Released 8 years ago this November
The Baker's Dozen – Live at Madison Square Garden
Phish · 2018
204 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant tapestry of improvisational rock and funk, blending intricate melodies with the spontaneity of live performance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blaze On Start here — The extended jam in this track highlights Phish's signature improvisation style, seamlessly transitioning between themes while maintaining an infectious groove.
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Chalk Dust Torture — This rendition showcases the band's ability to infuse energy into a classic song, transforming it into an exhilarating journey through dynamic shifts and solos.
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Everything’s Right — The song's exploration of themes related to hope resonates deeply within the context of the concert, propelled by engaging instrumental exchanges that elevate its emotional weight.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album captures Phish's improvisational strengths but lacks the tight cohesion of studio work.
What we noticed
- Each performance includes unique transitions between songs, often blending into one another without pause, creating a continuous flow.
- The instrumentation varies significantly throughout the set, with moments of intricate guitar solos juxtaposed against rhythmic bass lines and layered keyboard textures.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic live performance energy
- improvisational jamming explorations
- patient, wave-like pacing
- extended tracks for deep listening
- engaging audience participation moments
Maybe skip if you
- dislike lengthy improvisational pieces
- prefer concise, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified Phish's reputation following a successful residency at MSG.
- Themes
- Madison Square Garden nights· improvisational journeys· funk-infused grooves
- Career context
- Released in 2018, The Baker's Dozen – Live at Madison Square Garden captures Phish during a celebrated era of their career, following their successful 13-night residency at the iconic venue. This album encapsulates their ability to blend extensive jam sessions with tight musicianship, showcasing a mature sound that has developed since their earlier work in the 1990s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Umphrey's McGee· Grateful Dead· Widespread Panic
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Blaze On Start here 23:36
- 2 Roggae 10:30
- 3 Simple 25:09
- 4 More 7:40
Disc 2
- 1 Twist 20:50
- 2 Waves 11:04
- 3 Everything’s Right 11:39
- 4 Chalk Dust Torture 24:05
- 5 Miss You 7:29
Disc 3
- 1 No Men in No Man’s Land 13:44
- 2 Scent and Subtle Sounds 16:30
- 3 Ghost 20:45
- 4 Most Events Aren’t Planned 11:13
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Europe '72
Grateful Dead
Both feature expansive improvisation, blending rock and funk in a live setting with a strong communal vibe.
Mantis
Umphrey's McGee
Shares a complex, genre-blurring sound with intricate jams and energetic live performance ethos.
Combustication
Medeski Martin & Wood
Combines jazz-funk grooves with improvisational flair, creating a similar vibe for live exploration.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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