Tom Marshall (singer)
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Tom Marshall (b. November 12, 1963) is a lyricist, keyboardist and singer/songwriter best known for his association with Trey Anastasio and the legendary rock band Phish. He was the primary external lyricist for Phish during their 21 year career (1983-2004), with songwriting credits for more than 95 originals - more than Mike Gordon (22), Jon Fishman (18), Page McConnell (11), and "Phish" in the generic (41) combined.
Marshall attended Princeton Day School in New Jersey with Anastasio. The duo began writing songs together as early as the eighth grade (the reggae tune "Makisupa Policeman" is often regarded as the duo's first collaboration and the very first Phish original song). Other early collaborations include Bivouac Jaun, a project recorded by Marshall, Anastasio, and their friend Marc Daubert (who occasionally played percussion with Phish in 1984 and wrote the lyrics to their classic "The Curtain"). Many of the pieces recorded on Bivouac Jaun appeared on the very first Phish album. Marshall also was instrumental in influencing The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday, a Phish concept album and song cycle about the mystical land of Gamehendge written by Anastasio and used as his senior thesis at Goddard College in 1987.
Marshall, Anastasio, and friends would meet at "the rhombus," a giant piece of art located in a park in New Jersey, and embark on lengthy songwriting sessions. Many characters and locations mentioned in early Phish songs reference these songwriting sessions. In one instance, Marshall wrote the original lyrics to the Gamehendge song "McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters" and nailed them to Anastasio's front door. By 1985, Anastasio and Marshall had parted ways as Anastasio became more involved with Phish at the University of Vermont.
Years later in 1989, Marshall apparently heard Phish's Junta album and thought to himself, "these guys really need lyrics." Marshall and Anastasio reunited and began a long songwriting partnership that resulted in over 100 songs over the next fifteen years. Anastasio's 2005 solo album Shine marks the first time since the pre-Junta years that he has not worked with Marshall.
In addition to working closely with Anastasio, Marshall fronts his own band, Amfibian. The band released the From the Ether album in 2004, and has a follow up album, Skip The Goodbyes slated for release in January, 2007.. They also contributed a track to the Mockingbird Foundation charity Phish tribute album Sharin in the Groove. Amfibian was officially formed in 2000, shortly after the release of Marshall's only solo album, Amfibian Tales, which features members of Amfibian and other special guests.
[edit] Discography
1. Amfibian Tales (August, 2000)
2. Trampled By Lambs and Pecked by the Dove (with Trey Anastasio) (November 1, 2000)
