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Previous to the group efforts that resulted in The Story of the Ghost and, later, Fuego, "Walfredo" was one of relatively few songs with lyrics written collaboratively by all members of Phish, As Trey related in the 1998 The Phish Book: “It’s a struggle for Phish to write songs together. Before leaving Europe, though, we said: ‘Damn it, we’re going to write together no matter how it comes out.’” The results of this effort were “Rock A William,” “Carini,” and “Walfredo.” 

Watch Walfredo on YouTube "Walfredo" – 2/18/97, Paris, France

Unlike other metaphorically self-referential Phish songs – “Roggae” or “Simple,” for example – “Walfredo” references both specific people and identifiable events. “Walfredo” is at least in part a tribute to a friend, drummer and percussionist Walfredo Reyes, Jr. “Walfredo” was part of David Lindley’s band back in the latter 80s, “ten years since I saw you grooving at Hunt's with El-Rayo-X.” Later encounters find Walfredo “eating crab at Merriweather Post” 7/17/92 as Phish warmed up for Santana, another musical stop of Walfredo Reyes. Other notable characters in the song include Karl Perazzo, Raul Rekow and Rodney Holmes, all members of Santana's touring act at one point or another. “Rock A William” makes an appearance in “Walfredo” as the song takes us to Trento, Italy on 7/3/96, another Phish collaboration with Santana. 

Along with “Rock A William,” another unique aspect of “Walfredo” is that the song was written with the intent of having the band members play instruments other than their own. For "Walfredo," Fish takes the bass, Mike plays guitar, Trey sits at the keyboards, while Page assumes Fish’s seat behind the drums. While the instrument switching can be respected as something holding importance as a band exercise – a “walk a mile in my shoes” sort of thing – it is probably fair to say to suggest that each band member has pursued the regular instruments best suited for them.

“Walfredo” was first performed on 2/13/97 in London, a tour-opening performance that also witnessed the debut of “Rock A William”  and the Phish debuts of “Love Me,” “My Soul,” and “When the Circus Comes.” It made only four more appearances – all during that same winter 1997 European tour, on 2/14/97, 2/18/97, 2/22/97, plus a radio performance on 2/26/97 – and then was shelved before even a single appearance on American soil.

After an absence of 248 shows, “Walfredo” made its unexpected return on 9/30/00, a show captured in its entirety for the Live in Vegas DVD. After a short delay due to technical difficulties (likely due to the instrument switch), “Walfredo” opened this 2nd night of the Vegas run that featured no less than a half dozen bust-outs.

Watch Walfredo on YouTube "Walfredo" – 6/27/10, Columbia, MD

Walfredo Reyes, Jr. and Mike had another “passing moment” at a performance by The Dead. In 2003 Reyes, Jr. was a member of Steve Winwood’s band, who was opening shows on The Dead’s summer tour. On 6/20/03 at SPAC, Walfredo was a guest of The Dead during their “Drums” segment; "Drums" then segued into a bass duet with Phil Lesh and Mike. 

Fast-forward another 131 shows from the Vegas performance and the seemingly inevitable appearance of the song at the venue featured in its lyrics, "Walfredo" was performed on the Merriweather Post stage on 6/27/10. This show opener set the stage for a very "1997-infused" gig that included "Meatstick," "Saw it Again," "Piper," and "Ghost."

(Anastasio/Fishman/Gordon/McConnell)

It must be ten years since I saw you
Grooving at Hunt's with El-Rayo-X.
Lindley's hair was so greasy.
Who knew then what would happen next?

We were eating crab at Merriweather Post.
We went up to that mountain in Stowe.
We laid in a field in New Mexico.
Walfredo, where did you go?

What did you do?
Who put you up to it?
Where did you go?
How much did you get paid?
How do you do?
How did you know where I lived?

Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo

Next time we saw Karl and Raul,
Rodney had taken your place.
He played like the wind and the water,
But we still missed your smiling face.

And when we finally made it to Trento,
Ooh Rocko William had taken the throne,
Stood on the field next to Davie,
Ooh just to keep him from feeling alone.

What did you do?
Who put you up to it?
Where did you go?
How much did you get paid?
How do you do?
How did you know where I lived?

Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo

No one has had more chances than you.
Life isn't fair and what can you do?
Alex had more chances than

Now when I think back on you, Walfredo.
Those were times I'll never forget:
The snow fell in Vail Colorado,
When Fish played the vacuum and ruined your set.

Back to Walfredo,
Leaning back on your stool,
Looking cool behind that paint splatter kit,
But not as cool as Raul.

What did you do?
Who put you up to it?
Where did you go?
How much did you get paid?
How do you do?
How did you know where I lived?

Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo
Walfredo Walfredo