BY JEFF ELBEL | FOR SUN-TIMES MEDIA
Trey Anastasio must not thrive on down time. Between busy summer and fall seasons with improvisational rockers Phish, including July’s three-night stand at Northerly Island, the acclaimed guitarist debuted his newest orchestral work called “Petrichor.” Now, he’s returning to Chicago to headline the Aragon Ballroom with his Trey Anastasio Band.
Phish is well known for pushing boundaries and exploring the whims of its principals, so it’s not necessarily clear why Anastasio would require a side project. Thankfully, logic doesn’t enter the picture. The Trey Anastasio Band, otherwise known as TAB, has roots stretching back to the late ’90s. Veteran members including drummer Russ Lawton and bassist Tony Markellis comprise a nimble ensemble that grooves with the best of them, following their bandleader through every twist.
Although TAB dips into songs most often recognized from the Phish catalog, like the body-moving “Sand” or Phish keyboardist Page McConnell’s swinging jazz instrumental “Magilla,” Anastasio’s solo albums provide a deep well to draw from. A self-titled album from 2002 distinguished Anastasio’s solo catalog from his Phish output with classic rhythm and blues horn charts for enduring songs like “Push on ‘Til the Day.”
TAB’s 2012 album “Traveler” included a cover of Gorillaz’ “Clint Eastwood.” Previous Chicago dates featured rowdy covers of Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” The Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing.”
Currently sized as a seven-piece ensemble, TAB has strength at every corner. Jennifer Hartswick and Natalie Cressman provide soulful vocal counterpoint on songs like “Cayman Review,” while performing double duty on trumpet and trombone, respectively.
Anastasio’s “Paper Wheels” album isn’t due until early 2015, but expect TAB to road-test fresh tracks during its tour-opening date at the Aragon Ballroom. “In dreams I bounce, but never can I fly,” sings Anastasio during the wistful, Gospel-flavored intro of new single “Bounce.” Before long, Anastasio’s lyrics are proven false as the band achieves joyful liftoff and full flight.
Trey Anastasio Band, 8 p.m. Nov. 28, Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence, Tickets $39 (17+over), (773) 561-9500; aragon.com.
Jeff Elbel is a local free-lance writer. Email: elbel.jeff@gmail.com
