Rating: 
Summary: Lots of Stats
Review: First of all, dont be fooled by the page number(i think it's got close to 1000 pages)because over half of the book consists of stats and setlists, which you can find on the internet. However, the stuff that wasnt statistics was new, including essays on phish, and plenty of show reviews that i hadnt read before. The book is updated through the most recent show, too, which is nice. Instead of all of the raw statistics that we can find elsewhere, i wish they would have included more essays and show reviews, or other stuff. I am predicting that the Pharmer's Almanac volume 6 will be more interesting reading material though, as volume 5 was. Other than that, the book is pretty nice. I'm just glad that someone finally came out with another book. I believe the last one was The Phish Book.
Rating: 
Summary: READ THE BOOK!
Review: For the casual newbie to the ultimate "I know all there is to know about Phish" phan, The 2nd Edition of The Phish Companion promises to enlighten you and answer any question you might have about stats, history, setlists and more. Photos, reviews and the bulk of the book were written and contributed by thousands of Phish fans. Their management and archivist corrected facts and gives their approval of this book. Most importantly, all proceeds from the sale of this book goes to The Mockingbird Foundation, a non-profit group comprised of Phish fans, which donates grants to Children's Music Education. Check out www.mbird.org Also check out livephish.com
Rating:
Summary: As if we weren't already hooked........
Review: I have not been able to put this book down since it arrived. I pre-ordered in August when I first heard about it and am so excited to finally have it. I have been phollowing the band for years and and am still learing all kinds of new stuff about the boys, especially about the early days. If you are a phan this book is a must-have. Great stats, complete setlists and show reviews, interesting facts and interviews. If we read......they will return.
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly comprehensive, outstanding stats
Review: I really loved this book. It gave me so much information, and all of it was easy to read and understand. The songs were updated, the stats were acruate, I could find anything I needed, espcially shows and setlists. Thanks for writing this fantastic book. Keep more coming!
Rating:
Summary: Superior product, Fabulous karma, and a great read!
Review: If you want 30-second reviews that rate acid tabs more than Phish shows, there's that other book with the farcical cover.This right here, The Phish Companion, is the real deal, yo! Incredibly rich with information and insight, and all their money goes to music education for kids. THIS is the book to get that son, neice, neighbor, or friend of yours who's a Phish fan. They get the best book, and you both get the knowledge that you've helped charity!!
Rating:
Summary: Most complete, and all for charity!
Review: Insanely impressive! This would be the perfect gift for any Phish fan! 1,488 people spent 4 years writing a 928 page book that will generate $5,000 grants to charities working for music education. None of the writers earn a dime; all the money is given away. It's twice the size of any other book about this band, has four times the information, and bests anything you'll find anywhere else, online or off. No garbage about other bands or the parking lots, just TONS of amazing information - everything you always wanted to know about Phish, and corrections to lots of stuff you thought you knew but didn't. Hey, they've even got new information on Phish's very first show!! Plus, this book was done on an ALL VOLUNTEER basis and ALL FOR CHARITY. Whereas the Pharmer's Almanac folks [used] their initial material from online resources, in order to put profit in their pockets without having to work for it, the Phish Companion folks have put in thousands of hours, without wanting any kind of payment, to produce the highest quality book, and giving all their proceeds to music education for children. There's really no choice: This book has more pages, more info, better info, better sources, lower price, more heart, and better karma. Encyclopedic? Absolutely - and a great bargain!
Rating:
Summary: Where's the artwork?
Review: It was hyped as being a collection of essays, photos and artwork from the fans. Instead it's chart after chart after chart..... It's good, informative and many thanks to those who put it together - truly a labor of love. However there isn't enough raw material from the fans - hardly any artwork, and I know a ton was contributed. There should also be a section devoted to fan pictures. That is what a coffee table book usually is, this is more like an encylopedia. Any of the fan websites that has pictures are much better. I have high hopes for the sequel, let's let the fans show what they can do next time. A highlight - the history of Carini.
Rating:
Summary: underwhelmed
Review: It's not a terrible book, but I'd have to say I'm really disappointed with the much-hyped Phish Companion. The basic problem is that it's just plain boring. To me, Phish is the most exciting topic in the world, but the Phish Companion takes a completely dry approach that made me feel like I was doing my homework while reading it, or trying to read it, last night. The truth is I was really excited to get the book, and set aside an evening to go through it, but kept on finding myself putting it down. The reviews were absolutely tedious. And rather than having lots of short reviews for a large number of shows, it was mostly novels written about the best-known shows. What's the point of that? We've all heard those tapes a million times. Another problem I had with the Phish Companion was the organization. Setlists, reviews, show ratings and tape notes were all separated into different chapters. So if you look at a setlist, you have to hunt in a different section of the book to find a review or get other information about the show. I guess that's how Deadbase is organized, but I would expect something a little more creative from the Phish community. One thing I did enjoy was a breakdown of jam songs and the timings of particular versions. And the interviews with some Phish notables like Tom Marshall and Dave Abrahams was a treat. I was also very impressed that it's up to date through the last show on October 7. Even the song tables went through Fall tour. But other than that, Phish Companion did not have very much that has not appeared in previous volumes of The Pharmer's Almanac. The motherload of lost setlists they promised is a sham. There are hardly any that haven't appeared elsewhere. There wasn't even a band history, aside from a timeline. I like the fact that some of the proceeds are going to charity, but I have to say I probably won't find myself reading The Phish Companion very often.
Rating:
Summary: You WILL Learn Something about Phish
Review: OK, I've listened to Phish since '92, seen almost 50 shows since '95, been a part of the on-line Phish community for six years, and amassed a collection of almost 200 live Phish shows. Thought I knew as much as you could know about Phish, I read the "Manual", and the "Almanac" from cover to cover. Then I got the "Companion", and learned even more. I think this book is THE most through book on Phish avaiable. Setlists from '83, indexes of each song, and details about the shows. There is some information about the members, and some events around the band, but for the most part it is clearly about the music. There aren't show reviews detailing the level of intoxication of the reviewer, or the diaster the occured going to the show. (Although those can be entertaining) The reviews are for the most part impartial, honest and most importantly about the music. There is also a decent section on side projects and guest appearances, again That is the focus of the entire volume. For anyone that collects their live music, this is a must. The obscure details, including song teases and stage banter, are a great reference, if you looking for that "one" show. The complilation of song reviews are great for seeking out the particular earth shattering jam on Tweezer, YEM or whatever. If you are a geek like me, all the stats and documentation relating to the songs, available bootlegs, and venues is great as well. In all, to fullly appreciate the book you really should have a decent amount of experience with the band and their music. But loving the music is the most important aspect of the entire endeavor.
Rating:
Summary: The only Phish book you'll need
Review: Part of what makes this book special is that it is completely and totally relevant to any Phan, regardless of how long she or he has been a citizen of gamehenge. Did you hear "Heavy Things" on the radio and just couldn't get it out of your head? Were you in Stowe, VT in summer '92 wondering when the last time the boys and Sr. Santana occupied the same stage together. It's all right in here, and too much more to mention. Whatever your involvement or interest level, you will find yourself flipping pages well into the morning. Some might call this the ultimate bathroom Phish book. Those would be making the correct call. This book contains THE most comprehensive set list archives, show reviews by intelligent thoughtful Phans, a statistics section that will dizzy the most mathematically inclined among us, and some good ol' fashioned Phishy Phun. This should be the first new book on any Phish phans list this new year.
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