ARRIVAL
Music: Trey Anastasio
Album: Junta (part of "Fluff's Travels" CD 9:10-11:38)
First Known Version: 12/1/84
Song History [Mark Toscano]:

"Arrival" is the seventh part of the epic "Fluffhead." Although other parts of "Fluffhead" have been performed disembodied from the rest of the full composition, "Arrival" never has had that distinction (the same goes for "Fluff's Travels"). From the very beginning, "Arrival" has served only as the closing chapter of "Fluffhead." In fact, the late-1984 "Fluffhead" consisted of only "Fluffhead" and "Arrival," the former segueing into the latter (see 12/1/84).

Many fans have been known to claim "Arrival" as their favorite part of "Fluffhead." The blissful, energetic release it delivers after the ever-tightening, escalating melodrama of "Bundle of Joy" is possibly unparalleled as far as sheer, Phishy thrills go. The happy four-chord progression - accompanied by Fluffy shouts and an ecstatic Trey solo - rarely disappoints (and you know it's a good night if Trey yells "Fluffballs!"). On a final note, some fans may find the four-chord progression of "Arrival" familiar; an identical progression can be found comprising the Blues Traveler song "Runaround" (and for what it's worth, the liner notes of that song's host album, Four, do give thanks to "any swollen-ankled, red-bearded guitarists...")