"Eight and a half years ago we played our first bar gig at Nectar's in Burlington. Nectar Rorris, the proprietor, was happy to give us a gig despite our lack of experience, organization, or a song list long enough to last two sets. The night went well enough and soon we were playing a series of monthly three night stands--three sets a night on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Like countless other bands in Burlington's diverse music scene, those nights at Nectar's taught us how to play. we dedicate this album to Nectar Rorris for 16 years of bringing Burlington live music every night of the week with no cover, and the best fries this side of France."
Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, and Jeff Holdsworth formed Phish in 1983. In 1986, Jeff left and was replaced by pianist Page McConnell.
Phish incorporates many styles into this album, and their musical knowledge shines here. Its obvious they've been playing together for a while. Picture of Nectar is one of my favorite Phish albums, and shows Phish in some of their best years. Some of their most famous live songs are on this album, in shortened studio form, of course.
Tracks:
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Llama-This fast-paced opener comes in with pounding drums. Great guitar solo, slap bass, and heavy organ. Very catchy, with quick, nonsensical lyrics and a nice short story as well.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Phish-Llama
[Many years after the overthrow of Wilson, a rebel soldier crouching high on a hilltop above the war torn forests of Gamehendge spots a group of loyalists approaching from their lakeside encampment below.
His trusty llama stands beside him, loaded down with a canvas pack
that holds two large bazooka type guns to the animal's sides. Near the
man sits a cache of blastoplast, each capable of destroying the entire
hillside in an instant...]
Sunrise over the turquoise mountains
Messenger birds in sight
They came up through the valley
Both sides at a time
Through the cold steady rain
Raid!
I bend down
Poke a double decker on a llama
Taboot
Llama, Taboot Taboot
Trigger a blastoplast, ramshackle laker recedes
I start to run
It was the loudest thing I'd ever heard
And I knew my time had come
To enter the delta
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One of my favorites-4.5/5 (rated for shortness)
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Eliza-Beautiful piano work by Page. This song shows Trey's unique talent for compostion. -3.5/5
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Cavern-Opens with catchy drums. This song has odd lyrics, great guitar and bass solos, heavy keyboard work, and good vocals. All you could want witha Phish song. -4/5
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Poor Heart-Quirky cover of the old song. Music and Words by Mike Gordon. This track has hint of bluegrass with great vocals and a beautiful bass solo, both by Mike. -4/5
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Stash-This Latin/jazz track is great live. After a while it picks up with some great vocals. This whole song has some odd beats in it. At times it seems as though everyone is going off in their own solo only to come back to the chorus again. Phan phavorite. -5/5
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Manteca-Catchy,funky, and extremely short(although a nice merger between Stash and Guelah), clocking in at :29. If this song were lengthened it would possibly be the best song on the album. -2.5/5
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Guelah Papyrus-Great keyboard work, bass lines, and offbeat drum; complete with strange lyrics(whcih seems to be the theme of this album). Great vocal unity, though. -4/5.
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Magilla-Upbeat and jazzy. Great bass and piano work. -4/5
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The Landlady-This track and Magilla are the best couple in the album. This song is heavily on the guitar and seems very latin. Great live. -4/5
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Glide-Great, offbeat, percussion. Mike and Trey play together very nice on this track. One of their oldest songs, written around 1981. -4.5/5
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Tweezer-Straightfoward Phish.Great vocals. Each member is playing together, and if any one song captures their live presence, this is it. Amazing live show as well as a Phan phavorite. -5/5
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The Mango Song-Reminiscent of The Grateful Dead. upbeat song with nice piano and guitar. Great vocals. -3.5/5
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Chalk Dust Torture-Fast-paced Rock. Great unity especially with the rhythm section. I believe either Trey is singing this with effects or Tom Marshall, Trey's writing partner, is singing it. This song shows them in their prime. Phan phavorite. -5/5
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Faht-Strange. Written by Jon Fishman. Guitar and piano by Jon Fishman. Its relaxing yet a shouldn't be in this album. -1.5/5
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Catapult-Words by Mike Gordon. Completely stupid. It has 32 seconds of him telling a short story. -0/5
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Tweezer Reprise-Usually coupled with Tweezer at live shows, Tweezer reprize is a more effect/keyboard heavy version of Tweezer. -3.5/5
Overall:
Overall this album is one some of Phish's greatest work. Many live favorites and rocking tunes. The highlight is the opener, Llama, up to Chalkdust torture, which covers a good 3/4 of the album. Packed full of strong tracks with only two duds. This is a must for Phish Pans or newcomers alike.
Rating:
4.5/5
[URL=http://www.phish.com/releases/detail.php?ID=51]Picture of Nectar[/URL]
