"Alaska" made its world debut as what you might call half a Phish song. It made it's public debut by Mike and Trey at the Rothbury Music Festival in Michigan on 7/6/08, just as rumors of a Phish reunion were beginning to build steam. The country-rocker saw regular duty in Trey's "Classic TAB" tour later that year, sparking speculation that it would surface as a Phish tune. The speculation was laid to rest when Phish debuted "Alaska" in Asheville, NC, on the first leg of its 2009 summer tour.

"Alaska" is narrated from the point of view of a man whose love has left him, and whose home holds diminishing appeal. Afflicted with a serious traveling jones, he unburdens himself of his worldly possessions and lights out for the Land of the Midnight Sun, hoping to make the best of his solitude and perhaps see a moose or two. His free spirit is rewarded when he finds a new love. [En route, there are puns.]

Though unmistakeably Phishy to the core, "Alaska" invites comparisons to the Grateful Dead, The Band, and other mainstays of Americana who proved themselves capable of lending gravitas and single-barrel whiskey dimension to otherwise simple ditties. The spiffy studio take on "Alaska" on Party Time ices its status as yet another bona fide Phish tune borne from Trey's extracurricular pursuits.

Phish, "Alaska" – 6/17/10, Hartford, CT

Thus far, "Alaska" hasn't ventured too far into the wild, jam-wise – the improvisational sections have stayed relatively grounded in bluesy guitar solos – but it's ripe with potential. See the Gorge version from 8/8/09 for a glimpse into this promising song's frontier. Also worthy of note: after the TAB version from Roseland 10/16/08, just a couple months after the world got to know Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Trey quipped, "The song came first."

On 6/7/10 in Upper Darby, PA, Trey joined Conan O'Brien's band, sans his Phish bandmates, to deliver what perhaps the most unique reading of "Alaska" to date, with horn parts that lend the tune a second line flavor that works a whole lot better than you might guess.  

Trey Anastasio "Alaska" – 6/7/10, Upper Darby, PA

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