Top Phish Covers

I will today discuss covers by the greatest cover band ever (String Cheese of course being a distant second). I will break the covers into categories for your reading pleasure (one quick note; I am not including Dude of Life Covers because I don't think they really count...they are Phish songs...and I am not including TAB songs because those too I consider Phish songs)...so without further ado:

1. The Old Standards (i.e. Songs that you wouldn't be a moron if you didn't know they weren't Phish originals):

2001: this is as good as it gets. What a freaking amazingly awesome song. I just plain love it. It is the definition of Space Funk. Totally awesome. I was a little unsure if I should put it in this category, because it is such a recognizable song, but I did so because the version they are covering is way less recognizable...and if I didn't know better I would have just assumed it was their own jam with the Space Odyssey music inserted throughout. Either way...pure awesomeness. Best Version I know of: MSG 12/29/1998 with the Crosseyed teases is neck and neck with the Cypress version with the Hood intro tease. Personally I am partial to the Cypress version (especially considering it was played at the end of a close to 8 hour set), but they are both great.

Yamar: to be honest I am not 100% sure who this is by; I wanna say Robert Palmer, but I am not super confident about it at all. Either way, it is a great song that always makes you feel happy. Best Version I know of: Deer Creek 2000 to open the Moby Dick Show.

Funky Bitch: unfortunately not everyone is cool (jokes) enough (or old enough as the case may be) to have been at Oswego, so I wouldn't be disappointed if they didn't know this was actually a Son Seals classic. Best Version I know of: Santana in '92 (was there really any other option?).

Sneakin' Sally: speaking of Robert Palmer...you really cannot beat this for a funky cover. If I didn't know it was a cover I would absolutely have bet on this being an original...I mean, cmon, how close an opening is this to AC/DC?!? Maybe Trey had this song in mind when he wrote the opening to Bag...probably not though...still damn close. Best Version I know of: probably 12/30/97 at the Garden just cause of how long it had been since they played it, but I am partial to the FUNKIEST version I know of, which is Oswego of course...definitely the best intro ever for a Sneakin' (or maybe anything else for that matter).

Loving Cup: granted of all the songs in this section, this is the one with the most famous original author, but as great as the Stones version is, this is a Phish song now...it just is. And is there a better encore in their repertoire not named YEM or Hood?!? I say no. Hearing those opening notes when they come out for the encore is as amazing a feeling as hearing the opening notes to Character Schmero is a horrible feeling (apologies to all the Zero fans out there). Best Version I know of: not sure because versions are usually pretty similar, but I can say that my favorite is when they encored 1st night Miami with it...because I was calling for it the entire freaking show and for some reason on that night, it was all I wanted and thankfully the boys obliged! Another great version is 4/3/98 from the Island Tour...simply rockin'.

Cities: as famous as the Talking Heads are, I'll bet you 95% of Phans couldn't tell you that this David Byrne classic is not an original Phish Jam. And who doesn't want to find themselves a city they can live in?! Best Version I know of: Lemonwheel

Roses are Free: Ween? Who the f--* is Ween?! At least that's what most people would say. This is one the boys should bust out more than they do. Best Version I know of: the epic 35 minute version from Cypress is classic, but it doesn't get better than the aforementioned 4/3/98 version.

Frankenstein: this song will get anyone and everyone up out of their seats...at least it should. This is also one of those rarities that has become a Phish song even though they are completely and totally true to the original. Best Version I know of: Fran-Kung-Stein from the 20th Anniversary show.

Timber Ho!: I know I knew who this was by at one time (Jerry something maybe? Haha.) but not anymore. Perfect example for this section. It is a song most people probably don't know is not a Phish tune. And what a Kick Ass tune it is. And this is always a serious bust out when they play it. Best Version I know of: Live in Vegas

Manteca: another song who's author I am unsure of. Dizzy Gillespie maybe. Either way, this is a Phish song now...but unfortunately, it is probably the rarest song in this group. Maybe/hopefully that will change. It probably deserves to be in another group but I am too lazy to change it. Best Version I know of: the Live Phish version from 10/30/98 (Stash>Manteca).

Rocky Top: this is the only Bluegrass tune that will be on this list. Let it represent all the others. And it seems to be a big deal to them cause they usually encore with it...and for anyone not from Tennessee, it could definitely be perceived as an original. Best Version I know of: Merriweather 2000 cause it's the only one I ever saw live.

When the Circus Comes: had to have 1 slow song on here and this is as good as they get. I have no idea who the original is by, but it is definitely one of the only slow songs I don't mind hearing live...especially when it is placed in the right spot during a set. Best Version I know of: Philly in the Hood Opener show in '99...perfect placement in the set after the Hood Opener and the sweet Mike's Groove that followed.

Walk Away: this James Gang classic is now a Phish classic. Hopefully they bring it back in the new days. Just a great great rockin' song. This probably should be in another group also, but again, too lazy. Best Version I know of: Holmdel 2000 for sure!

The Grateful Dead Division (i.e. Songs that are distinctly covers but have become legitimate members of Phish's repotoire/playlists:

Boogie On Reggae Woman: this Stevie Classic has become a definite play on tour. A minimum of one and sometimes more will be heard. And that's a good thing because it gives Gordo a chance to "play the funk slow" and I am all for that. Best Version I know of: that post hiatus one from Alpine. I don't remember the date off the top of my head... But it has the funkiest base intro I've heard on a Boogie On.

