One Timers: Play ‘Em Again Trey

The Great Curve
Original artist: Talking Heads
Only performance: 10-31-96 – Atlanta, GA

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This rhythmic, percussion driven track was a highlight of Phish’s Remain in Light performance at the now-demolished Omni. Joined by Dave Grippo (saxophone), Gary Gazaway (trombone) and Karl Perazzo (percussion) for the entire second set, Phish and company tore through The Great Curve with just the right combination of aggression and
precision. If practice makes perfect, then a few runs through this one could vault it to the top of any Phish fan’s “best covers” list.

Oh! Sweet Nuthin
Original artist: The Velvet Underground
Only performance – 10-31-98 – Las Vegas, NV

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The closing track of Loaded served as the second set closer for the Halloween 1998 Velvet Underground musical costume in Sin City. With Page McConnell taking the lead on vocals, this heartfelt tribute to a seedy side of late 60’s/early 70’s New York City rang out like a church bell in the Thomas & Mack Center. The slow burn build-up serves Phish very well and this song has a great one.

You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
Original artist: Bob Dylan
Only performance – 7-30-03 – Camden, NJ

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This catchy Dylan-penned tune was played two shows prior to the IT festival and Trey Anastasio emphasized the “…when we come up to IT” line for a little extra motivation for the 40 hours of traffic that loomed. This tune seems to be covered nightly by various artists from your average jamband to country and western groups twanging their way
through it. But Phish’s version is on the money and it would have made a nice addition to any first set.

5:15
Original artist: The Who
Only performance: 10-31-95 – Chicago, IL

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The Who and the horns made for a wonderful combo that night at the Rosemont Horizon. The horn riff in 5:15 is electric. Something about The Who and Phish just meshes very well together which is especially apparent on this song. And let’s face it, plenty of Phish fans know the feeling of being out of their brains on a train.

Time
Original artist: Pink Floyd
Only performance: 11-2-98 – Salt Lake City, UT

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The first version, part of the complete surprise that was 11-2-98’s second set cover of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon was choppy and rough, kind of like the relationship between Roger Waters and David Gilmour. And Phish was probably still fighting the Vegas hangover a bit that night in Salt Lake City. But this Floyd classic has several solos that were made for Trey and his tone and has plenty of room for exploration and expansion, two things Phish did as well as any band out there.

What was your favorite Phish one-timer? Let us know by leaving a comment below…