There’s always something magical about a Phish tour opener. In the fall of 1991, the band played a run of 49 shows between September 25th and December 7th, hitting the road relentlessly as its fan base continued to develop. The first of these shows happened exactly 32 years ago today, as Phish hit the stage at the Colonial Theatre in Keene, NH fresh from a monthlong break from the road.
Related: Watch Rare Footage Of Phish’s 1991 Amy’s Farm Full Set [Multi-Cam Video]
With so much time off, the band had the opportunity to perfect some new music for the live setting. The tour opener featured a total of four new songs, including the show-opening “Brother”. Phish later brought out the soon-to-be-classic “It’s Ice”, and saved “Sparkle” for the second set. The fourth and final debut came during the encore, when the band introduced its shelved (for now) instrumental, “All Things Reconsidered”. All of those songs, with the exception of “Brother”, would later find their way onto 1993’s Rift.
The rest of the show featured a number of other highlights, with lots of secret signals and a sit-in from trumpeter Carl Gerhard on “Cavern” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago” in the second set. Fortunately, a full audio stream is available via YouTube user fromtheaquarium. Tune in below and listen to the first times these classic Phish songs were played, 32 years ago today.
Phish – Colonial Theatre – Keene, NH – 9/25/91 – Full Audio
Setlist: Phish | Colonial Theatre | Keene, NH | 9/25/91
Set 1: Brother[1], Poor Heart > Foam, Llama, Tela > My Sweet One, It’s Ice[1], The Landlady, Reba[2], Eliza > Possum [3]
Set 2: The Squirming Coil, Stash, Sparkle[1], Cavern[4], Jesus Just Left Chicago[4], Runaway Jim, You Enjoy Myself, Chalk Dust Torture[5]
Encore: All Things Reconsidered[1], Big Black Furry Creature from Mars
[1] Debut.
[2] Two Simpsons signals (without the “D’oh” response).
[3] Charlie Chan and Simpsons signals.
[4] Carl Gerhard on trumpet.
[5] Four Charlie Chan signals and Key Change, Tritone Down, Clapping, and Random Laugh signals.
This show marked the first performances of Brother, It’s Ice, Sparkle, and All Things Reconsidered. Reba contained two Simpsons signals (without the “D’oh” response) and Possum had a Rhapsody in Blue tease from Trey and Charlie Chan and Simpsons signals. Chalk Dust contained four Charlie Chan signals and Key Change, Tritone Down, Clapping, and Random Laugh signals. Cavern and Jesus Just Left Chicago featured Carl Gerhard on trumpet.
[Originally published 9/25/16]
The post Phish Debuted “It’s Ice”, “Sparkle”, “Brother”, & “All Things Reconsidered” 32 Years Ago Today appeared first on L4LM.
