The Phish Companion: A Guide to the Band and Their Music, Second Edition (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Phish is one of the most important and consistently successful touring rock bands of its generationÂ…" -- The New York Times

"The biggest cult band in America!" -- Entertainment Weekly

...represents the Phish community at its generous and band-devoted best. -- Hear/Say, 12/00

...the most amazing compendium of facts about a single musical group published to date. -- San Francisco Chronicle, 9/26/00

Exhaustive and authoritative... few books are as encyclopedic. --Hartford Courant, 12/17/00

Product Description

This is the most comprehensive, accurate, and thought-provoking reference ever published on Phish - the quirky rock group that rose from the college scene to become the single most popular touring band in the U.S. today. Encyclopedic in breadth and canonical in depth, The Phish Companion incorporates the work of countless volunteers and has been fact-checked by a team of dozens of veteran fans. Phish enthusiasts will enjoy poring over the detailed set lists, show reviews, song histories, complete discographies, unparalleled scene dictionary, photos, and entertaining Phish facts in this one-stop-shop information and trivia extravaganza. The expanded second edition includes thousands of new entries, including substantial input from band members, official archivist Kevin Shapiro, and other major players at the heart of the Phish revolution.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 898 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books; 2 edition (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879307994
• ISBN-13: 978-0879307998
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,871 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You WILL Learn Something about Phish, December 21, 2000

By	Jeff Buchholz (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Phish Companion: A Guide to the Band and their Music (Paperback)

OK, I've listened to Phish since '92, seen almost 50 shows since '95, been a part of the on-line Phish community for six years, and amassed a collection of almost 200 live Phish shows. Thought I knew as much as you could know about Phish, I read the "Manual", and the "Almanac" from cover to cover. Then I got the "Companion", and learned even more.

I think this book is THE most through book on Phish avaiable. Setlists from '83, indexes of each song, and details about the shows. There is some information about the members, and some events around the band, but for the most part it is clearly about the music. There aren't show reviews detailing the level of intoxication of the reviewer, or the diaster the occured going to the show. (Although those can be entertaining) The reviews are for the most part impartial, honest and most importantly about the music. There is also a decent section on side projects and guest appearances, again That is the focus of the entire volume.

For anyone that collects their live music, this is a must. The obscure details, including song teases and stage banter, are a great reference, if you looking for that "one" show. The complilation of song reviews are great for seeking out the particular earth shattering jam on Tweezer, YEM or whatever. If you are a geek like me, all the stats and documentation relating to the songs, available bootlegs, and venues is great as well.

In all, to fullly appreciate the book you really should have a decent amount of experience with the band and their music. But loving the music is the most important aspect of the entire endeavor.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exhaustive and exausting!, December 7, 2000

By	Christian McKee (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Phish Companion: A Guide to the Band and their Music (Paperback)

The Phish Companion takes on a task that has never been taken on before: a truly comprehensive to the musical side of the Phish experience. If you enjoyed Dean Budnick's book, you will floored by this one. Perhaps the most important aspect of this is the fact that over 1,400 fans contributed work to the title in the form of essays, photos, song histories, setlists, reviews and statistics. Interested in which version of David Bowie is the longest ever? Check the Bowie table. Looking for killer versions of Antelope? A look over the table will give you an idea which is right for you. Consider that for the first time, all the setlists in the book have been checked and re-verified for accuracy by a group of dedicated individuals. Dig the newly un-earthed information about the "first" show for the ROTC kids, when did "Blackwood Convention" really kick off their career? There's a TON of material in this book. Much of it you may already know, but I'd lay good money that there are a few things in the book that even the biggest Phish trivia junkie wouldn't have learned otherwise. Did I mention that all the proceeds go to charity?

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Bphook !, December 6, 2000

By	"heidiwho" (Woodbridge, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Phish Companion: A Guide to the Band and their Music (Paperback)

This is the definitive book about phish! The folks who contributed so much money, time, blood, and ultimately their souls into this project, can be proud of its results. It's about time we had such a comprehensive book about Phish: to think that these folks did it all for the love of the music! And with all the money going to charity, what better gift to buy for all your phriends and phamily? I recommend this book for all!!