Phish - July 22nd, 2022

While there are scores of clever ways to approach this surprise show opener, it's simple enough to say that those with a stub in hand were on hand for some of the summer's best music. Forget that those who simply love the song heard precision play; Trey, post some of his coolest rhythm guitar (it's such a great song), tacks on an utterly atypical jam segment, but one that, like charming a snake, feels mesmerizing, organic, and pure. And the crowd is there to help stick the landing. What a terrific moment. (See 8.6.22 for more fun play.)

> from a jammed out "Golgi Apparatus", the band plays what was at the time the longest version of "Sample" to date. Some slinky work by Page kicks this jam off and the rest of the band follows suit. The jam eventually winds its way back to the song proper, as was custom in Summer '22.

In a summer full of surprise jamming tunes, the return of the "Gumbo" jam is surely one of the most welcome for fans of the song's output from '97-'03. This longest version since that heyday (now surpassed) touches on familiar staccato funk and upbeat calypso before ending with a rough-and-tumble -> to "Saw it Again".

Before there was "Plasma," Phish explored similar sonic terrain via "Timber," a soulful cover with dark undertones, rich and dynamic Fish, a tune affording space for Trey to deliver some of his most devilish licks. No surprise, then, that following one of 22's most inventive opening sequences, the "science" here so applies, a version arguably featuring the best "Timber" full-band improvisation since... Well, who cares: Just tune in for some of the Finest in the Nation.

The ongoing "YEM" revolution of '21-22 continues in the idyllic setting of Bethel Woods. After a competent if not perfect composed section, the band delivers a potent Type 1 romp in the post-tramps jam. This then gives way to a lively, if brief Drums and Bass section with Mike slathering edgy distortion all over the place. A brief vocal jam ensues, followed by Trey picking up his guitar and building a 60s soul-esque groove out of the VJ ether. This builds to an uplifting, spirited jam with multiple Trey-led peaks.