Customer Reviews

The Phish Book

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The Phish Book is different. If you are looking for a definitive, band-endorsed biography of Phish, this book is not for you. But if you're a fan, give it a chance anyway.

A funny thing happened to me while reading The Phish Book. First, I got angry. As a huge fan who was borderline obsessed with Phish for over a decade beginning in 1992, I thought and hoped that because this was the one and only "official," band-endorsed book that it would be a chronological biography with the complete history of phish. I hoped it would have insight from the band, great stories, etc., etc. When I discovered that it was more of an interplay between the author's sometimes overly wordy thoughts, seemingly scattered band musings about complex musical terms mixed with glimpses into interesting tales, I hated it. Then I pressed on and kept reading. I still hated it.

Then I thought about what the book was saying, how it was saying it, why it was saying it that way, who the band was, and how they thought (based on years of reading articles and seeing dozens of shows) and I got it. The book is an attempt at replicating the same kind of unconventional, improv-but-also-composed vibe that the band strove for forever. In looking at it in this way, you appreciate it for what it is; a clever attempt that comes pretty close, which is a huge compliment. In that sense, you'll probably like it if you give it a chance.

I did not love the book, however. I think that part of the beauty of phish is that their music is always genuine and truly in the moment. Though writing a book in the same fashion is next to impossible, and though this was a good attempt, the book feels a bit contrived. I found myself rooting for the kind of 'ah' moment that comes from a great tension and release type jam, but it never came. Instead, it was more of a passing and somewhat pleasing appreciation.

In the end, if you are a fan of phish as a result of being open-minded musically, you may discover that you can be open-minded as a reader too. And if you can do that, you'll most likely appreciate the book, even if it is not perfect.

Whether you first saw Phish in the cafeteria at Goddard College or the Lemonwheel, the Phish Book needs to be in your library. Gehr maintains an objectivity that is difficult when one realizes how much time he spent with Trey, Mike, Page & Jon. A great companion to the Almanac.

MOST EXCELLENT! Contrary to what another review says, this book does NOT contain setlists from their shows. Rather it is a glorious picture painted via interviews conducted by Richard Gehr with PHiSH as he toured with them for over a year.

What everyone else said: Awesome pictures. Hilarious stories. The stories about the '96 trip to Vegas are worth the price of admission. If only the Harpua had ended as Trey had envisioned...

This book is phenomenal! I got it for Christmas, spent that and the entire following day or two reading it, i couldn't put it down! It gets personal with all the members, they share genuine stories and memories. A great book for many a phan!

The first thing you want to do when you get your hands on this book is flip through every single page and absorb all the amazing photographs. For those of us obsessed with the music of this remarkable band, the pictures of the early days and even those of more recent times are priceless. Combine all that with the free-form roundtable discussions of Trey, Mike, Page, and Jon and you've got a wonderful piece. This is not your typical rock-n-roll book -- no wild tales of scandal or debauchery on the road. Instead we gain real insight into the workings of one of the greatest live acts ever, from a band that's been around for nearly 15 years now. Co-author Gehr is to be commended. His insights are smart, his feelings genuine -- and he admirably keeps them to an absolute minimum, instead deferring to the band's own words for the majority of the book. An absolute must read for any fan of Phish. And if you are not a fan ... what are you waiting for?

THIS BOOK ROCKS!! Not only does this book bring the reader great rock and roll stories (not to mention amazing photography that chronicles the bands' evolution), but it also revealed Phish's deep love and understanding of music. I have never really understood what it's like to create music -- writing, recording, playing, backstage, performing, on the road -- until now. What Trey, Mike, Page, Jon and Tom have to say about writing and recording is profound.

I think this this is a must read for ALL music lovers.

just finished reading The Phish book!! Coudn't put it down. Gives a better understanding of the group, who I believe is the best touring band there is. Great pictures of the band. I would recommend this book to any Phish Phan..

I gave this book a shot because I'm a fan, and because I bought it for a buck at a library in Jericho, Vermont. There's pictures on every page, and a lot of good ones. However 80% of the book is the four guys just talking about tours, albums, how songs come together, the origin of lyrics, etc. Pretty much cover to cover of them chatting about everything Phish. There's some words from the author and Tom Marshall also.

So it's not a detailed story of the band really, though they do talk about anything that happened between 1983 and 1998. It's almost like sitting backstage with them, looking at photos and swapping stories. Well worth a buck. Can't wait to see them in 42 hours.

I wasn't impressed. In fact, I was disappointed.

I LOVED the photos, but that was about all I loved. The content was alright, but not something I couldn't get elsewhere or didn't already know. And there was absolutely no organization. It lacked oomph, in a word.

This is by far, the most well written, informative book that exsists to date about the greatest band touring today. A must have for any Phan. The hundreds of pictures alone are worth the $$!!