Off the Record: Trey Anastasio returns to Boston

After coyly working his way through an acoustic version of the Phish staple "Wilson," Trey Anastasio said, "I need to start practicing these songs again." It was Anastasio's show, but there was no dodging the fact that Phish will be returning in March. Looking remarkably healthy, a far cry from four years ago when the burnt-out guitarist could barely fill out his shirts, Anastasio proved to a sold-out Orpheum Theatre crowd last Thursday that he will be ready to resurrect the jam-band world's version of the Messiah. In the four years since Phish's last show, Anastasio remained prolific, releasing four solo albums and touring endlessly with a rotating cast of musicians. In late 2006 Anastasio had his true rock star moment - he was pulled over at 3:30 a.m. in upstate New York. He was charged with a DWI and possession of prescription drugs, and was carrying a small amount of heroin. Admitting that he had a problem, the red-headed guitar hero entered a 12-month drug rehabilitation program to avoid serving jail time. Just like that, the jam-band world would experience its first year without Anastasio in over two decades.

Thursday night's show was Anastasio's first appearance in Boston since checking out of rehab. For this tour, dubbed the Northern Exposure 2008 Tour, Anastasio enlisted the familiar hands of the Classic TAB, which features a solid cast of local friends from the Burlington, Va. scene. Russ Lawton echoes the lazy stroll of John Fishman on drums, but pounds with even more intensity, Tony Markellis ducks around on the low end, and Ray Paczkowski adds an afro-beat sense on the keys. The band may be far less dangerous in sonic structure than Phish, but it proved to be the perfect setting for Anastasio to flaunt his bag of tricks with no repercussions. Only seconds into the opening jam on the fun little Zappa-esque trek "Push on to the Day," Anastasio's famous blank stare took over, proving that you don't have to be on drugs to look like you are on drugs. But more importantly, Anastasio was able to easily drift into that comfortable place that once found its home in Phish's intangible life force. Throughout the night Anastasio made no attempt to place his notes carefully, only nodding to the gods of improv when necessary.

Phish is getting back together for a reason: Anastasio has accepted the reality that he could be the next Jerry Garcia. Like Garcia, Anastasio will play with his band until the day he dies.

If only I could be a fly in the wall at Phish's first rehearsal - but for now my Hampton, Va., three-night pass will have to suffice.