On June 18, Phish will release “Ventura”, an all new 6-CD box set featuring two complete shows, recorded July 30, 1997 and July 20, 1998 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura, California, a general admission dirt racetrack between the Pacific Coast Highway and Surfers Point Park, with palm trees and mountains behind the stage and a view of the Pacific Ocean from the bleachers. Bits of the each show’s Soundchecks are included at the end of both shows.
The new box set was fully remixed from the band’s multitrack masters and mastered for release. July 30, 1997 was Phish’s first Ventura stop since Trey learned to surf nearby in 1993. The show featured a number of must-hear performances including a bass-driven, syncopated “Wolfman’s Brother” > “Chalk Dust Torture”, a deep and spacey “Stash” and “Character Zero” in Set I. A “Free” > “David Bowie” > “Cities” > “David Bowie” combination dominated the show’s second half with some of the summer’s biggest jams.
On July 20, 1998 Phish again encountered Ventura’s breezy oceanside. Ventura ’98 was characterized by some new songs and some bustouts. The first set included a “Bathtub Gin” opener, a new arrangement of “Water In The Sky”, the swinging funk of “The Moma Dance” and a “Split Open And Melt” Set I closer. Set II exploded with a bass-and-drums-fueled “Drowned” > “Makisupa Policeman” pairing that utilized Page’s synth stylings to seamlessly blend rock and reggae. “Maze” led to a perfectly placed “Sea And Sand”.
Everyone who pre-orders “Ventura” from Phish Dry Goods will receive “Buenaventura”, a bonus CD featuring ten tracks from Phish’s March 21, 1993 Ventura Theatre show, while supplies last. A Limited Edition Ventura poster, featuring the original cover art is available along with t-shirt bundles and other Summer goods at Phish Dry Goods. Dry Goods is also offering Shipping Specials: $4.99 CD Pre-Order, $6.99 Bundle Pre-Order and Free Shipping over $100. To pre-order click here
“Ventura” Box Set Tracklisting
Disc 1
1. NICU
2. Wolfman’s Brother
3. Chalk Dust Torture
4. Water In The Sky
5. Stash
6. Weigh
7. Piper
8. Cars Trucks Buses
9. Character Zero
Disc 2
1. Punch You In The Eye
2. Free
3. David Bowie
4. Cities
5. David Bowie
Disc 3
1. Bouncing Around The Room
2. Uncle Pen
3. Prince Caspian
4. Fire
5. My Soul
6. Ventura ’97 Soundcheck Jam
Disc 4
1. Bathtub Gin
2. Dirt
3. Poor Heart
4. Lawn Boy
5. My Sweet One
6. Birds Of A Feather
7. Theme From The Bottom
8. Water In The Sky
9. The Moma Dance
10. Split Open And Melt
Disc 5
1. Drowned
2. Makisupa Policeman
3. Maze
4. Sea And Sand
5. Prince Caspian
6. Harry Hood
Disc 6
1. Sexual Healing
2. Hold Your Head Up
3. Halley’s Comet
4. Ventura ’98 Soundcheck Jam