. I am enjoying ur bloggins so far. Check out 12/7/97 for some funky tidbits. First set Tube–>Slave is a major hightlight as is the second set Wolfmans Brah–>Boogie On. Hampton November run from 97 may interest you as well.
The cow funk doesn’t get much thicker than during their Fall ’97 run – not unlike another funky white band we’re familiar with.
Great post from the heart by Mr. Randy Bayers and yes this jam is Proof indeed. You are certainly not the only person to long for the funk, that is for sure… Though I must add, that phish is currently playing better than they possibly ever have, post Hiatus 1. ..You will dig it my friend:-)
Nice stuff, love that jam, straight porno funk! Check out 12/6/97 Izabella>Jam…12/29/97 Tube!….some tasty stuff. Like the others said…..’97 was the year of the FUNK!
I was at that show at Lakewood in July of 1997. A show like that changes people lives forever. It changed mine. A picture frozen in time of a band firing on all cylinders. I swore after that show that i would never miss Phish in Atlanta again…and 14 years later and 9 atlanta area shows I prepare to make the trek to Alpharetta this week for two more nights of legend.
I met my wife at this show through a mutual friend. I was traveling to Lakewood and had an extra ticket. She lived in the area so we picked her up and headed to the venue. I had seen Phish about 15 times prior to that show and it was her first. We were both blown away by this jam and the show was all around very solid. Sixty shows later and we’re still seeing Phish…AND THEY STILL DO GET FUNKY!