Phish - Anatomy of a Jam - 8.17.1997 Bathtub Gin - The Great Went

In this video we'll put Phish's famous Went Gin under the microscope in order to see how the band collaboratively shapes a legendary jam from beginning to end. Chapter timestamps & a link to the transcript are below. English closed captioning is available within YouTube.

Chapters
************************
0:00 - Introduction
0:56 - The history of "Bathtub Gin"
1:34 - Connections between Trey Anastasio and George Gershwin
6:22 - What is a Type 1 Jam?
9:38 - What is a Type 2 Jam?
13:37 - Exploring Trey's Improvisational use of Theme & Variation
15:52 - How Each Member Aids Harmonic Development
17:37 - Analyzing the peak of the jam
19:05 - Exiting the jam
20:15 - Final thoughts

No copyright infringement is intended, I only use video/audio portions of Phish's official content and other publicly available content to educate and inform fellow fans and musicians.

Proshot & handheld footage of Phish was uploaded by Youtube user LazyLightning55a.

Proshot footage of the orchestra performing Gershwin was uploaded by Akademia Filmu I Telewizji. Performance credits are as follows:
Maja Babyszka - piano
Henryk Wierzchoń - conductor.
Recorded at Pomeranian Philharmonic Concert Hall in Bydgoszcz, June 21, 2015.

[amarguitar]

What jam would you suggest for a future episode of Anatomy of a Jam?

[PhantasyKingpin]

I have always felt like "jam" was a language I could hear and understand but not speak or write. This is like the Rosetta Stone of improvised music and I think it may be the key to world peace.

[albumreviewwithgregpotters]

I’ve been a musician for 34 years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as interesting as this. I am certainly a fan of Phish and I was there that evening when they played this. It is a memory I will cherish forever. The fact that this jam, this specific jam has lived on this long is beyond exciting. Great job Amar. This is superb.

[jackstraaw]

This is like 30 for 30, but for Phans. Freaking awesome! Thank you so much!

[noturnleftunstoned]

I have the head of the burnt effigy from WENT in my living room lol. I FULLY remember this Gin and it left us all truly in tears of joy. The whole fest was bonkers.

[MrYatesj]

I am speechless, not by the boys amazing musicianship but by your analysis and beautifully pieced together video mini documentary.

[PettiMusicStudios]

dude - unbelievable analysis - and incredible video editing. well done.

[mawilbur]

Went was my first Phish show and over 25 years and 100+ shows later, this Gin is still my absolute favorite. Others come close, but this one always stuck because of the fumbling recovery by Trey and Fishman. It is just a beautiful jam. Thanks for breaking this down the way that you did! Great video!

[ello_ello_]

i think you deserve some kind of award for your productions . cheers

[ThomasAlanRugg]

Most bands spend years creating songs to be proud of...Phish has created several dozen, practically on the spot. That is the answer to why people travel several hundred to thousands of miles to see them.

[smbedzyk]

I listen to the went Gin on repeat (4:44 - 14:44) daily, sometimes for hours on end. I didn't know I could appreciate it anymore than I already did. This analysis is a fantastic portrayal of Phish as a whole through one little pinhole of a jam. The musical history lesson, tying in Rhapsody... I had no idea! 10/10. Thank You for making this.

[therealtimshields]

This is unreal. Well done. Love the Gershwin crossover/history lesson.

[patrickmcnally]

Dude I just had an insane emotional response to this video, and the breakdown within. Literally almost crying at my desk at work. Beautifully analyzed and expertly put into words, what I feel during those moments. Bravo

[NotRightMusic]

Wow man - that was really something else! This video alone just might have the ability to turn some people onto Phish. Or at least help many understand what's going on. I love this "Anatomy of a Jam" idea. Top editing as well. Drew me in from beginning to end and taught me a lot. Now I think I'm gonna go listen to some Great Went!

[soyounoat]

In my opinion, the most perfect note ever played by Trey is heard in this video @ 18:31 (happens over that one second). It's the twisting howl that ends that long whirling climax. 25 years later this Gin still gives me ecstatic chills. Excellent choice Mr. amarguitar.

[Piperredworm]

You are my new favorite you tuber. Your educated musical perspective adds to depth of understanding the “IT” of Phish. Blessed to be present for this event, thanks to some amazing friends, your insights help me understand what happened. I bet you are a monster musician. Your production level is off the charts, I can’t wait share you amarguitar.

[pyte]

To this day my favorite weekend of seeing the boys live. This Gin is my all time favorite jam. Electric.

[vyomdeepansh]

I'm gonna be honest, I had no idea what was this video about and I was not really into Phish. After watching the video, I'm really tempted to learn their technique, style and I feel a little more intelligent. Thanks for these great videos, man.

[danielnamm]

Hey, never commented on a YouTube video before but had to on this one...I've watched that Went Gin video 100+ times over the years. As a musician and avid student of Phish shows, it was truly remarkable to see you break it down this way. Must have taken a lot of time and effort. Excited to follow your channel more closely, and keep up the great work - lots of people enjoy it.

[jacobgyo]

7:55 this is why Jam Bands are just the best and especially Phish. They listen off each other and they now have diffrent codes and movements to show when to move on or stay or when to change tone. Its insane!