Trey Anastasio The Beacon Jams Review
Trey Anastasio has forged a multi-faceted career over the past three decades. The composer/guitarist/vocalist has won acclaim in rock, classical and theatrical circles and is a founding member of Phish, one of today’s most popular and pioneering rock bands. Anastasio has received GRAMMY® nominations for his recordings with Phish and his solo work. In addition, he has collaborated with artists like Dave Matthews, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Toots and the Maytals, B.B. King and The Roots, and – as part of the trio Oysterhead – Les Claypool (Primus) and Stewart Copeland (The Police).
[section label=”About the Album”]
About the Album
The Beacon Jams is Anastasio’s new album that highlights his eight-week virtual residency at the Beacon Theatre in NYC during the fall of 2020. The Beacon Jams was co-produced by Anastasio and Vance Powell and remixed by Powell. The result is a hefty 18-track album, clocking in at over 145 minutes of the event’s various acoustic and electric highlights.
[section label=”Our Favorite Tracks”]
Our Favorite Tracks
“A Wave of Hope” has a funky feel with appealing hits and rhythmic twists and turns. The band has energy, and the
passion for playing together comes through in the music. Phish fans will be right at home. Anastasio is more of a player, composer, and bandleader than a vocalist, but fans are used to his vocal quality, so nothing new there. His guitar solo builds and has many interesting harmonic/melodic colors and rhythmic ideas.
“Pebbles and Marbles” is a beautifully orchestrated and performed acoustic moment in the set. The strings, horns and acoustic guitar adds to the richness of the melody and is a nice change of pace. Anastasio’s counterpoint between the different sections of the ensemble is interesting. The music has a blend of country, new age, and rock. Anastasio moves to the electric guitar for the climax, giving the song a powerful arching shape.
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In Conclusion
The Beacon Jams is a collection of highlights that rely on Anastasio’s composing and emotion-invoking guitar playing. Also, as a bandleader, one can feel the group’s strong connection to Anastasio’s aura and musical direction.
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