Whatever You Do, Take Care Of Your Shoes

The biggest thing lacking from Trey’s solo catalog is a live album that truly captures the essence of one of his solo shows.  Plasma was a solid effort, mixing live tunes (many of which have not been played in years) with rehearsal takes (listen to “Magilla), and Original Boardwalk Style represented a period many of us long to forget.  The Lucious Beebee EP that accompanied The Horseshoe Curve captured some great instrumental moments, but still something was lacking.  TAB At The TAB fills many of the voids, making it the best live release Big Red has put out.

The single disk captures highlights from a remarkable night at the famed Tabernacle, from Trey’s winter tour earlier this year.  Trey fans will get doses of everything here, ranging from pure guitar shredding (“Money, Love And Change,” “Alaska,” and “Sand”) to experimental, spacey grooves (listen to the rarely played “Windora Bug).  The horns really shine on this recording, delivering that extra texture over the classic TAB lineup.  Songs like “Alaska” and “Sand” really just sound better with that added layer.  The vocals also really stand out, as Jen Hartswick and Natalie Cressman deliver stunning harmonies over Anastasio’s lead.  Listen to “Show Of Life,” “Windora Bug,” and the iTunes bonus track, “Birdwatcher” to see what I mean, and give “Black Dog” a try to hear Jen dominate on lead vocals.

But of all things, what really comes through strongly here is Trey’s confidence.  Each song is delivered with such confidence and poise, reminding us fans that he’s back.  Original Boardwalk Style was sloppy and the songs almost forced, with the only saving grace being Trey’s ability to shred.  TAB At The TAB is focused, clear, and strong.  He commands his strongest lineup to date with such enthusiasm that I can’t help but smile and think back to the one night I caught that tour in New York.

So where does it fall short?  We want more.  This was a stellar show and there missing pieces that you’ll wish were there once you give it a listen.  Absent are remarkable takes on “Gotta Jibboo,” “Mr. Completely,” and the fantastic cover of Dire Straits’ “Sultans Of Swing.”  Where’s the “Shine” opener played almost every night?  Also, to really capture the essence of the night, it would have been nice to get one of the acoustic songs played that evening (my vote would have to go for either “Backwards Down The Number Line” or “Bathtub Gin).  As Will Hermes noted in his Rolling Stone review, we could use more.  But, pick this one up.  It’s a great collection and will certainly get you in a funky, happy mood.

Trey’s winter tour earlier this year was one of his strongest ever.  Fresh off a successful year back with Phish, Trey was eager to keep the groove going by reforming the Classic TAB band (with Russ Lawton on drums, Tony Markellis on bass, and Ray Paczkowski on keyboards) with the addition of some horns (Russell Remington on tenor saxophone and flute, Jennifer Hartswick on trumpet and vocals, and newcomer Natalie Cressman on trombone and vocals).

TAB At The TAB will be released on September 19.  The show features the band at the top of its game, showcasing classic TAB tunes (“Money Love, & Change and Drifting), newly penned tunes (“Alaska” and “Show Of Life”), and a souring rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog,” featuring Jennifer Hartswick on some powerful vocals.  My only complains…where are acoustic tracks!?  It would have been cool to include that acoustic “Backwards Down The Number Line.”

TAB AT THE TAB TRACKLISTING

1. Money, Love and Change
2. Words to Wanda
3. Alaska
4. Valentine
5. Sand
6. Windora Bug
7. Drifting
8. Goodbye Head
9. Show of Life
10. Black Dog

If you purchase the album digitally, you can get two bonus tracks, “Birdwatcher” and “Cayman Review.”

Trey ended his February solo run on a high note in Knoxville.  Again, there was a nice acoustic set, featuring another “Kill Devil Falls” and “Strange Design.”  Probably the biggest surprise of the night, was the return of “Moesha” in the encore.  Those of us familiar with TAB shows from way back, know that this is a killer song that has everyone bouncing around the room.

This was a solid run for Trey, and I look forward to many more of these…and of course Phish in the summer!

