Phishheads Swarm at Anastasio Show

February 22, 2001 -- BOSTON — Judging by the kids thickly amassed in the below-freezing temperatures outside the Orpheum Theatre Wednesday night, if Phish, or frontman Trey Anastasio, had been playing on the Titanic, there'd have been some happy smiley faces sinking into the Atlantic ocean.

With a wicked windchill factor ignored, the Phishheads gathered outside as if it were summer in the parking lot; the lucky ticket holders among them glad that the temporary hiatus of Phish, announced in October (reportedly so members could spend more time with their families), did not nix the opportunity to twirl their natty dreads.

Though the Boston show was the first of Anastasio's 10-stop tour of the East Coast, he also performed as a soloist with the Vermont Youth Orchestra in Burlington, Ver., earlier this month.

Inside the Orpheum, Anastasio and his 1999 solo tour alumni, bassist Tony Markellis and drummer Russ Lawton, took to the stage with a three-piece horn section, launching the set with the sunny sounds of a Calypso-inflected new song, "Mozambique."

Another new song — "Burlap Sack and Pumps" — also was played, but with most songs elongated past the 10-minute mark, it was hard to fit that many pieces into the two 90-minute sets.

Working without a set list, the skilled group of musicians followed their leader. Markellis stoically plucked at his electric bass, and later a stand-up bass, eyeing Anastasio like a hawk. The smooth grooving Lawton, with equal tenacity and attention, made keeping up look easy.

Technically, this first night saw some wonderful playing from all concerned: Anastasio's warm, enthusiastic guitar work was possibly outdone by saxophonist Dave "The Truth" Grippo's inspired blowing — but nothing revelatory came of the painfully protracted jams. However, whatever Anastasio and his crew — but particularly Anastasio — did was greeted with rapturous gyrations and applause.

Among the many heavily R&B- and funk-flavored new songs, Anastasio added some covers and a few Phish numbers, including the evening's best moment, when Anastasio, seated and alone, performed the mid-'90s era "Get Back on the Train" acoustically.

Anastasio reprised a country-styled instrumental that his collaboration with Primus' Les Claypool, Oysterhead, debuted in New Orleans last year, adding that Claypool had since named it "Happiness in My Pants."

He also reminded the audience of last night's Grammy broadcast: "Do you know what you're missing on TV tonight?" he asked, only to be met by a rancorous booing.

"No, not that," he countered, referring to the Eminem and Elton John show. "Phish is nominated for a Grammy," he announced. "Who knows, we might win." (They didn't.)

Perhaps feeling the need for a little direction, Anastasio conducted the band more in the second set, signing like a football coach whom he wanted to lead and whom he wanted to drop out of the picture. The result was great soloing on top of a solid groove — but still no real peak or point. Not that any Phishhead noticed. They were up to swallow any hook and dance with it.