NYS Music 202​0

Tag: Mike Gordon

  • Mike Gordon and Leo Kottke reunite for first album together in 15 years, “Noon”

    Acoustic guitar pioneer Leo Kottke and Phish bassist Mike Gordon have announced the release of their first new album together in 15 years, Noon.

    leo kottke mike gordon

    The first two tracks from Noon to be released, “Ants” and “I Am Random,” are brand new, and are among 11 new tracks created by two accomplished and idiosyncratic instrumentalists of American music. Noon also marks Kottke’s first studio record since his last collaboration with Gordon, 2005’s 66 Steps.

    Working with longtime Gordon collaborator, producer/engineer Jared Slomoff, Kottke and Gordon craft a collection of improvisational mood music, including a stripped-back version of Gordon’s classic “Peel,” a fan favorite often performed by Mike Gordon Band, and Kottke’s stark rethinking of the Byrds’ “Eight Miles High.” Noon also drops a bopping cover of Prince’s “Alphabet St.,” featuring Phish drummer Jon Fishman, who joins Kottke and Gordon on four additional tracks.

    In addition, the LP includes nearly ambient appearances by pedal steel player Brett Lanier (The Barr Brothers) and cellist Zoë Keating (Imogen Heap, Amanda Palmer, Tears For Fears).

    The vibe is very different from the other two albums. I was hearing a darkness in the material Leo was bringing, and some of the material that I wanted to bring, that I thought just reflected going through 10 more years of life. There are overdubs, but it’s still more like you’re in a cafe or a living room with these two guys. And even when we had drums, we wanted to maintain that feeling.

    Mike Gordon

    I just knew there was a shape and that we were following it. We were trying to get to that place that we get to in a little room, just chasing each other. We’ve found that at soundchecks, and at my place, or his place, or some motel room. We wanted to get that late night feel. It’s a more intimate record than the others are, I think there are depths to it.

    Leo Kottke

    Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon have both staked out distinctive and original roles in the annals of American music. Beginning his career on John Fahey’s Takoma label in 1969, Kottke virtually invented his own school of playing with his distinct, propulsive fingerstyle. As a co-founder of Phish and solo artist, Gordon has both created both a boundary-pushing discography and helped inspire a generation of improvisers.

    The pairing of Kottke and Gordon began some two decades ago when Gordon – a devoted fan of Kottke’s music – audaciously overdubbed a bass part over the veteran Minnesota guitarist’s 1969 solo track “The Driving of the Year Nail.” Gordon hand-delivered the piece to Kottke and the two musicians struck up a fast friendship and musical partnership, beginning with 2002’s Clone and followed by Sixty Six Steps.

    NOON arrives via ATO Records at all DSPs and streaming services on Friday, August 28 and the album’s physical release is slated for Friday, November 20. Phish Dry Goods has a limited pressing on clear vinyl with red/gold splatter – pre-order NOON here

    Tracklist: Flat Top, Eight Miles High, I Am Random, Noon To Noon, From The Cradle To The Grave, How Many People Are You, Ants, Sheets, Alphabet St., Peel, The Only One

  • In Focus: Mike Gordon kicks off Winter Tour at State Theatre of Ithaca

    On the cusp of a winter storm, blanketing the Northeast, Ithaca was bustling with energy ahead of the start of Mike Gordon tour at State Theatre on Friday, January 17. Mike took time during the show to reference Phish’s February 1991 show at the State Theatre, recalling the show as “the night we gave the van away,” when the band gave away Fishman’s family minivan to an audience member. Nearly 30 years later, Mike suggested that this time he said he was giving away a Hummer limo. He did not and the show continued.

    Mike Gordon Ithaca

    Throughout the night, Mike weaved Little Feat’s “Sailin’ Shoes” between songs, as well used “I Am Random,” “Pendulum” and “Victim” to sandwich additional songs in between, including a debut cover of Aimee Mann’s “Save Me,” inside “Pendulum.” Two Phish staples stood out as highlights in the second set – a percussion heavy “Cities” and a slow and groovy “Funky Bitch” for an encore. Mike Gordon heads into the Midwest this week as the tour heads to Seattle for the final show on February 1.

    Mike Gordon Ithaca

    Set 1: Victim, Say Something > Victim > Victim 3D, Steps, Borrowing Rain [1], Sailin’ Shoes > Jumping, Sughn Never Sets.

    Set 2: Pendulum > Save Me [2] > Pendulum, Acid Man, I Am Random > Sailin’ Shoes > I Am Random, Cities > Crazy Sometimes > Sailin’ Shoes > Crazy Sometimes

    Encore: Funky Bitch[1] Debut.
    [2] Mike Gordon debut.

