With the iconic jam band Phish playing two straight nights at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena, Local Spins asked super fan and Desmond Jones guitarist Isaac Berkowitz to create a Top 10 Phish playlist.
A Robust Live Legacy: Phish plays Grand Rapids two nights in a row this week.
Phish last played Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena in 1998, which makes this week’s back-to-back concerts at the downtown venue a must-attend highlight for Michigan devotees of the legendary jam band led by guitarist Trey Anastasio.
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With a 40-year legacy, Phish’s improvisational prowess, genre-spanning music and lengthy instrumental revelry have attracted legions of Phishheads, many of whom religiously follow the band on tour in Grateful Dead-like Ph-asion.
Tickets, $72-$128, for the 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday shows are available online here, with two-day ticket options ($144-$230) shown here.
Ahead of this milestone tour stop, we asked Isaac Berkowitz, Phish super-fan and guitarist for Grand Rapids jam band Desmond Jones, to create a Top 10 Phish Playlist to regale attendees headed to this week’s shows. Here are his picks.
By the way, Desmond Jones plays The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids as the “after-party” for Phish at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets, details here
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ISAAC BERKOWITZ’S TOP 10 PHISH PLAYLIST
Phish has been one of my favorite bands since I was introduced to them in high school. This was in 2009, which happened to be right before they returned to playing.
Isaac Berkowitz (Photo/Anna Sink)
When they announced a tour, I was convinced to hop a ride with some friends to Chicago after school to catch them at Toyota Park and I was forever hooked. The freedom both musically and creatively Phish is inspirational as an artist and musician.
They have been able to carve their own unique path in the music world and prove there are ways to succeed and create outside major industry standards.
Like Frank Zappa, they are able to mesh complex and serious musical ideas with humor which has always been one of my favorite aspects of the band and something I try to incorporate in my own projects.
Every show is different and exciting, and if you haven’t been able to see a show yet, I suggest you go to as many as you can. And remember, whatever you do, take care of your shoes.
10. “You Enjoy Myself [YEM]” – A quintessential Phish composition, and one of their earlier and most beloved staples. Who doesn’t love a good vocal jam?
9. “Divided Sky” – One of my favorite “Gamehendge” songs and of the first Phish songs I tried to learn on the guitar.
8. “Roggae” – Hard to beat this vibe after a big dark jam; one of my favorites to catch live.
7. “The Mango Song” – An ear worm and one of my favorite studio cuts.
6. “Rift” – Exciting from start to finish, full of fun vocal harmonies and soaring guitar.
5. “Run Like an Antelope” – Another “Hall of Fame” jam. Once you hear this number start up, you better buckle up because it’s going to be a funky ride.
4. “Maze” – Need to blow off some steam? Throw on a ’90s “Maze” and get ready to rock.
3. “Runaway Jim” – An old ’90s staple. It is a personal favorite as it was the first Phish jam I really enjoyed that got me listening to more.
2. “Reba” – A true “Hall of Fame” Phish jam. Incorporates almost all aspects of Phish, from quirky lyrics to brain-busting compositions, and of course, a tasty jam.
1. “Split Open and Melt” – This song has a perfect mix of dark and heavy jams with tight and complex compositions. Always in the running for my “Songs I wish I could have written” list.
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