#Phish95 Review: 6.22.95, Canandaigua, NY
Review written by RJ.
Phish, 6.22.95, Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center, Canandaigua, NY
Set 1: Sample in a Jar, Scent of a Mule, Ha Ha Ha > Divided Sky, Guelah Papyrus, It’s Ice, Strange Design, Maze, Cavern, Sweet Adeline
Set 2: Theme From the Bottom -> Jam -> Tweezer -> Tweezer Reprise
Encore: Acoustic Army, While My Guitar Gently Weeps
And so here we are, finally. FLEEZER.
It probably goes without saying that this Set 2 is one of the most interesting of the entire year. With the “Theme” opener, it’s clear that they’re having fun with this new tune and really using it to experiment with their improv. This was the 7th time played in 14 shows in ‘95, and the Trey-led solo that kinda melts into what becomes a cacophonous jam.
After a few minutes in this jam, Trey takes the band into “Tweezer,” but it takes a long time for them to get in sync, even after the lyrics start. Once they lock in, it’s on. This 40+ minute “Tweezer” is a frenetic, even schizophrenic jam. Lots of things happening, minute by minute. My best attempt at a breakdown is here.
It starts with a basic rock jam that evolves into an almost “Rocky Mountain Way” jam between 10-13 minutes, complete with Trey vocalizing over it like a true classic rocker. From there the theme doesn’t change but it gets faster and more rushed.
Between 16-18 minutes it slows down and there are hints of a “Mule” duel, before Trey takes them into a very much off-target “My Generation” jam. This jam doesn’t sound like the song at all, but the band joins in with full vocals. It’s almost a revivalist take on that song. So odd.
From 18-25 minutes we’re treated to a more reflective, quiet, almost ambient jam. During that space it feels like we’re going into “Slave” a number of times, I think I actually heard Trey balancing between keeping this going and taking us right into “Slave.”
After 25 minutes, it’s back to the building, noisy, nonsensical jam where it seems like they’re trying to find their way to the next idea. Heavy distortion from Trey with Page trying his best to balance it out. They’re pushing the tension/release pretty hard around 30 mins, combined with screaming from Fish (and then everyone else).
In ‘96, this is when Trey would jump on the drum kit. But they keep driving this idea, then out of nowhere we get Fishman on vacuum.
The last section, about 5 minutes or so, features a great solo by Page with the rest of the band accompanying quietly. Assuming the crowd’s silence is out of respect and amazement of what just happened.
They end this classic with a full jam, trey soloing beautifully, before they segue, magically, like the prodigal son returning home, into “Tweeprise,” which has only happened a handful of times in the band’s history.
In my opinion, “Tweezer” defined Phish in ‘95, and with this version hot on the heels of Mud Island, it remains a stunning piece of improv from this band.
And as this #Phish95 project continues, it’s great to be reminded that, as the jamband scene was evolving, people starting to make their way to Phish through the Dead, college experiences, picking up a disc randomly, these are the types of jams that have come to really define this band.
