18 Steps

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Originally Performed By	Trey Anastasio
Appears On
Music/Lyrics	Anastasio
Vocals	Trey
Historian	Colin Waldschutz (colinw)
Last Update	2011-09-30

History

“18 Steps” is the third track from a bonus EP also titled 18 Steps included with purchase of Bar 17 from Trey's website. The EP contains nine songs recorded over the same time frame as Bar 17. The cover for 18 Steps featuring a long math formula – using 18 steps to turn the number (Bar) 17 into 18 – was developed by longtime Phish fan and mathematician David "@Zzyzx" Steinberg.

“18 Steps” is a slow-paced song, with the most engaging portion being the crescendo at the end that sees Trey soloing during the live performances. Unlike many TAB standards, this one has not been used as a jam vehicle. Rather, the song bears more of a similarity to the laid back introspective songs, complete with an upbeat rousing chorus (reminiscent of "Black" from Shine,). 

The studio version of the tune clocks in at 6:54, and the live versions don't stretch much past that and don't differ greatly from the studio version. The tune has only been played live four times to date, all within a six week period in late spring 2005. “18 Steps” debuted at the first ever show of the 70 Volt Parade incarnation of TAB at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT on 4/1/05, along with five other original debuts and two cover debuts. The song was also performed on 4/26/05 in Richmond, 5/7/05 in Cincinnati, and the final performance to date, opening the show on 5/14/05 at the Hammerstein in New York.

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