Thanks to Steven Gripp for this great idea, to start a collection of reviews based solely on the “Random Show” feature on the PhishOD app. This is my first one, and I got 6.20.12, from Portsmouth, VA.

Interesting show. If I told you a first set had “Undermind,” a classic “Mike’s Groove,” and a “Cities,” you’d be intrigued, right? Cool. Mission accomplished.

6.20.12 nTelos Pavilion, Portsmouth, VA

Set 1: Sparkle, Ha Ha Ha, AC/DC Bag > Divided Sky, Dog Log, Undermind > Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Cities -> Ya Mar, Bold As Love > Julius

Set 2: Rock and Roll > Tweezer > Free > Guyute, Birds of a Feather, Harry Hood -> What’s the Use? > Wading in the Velvet Sea > Possum

Encore: Sleeping Monkey > Tweezer Reprise

As humans, it’s hard for us not to compare Phish shows to other Phish shows. That’s something I’ve accepted. Think about this show in perspective: 2 months before Dick’s 2012, when most people believe that Phish hit/discovered a NEW peak.

This show opens with “Sparkle > Ha Ha Ha.” Were they fucking with us here? What really sticks out is the way that all of the first set highlights, “AC/DC Bag,” “Undermind” and “Mike’s Groove” feature a lot of space, a lot of air, in the jams. They are open but solid grooves, good for a nice summer night. Even the “Bag” reminded me of the Jerry adage that the notes you don’t play are as important as the ones you do play.

To me, this means they’re comfortable, taking their time, being patient, and not forcing anything. Even the second set, which gives us fine versions of “Rock and Roll” and “Tweezer,” feels like we aren’t getting quite THERE yet. But it’s not through forcing something and it not working. It seems they’re just letting it happen. I’d encourage Phish to attempt more “Tweezer > Free” combos, though.

The highlight of this set, to me, is the “Harry Hood > What’s the Use > Velvet Sea” combo. This feels like the point in the show where the feeling it out comes to fruition. Trey, intentionally or not, takes the “Hood” jam into “What’s the Use” territory, and just goes there, with a beautiful version. “Hood” remains unfinished. Page does the same for the “What’s the Use” jam into “Velvet Sea,” which is one of my favorites. This medley feels so natural, so organic and so beautiful, it’s worth revisiting.

And with a “Sleeping Monkey” encore, I’d bet they enjoyed this show. A few weeks back on the podcast, Steve Olker and I discussed the fact that this song shows up in a lot of interesting and special shows. Is this one part of that trend?

Was the patience, open grooves and comfort part of the transition to what we all heard at Dick’s 2012? Decide for yourself.