Helping Friendly Podcast: Mt. Rushmore – Ghost (Phish)

Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Osiris Media (RJ, Megan, Brian)

Episode Overview

In this special "Mt. Rushmore" installment, the Helping Friendly Podcast delves into the history and improvisational legacy of Phish’s “Ghost”, aiming to pick the four most essential live versions of the song—a “Mount Rushmore” of Ghosts. The discussion is a passionate, detailed, and at times contentious exploration of Phish fan culture, deep listening, and jam evolution, ultimately reflecting the song’s centrality to the band’s identity as an improvisational force.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Identifying the Definitive “Ghosts”: Selecting the four live versions of “Ghost” (the “Mount Rushmore”) that best capture the song’s impact, evolution, and musical magic.
• Discussing the Song’s Evolution: How "Ghost" has acted as a mirror to Phish's shifting improvisational styles from 1997 to present.
• Fan Perspectives & Community: Incorporating listener voicemails, fan votes, and commentary to reflect the collective Phish experience and debate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction: Context & Stakes ([00:47]–[03:08])

• Hosts Debate the Hardest Rushmore Yet:
  “We’re going to be talking about Ghosts today. We have a lot to talk about. It’s going to be a hard one and...I’m going to get some blowback because it’s my pick.” (RJ – 01:18)
• Draft Results and Engagement:
  Megan celebrates another draft win, joking about the correlation between social media use and victory.

2. Voicemail Fan Input ([03:39]–[09:30])

• Listener Appreciation for "Lemon Wheel Ghost"
  “A masterclass in patience...Ghost is like one of those songs where we could see the evolution of this band in real time.” (Adam – 03:39)
• Shoutouts for Other Versions
  Lakewood, Radio City (LP on LP4), and the importance of listening to “Ghost” on vinyl.
• A Bit About Studio Albums:
  “Brian is right. Round Room might just be the best studio album...eye opening on vinyl.” (Atul Bulkar – 05:26)
• Jam Chart Write-Up Complaints:
  “Brian, you’re part of the team now, I think you need to get on that!” (Adam – 08:19)

3. Ghost 101: Song Evolution & Stats ([09:33]–[13:56])

• Origins & Debut:
  • Written by Trey and Tom Marshall.
  • Debuted June 13, 1997, in Ireland (“Summer of Funk”).
  • Studio version on Story of the Ghost (1998).
• Musical Evolution:
  “I don’t think there’s a song that has defined an era so exactly and then also evolved so dramatically.” (Megan – 09:42)
  • 1997: Cow funk & disco.
  • 1998: Lush ambiance.
  • 1999: Darkness.
  • 2000: Spacy, millennial sound.
  • 3.0/4.0: Layered jams, industrial elements.
• Statistics:
  Played 231 times, 68 Jam Chart entries (30% jam rate), more Live Bait inclusions than any other song.

4. Is “Ghost” About Drugs or the Supernatural? ([12:05]–[13:56])

• Lyric Interpretation:
  “I don’t care what anyone says; the song is definitely about drugs. And that’s part of what makes it great.” (RJ – 12:05)
• Open to Multiple Interpretations:
  “Is the song about drugs? Is it about the supernatural? I don’t think we’ll ever know.” (Brian – 12:22)
  • Fun note about Brian’s daughter changing the lyrics.

The Rushmore Draft: Selecting the Top Four Ghosts

1. First Pick: 11/17/97 (Denver) ([15:14]–[19:12])

• Hosts agree it’s a landmark jam.
  • “To me, this is the best of Phish. It’s the best of this song...Not a wasted note in this jam.” (RJ – 15:14)
  • “This is the OK Computer of Phish jams.” (Brian – 18:31)
  • Notable for: sophisticated space funk, seamless transitions, setting a template for future “Ghosts.”
• Iconic ending:
  “We’ll have lots more music for your dancing pleasure. That is some suave shit.” (Megan – 17:46)
• Could you do a Rushmore with only 1997 versions?
  “1997 is Ghost.” (Brian – 20:06)

2. Second Pick: 5/22/00 (Radio City Music Hall) aka "LP On LP 4" ([24:37]–[31:24])

• “This jam is so tight and infectious...so dramatic and sophisticated with Page on the piano...feels like hive mind at work.” (Megan – 25:17)
• Danceability & Groove:
  Essential as a Mike-forward, groove-centric dance version.
• Brian’s Take:
  “This has to be a Rushmore version. It accomplishes a lot...shows the band is committed to a larger goal.” (Brian – 26:53)
• Even if it’s not a personal favorite for all hosts, it symbolizes the band’s democratic, groove-centric jamming approach.

