Phish interpreted this typically bizarre Ween song, retaining much of the feel of the original while adapting it seamlessly to their own constantly evolving sound. While some fans may have thought this to be an unusual cover choice, “Roses” simply represents yet another hue in a stylistic palette as rich and colorful as the spectrum of light itself. 

Ween, "Roses Are Free" – 4/20/00, Rutgers, NJ

After its premiere on the fall 1997 tour, Phish wasted no time employing “Roses” as a vital improvisational vehicle. Most notable is the 27-minute version on 4/3/98, which featured a phenomenal jam of multiple, subtle layers that remains a quintessential statement of Phish jamming. Combine that with outstanding versions on 12/31/97 (in the middle of rocking “Mike’s Groove”) and 7/13/99 (leading into the first "NO2" in five years), and your collection is nearly complete. Be sure to pick up the 12/11/97 debut that segued out of a kick-ass “Drowned” jam, which is featured in Bittersweet Motel, including snippets of the song's pre-show backstage run-through. No collection of “Roses” would be complete without the "good..... MORning!" 35-minute pre-dawn monster from The Show on 12/31/99. 

"Roses" would make only four appearances on the Phish stage over the subsequent decade (see especially 10/1/00 and 6/25/04) but then return to semi-regular rotation in 2010, including appearances among the pristine mountains of Telluride on 8/10/10 and during the opening set of the Halloween festivities on 10/31/10 in Atlantic City. While still appreciated and a fan-favorite cover tune, with these more recent offerings the band is seemingly content with concise renditions compared to the distinctive and exploratory versions from the '90s. 

Phish, "Roses Are Free" – 4/3/98, Uniondale, NY (Part 1)

Phish, "Roses Are Free" – 4/3/98, Uniondale, NY (Part 2)

In an amusing side note, at Ween’s 8/4/99 Seattle concert, Gene Ween introduced their own “Roses” by noting Phish’s cover of the tune, and that they started playing it again recently in order to “reclaim it.” To visit Ween’s own live offering of the song, check out the Live At Bonnaroo 2002 DVD.

Phish, "Roses Are Free" – 8/2/09, Morrison, CO

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