Phish - October 20th, 2021

Significantly more accomplished than its short 12:45 time stamp would suggest. The jam shifts at 6:00 to D in various modes, then to F bliss at 7:45. This yields a smooth and linear growth to a predictable but satisfying peak around 11 minutes in. The final minute wrangles down to quiet and introspective space.

"Melt"'s late-career renaissance continues with this fantastic version from Eugene. The typical gnarled "Melt" jam gives way to an ethereal major-key jam about halfway through, with Page in particular doing some good work on both the electric piano and synths. Trey finds a new key and we get another superb jam segment, before the jam dies away into fuzzy nothingness. > into "End of Session".

The second airing of "End of Session" is the meat of this "Split Open and Melt" sandwich.

-> out of "End of Session" to complete the "Melt" sandwich. Maybe not the strongest ending to "Melt" ever played

Moves from a warm and hearty jamming zone into something darker and Mike-driven, then Trey hits on a really nice repeating riff as the playing gets sparser and more delicate. The band moves smoothly into "rock out, man" mode, then an absolutely wild disco groove emerges, eminently danceable and tinged with weirdness. A thirty minute jam that feels like fifteen, one of the many hallmarks of 2021.

> from "Lonely Trip". All four members of the band are locked in from the start; some really nifty and cool playing. At 12:00, the jam takes a serene, light turn which features some beautifully patient playing. Page and Trey enjoy some fun interplay.

The jam cultivates an initially understated yet ebullient space. Candy-coated, fleet-fingered play from Trey is supported by Page's nuanced comping and Fishman's passionately defined melodic drumming. This jam's defining "moment" then comes in the form of a cathartic, extended sustained note from Trey before breaking for an energized conclusion.