Carl March 9, 2011, 00:30:41

What makes a cover song great is how the band adapts it to their own style. Playing a song just like another band has played is what bar bands do. Phish rises above the mediocrity of the bands you see playing cover songs in strip mall bars by changing the song into a Phish song. Everyone does rock and roll songs, but to turn a classical song into a Phish song isn’t just covering a song, it’s recreating it in a new way. I’m speaking of 2001. “Also Spake Zarathustra,” was incomporated into Stanley Kubrich’s film and altered the cultural mindset of the song. With what Phish has done the song has once again been altered in our sub-cultural mindset to hardly resemble Richard Strauss’s tone poem, but still contain the feeling of ascending to a super-human mindset.

ay_bear October 13, 2010, 16:46:18

The best Phish cover is “Peaches and Regalia” because it is the only Zappa cover that does the man any justice. I need not say any more.

Kim October 13, 2010, 16:55:35

12.31.1996 Amazing Grace with the Boston Community Choir. I lost my best friend (we saw our first and many Phish shows together) and her mother in a car crash 8 months prior to this show. Amazing Grace was played at her funeral. The beauty and spirituality in that song was like nothing I had felt in the past 8 months. I cried and smiled through the entire song. Leaving the show I thanked Phish and the Choir silently through my tears.
So that would be my all time favorite Phish cover!

Philip Jennings Lawler October 13, 2010, 17:05:05

Dr. Dean Budnick,
Right now I would say my favorite cover is Golden Age by TV on the Radio. I was not familiar with this band until Phish covered their song in Albany in the fall. Just recently was played again in Broomfield. Phish has introduced me to many artists / genres that I was not familiar with. There have been many favorites over the years since I started seeing them. One of Phish’s greatest talents is taking a cover, and making it completely their own. The band is so talented that many casual fans for example think Ya Mar is actually a Phish original. Phish has been extremely ifluential in developing my musical tastes. 11.2.96 is one of hell of a show, and I sure would not mind if I got a copy of the DVD for free.
Sincerely,
Jennings Lawler

Victor C. October 13, 2010, 17:30:15

7/22/93 stowe vermont … It was like my 10th show at that time. The most momentus occasion I was exposed to Paul and Silas with Gordon Stone on Banjo. This show Turned me on to Bluegrass which at that time, wasn’t into. I then went home and bought Flatt and Scruggs on Cd and never turned back. That night had bluegrass nuggets like , Rocky Top and Poor Heart as well . Ty Phish !!!!

zappafrank October 13, 2010, 17:48:24

12.31.95 – Sea and Sand!

piperworm October 13, 2010, 23:30:27

2001
Damn I love the funk! Or is it actually considered disco? There are a ton of other excellent covers (Frankenstein, Funky Bitch, Crosseyed, etc.) that consistently deliver, but none are as woven into the fabric of what has been and continues to be Phish. So many great versions over the years, and many have found their way into the all-time shows. When this one is played it always seems to hit at just the right point in the set/show, and accents whatever happened before it and what is yet to come. All of the great originals and covers in the Phish cannon are enhanced by their ability to crush this one virtually every time. At its’ best you know when it’s coming, but it still feels perfect. 2001 is now a Phish song.
Hyperbole? Maybe, but I’m to busy groovin’ to care!

James R October 14, 2010, 01:19:44

Favorite cover? I’d have to go with When The Circus Comes To Town. I know, not everybody’s favorite. I feel that by now the Boys have made this tune something of their own. A slow song, but not a song for the bathroom or beer line. A sweet surprise in the middle of a set. As a Los Lobos song it’s good, but as a Phish tune it is great. When a set is getting really hectic Circus is a great pace setting tune and it’s got lyrics for a sort of childhood nostalgia, first love and all. So no, not rocking like Funky Bitch or spacey like 2001, but great all the same. Besides all of Exile and 2001, the only cover at fest8 and well received by this phan. I’ll take a Circus anytime.

Penny Lane October 14, 2010, 11:02:32

Shine a Light by the Stones. Such a fantastic cover, especially with the horns last year at Festival 8. With this song, Phish finds the one person in the crowd that isn’t getting off and MAKES them get off.

Tommy Carpenter October 14, 2010, 11:22:11

My favorite cover would be Timber (Ho). It always gets the crowd going and can turn into a real jam when they feel like turning it into one.

