Episode 059: Pete’s Phabulous Curtain With

In Episode 059 we step back to 1988 to discuss a fascinating version of The Curtain With. Featuring a disjointed swirling guitar jam, a legitimate Dave’s Energy Guide, and a preview of the ways in which Phish would break from their song structures to craft wholly original music in a live setting within five years time. The second-to-last Curtain With before its 1178 show hibernation, also the second-to-last Phish show before the band would travel to Colorado for their first residency outside of the Northeast, we hear the band growing in a show that served as a model for the massive festivals they’d be hosting within a decade.

The Summer of 1988 was a time of change for the band. Increasingly clear they were out-growing their weekly shows at Nectar’s, and the Burlington left-of-centre music scene, they started throwing field parties at their friend’s families farms. All were invited, the band would throw down three sets of music, experiment with their songs, and embrace the isolation that always seemed to drive their most creative periods. Like Ian’s Farm the summer prior, Pete’s Phabulous Phish Phest is a benchmark show in Phish’s overall career. Featuring the debut of Weekapaug Groove, Walk Away and No Dogs Allowed — the latter of which would become the second part of Divided Sky — plus horns, and three sets of classic Phish songs, it’s an important stepping stone, and historical reference in their overall career.

In just one short week, the band would pack the Plymouth Voyager & drive west to Telluride, CO. Their first shows outside of the NE and a moment where they proved their appeal beyond the Burlington college scene, while hearing how their music would shift and bend with location. Colorado became a second home for them, and their combined experience of playing DIY Festivals + seeing how accessible their unique amalgamation of classic rock, prog, jazz, funk, improve and humor was to larger audiences, would ultimately lead to the national festivals they’d host in just over eight years.

Songs featured in this episode are:

Gunn-Truscinski Duo: “Gunter”

Matt LaJoie: “Plane of Return”

Talk Talk: “The Rainbow”

Sonic Youth: “Eric’s Trip”

In addition, we discuss two new 2019 records we highly recommend: Nate Wooley: “Columbia Icefield,” and Ladytron: “Ladytron”

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We’ll be back on Tuesday, April 2 with Episode 060!

Until then, we’ll see you beyond the pond…