Funk fuels Anastasio's groove August 6, 2001 - Albany Times-Union by Greg Haymes SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Last October, when Phish announced that the band would go on an immediate, indefinite hiatus, Phish fans everywhere mourned. But for Capital Region fans, the band's open-ended layoff has been a blessing. Since September, Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio has been a frequent visitor -- playing with jazz trio Medeski, Martin and Wood at the Palace Theatre in December and with the Vermont Youth Orchestra at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in February. On Sunday night, he wrapped up a monthlong amphitheater tour at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, showcasing his latest band for more than 14,000 fans. Initially a trio, with bassist Tony Markellis and drummer Russ Lawton, the band has swelled to a eight-piece combo featuring a horn quartet. Anastasio's outfit is like a funk orchestra, drawing from such diverse sources as "Bitches' Brew''-era Miles Davis, George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic aggregate, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention and even a bit of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Sunday's two-set show centered on funk, from Ray Paczkowski's hard-drivin' clavinet on "Cayman Review'' to the Zappalike funk-bomb "Burlap Sack and Pumps.'' Both ran more than 15 minutes, plenty of time for the groove to settle into the pocket. The bulk of the responsibility fell to the supreme Buddha of the bass, Saratoga's own Markellis, who perched on his seat and pumped out an almighty thunder-groove. "Burlap Sack and Pumps'' -- an instrumental except for the occasional group-shout of the title -- featured a terrific trombone solo from young Andy Moroz, a staccato horn line nicked from En Vogue's "Whatta Man'' and a hard charge or two into the uncharted realms of dissonance. Another highlight was the Afro-beat, Latin-blues melange of "Alive Again,'' a sun-soaked fusion of Santana, Hugh Masakela and War. "Money, Love and Change'' began the second set with Allen Toussaint-style New Orleans soul and a marvelous trumpet solo from Jennifer Hartswick. Some other selections weren't quite as successful, including the roadhouse, swing-boogie of "Moesha'' and a cover of the Chi-Lites' '70s soul-nugget "Ooo Ooo Child,'' but when you're stretching expectations as much as Anastasio, you might as well try to go too far rather than not far enough. Anastasio was inventive with his guitar work, but unfortunately, his vocals didn't have the range or depth of soul to match the instrumental fire of the band. With Markellis and Lawton on double duty, the Unknown Blues Band (featuring veteran singer-saxman Big Joe Burrell) opened the show with a fine set, including gems "Let the Good Times Roll," "If You're a Viper" and the Count Basie-Joe Williams classic "Everyday I Have the Blues." Trey Anastasio and band with the Unknown Blues Band When: 7 p.m. Sunday Where: The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Route 50, Saratoga Springs Highlights: "Cayman Review," "Burlap Sack and Pumps," "Alive Again"