Update

Phish frontman Trey Anastasio made his debut on the long running public radio program A Prairie Home Companion on Saturday afternoon. Anastasio performed with a band led by the show’s host, Chris Thile, at Ellie Caukins Opera House in Denver. It was Trey’s skills as a songwriter and vocalist that were on display during his five-song appearance on A Prairie Home Companion.

Trey first emerged 50 minutes into the two-hour show for a performance of the Phish ballad “Brian & Robert.” Thile took a short but sweet mandolin solo as Anastasio worked through the song with vocalist Aoife O’Donovan, Rich Dworsky on keys, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert and drummer Ted Poor.

The guitarist chatted with Thile about Phish’s recent visit to the nearby Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and used the opportunity to proclaim “we love Dick’s!” Anastasio then led Thile and the house band through “Back On The Train.” Trey played acoustic throughout his time on A Prairie Home Companion. Chris, Aoife and Trey’s harmonies on the Farmhouse rocker were gorgeous and unlike any other version of the tune.

Towards the end of the episode Anastasio returned to front the house band on “Water In The Sky.” Haas’s fiddle work and O’Donovan’s bright backing vocals shined on the unique arrangement of the Phish song from 1998’s The Story Of The Ghost. Chris spoke with Trey about how “Water In The Sky” is the “perfect country song,” but Anastasio noted it only became a country song in the hands of the Prairie Home Companion house band. Thile took his most effusive solo of the evening as he shredded on “Miss You,” a song Anastasio wrote about the passing of his sister, Kristy. Haas also let it rip on fiddle as Thile soloed as well on “Miss You.” The final performance of the night was a tribute to the late Leon Russell. Chris Thile stepped into the spotlight as Trey and the house band contributed to a rollicking cover of “Prince Of Peace.”

Other performers on the episode included London-based vocalists The Staves and Canadian comedian Tig Notaro. Head here for complete audio of the episode.

Official Video

[Back On The Train]

Trey Anastasio On A Prairie Home Companion Audio (Captured by Duanebase)

Fan-Shot Video (By Brian Geraghty)

[Brian & Robert and Back On The Train]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdE0cMMTUcM

[Water In The Sky, Miss You, Prince Of Peace]

Trey Anastasio On A Prairie Home Companion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw2aQo1R4Xs

Segment One: Brian & Robert, Interview, Back On The Train

Segment Two: Water In The Sky, Interview, Miss You, Prince Of Peace