Favorite Gin?

Phish Songs
#1

Which of these 3 tasty frozen treats best hits the spot?

  • February 14th, 2003
  • February 22nd, 2003
  • February 28th, 2003

0 voters

I am getting more and more into the winter 2003 tour. I love the sound and risk-taking that Phish explores here. Yes, a lot of sloppy moments, but I can get over those. They’re really actively trying to take songs places, like Piper, Walls, 7-, and even Round Room (2-16!).

This trilogy of Gins fascinates me, as they’re all fairly unique in the style and direction of the jams. 2-22 in particular, as it gets “tinkly weird” (according to the Companion) before returning to the Gin theme. The 2-14 is a straight ahead rocker and the 2-28 versions finds a nice funky groove.

Which one do you like best?

#2

For a moment I thought this was about one’s favorite brand of Gin:

Love it with a bit of tonic, splash of sour, and a squeeze of lime on a hot summer afternoon.

Of the 3 performances listed above, I was only at 02-28, and do not have recordings to listen to of the other 2. Therefore, I cannot make an objective conclusion for the poll.

#3

I think I like 2.28 the most, but that might be because it’s the one I’ve heard the most. 2.14 is really great too. I like the Cinci one alright too and it’s different because they lock into this heavy metal riff for what seems like forever instead of changing themes 4-5 times…but yeah 2.28 is just too smooth for me not to vote for it.

#4

I went 2-28 too. Smooth is a good word. The Cinci one is just weird. Trey got pelted with glowsticks before the jam I believe. Will or someone else can confirm this.

#5

Trey catches a glowstick and uses it as a slide. Do I need to answer which is my favorite? :wave:

#6

2-28 is my favorite phish jam period… of the limited phish i have heard. It’s funny you bring this up Neil as I was thinking about posting on this jam recently… even went so far as to give this one a spin on my way to work yesterday.

2-28 Gin is the epitome of “writing a song on the spot”. There isn’t a wasted note in the whole jam. Each section is purpose driven and seemingly essential as it builds the base for the next section of the jam. If I listened I could give you all the precise timings of changes but the most important one is around the 15:30 mark. The jam begins to morph into what I think is one of the most subtle and sublime progressions I have heard, phish magic. Trey’s gritty 2.0 guitar tone works perfectly here. It’s beautiful. Page’s piano work is gorgeous and drives this particular section. He’s works up a wonderful melody, not just a simple phrase but a series of haunting, melodic trills that trey plays along with perfectly. It’s like they had written this section beforehand. It rolls thru its progression 2 or 3 times ( I can never tell because it really is a spontaneous composition) and ends in the typical gin theme.

I’m glad you brought this up and can appreciate this jam. I have never listened to 2-14 or 2-22 so will file those away to listen to and savor someday.

#7

YES! Page really shines from 15:30 on.

I could have included the Hampton version, as it is really good as well and occurred in the winter (thus making it a tasty frozen treat), but was not part of that “Everyone Gets a Crumb” tour. It hits a niiiiiice jam after the 12:00 mark. I have an AUD recording and at 12:15 or so the crowd goes bonkers as Trey hits a gorgeous peak.

#8

so that’s 3 gins I need to here. thats cool, gives me 3 winter 03’ shows to look forward to.

FWIW I was at the Went and ppl talk up that gin but… I don’t remember it and haven’t listen to it. As sloppy as 2.0 can be I think it produced some of the best jams of their career.

#9

I vote Great Went. :wave:

#10

You stop that. You stop that right now!

#11

2/14/03 was the single worst Phish show I ever attended.

You’re just trying to make me appreciate 3.0, aren’t you? Well… it’s working. A little. :shifty:

#12

^hmm, I think set 1 of that show is pretty bitchin actually…on tape. set 2 is meh though.

#13

2-22 earned my vote for it’s energy and danceablity, and because it inspires me to invent words.

 The crowd seems to be pretty into this jam. On tape there is a huge uproar at about 4:40, when Trey sings, "da da dada". Not really sure why that was so exciting, but the crowd might have inspired the band, because they seem to hook up soon. Trey and Page playing off each other nicely from 7:00 to 9:30, after which Trey solos in the pocket. At 10:15 Trey peaks briefly before the jam settles down and moves forward. By 12:30 Page is leading, and Trey joins in with some chords. Some dirty 2.0 guitar work at 13:00, reminiscent of ASIHTOS, before Page briefly brings the jam back to the previous progression. 

 13:55 Fish starts to increase the tempo. Page's playing during this next portion of the jam propels it to the stratosphere, but I don't hear the rest of the band really helping him until almost 16:00, when Trey does some more dirty guitar work, then trades licks with Page who is now playing clav. Things cool down and get spacier, but Fishman is still tapping his cymbals at a fast tempo. 18:00 things get real spacey, almost like today's ambient segues. The crowd is really into this. 

 Next, some always appreciated foot bell chimes from Mike. Trey answers with a spacey lead that sounds familiar...what song is this again? Oh yeah, Bathtub Gin! Trey messes around with the Gin theme for about two minutes, including some loops, but correct me if I'm wrong. This part reminds me of the Playin' in the Bands from the early seventies. Trey plays an effect enhanced version of the Bathtub Gin from 22:00 to 24:00, with Fish slowly returning to the gin beat. This part is repetitive until 24:25 Trey starts to play more rhythm with the Gin theme until his tone gets cleaner, and finally after 25 minutes we have returned to Bathtub Gin. 

 Unfortunately I couldn't hear Mike very well on my recording, so I didn't have much to say about his contributions to this jam.

and I know. too long, didn’t read.

#14

2/28 for me

#15

That was when Trey caught the glowstick I do believe.

#16

2/28 if you listen to the whole show. The energy/buzz throughout provides a nice context to the Gin. Sort of like how the 4/3/98 Antelope makes more sense along side the rest of the show, to me at least.

2/22 stands alone by itself “better”.

#17

^ Dude you always have the best avatars. That is fucking awesome.

I haven’t listened to any of these Gins, as I don’t really ever listen to PH, but I’m about to put on the 2.28 one and give it a spin. I’ll report back.

#18

(This tour was my favorite of '03-'04)

((I just thought I would say that again))

#19

Me too, William.

And while I agree that it’s important to view the versions within the context of a particular show, I don’t agree that the 2-22 version is the best “stand alone” version. But alas, diff’rent strokes for diff’rent folks.

#20

Oh man, that set two Cinci was something else… Friday included!

May still be the best I have seen… but that is under question nowadays.