A Diversified Evening at the Symphony

                

By Lindsay Paris

             A wide variety of music fans spilled into the Atlanta Symphony Hall on Thursday Feb. 9 for a special night where Trey Anastasio, lead guitarist from popular jam-band Phish, joined together with the Atlanta Symphony to produce calming melodies that spread through the halls of the art center.

People filled the seats of the Hall, some dressed in their most inspiring Phish t-shirt while others wore evening dresses and ties fit for a night out on the town.  The people ranged from young to old, some were Phish fanatics while others were there for the Symphony. Either way, both parties could agree on the instrumental talents of each member on the stage. While Anastasio led the tunes with his guitars and vocals, Conductor Scott Dunn led the acoustic talents of the Orchestra.

I am passionate about music and enjoy a variety of genres based on their talents and the way they are composed on stage. Being an avid jam-band fanatic, I truly appreciate each cord produced by the musicians on stage. I have heard many complaints about the kind of tunes that carry on for “so long”. But, when you have such amazing talents on one stage, it’s hard to contain the inspirations that drive their songs into a specific time-frame. 

The collaboration began with the song, “First Tube”, a favorite of many Phish fans. The show focused on the instrumental value of each song performed by Anastasio and the Orchestra. Drifting away in the harmonious tunes, the night grew old and hours passed, but the crowd remained clueless to the passing time solely focused on the emphasis of musical cords and natural acoustics that stretched each song out. Hours later, Anastasio returns to the stage for the final time playing a second encore of “The Inlaw Josie Wales”. Studying the set-list after the show, I was surprised to find that it was a mere 13 songs that filled the evening, but it only enforced the power of each song performed. The melodies carried me through the night without a worry in mind. The calming strums of each instrument and the vocals of Anastasio merged together to form an all too natural relationship.

Phish is commonly seen at festivals or big amphitheaters with screaming fans decked out in their finest Phish gear swaying in a tight crowd to the beats of the music. Take away the psychedelic lights, the glow sticks and the herbal festival aromas, Anastasio continues to skillfully capture the true essence that built Phish into the success they are today. The instrumental and vocal talents of the band shine with or without the flashy concert atmosphere. Anastasio, constantly alternating between his acoustic guitar and his electric guitar, properly adapted to the nature of the orchestra and produced the most calming, romantic melodies, slightly more relaxed than those of a Phish show.

The wide variety of instruments was represented in the beauty of the songs produced throughout the entire evening. Being a huge fan of jam-bands and festival scenes, it was a relief to hear these familiar melodies in a calming atmosphere. This particular gathering captured these musical artists in the raw, and each instrument was highlighted in its most natural light. 

SET LIST

Set 1: First Tube, Water in the Sky, Divided Sky, Brian and Robert,Goodbye Head, Guyute, Let Me Lie, Stash

Set 2: Time Turns Elastic, If I Could, Your Enjoy Myself

Encore: Golden Slumbers, The Inlaw Josie Whales