
Episode 011: MSG Tube / ASIHTOS
In Episode 011, we discuss not one, but TWO jams from the first eight nights of the Baker’s Dozen: the Tube from N5 (Powdered) 07/26/2017, and the A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing from N8 (Jimmies) 07/30/2017. Two polar opposite jams, they showcase the diverse playing, and consistent experimentation by Phish throughout the Baker’s Dozen.
More than halfway though the Baker’s Dozen (at time of recording), it’s clear Phish approached their first extended residency since Nectar’s with creativity, a dedication to exploration, and an embrace of the surprises and zany gags that have defined the best aspects of Phish throughout their career. Between the nightly donut unveiling, to the associated one-off covers, to the extended improv scattered across every single show, to the dedication to not repeating a single song throughout the entire run, the Baker’s Dozen has felt like a diehard Phish fan’s dream on a number of levels.
Perhaps nowhere is this clearer than in the two jams featured in this episode. A long-time fan requested song, Tube has held a special place in Phish lore since a break-out jam on 12/7/1997. Inspiring a Twitter handle (@DidTheyJamOutTube?) during the 3.0 era when few versions exceeded 4min, the 07/26 version blew away most fans perceptions of what the quirky-Fishman rocker was capable of. Moving far beyond the funky structure of the song, Page’s Grand Piano, and Fish’s rolicking beat defined a jam that touched on Madchester-style jamming to the glee of everyone in MSG.
Four nights later, in the hallowed Sunday show slot, Phish took another song fans had long clamoured for improv from, A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing, further out than perhaps any other song during the run. Focusing on Ambient minimalism, and non-traditional rhythmic structures, the song left groove-based jamming far-behind, and gave the impression a UFO was landing right in the heart of mid-town Manhatten.
Beyond the above songs is an embarassment of riches from the rest of the run — including the final five shows not discussed in this episode. A quick run-through, just one highlight from each night, would read: 07/21 Tweezer, 07/22 Moma Dance, 07/23 It’s Ice, 07/25 Lawn Boy, 07/26 1999, 07/28 Chalk Dust Torture, 07/29 Blaze On, 07/30 Drowned, 08/01 Swept Away, 08/02 Mike’s, 08/04 Scents, 08/05 Ghost, and 08/06 Simple. That list alone would more than satisfy fans during a typical Summer Tour. Here in the Baker’s Dozen, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Songs featured in this episode are:
The Happy Mondays: “Step On”
Primal Scream: “Come Together
The Charlatans: “The Only One I Know”
Tim Hecker: “Live Room”
Oneohtrix Point Never: “Child Of Rage”
Boards Of Canada: “Reach For The Dead”
In addition, we discuss two new 2017 records we highly recommend: Wooden Wand: “Clipper Ship,” and Nicole Atkins: “Goodnight Rhonda Lee.”
Check us out on Spotify: Beyond The Pond Podcast Songs
You can find us on Twitter: @_beyondthepond, Medium: https://medium.com/beyond-the-pond, and/or send us an email: beyondthepondpodcast@gmail.com. Please leave us a review on iTunes!
We’ll be back on Tuesday, August 22 with Episode 012! (That episode will feature a full recap of The Baker’s Dozen!)
Until then, we’ll see you beyond the pond…

