Episode 098: Radio City Ghost w/ Robert Ker

Episode 098: Radio City Ghost w/ Robert Ker

In Episode 098 we chat about the languid and mysterious version of Ghost from May 22, 2000, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, NY. To do so, we’re joined by Robert Ker (@bobbker /@phish2000at2020) to chat about the larger themes around the jam & run, plus dive deep into the worlds of krautrock & early-aughts NYC. An almost entirely Mike-led jam, it extends onward through minimal changes, for nearly 30min. Throughout much of it, Trey avoids taking leads, allowing all the lessons of the past four years to dictate the jams’ development. It’s a hazy and woozy wonderland of groove-based, linear musical communication, and one of the best jams of an incredible year in jamming.

Nearly six months following their all-night Millennium festival at Big Cypress, Phish is now in full album promotion mode. Just five months shy of their first extended hiatus in 17 yrs, it’s an odd time to make a full album blitz, but Farmhouse was designed to sell, and so the band prefaced their NYC run with gigs at radio stations in LA, Philly & NYC. Check them out if, for nothing else, than Trey’s clear defensiveness as he’s being peppered with questions around his solo work & the band’s lack of radio hits.

The run in NYC consisted of two night at RCMH and a single show at the Roseland Ballroom. None of the three shows stand out as complete pieces, however, the Down With Disease from 5/21, Ghost from 5/22, and the Ya Mar from 5/23 are all worthy of your time, as are a few other Type I highlights in the form of Split Open & Melt, Bouncing -> Bowie, Sand, and The Mango Song. All-in-all, it’s a run that’s beloved for this Ghost, as thus we felt it our duty to celebrate it’s 20th anniversary, seeing as we’d honored so many of its Cypress Predecessors throughout 2019.

Songs featured in this episode are:

Neu!: “Fur Immer (Forever)”

CAN: “Im So Green

Manuel Gottsching: “E2-E4”

Interpol: “Untitled”

The Strokes: “Barely Legal”

Secret Machines: “First Wave Intact”

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In addition, we discuss three new 2020 records we highly recommend: Arboretum: “Let It All In,” Elder: “Omens,” and Sarah Louise: “Earth & Its Contents”

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We encourage all BTP listeners to check out Amigos on Osiris Media.

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We’re proud to be sponsored by Section 119. More than just board shorts for Fish, Section 119 is currently donating a mask towards essential workers & those in need for every purchase on their site. Go to section119.com/btp for 20% off your first order + the ability to donate a mask!

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The global health crisis we’re facing right now has threatened the livelihood and mental health of countless musicians. Backline is the music industry’s mental health and wellness resource hub, and their work is more vital than ever. Launched in 2019, Backline aims to give artists, crew and their families quick and easy access to mental health and wellness resources. Backline is currently hosting virtual support groups as well as yoga, meditation, and breathwork sessions. Osiris is proud to partner with Backline — to donate, learn more, or get in touch for personalized care, visit Backline.care.

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We’ll be back on Tuesday, June 9 w/ Episode 099!

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