Photo by Bill Kelly
Yesterday over on Relix.com we shared 13 Tracks Phish Have Never Played At MSG (they played one of these—“Billy Breathes”—so we have 12 to go). Today we share 13 covers they may bust out during the run…
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Covers are an integral part of the Phish experience. Songs like “Ya Mar” and “Funky Bitch” are so ingrained in the band’s repertoire that we forget they’re even covers at all. With 13 nights to cover songs or, fingers crossed, entire albums at MSG, Phish definitely have some tricks up their sleeves. Here are 13 long forgotten covers the band hasn’t played since their 2004 break-up. Keep your eye out for them at the Baker’s Dozen:
“Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry
It’s hard to believe Phish hasn’t busted out this Chuck Berry classic since 1998. A favorite of countless rock bands, including the Grateful Dead, “Johnny B. Goode” would be a great encore for any of the 13 nights of the Baker’s Dozen. It would also act as a fitting tribute to Berry, an innovator and legend who we lost in March 2017.
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“I’m Blue I’m Lonesome” by Bill Monroe
Played 30 times between 1994 and 2000, this Bill Monroe original brings out Phish’s bluegrass side. In the past, they’ve played it in a traditional bluegrass format with Page on upright bass, Fishman on mandolin, Mike on banjo and Trey on the acoustic guitar. “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome” would be a quirky way to start a set at the Baker’s Dozen and maybe even use it as an excuse to bring out a special guest (a 11/29/95 performance featured Béla Fleck and a 7/18/99 performance featured the legendary Del McCoury).
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“Great Gig In The Sky” by Pink Floyd
Because its most recent, and most notable, performance was during the band’s Dark Side of the Moon set on 11/2/98, people often forget that Phish played “Great Gig in the Sky” consistently throughout 1993. The Baker’s Dozen is designed to be a special event, and a Pink Floyd cover would be a fantastic way to add to its magic. (As long as Fishman warms up his vocal chords, of course.)
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“Whipping Post”
There’s a couple of reasons Phish might dust off this Allman Brothers favorite for their MSG residency. First, it could be played as a tribute to Gregg Allman and (occasional Phish collaborator) Butch Trucks, who both passed this year. On the other hand, it could be used as a throwback tune. “Whipping Post” was played at the band’s first known concert at the University of Vermont, and it appeared on setlists consistently throughout the mid ‘80s and early ‘90s. Phish’s last “Whipping Post” was played on 7/22/1999, so it’s definitely long overdue.
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“Crossroads” by Robert Johnson
Written by delta blues icon Robert Johnson and popularized by Eric Clapton, “Crossroads” widely recognized as an extraordinary jam vehicle. In the past, Phish has played it nine times between 1993 and 1998, including an appearance during the 1997 New Year’s run at MSG. “Crossroads” has a current show gap of 557, but with the way summer tour is shaping up bustouts are inevitable. If Trey was feeling bold, he could bring “Crossroads” back to MSG, rip into the guitar solo and burn that place to the ground.
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“Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley
“Suspicious Minds” was last heard at the band’s famed Vegas ‘96 show, as part of an epic “Harpua” encore that featured several covers, a Les Claypool appearance, four Elvis impersonators and Fishman taking centerstage, vamping it up as the fifth King. Smart money says Vegas ‘96 was the last time we’ll ever hear this cover, but at the Baker’s Dozen anything can happen. The King did love his desserts…
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”Caravan” by Duke Ellington
Assuming that Phish is joined by a horn section at The Baker’s Dozen (even if rumors currently suggest that there will be no guests over the course of the run), “Caravan” would be an excellent addition to the setlist. Jazzy, with an exotic, almost Arabian flare, this number was last played on 12/29/96 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, but perhaps its most impressive version came when Merl Saunders joined Phish on keyboards in April 1994. If Phish wants to dig deep into their back catalogue, reviving “Caravan” would be a smart move. It has a swaying, seductive vibe, and almost a century after its composition it continues to be as intoxicating as the day it was written.
“Donna Lee” by Charlie Parker/Miles Davis
“Donna Lee” is a traditional jazz track that hasn’t been performed by Phish in over 1000 shows. If the band is aiming to shock their audience at MSG, this meandering Miles Davis original is an easy way to do it. It would add a little bebop to a first set, lighten up a second set or act as a first encore, setting up a wicked “Antelope” or “YEM” to close the show.
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“Back At The Chicken Shack” by Jimmy Smith
Played eight times between 1998 and 2000, “Back At The Chicken Shack” is an ambling blues instrumental that typically lets Page lead on the organ. So far this summer, Phish has debuted plenty of new material, but throwing it back to an early blues track like this would definitely throw the audience for a loop.
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“Take The A Train” by Duke Ellington
Another Duke Ellington track that Phish played often in their early years is “Take The A Train.” Appearing at 118 different shows, including their first ever concert in New York City (3/31/88), this song encapsulates the bustling nature of the Big Apple, and leaves plenty of room for eccentric teases like “London Bridge is Falling Down” and the “Theme From Popeye.” Adding to the probability that Phish will dust off this swinging standard for The Baker’s Dozen is the fact that he actual A Train runs through Penn Station, directly beneath Madison Square Garden.
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“Izabella” by Jimi Hendrix
Hearing Trey play any Jimi Hendrix song would be a treat, but “Izabella,” the story of a soldier aching to be with his titular love instead of out on the battlefield, applies particularly well to the life of a touring musician who longs to be with his family. Thankfully, the boys will be able to put down some roots in New York over the Baker’s Dozen, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t bring this classic Hendrix song out of retirement. Last played on 7/31/98, it is long overdue.
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“Terrapin” by Syd Barrett
Traditionally sandwiched by a “Hold Your Head Up,” “Terrapin” gives Fishman a chance to take the microphone and add a little bit of weirdness to any given show. With self-referential lyrics like, “‘Cause we’re the fishes and all we do / The move about is all we do,” this 1970 track by the original Pink Floyd frontman has been played by Phish a total of 66 times between 1987 and 2004. In the past, “Terrapin” has opened doors for all kinds of antics including Fishman’s mother, Mimi, playing a vacuum solo while her son played the trombone.
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“Amazing Grace” (Traditional)
Sometimes sung a cappella (notably on 10/31/94 and 8/16/96) and other times played instrumentally (on 5/8/93), this spiritual tune graced Phish setlists a whopping 111 times through the mid-’90s. It was most recently played on 10/3/98 at that year’s Farm-Aid benefit. During The Baker’s Dozen, the band could continue their practice of starting shows a capella, as they did for the 2016 New Year’s run, and allow “Amazing Grace” to reenter the Phish zeitgeist.