3. Third Pick: 11/28/09 (Albany) ([33:59]–[40:11])

• Contextual Choice – A "Phish Is Back" Moment:
  “When this happened—a 24-minute Seven Below and then a 24-minute Ghost—it was like, ‘They’re back!’...play[ing] amazing jams that break new ground.” (RJ – 35:59)
• Multi-sectional, adventurous jam:
  Lyrically and structurally represents the longevity and rebirth of Phish in 3.0.
• Controversy:
  “Attendance bias!” – Fans in the chat note. The hosts acknowledge, and RJ welcomes listeners to revisit and debate this pick.

4. Fourth Pick: 8/3/18 (Alpharetta) ([45:27]–[48:46])

• Represents Modern Era (4.0) Ghosts:
  “Patient melodic build...10-minute Pink Floyd-like section and then a glorious peak. It represents the modern era in a way the other versions don’t.” (RJ – 45:27)
• Layered, sophisticated jamming with sonic variety:
  Strong case for how Ghost has evolved since its inception.
• Megan:
  “Gets so much done in those 20 minutes…hard to tell who’s doing what because it’s so layered.” (Megan – 46:30)

Alternative Picks, Debates & Notable Honorable Mentions

• “Ghosts” That Almost Made It (Honorable Mentions):
  • 8/3/03 (IT Festival): “Never a better peak.”
  • 7/6/98 Prague: “Trey’s best-ever guitar solo.”
  • Lakewood 97: “Peak power Phish–the funk edition.” (Megan – 52:30)
  • 7/23/97, 12/11/99 Spectrum, and many more, including 4.0 jams (e.g., Nashville, Deer Creek 2024).
  • “We could make a top 10. Or more, easily.” (Megan – 66:03)
• Jam Chart/Statistical Dilemmas:
  38 versions curated for the exercise, with at least a dozen being strong contenders.
• Danceable Ghost Debate:
  7/20/99 and 11/28/97 identified as top dance-party candidates.
• Fans Weigh In:
  Many in the chat advocate strongly for Summer ‘97 versions; others for IT ‘03 or "Holy Ghost" Miami ‘09.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “1997 is Ghost.” (Brian – 20:06)
• “Not a single wasted note in this jam. There’s only two, maybe three jams by Phish that still make me cry…this is one of them.” (RJ, [15:14], on 11/17/97)
• “This is the OK Computer of Phish jams.” (Brian, [18:31], on 11/17/97)
• “I think the voting is a direct correlation with the amount of time you are on social media.” (Megan, [02:09])
• “This jam is so tight and infectious...the groove is so beautiful.” (Megan, [25:17], on 5/22/00)
• “When it sounds like Trey is surfing on top of the music...that’s what it sounds like. So in the moment.” (Megan – 52:30)
• “Attendance bias!” – Multiple chat users, re: 11/28/09

Fan Vote Results ([69:01]–[70:04])

Fan “Rushmore” for Ghost (record participation!):

1. 7/23/97 (Atlanta/Lakewood)
2. 11/17/97 (Denver)
3. 5/22/00 (Radio City/LP On LP4)
4. 8/3/03 (IT Festival; just beats 7/6/98 Prague)

Notably, only 2% of voters picked Albany 11/28/09.

Conclusion ([68:36]–[71:53])

• The Ultimate Challenge:
  The hosts, joined by input from fans, acknowledge Ghost as perhaps the hardest “Rushmore” pick yet due to its endless impressive versions.
• Personal Reflections:
  “This is Ghost, probably one of my top five favorite Phish songs…so hard, but my favorite Rushmore we’ve done.” (Megan – 68:45)
• Next Week:
  Rushmore for “Waves,” with 2.0 jam exploration ahead.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:39] – Listener Voicemails: Lemon Wheel, Lakewood, Radio City ‘00
• [09:33] – Ghost Primer: Stats, evolution, influence
• [15:14] – First Rushmore Pick: 11/17/97 Denver
• [24:37] – Second Pick: 5/22/00 Radio City
• [33:39] – Third Pick: 11/28/09 Albany
• [45:27] – Fourth Pick: 8/3/18 Alpharetta
• [51:53] – Alternative Picks & Honorable Mentions Discussion
• [69:01] – Fan Vote Results
• [70:18] – Teaser for next “Rushmore” episode (Waves)

Additional Resources

• Vote for the next Rushmore: osirispod.com/rushmore
• Call in for the next show: 484-416-0488

Summary by Helping Friendly Podcast. For the full experience and more Phish conversation, listen at Osiris Media or your favorite podcast platform.