Trey Anastasio's on track May 12, 2003 - Richmond Times Dispatch By Leigh Buckley Fountain Album Review - Plasma Trey Anastasio has released "Plasma," a double-disc live compilation of not just his fall 2002 tour, but also an official recording of many of the new songs he and his band have put together since his first solo album. Indeed, little from last year's eponymous debut can be found here, except a 22-minute-plus blowout of "Night Speaks to a Woman" recorded, incidentally, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Instead, fans get more band for the buck, especially if they did not make it to Anastasio's short tour, which many unfortunately skipped in favor of the then-upcoming Phish return. The band is Anastasio's largest yet - a full nine pieces. Though it has been around awhile, the title track, "Plasma," has never been officially released. A short-but-sweet version is the second track here, on the heels of the funky "Curlew's Call," which features some great lyrics by Tom Marshall and keeps a heavy jazz vibe. Other debuts are the bittersweet "When," a horn reading of Phish's "Magilla," a mellow "Every Story Ends in Stone" and an energetic, if occasionally dissonant, new entry in the "Tube" series: "Inner Tube." There are also the groovy "Simple Twist Up Dave," the old favorites "Mozambique," "Sand" and Bob Marley's "Small Axe," which Anastasio played in Richmond in February 2001. The first disc ends with a soaring "First Tube," one of Anastasio's most popular compositions, which was nominated for an Instrumental Grammy in 2001. This is a fine live set with a lot to offer both the fan and the newer listener. Many believe that Anastasio's solo work is a bit more palatable to the casual listener than the prog-rock leanings of Phish, and this set surely doesn't hurt that theory. Article © 2003 Richmond Times Dispatch