  • Phish rings in 2020 with Clones and the Rescue Squad at Madison Square Garden

    Jam rockers Phish executed their annual New Years Eve show and gag, albeit with unexpected turns and clones. The show took place at Madison Square Garden to a sold-out crowd. The gag is an annual tradition where the band attempts to fool the audience during the third set. Over the years, the gags have become more theatrical, but this one included an unplanned element of surprise.

    The first set included a notably-funky jam “Halley’s Comet,” and the setlist delight, “Fluffhead.” Additionally, after “Axilla,” the band continued a story that was started on 12/30, and eventually referenced a pan flute player named Zamfir. Fishman was able to conjure up Zamfir, played by Richard Glasgow their tour manager, by saying his name.

    The second set was a non-stop jam that prepared the fans for the gag to come. Notable songs included “Punch You In the Eye” and “Mercury.” As the set ended, the crew removed all instruments from the stage, and left eight large covered cubes.

    Set three began with the band talking behind stage without realizing the audience was listening. Guitarist Trey Anastasio mentions that the band will finally give the people what they want, and play an entire set of jazz ballads, a cappella, for new years eve. That is of course, until Zamfir made another appearance, unleashed his pan on the band, and effectively started the annual gag.

    The band appeared wearing wacky colorful jumpsuits during a piano solo for “Send in the Clowns.” Fishman wore a pink inverted version of his usual donut muumuu. The band then changed the lyrics from “Clowns” to “Clones,” and by the end of the song, Anastasio proclaimed “Send in the clones,” and with that, an entire dance troupe dressed in the same outfits as the band, complete with wigs, paraded onto the stage. The band members blended in and were soon cast into the air above the stage, with color-coded platforms suspended above the stage with their respective instruments.

    To end 2019, Phish launched into a rocking “First Tube” from the air, with their clones performing choreographed dance sequences on the ground and on color coordinated risers. At midnight, the band played the traditional “Auld Lang Syne,” followed by “Sand,” reminiscent of the incredible “Sand” played twenty years ago at Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in Florida. The band members were toggled up and down in the air on their platforms, as the clones dance beneath them.

    At the end of “Sand,” Anastasio was noticeably still suspended in the air, while the other three band members were on the stage. Anastasio tried to ease the audience with quipps like “Well, I guess if I’m about to fall to my death, I might as well tell you guys all how much I love you.” A long pause followed, where he found out that the crew was unable to move his broken platform to the ground. The show must go on, and Anastasio played from his hobbled platform for the rest of the set. The audience stood in near silence watching Anastasio’s platform swaying ever so slightly, as the pops of thousands of balloons echoed in Madison Square Garden, with the clones laying down on the platforms, waiting patiently for the next song to begin.

    Trey Anastasio is lowered to safety via the Rescue Squad

    Despite being stuck, the show continued with Page, Jon and Mike moving up and down on their platforms, with Anastasio’s static, 30 feet above the stage. During the quintessential “You Enjoy Myself,” the clones participated in an exceptional vocal jam. At the end, Anastasio awkwardly declared that the encore was starting, because there was no way for him to exit his platform, and asked the audience to pretend that they had gone off stage and come back on. The band gave the fans one final song of the night, “Tweezer Reprise,” and all left the stage, except Anastasio, who remained on his hobbled platform, and sang an impromptu ode to the “Rescue Squad” of crew who safely brought the Bad Lieutenant down. Using Fishman’s platform to safely bridge Anastasio to safety, Anastasio continued the “Rescue Squad” jam on his way down, utilizing Fishman’s drumkit for a final thank you to the Rescue Squad.

    Trey Anastasio

    Was it all part of the gag? Was this part of the plan? Fans continue to debate this days later, all the while reveling in one of Phish’s most impressive New Year’s Eve stunts to date.

    Setlist courtesy of Phish.net

    Set One: Martian Monster, Buried Alive, AC/DC Bag, Halley’s Comet > Prince Caspian > Sparkle > Axilla, Maze, Fluffhead > Rise/Come Together

    Set Two: Punch You in the Eye, Wolfman’s Brother > Light > Twist > Soul Planet > Mercury > Possum

    Set Three: Send in the Clowns[1], First Tube, Auld Lang Syne, Sand, Drift While You’re Sleeping, What’s the Use?, You Enjoy Myself

    Encore: Tweezer Reprise, Rescue Squad[2]

    [1] Phish debut, with lyrics changed to Send in the Clones; a cappella
    [2] Debut; only Trey.