Phish.net

The Trey/Tom composition “When” debuted with TAB on 7/11/01 in San Diego. A spooky song with Middle Eastern horns and an ominous guitar lick from Trey that sounds like Jason Voorhees approaching, the saxophone played in the first 4 minutes of “When” adds an eerie vibe to the beginning of the song, setting the stage for the interesting lyrics.

The first verse seems to set the scene of a couple who are distant, or at least one who is not receptive to the conversation of the other. Not replying in kind to simple requests for a name, time, or if they are hungry adds to the confusion of the last line which pauses the scene. An interlude plays with the horns carrying the song and Trey’s licks plus Russ Lawton’s güiro giving warning of a growing sense of concern. 

The second verse gets darker and more foreboding of a grander issue at hand. The singer is being shunned, turned away and getting nothing for his efforts. An errant smile makes it all better for a moment, but it is clear that something more is happening behind the scenes and this peace is not to last. As the song reaches its peak, feedback and very light horns carry the tune to its spacey end reminiscent of “No Quarter.”

“When” Trey Anastasio Band performed the song at Red Rocks on 7/18/01, the lyric “storm drawing near” assumed a more literal interpretation, coinciding neatly with a storm passing over the amphitheater. However, it did not rain in Morrison, but rather on the city of Denver several miles in the distance. On the recording, you can actually hear a rumble of thunder around the eighth minute.

Played only six times over two years, “When” was always found in the second set, often after a monster version of “Sand” or “Money Love and Change.” In this role, the song has provided relief to the band and fans alike as a second set mood mellower. the version of “When” from 10/24/02 in Portland, ME was included on Trey’s live CD, Plasma. “When” fell out of the rotation following its final appearance on 10/31/02, leading fans of the song to wonder “When” it will be played again. 

(Anastasio, Marshall)
© Who Is She? Music, BMI

When I ask your name
you say I already know
When I ask you for the time
you say your watch is too slow

When I invite you to lunch
you say you don't like to eat
When I say to sit down
you ask me which is your seat

When you ask me for time
you say that's all that I have left
When you ask me for help
I feel a pain in my chest

When you finally smile
I see clouds disappear
But after a while
there's a storm drawing near