Sunday 2/28/10 Tennessee Theater, Knoxville, TN

Set I: Push On Til The Day, Valentine, Small Axe, Burlap Sack and Pumps, Night Speaks to a Woman, What’s Done, Cayman Review, Gotta Jiboo, Tuesday, Money Love and Change, Sultans of Swing, Kill Devil Falls*, Waste*, Strange Design*, Backwards Down The Number Line*, Chalkdust Torture*, Wilson*

Set II: Shine, Last Tube, At the Gazebo, Spin, Alaska, Mozambique, Sand, Goodbye Head > Mr. Completely, Black Dog

E: Sweet and Dandy, Moesha, First Tube

* Trey solo acoustic

setlist courtesy of www.trey.com

download the show here.

Trey and TAB got right down to business at the Tabernacle last night.  Set one was pretty standard, with tour-staples including “Shine,” “MLC,” and “Sultans Of Swing.”  For the acoustic session, Trey played the first “Josie Wales” of the tour.

Set two saw a rarely played “Windora Bug” make an appearance, played only one other time this tour.  To encore, Trey threw in the first “Heavy Things” to spice it up.

Saturday 2/27/2010 The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA

Set I: Shine, Push On Til The Day, Words To Wanda, Obstacle Of Course, Night Speaks To A Woman, Cayman Review, Valentine, Let Me Lie, Mozambique, Money Love & Change, Sultans Of Swing, Water In The Sky*, Backwards Down The Number Line*, Bathtub Gin*, The Inlaw Josie Wales*, Wilson*

Set II: Gotta Jibboo, Alaska, The Birdwatcher, Sand, Windora Bug, Alive Again, Drifting, Goodbye Head > Mr. Completely, Black Dog

E: Heavy Things, Show Of Life, First Tube

* Trey solo acoustic

setlist courtesy of www.trey.com

download the show here.

Trey and TAB returned to the Fillmore Friday night, opting for a model similar to the first couple shows of the tour.  Tonight there was no acoustic set, but that didn’t kill the mood at all.  Standout versions of “Burlap Sack & Pumps” and “Mozambique” were highlights of the first set.

Set two saw the first “Peggy” of the tour; a tune Trey debuted during the small Fall 2008 run he did.  Another smashing “Goodbye Head > Mr. Completely” also had the crowd moving.

Friday 2/26/2010 The Fillmore, Charlottesville, NC

Set I: Shine, Burlap Sack & Pumps, Push On Til The Day, Cayman Review, All That Almost Was, Sweet Dreams Melinda, A Case of Ice And Snow, Mozambique, Sweet And Dandy, Night Speaks To A Woman, Tuesday

Set II: Curlew’s Call, Gotta Jibboo, Valentine, Alaska, Peggy, Sand, Goodbye Head > Mr. Completely, Black Dog

E: Dragonfly, Show Of Life, First Tube

setlist courtesy of www.trey.com

download the show here.

Trey unveiled his biggest surprise last night at the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.  After a great first set (including “Cayman Review,” “Last Tube,” and “Money, Love, and Change”), he strapped on the acoustic guitar and played some good ol’ country tunes (after a great “BDTNL” and “Wilson”).  “Blue And Lonesome” is a familiar tune for anyone who’s listened to 1994-era Phish (aka the bluegrass year).  He also played Del McCoury’s “Beauty of My Dreams” followed by another tune with Del himself!  Definitely a treat for those in attendance.

Thursday 2/25/2010 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN

Set I: Shine, Push On Til The Day, Cayman Review, Valentine, Night Speaks to a Women,  Last Tube, Let Me Lie, Drifting, Birdwatcher, Money, Love, and Change, Backwards Down the Number Line*, Wilson*, Blue and Lonesome**, Beauty of my Dreams**, Foggy Mountain Special@

Set II: Gotta Jiboo, Sand, Tuesday, Goodbye Head, Mr. Completely, Sultans of Swing, Black Dog

E: Show of Life, First Tube

* Trey solo acoustic

** Trey with Del McCoury Band

@ TAB with Del McCoury Band

setlist courtesy of www.trey.com

download the show here.

St. Louis (and thousands of other fans thanks to iClips) were treated to another great TAB performance last night.  For the acoustic portion, Trey played the first ever stripped down “Kill Devil Falls,” a definite show highlight.

