The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday
Encyclopedia
The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday (often abbreviated as TMWSIY) was written as the senior thesis study by Trey Anastasio
, the guitarist and lead vocalist of the American rock band Phish
. Composed while Anastasio attended Goddard College
in 1987, the thesis included an essay piece and collection of songs (recorded by Phish) relating an epic tale from the band's fictional land of Gamehendge
.
Though the album was recorded, it has never been released officially. Phish circulated the studio recording of the suite in 1987 and 1988 and it quickly became a collector's item. At one time Anastasio announced plans in Doniac Schvice, Phish's newsletter, to release the material as an interactive CD-ROM. However, this never happened and the album can only be found in bootleg
or or fan-traded form.
On the album, the story of Gamehendge is told in nine parts, with short spoken narration in between. The saga can be compared to fantasy works such as The Chronicles of Narnia
or rock concept album projects like The Doors
' Celebration of the Lizard
or Rush
's 2112
suite.
The story's primary protagonist is Colonel Forbin. Other major characters include Tela, the "jewel of Wilson's foul domain" and the "evil" Wilson himself. Several of the album's spoken narrative sections are accompanied by background music borrowed from sections of the Phish songs "Esther" and "McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters" .
The final track, "Possum", is the only song on the album not written by Anastasio, having been written by former Phish member Jeff Holdsworth
and later added to the Gamehendge cycle.
Many of the album's tracks have long been included in Phish's regular song rotation and played during the band's live performances. In addition, various versions of the entire Gamehendge saga have been performed, complete with narration, on five occasions in the band's history, usually as the entire first set of a live show.
A large number of other Phish songs also relate in some way to the Gamehendge saga, and appear on later albums and in live performances, including "Llama", "Punch You in the Eye" and "The Divided Sky".
Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
, the guitarist and lead vocalist of the American rock band Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
. Composed while Anastasio attended Goddard College
Goddard College
Goddard College is a private, liberal arts college located in Plainfield, Vermont, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Goddard College currently operates on an intensive low-residency model...
in 1987, the thesis included an essay piece and collection of songs (recorded by Phish) relating an epic tale from the band's fictional land of Gamehendge
Gamehendge
Gamehendge is the fictional setting for a number of songs by the rock band Phish. Most of the songs can be traced back to The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday , the senior thesis of guitarist and primary vocalist Trey Anastasio, written while he attended Goddard College in 1987...
.
Though the album was recorded, it has never been released officially. Phish circulated the studio recording of the suite in 1987 and 1988 and it quickly became a collector's item. At one time Anastasio announced plans in Doniac Schvice, Phish's newsletter, to release the material as an interactive CD-ROM. However, this never happened and the album can only be found in bootleg
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
or or fan-traded form.
On the album, the story of Gamehendge is told in nine parts, with short spoken narration in between. The saga can be compared to fantasy works such as The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels for children by C. S. Lewis. It is considered a classic of children's literature and is the author's best-known work, having sold over 100 million copies in 47 languages...
or rock concept album projects like The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
' Celebration of the Lizard
Celebration of the Lizard
"Celebration of the Lizard" is an epic performance piece written by Jim Morrison, frontman of The Doors. Composed as a series of poems, they include musical sections, spoken verse, and passages of allegorical storytelling.-Poems:*Lions in the Street...
or Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
's 2112
2112 (album)
2112 is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1976.The album features an eponymous seven-part suite written by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, with lyrics written by Neil Peart telling a dystopian story set in the year 2112. The album is sometimes described as a concept album...
suite.
The story's primary protagonist is Colonel Forbin. Other major characters include Tela, the "jewel of Wilson's foul domain" and the "evil" Wilson himself. Several of the album's spoken narrative sections are accompanied by background music borrowed from sections of the Phish songs "Esther" and "McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters" .
The final track, "Possum", is the only song on the album not written by Anastasio, having been written by former Phish member Jeff Holdsworth
Jeff Holdsworth
Jeff Holdsworth was a founding member of the rock band Phish. He was their first leader, singing lead vocals and playing guitar. He co-founded the band in the fall of 1983 with Trey Anastasio while living in the Redstone campus dormitories of the University of Vermont...
and later added to the Gamehendge cycle.
Many of the album's tracks have long been included in Phish's regular song rotation and played during the band's live performances. In addition, various versions of the entire Gamehendge saga have been performed, complete with narration, on five occasions in the band's history, usually as the entire first set of a live show.
A large number of other Phish songs also relate in some way to the Gamehendge saga, and appear on later albums and in live performances, including "Llama", "Punch You in the Eye" and "The Divided Sky".
Track listing
All songs written by Trey Anastasio, except as noted.- "Narration" - 3:56
- "The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday" - 1:45
- "The Lizards" - 5:50
- "Narration" - 3:06
- "Tela" - 6:16
- "Narration (Ride On A Multibeast)" - 3:26
- "Wilson" (Anastasio, Tom MarshallTom MarshallTom Marshall may refer to:* Tom Marshall , Canadian poet and novelist* Tom Marshall , American singer/songwriter known for his association with the band Phish...
, Todd Woolf) - 3:13 - "Narration" - 0:31
- "AC/DC Bag" - 3:09
- "Narration" - 3:18
- "Colonel Forbin's Ascent" - 4:36
- "Fly Famous Mockingbird" - 7:37
- "Narration" - 1:31
- "The Sloth" - 2:16
- "Narration" - 1:13
- "Possum" (Jeff HoldsworthJeff HoldsworthJeff Holdsworth was a founding member of the rock band Phish. He was their first leader, singing lead vocals and playing guitar. He co-founded the band in the fall of 1983 with Trey Anastasio while living in the Redstone campus dormitories of the University of Vermont...
) - 4:29
Personnel
PhishPhish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
- Trey AnastasioTrey AnastasioTrey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
- guitars, vocals, composer - Page McConnellPage McConnellPage Samuel McConnell is an American multi-instrumentalist most noted for his work as a songwriter and keyboardist with the American rock band Phish....
- keyboards, vocals - Mike GordonMike GordonMike Gordon is a bass guitar player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion...
- bass guitar, vocals - Jon FishmanJon FishmanJon Fishman is an American drummer best known for his work with the band Phish. He is credited with co-writing 19 Phish originals, 8 of them as a solo credit....
- drums, vocals
External links
- Phish's Official Site
- Phish.net: Gamehendge Explained - Fan site FAQ
- The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday Transcribed - Transcription of the saga's lyrics and narration
- Ibiblio.org: TMWSIY Lossless SHN download of the album