29. Phish – Junta 12/10
(JUNE-tuh) Recorded and released in 1988. In the cool shade of the banana tree… The first album of this band that I ever listened to, albeit about five years or so after it’s release. “It contains symphonic-like epics, large-scale improvisation, and multi-part progressive rock suites.” Lots of so many classic songs. YEM, Golgi Apparatus, David Bowie, and Fluffhead are all live phish staples and basically the epitomy of what Phish is. Like it or leave it, or be one that loves it, there’s so many layers to this musical nonnion (was going to right onion, but thought about choppin onions and how withstanding ones standing becomes so the layers to this music is more like a non-onion, like an onion but without the quenched face muscles).. then again, there’s a lot of face melting which is a whole other topic this short thought bucket isn’t ready for so I digress. Beauty of mid Esther jam is soothing and not often heard since this song is seldom played live. If I could only have 5 minutes of this band and that was it, I’d probably go with Golgi. Everything is right there. The weird lyrics, the fist pumping, and the beautiful breakdown. I saw you with a ticket stub in your hand…. Listened for a long time with no typy… Written by the great and powerful…. “Union Federal” was recorded at Paul Languedoc’s home during one of the band’s Oh Kee Pa ceremonies. “Sanity” and “Icculus” were recorded live in concert at Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont on July 25, 1988. This was my intro to this band and clearly I never looked back.