Set two saw a rocking “Simple Twist Up Dave” to get the mood set, as well as standout versions of “Money, Love, And Change” and “Mr. Completely.”

Tuesday 2/23/2010 The Pageant, St. Louis, MO

Set I: Shine, Push On Til The Day, Cayman Review, Night Speaks to a Woman, Valentine, Alaska, Mozambique, Gotta Jiboo, Tuesday, Kill Devil Falls*, Bathtub Gin*, Backwards Down The Number Line*, Wilson*

Set II: Simple Twist Up Dave, The Birdwatcher, Drifting, Sand, Let Me Lie, Liquid Time, Money Love and Change, Goodbye Head, Mr. Completely, Black Dog

Encore: Show of Life, First Tube

* Trey solo acoustic

setlist courtesy of www.trey.com

download the show here.

Another night, another great show, as Trey and TAB gave the KC crowd a solid night of tunes.  Set one highlights included “Mozambique,” “Cayman Review,” and another acoustic session of Phish tunes.

Set two opened with a raging “Gotta Jibboo,” and also featured a jammed out “Goodbye Head > Mr. Completely.”

Sunday 2/21/2010 Uptown Theater, Kansas City, MO

Set I: Shine, Push On Til The Day, Alive Again, Birdwatcher, Mozambique, Cayman Review, Dragonfly, Night Speaks to a Woman, Valentine, Let Me Lie, Sweet Dreams Melinda, Money Love & Change, Tuesday, Backwards Down the Line*, Brian & Robert*, Back on the Train*, Sample in a Jar*, Wilson*

Set II: Gotta Jiboo, Liquid Time, Sand, Goodbye Head > Mr. Completely, Alaska, Sultans of Swing

E: Show of Life, First Tube

* Trey solo acoustic

setlist courtesy of www.trey.com

download the show here.

**Stay tuned for Trey’s next show in St. Louis, which will be streamed live for free on www.iclips.net.**

Trey and TAB played yet another solid show last night in MN.  Opening with an unpredictable “Last Tube,” the vibe for the evening was set.  As set one came to a close, Trey played his longest acoustic set yet of the tour (seven songs), including a tour-first “Joy,” “Farmhouse,” and “Waste.”

Set two was just as powerful, showcasing great versions of “Money, Love and Change” and “Black Dog.”

Saturday 2/20/2010 State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN

Set I: Last Tube, Shine, Cayman Review, Push on til the Day, Mozambique, Drifting, Night Speaks to a Woman, Tuesday, Sand, Joy*, Water in the Sky*, Bathtub Gin*, Sleep Again*, Farmhouse*, Waste*, Chalkdust Torture*

Set II: Gotta Jibboo, Valentine, Money, Love and Change, Liquid Time, Alaska, Goodbye Head, Mr. Completely, Show of Life, Black Dog

E: First Tube

* Trey solo acoustic

setlist courtesy of www.trey.com

pic courtesy of @TweeterReprise.

Trey’s stop in Chicago was definitely a crowd pleaser.  Set one highlights included “Push On,” “Sweet Dreams Melinda,” and the ever-popular “Gotta Jibboo.”  Trey continued his acoustic singalong session with a mini set that mirrored the NYC show, minus “Driver.”

Set two opened with a nice “Dragonfly,” and also contained notable versions of “Plasma,” “The Way I Feel,” and “Mr. Completely.”

Friday 2/19/2010 Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL

Set 1: Shine, Cayman Review, Push On Til The Day, Sweet Dreams Melinda, Mozambique, Alive Again, Gotta Jibboo, Small Axe, All That Almost Was, Alaska, Valentine, Tuesday, Brian and Robert*, Driver*, Sample In A Jar*, Wilson*,

Set II: Dragonfly, Night Speaks to a Woman, Sand, Let Me Lie, Mr. Completely, Plasma, The Birdwatcher, The Way I Feel, Last Tube, Black Dog

E: Sultans of Swing, First Tube

* Trey solo acoustic

setlist courtesy of www.trey.com

download the show here.