I want to burn a CD for a friend in order for her to get into Phish, problem is I can't decide on the tracks.

Question

What do you think would be a good tracklist of easier songs for someone non-familiar with Phish's style to get into? I want to avoid the more obscure songs and focus on friendlier tracks for the unitiated. Help would most certainly be welcome, since I'm such a fan of their stuff that I'm kinda stuck here, because I can no longer tell between the hard and easy songs to get into because so many of them are so familiar to me.

Answer 1

Great Question!!! It really depends on the person and their openmindness, but here is what i would suggest for a Phish newcomer to ease them into the really incredible stuff:

Sample in a Jar
Sparkle
Fee
Golgi Apparatus
Julius
Wolfman's Brother
Rift
Mound
Bouncing Around the Room
Dirt
Free
Waste
Limb by Limb
Velvet Sea
Down with Disease

I think this should fill up a CD. These are by no means my favorite Phish songs, I just think these are some of the ones that can get them in. If you look These are more of the shorter, not so "jammy" songs. i think that the real long Jamming might turn someone away early who isn't familiar or excepting of that. Good luck, maybe we'll see 'em @ a show when Phish re-unites!!! You know I'll be there!!!!!

Answer 2

I would definately suggest the entire "Hoist" album. Definately contains their most accessible tracks (i.e. Sample in a Jar). If you wanted a few different tracks, then I would start with newer albums first then work backwards through the catalog. The live stuff might be a little tough to get into on the first listen, especially with all the improvisation.

Answer 3

What kind of stuff does she like already?
If she likes jazz and/or hip hop, I'd suggest Sand, Moma Dance, Ghost... you know, 90's-era phunk.
If she likes rock and roll, I suggest Wolfman's Brother, Sneakin' Sally, Free, and covers like Sample or Rock and Roll Pt 2.
If she likes alternative-type stuff, give her PYITE, Dirt, Characer Zero, Horn, and AC/DC bag.
If she likes country and/or bluegrass, give her Poor Heart, Weekapaugh Groove, and Rockytop...

Answer 4

Burn her one disk of one of the NYE shows.