A Live One [LIVE]

Phish

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 27, 1995)
• Original Release Date: June 27, 1995
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002HI9
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,821 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Rock > Live Albums > Jam Bands

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
This double-disc firestorm was the first official live release from Vermont's favorite jam band, and it is both a roaring celebration of and, in many ways, a fitting conclusion to Phish's first decade of genre-bending, head-popping rock. Recorded in 1994, A Live One finds Phish wringing everything they can out of every song (four clock in at more than 10 minutes, another at more than 20, and a sixth, "Tweezer," at more than 30), whipping themselves (and the audience) into a frenzy with a high-octane attack long on instrumental pyrotechnics and short on subtlety. By 1996 they had taken this no-holds-barred approach as far as they could, and they would begin to temper their frenetic energy with a mellower, airier, and funkier approach. But this collection remains a vital snapshot of the band at its initial peak, a time when no studio could have hoped to capture the densely packed Phish experience. --Marc Greilsamer

Amazon.com
The Grateful Dead analogies may apply to legions of Phish-head devotees, but musically this double-live set reveals a band with the fluency of early Allman Brothers minus their focus and muscularity. A neat blend of hippie whimsy ("Gumbo") and extended jams ("Stash," "You Enjoy Myself") that aren't as tedious as you'd guess. --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Capturing Phish At Their Best - Live, January 1, 2001

By	M. Scagnelli (Brandon, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are fan of Phish, and want to get a CD of them live without going into Bootlegs, there are three choices. First, there is Slip, Stitch and Pass. This a great live album, but not the best. There is Hampton Comes Alive, which is a six CD box set containing two full live shows. It is really great, but it may be too long and expensive for a casual fan or for someone starting out. In my opinion, A Live One, is the best one available. It is 12 great songs on two CDs for a good price. It has Phish's long, intricate jams, like You Enjoy Myself and the 30 minute Tweezer. It also contains their more simple and shorter songs, such as Bouncing Around The Room. In my opinion, the best songs on this album are Bouncing Around The Room, which is the best version of the song I've heard, Chalkdust Torture, Wilson, Tweezer, and Simple. All the songs are great. This is also a great starting place for Phish.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are new, this is THE album to buy. It is amazing...., October 9, 2000

By	"wilson17" (Indiana University) - See all my reviews

When you talk to Phish fans, one of the first things they will tell you is how studio releases are nothing compared to the live scene. 100 % true. This album is the quinessential official release however. Even live releases, Slip Stitch and Pass and Hampton Comes Alive dont compare musically to this album. Some people will say this doesnt even compare to a bootleg of a whole show and thats where I differ. Some live shows are going to have songs that are just "time fillers" and don't feature that great of songs or playing. This album, however, combines the best performances of different songs from 1994 and while the Tweezer might be too long and feature some pointless noodling, all the songs are a work of art.

Bouncing Around The Room: Most fans dislike this song, or atleast say they do. But, I like it alot and while after hearing it a few times it does get old, it is a great song and its fun to listen to every once in a while.

STASH: Yikes! This song is great. The whispered lyrics, the crowd clapping, and the jam are awesome. Definitely one of the better Stashs you will hear.

GUMBO: This rare song was perfect for this album. The mellow jazz in this song is intoxicating. The a capella section is very nice and the chorus is catchy and fun, but not too catchy, which is a good thing.

MONTANA: This is a portion of a Tweezer from Montana. It is only 2 minutes long and is a nice little dark groove. Sounds like 4 guys just sitting in a room practicing.

YOU ENJOY MYSELF: This is without a doubt the quinessential Phish song. It takes a while to figure it out. The first time I heard it, I didnt pay much attention, but this is just musical mastery. Page's piano solo in the middle, the vocal segment is great, The jam is very layered and has many different themes and the vocal jam is very entertaining. Mike's bass is very potent in this song. He is a mad man!

CHALKDUST TORTURE: Straight up rock and roll! The lyrics are great and the jam is fun and somewhat short, but definitely worth listening too.

SLAVE TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT: This is my favorite song next to YEM and this version is one of my favorites. It is strong to start out then mellow and then builds up to a beautiful climax at the end. If you don't like this song, there is something wrong with you.

DISC 2:

WILSON: In the same league as chaldust torture, even though chalkdust is a much better song. This is a rock and roll song and is very fun in the fact that, like Stash, the crowd participates and you can hear the chants of "Wiiiiilson" in between the opening licks. Very energetic.

TWEEZER: Many people are divided on this song and while I like Tweezer, this one is not for me. It drags on too long and while it sounds different throughout and has a lot of improvisation and experimentation, it can get boring at times. There are so many better versions out there.

SIMPLE: This song is short, sweet, and simple. Nowadays it has a longer jam and the ending vocals is no longer am a capella ending. The guitar riff on this is very catchy and strong. The vocal harmonies are beautiful and this song is, in my opinion, still underrated today.

HARRY HOOD: Some people think this is the best version ever. Back then it probably was, but this is still a top-notch song. The lyrics dont make sense unless you know phish, but are still fun to saing along with, and the composed and jam segments are very beautiful. Definitely worth the price of the 2nd disc.

SQUIRMING COIL: This song is pretty straight forward and in a good way. It is a very beautiful song and catchy in a way. The ending piano solo is almost 5 minutes long and is absolutely the best 5 minutes of anything on this disc. Listen yourself and you will be amazed.

All in all, this disc is definitely worth buying. It was the first Phish disc I ever bought and while it may take a couple times of listening to, to get used to, it is without the best official from the regular-joe, Vermont jam-band. Buy it if you haven't heard it.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great live albums, December 22, 1999

By A Customer

Ladies and gentlemen, this album is nothing short of fantastic. Many people say that this album pales in comparison to bootlegs...and I, to an extent, agree. However, it is not a bootleg, it is a live album, and should therefore be compared to all the other live albums on the market. From that mindset, one quickly realizes how brilliant "A Live One" is.

Bouncing Around the Room- A lot of people hate this song. I, personally, think it kicks. Cool guitar line at the end, and some neat layered vocals.

Stash- Ah, the utter brilliance that is Phish is clearly illustrated in this song. A great song with a great jam. This one's all about tension and resolution.

Gumbo- A short, snappy number with a catchy chorus. Nice guitar solo at the end, and cool a cappella breakdown.

Montana- Fair. A brief psychedelic groove that provides a nice transition into

You Enjoy Myself- Brilliant. The playing is first-class, and it has a great Bobby McFerren-esk vocal jam.

Chalkdust Torture- A straight out rock tune with a kicking-yet-musically-intersting solo.

Slave to the Traffic Light- A nice cool-down after Chalkdust. A relaxed reggae tune with cool lyrics.

Wilson- An OK song, but a bit overrated. It has an interesting breakdown in the instrumental section. I personally prefer Chalkdust for a straight rocker.

Tweezer- Ah yes, the source of all the controversy. A great, joyous, and highly weird song with a great, joyous, and highly weird jam. A fun listen, but you have to be in the right mood.

Simple- Sheer joy in it's purest and most undilluted form. A great song, highly underrated.

Harry Hood- A neat song with a beautiful jam. You have to hear this one all the way to the end.

Squirming Coil- The actual song isn't so hot, IMO. However, Page's solo is beautiful.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this album is wonderful. Do yourself a favor and get it!

Peace, N.