Rock N' Roll: I feel lucky cause this is a song that follows me. I have heard probably more than 60% of the versions they have ever played live. Seriously though, Phish covers don't get any better than this gem. It's the kind of song that can make a set. Plus, they have really experimented with it over the years taking it from a standard 5-7 minute cover to a 10-15 minute jam piece. I cannot get enough of it...and luckily they seem to only play it when I'm in attendance, so I am not complaining. It has definitely become a serious bust out when they play it once or (at most) twice a tour. Best Version I know of: probably the epic Cypress version, however the coolest for me was at that Creek show that I drove out to the on a whim the night before and surprised the Lynde family by just showing up...really awesome stuff.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps: can't beat it when Phish plays a song by the other greatest band ever. Trey is one of the few people who can play a George tune and it is not sacreligious. Best Version I know of: Camden '99 cause it was my first and probably still most memorable.

Crosseyed and Painless: oh yeah. Definitely a cover that they have made their own. Some of the most improvisational and rocking jamming Phish does is on this kickass Heads song. Plus it is really more of a rarity than the others in this section and thus a real bust out whenever they do...bust it out. Best Version I know of: that '96 version in Florida (Lakeland maybe) that is 30+ mins long...the "we're still waaaaaaiiiiitinnnnngggg version.

Drowned: another of those songs that they decided to keep around after playing it on Halloween. This also has the possibility of turning into an epic 30 minute jam. But whether it's 7 mins or 30 mins, it always is a highlight of the show...and Mike sings it beautifully. Best Version I know of: Deer Creek 2000...1st set highlight of the Moby Dick show.

Good Time Bad Times: another one that is as good an encore as you could hope for. What a rockin' song. Always brings the house down. And it even has it's own setlist notation (GTBT) meaning it is definitely part of the repertoire. Best Version I know of: encore July 4th in Camden.

Mellow Mood: a post hiatus addition that became part of the repertoire. This song ALWAYS makes me happy. Best Version I know of: Vegas 2000 1st night.

The Eric Bruntlett Division (Rarely Played but Always Awesome):

Peaches En Regalia: this GORGEOUS Zappa tune used to be a pretty standard cover, but unfortunately has not been played in a while (I've never heard it:-(!) I am just hoping they bring it back into the Phold. Best Version I know of: not sure of one that stands out...I am taking recommendations.

Jesus Just Left Chicago: I was happy to see them bust one of these out Post Hiatus. This was one of those songs like Peaches that I was unsure if they were going to play again or not...luckily they did (even though I have still not heard one either...though I should have heard it at the '99 VA Beach show I had a ticket for but had to skip because of a school Interview...damn you troubled childhood!). Still, now that they're back, hopefully I will finally get a chance to hear a Jesus. Best Version I know of: that VA Beach one just to be bitter.

Fire: this Jimi Jam was actually played post hiatus, so I have high hopes for it staying around. No matter what it's rockin' and fun. Best Version I know of: not sure...suggestions?

Quinn the Eskimo: not sure if they played it post hiatus, but I hope they play it post reunion. This is another song that always makes me happy. Best Version I know of: the one in that epic 3rd set at Oswego.

Emotional Rescue: hearing Mike sing the high part of this song is legendary. It is very rarely played, but always always welcome. Best Version I know of: Vegas 2000 because it was the encore to the best show I ever saw. Hampton opener in '97 I think is a close second.

A Day in the Life: one of the best songs ever. There really is not much more to say. Plus, it is such a great set closer cause they just let that last note keep going just like on Sgt. Peppers. Best Version I know of: Live in Vegas...again, only time I ever heard it and again, best show I ever saw.

Bold as Love: another brilliant Jimi tune that allows Page to show off his beautiful voice. Great encore. Best Version I know of: that Raleigh 2000 summer show I went to.

Highway to Hell: guaranteed to rock. Again not sure if they played it post hiatus, but it used to be pretty regular. I hope it becomes so again. Best Version I know of: not sure...suggestions?

Been Caught Stealing: another one guaranteed to bring the house down. I really hope they bring this one back. Best Version I know of: 12/28/98 encore is the only one that comes to mind.

Freebird: man it is so cool when they do this. Another one I would just love to hear live. Best Version I know of: 12/29/98 encore.

The Once in a Lifetime Division (One Timers-with the only exceptions being songs that were played at a Halloween show and then only one more time ever)...I will only list songs in this section because there are way too many to even list here so I am just going to mention the top ones that come to mind immediately:

Psycho Killer
Sweet Jane
Tuesday's Gone
After Midnight
We're Not Gonna Take It
Smells Like Teen Spirit

You know what...there are way too many to get into all the one timers...let me know in the comments section if any others really stand out to you loyal readers. Anyway, I know I missed some solid covers, but this was the best I could do off the top of my head. Feel free to post thoughts and reactions in the comments section cause I would love to see what all of you out there in the blogosphere think. I hope you enjoyed the reading and keep sharing in the groove.