Marc K October 14, 2010, 11:30:01

“Frankenstein” by the Edgar Winter Group is my favorite phish cover. Similar to Zappa’s “Peaches,” it embodies the psychedelic, hard-rock ideal that—in my opinion—has driven Phish’s entire career. Phish’s commitment to pure instrumentation and improvisation is what truly sets them apart, and “Frankenstein” appropriately allows all 4 members of Phish to shine. Covers of seminal artists show the group’s reverence for the musical pioneers of the past, and Edgar Winter is certainly no slouch in this department. One of my favorite “Frankenstein” moments was the debut of James Brown’s Moog Liberation Keytar in Knoxville, TN last year, an obvious nod to Winter and his efforts to bring the synthesizer to the front of the stage. Also, who could forget the “Frankenstein”-impregnated scene from the “Bittersweet Motel” DVD?!? By introducing elements of their musical influences into their live show, Phish shows their commitment to the fans by creating a cohesive, fun and educational experience.

Stephen October 14, 2010, 11:30:58

Crosseyed and Painless. It is the only cover from the Remain in Light album that has stuck around. It is a great jam vehicle, and completely represents where the band went for the next 3 years. The songs off Ghost and from the batch of 97-98 can be directly traced to RIL, as well as the TAB stuff that followed in Phish’s hiatus. The world-beat feel and rythmic nature of RIL obviously had a huge influence on Phish and TAB. And did I mention it’s a great jam vehicle and badass song?

RunawayJim October 14, 2010, 11:38:32

The cover I’m going with is probably their most common cover and one of the most obvious choices. I’ve picked it for a reason that many may not realize at first. I’m going with Loving Cup. If you need a reason, just look at how they blew it up at Festival 8 last year. If you need another reason, try the following. Play the Rolling Stones’ original. Really listen to it. Then play any show where Phish played it. It’s probably the only cover they play that is actually better than the original.

Daniel Nelson October 14, 2010, 11:47:34

I’m a new phish addict, so right now for me I keep going back to Torn and Frayed. At a time when we all were coming back to a scene that had been broken, this song epitomizes where we all are, and even more where the band is. Indio was amazing, and through this song, we get a tale of past issues, self effacing lyrics, and a soaring post lyric jam that tells us its all going to be alright. This song has become my go to song whenever I need a lift. Sometime the guitarist gets restless, but don’t we all.

Alan October 14, 2010, 11:47:56

As much as I tired of it at times, I still go back to A Day In The Life, because I love hearing Page sing it and I love the grandiosity of the song.

Steve Oswald October 14, 2010, 12:09:56

Crosseyed and Painless from Big Cypress was out there! Awesome ensemble playing, really stretching the original out into jam nirvana. This was my first experience with Phish. I wasn’t really a fan, but lived less than an hour from the gig at the time, and it sounded like something fun to do for NYE. Ending up being arguably their the best show ever. Just got lucky on that one. What a show!

John October 14, 2010, 13:38:13

My vote for best cover would have to be VU’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin.” I always thought I was the only one who thought it was the best song on Loaded. One would have to be a serious VU head to even know it. Apparently, Phish thinks highly of it as well. The first time played was on Halloween ’98, and that rendition stands up to any cover they’ve played. Phish obviously takes the song seriously, and when it is dropped dropped at the right moment (e.g., out of 46 Days at MPP in ’09) it has the power to transform a set. The soaring final lead fits Trey’s style and temperament perfectly. A great song played well by Phish.

Roger Brandon October 14, 2010, 14:20:44

It’s going to be tough to compete with the emotional appeal of the “Amazing Grace” entry, but I feel that a real Phish cover has to use instruments, after all, technical skill on instruments is a Phish trademark. Having said that, “A Day in the Life” would have to take the cake. The fact that Phish can virtually create live what the Beatles recorded with a full orchestra never ceases to amaze me. In addition, the song showcases the talents of both Trey and Page on lead vocal and is simply one of the best songs ever written by one of the best songwriters of all time, recorded by the best studio band of all time and played by one of the greatest live bands of all time. Who could ask for more?

Andrew Miller October 14, 2010, 14:29:04

I can give you 2001 reasons why Also Sprach Zarathustra is the best Phish cover, but since I only have 150 words I’ll just say that taking a classical music piece written in the 19th century and turning it into a funknacious juggernaut of contemporary sounds sums up the spirit of Phish and their willingness to pull from a wide range of musical influences.

