TREY FINISHES OFF 2005 SHINE TOUR, OYSTERHEAD NEXT?

Trey Anastasio concluded his winter 2005 tour in support of his new release “Shine” with an inspiring performance at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, Ca December 7th that featured guest musicians, a three piece horn section, amazing stage lighting and a beautiful solo acoustic performance. Although Trey performed most of the tour without the big horn section he has fronted in the past, it was towards the end of the tour Trey decided to bring back a scaled down multi instrumental three piece horn section that, combined with two guitars and two keyboards, can dynamically hit intense musical moments. We caught up with Trey at the Vegoose festival to ask him about his unique sound of two keys and two guitars.

Trey’s performance Dec.7th at the Wiltern not only marked the end of the tour for Trey, it also featured Stewart Copeland, formerly of the Police and Oysterhead, who sat in with the band for a Oysterhead song and a blazing rendition of The Police’s “Can’t Stand Losing You.” With Trey’s tour done for the year could it possibly be time to revisit Oysterhead in the studio, which not only features Copeland on drums but also includes bassist extraordinaire Les Claypool of Primus for a power trio like no other. When confronted about a possible Oysterhead recording in Las Vegas while seated with Claypool, Trey confirmed the three talk about it all the time.

“The only band that uses keyboards like that is The Band, and I always loved, I mean they are just about my favorite band. But they had the organ piano thing going and it was a big part of their sound. So, I was looking at it a little bit like that but then I started to see things, like I have two pianos and you can a very very cool sound with that and it’s a little bit unique. But I got rid of the horn section and kind of replaced it with two keyboards yeah.”

Besides Copeland’s appearance another notable footnote to Trey final show was a four song solo acoustic set that featured ‘Chalk Dust Torture,’ ‘Bathtub Gin,’ and “Wolfman’s Brother” that brought rousing feedback from the packed house. With the tour done Trey will finish off the year with a performance with Mike Gordon and Bill Kreutzmann for Warren Haynes 17th annual Xmas Jam. This years proceeds will go towards habitat for humanity and Haynes has booked quite a lineup with Gov’t Mule, Hot Tuna, Ray Lamontagne, John Scoefield, Dave Schools and a stunning list of musicians.

“It’s sort of O2 with the three of us right here. But I’d love to do another Oysterhead album; we talk about it all the time. Yes, I say yes right here!”