Warming up for a three-night stand at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel Woods, NY, Phish got into town one night early to set themselves up for the musical mayhem. The group proceeded to play a soundcheck that lasted for hours, weaving through their catalog with musical fluidity. Among the great jams from that session, one stands alone: the 5/26/11 “Waves.”
Released by archivist Kevin Shapiro on his “From The Archives” series, the version of “Waves” is something to behold. The band works in “A Love Supreme” themes and gets quite melodic throughout the soundcheck. Without the crowd to please, the band takes extra musical liberties throughout, and the result is simply sublime.
Without further ado, the 5/26/11 “Waves.”