Description
Phish – LP On LP 02: “Waves” 5/26/11 – Blue Aqua Splatter Vinyl Record
Phish – LP on LP 02: “Waves” 5/26/11 is a special archival release from the band’s LP on LP (Live Phish on Long Play) series, which showcases standout jams from their vast catalog of live performances—pressed onto high-quality vinyl for audiophile and collector appeal. Released in 2021, LP on LP 02 features a single, expansive rendition of the song “Waves”, recorded live on May 26, 2011, at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York.
This version of “Waves” has become the stuff of legend among Phish fans for its uncharacteristically deep, ambient, and exploratory improvisation. Originally released on the band’s 2002 studio album Round Room, “Waves” is a contemplative song with a flowing structure and lyrics that evoke the metaphysical, making it a perfect launchpad for psychedelic exploration in a live setting. But what sets this particular performance apart is how it morphs from the song’s composed section into an otherworldly, 28-minute journey—one that drifts far from its origin into fully improvisational, freeform sonic space.
The 5/26/11 “Waves” moves through several distinct improvisational movements. It begins with shimmering, delicate interplay—a warm, glowing atmosphere where each band member listens intently to one another, allowing space and patience to guide the jam. Rather than building toward a peak, the band descends inward, embracing minimalism, dissonance, and ambience. It’s the kind of jam where melody dissolves into texture, echoing influences like Brian Eno, Miles Davis’ electric period, or early ’70s Pink Floyd.
As the improvisation unfolds, Page McConnell’s keyboards add washes of color while Mike Gordon anchors the piece with subtle, elastic bass lines. Trey Anastasio often steps back during this section, favoring atmospheric loops, sustained tones, and gentle phrasing over overt lead guitar. Jon Fishman’s drumming is restrained but deeply expressive, guiding the movement with delicate touch and a jazz-informed sensibility.
By the 20-minute mark, the jam seems to exist in a liminal space—a dreamlike sonic environment that floats between tension and resolution. There’s no climax in the traditional Phish sense—no peak release, no explosive payoff. Instead, this version of “Waves” is a meditation on restraint, texture, and mood. It slowly fades into silence, never returning to the song’s theme, making it feel like a transmission from a different musical dimension.
Phish’s decision to spotlight this jam in their LP on LP series underscores the band’s awareness of how diverse their improvisational approach can be—not every masterpiece is a dance party or a shred-fest. Some are meditations, sonic paintings made of patience and trust.
From a vinyl perspective, LP on LP 02 was pressed on Blue Aqua splatter vinyl, making it a beautiful collector’s item. The format and presentation elevate the release, allowing fans to experience one of the band’s most contemplative jams with audiophile-level sound and artistic packaging.
This release is a must for those who love Phish’s ambient, boundary-dissolving side, and it serves as a reminder that some of the band’s most transcendent moments happen when they embrace space and silence as much as sound. It’s not about getting from point A to point B—it’s about floating indefinitely in the space between.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Waves 14:15
Waves (Cont’d)
