Phish fans are known for debating the merits of certain jams over others ad nauseum, and aside from some uncommon exceptions, there is rarely a consensus about which songs were the best of a given run or tour. The closest one can usually get is to rank performances by preference, rather than objective greatness. Music—especially live, improvised music—is inherently subjective.
While fans’ opinions about specific jams are like assholes (you know how the saying goes), the opinions that are of the most interest are the opinions of the band members themselves. Often times, fans don’t get to hear the band’s thoughts about their specific performances—particularly in 3.0, when Phish has adopted a hard-and-fast “No Analyze” rule, agreeing not to pick apart each others’ playing for the sake of their health and happiness as a group.
Recently, however, bassist Mike Gordon shared a curated list of his seven favorite numbers from the band’s 2018 Fall Tour, giving fans a rare glimpse at Phish’s thoughts about Phish’s shows. As Gordon explains on his Facebook, “Hi guys!! It was fun hearin’ back some autumn Phish! Here are seven faves from stage to journal to car to you (I think you have to play it via the App).”
The playlist includes “Timber” and “Light” from Phish’s third night at Hampton, VA’s Hampton Coliseum; newer songs “Everything’s Right” and “Set Your Soul Free” from the band’s first night at Nashville, TN’s Ascend Amphitheater; and “Crazy Sometimes”, “No Men In No Man’s Land”, and “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley” from the band’s four-night Las Vegas Halloween run.
You can listen to Mike Gordon’s ‘Fall 2018 Faves’ playlist via the LivePhish app here.
Phish will trek it south next month for the 2019 edition of their Rivera Maya destination event in Mexico.