Kyle October 14, 2010, 14:50:01

I would have to say by far Sabatage! We were in Maine and we had to make a choice to go see the Beastie boys in Montreal or Phish in Main. We did Phish. My buddy was all pissed off bc he lost the rock, paper, scissors but when the start of Sabatage came on he went frickin nuts! Love the song and has a great meaning bc he was so happy.. He is a head today bc of it. Back then he was on the fence

mikey freshh October 14, 2010, 15:08:53

Corrina Corrina from Miami 12/30/2009 is my favorite version of a cover song done by Phish in the 3.0 era. The piano/guitar solos are just divine and soul quenching every time I listen to this performance. Brought me back to those Big Cypress feelings when they busted this tune out 10 years ago prior.

Phanart Pete October 14, 2010, 19:45:33

My Soul has always been a personal favorite cover of mine. Since my first and fourth show, it has been a moving song, generating a great deal of energy. the connection is almost religious when Phish plays it and the audience interacts. Hearing it again for the first time in 6 years in Miami (09) was amazing and unforgettable. The band brought music to lift my soul many times, and when they play My Soul the connection is unparalled

Jim October 14, 2010, 21:21:31

The great thing about a cover is the moment you recognize it. Though I wasn’t there I’m not sure there was a better moment than August 9, 1998. On the third anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s death, Phish ripped out a killer rendition of Terrapin Station. Listen to the crowd as they hear the opening licks of that night’s encore. Put yourself in the seats and lose your mind!

Todd Hogeman October 14, 2010, 22:32:37

What a funny coincidence but, Cross-eyed and Painless has been my favorite Phish cover ever since I first listened to a radio broadcast of the Coral Sky Amphitheater show way back around ’99 or 2000. Thankfully, I did record the broadcast and it has been my favorite listen ever since. Listening to that incredible performance also sparked an interest in exploring more Talking Heads music, which was sadly neglected in my catalog. That discovery also started my collecting of other original recordings of Phish covers.

Mikey October 14, 2010, 22:40:35

The first time I heard Phish bust out Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Ballad of Curtis Loew, I was overly impressed by their ability to capture the southern blues. Most people don’t even recognize it as a Skynyrd song, but when Phish jams, they bring old Curtis back to life. This song – either version – just brings me back to a great time handing out with phriends at Phish shows.

Lindsey October 14, 2010, 22:52:52

Aww, Doc! It’s so hard to pick just one. But honestly, I never liked Bob Dylan’s Quinn the Eskimo until Phish sang it. It’s such a happy little tune, but when Dylan sings it, it just doesn’t really do it for me. Phish makes me feel the way all the little town people feel when Quinn comes to town…everybody’s gonna jump for joy! It’s smile-inducing. I wouldn’t mind hearing a Dylan costume some Halloween!

Greg Schwartz October 15, 2010, 00:19:28

Phish’s best cover song is one of my favorite songs of all time: Sneakin’ Sally Thru the Alley. It’s just one of those all-out ragers that gets the crowd completely energized. It’s loud, messy and funky as all get-out. I’ve rarely been as excited at a Phish show as during the opening notes of 12/30/97 at MSG.

Bjorn October 15, 2010, 10:48:38

Phish’s goal and talent with cover songs, especially Halloween shows, is to make them better than the original while giving the song the Phish juice and energy. One song that encapsulates this ability is Sweet Jane. While their are plenty other examples, this song catapulted the 10/31/98 musical costume, taking the song into an extended jam that gave this VU hit, the real energy the song needed. I often play this song first for new listeners to show the ability to jam, their tension and release, and musical talent.

Steve October 16, 2010, 22:45:16

I would have to say Phish’s take on “Roses Are Free” by Ween is impressive. They make it their own changing the tempo and sound of the tune. You can also tell that they are passionate about the deliver of this particular song. “Don’t believe the florist when he tells you that the roses are free”.....Now that is good stuff….Classic Cover.

Jon Leonard October 19, 2010, 16:59:32

My personal favoirite song phish covers is 2001. everything from the energy to the lights to the funk. It’s hard for me when I’m at shows and that song peaks not to have tears in my eyes. The cover is so perfect and played so flawlessly that it almost sounds like Phish created the damn song.