Mike Gordon at Union Transfer Philadelphia 11/28/2016
words: Christopher Snyder | Photos: Ron Adelberg & Alex Buschiazzo
Phish bassist Mike Gordon brought his own band to Philadelphia's Union Transfer on Monday night, a usual stop on his east coast tour comprised of a quintet that Gordon assembled three years ago for the fifteen date tour and features some of the most versatile musicians in the scene today: Robert Walter (Keyboardist/Robert Walter’s 20th Congress), Scott Murawski (Guitarist/Max Creek), Craig Myers (Percussion/Rubblebucket), John Kimock (Drums/JMMY)
Lots of familiar faces filled in to Union Transfer as Gordon, or Cactus as long-time Phish fans know him by, started into the head-bopping “Say Something”, co-written with Murawski. Word has it that Mike is not too fond of the nickname, "Cactus", but even Phish bandmate Trey Anastasio calls him that from time to time on stage and Gordon seems past the stage of battling the given name. The beauty of attending Mike Gordon Band shows is that you get to hear tunes that may rarely be in the Phish catalog (“Say Something” has been played twice by Phish). As the set progressed with a strong version of “Daisy Hill Grove” and the versatile new song “Check Your Pepper”, you could tell that the group were finding their groove and gelling with another. Gordon told a quick story about longtime friend and Phish lyricist Tom Marshall, who also was in attendance for the show, with one word “SPUNK”. The word seemed to ring throughout the show and also got morphed into the word 'SKUNK'. Word play is something Mike has always been fond of, a common connection with the lyricist, Marhsall.
Lots of familiar faces filled in to Union Transfer as Gordon, or Cactus as long-time Phish fans know him by, started into the head-bopping “Say Something”, co-written with Murawski. Word has it that Mike is not too fond of the nickname, "Cactus", but even Phish bandmate Trey Anastasio calls him that from time to time on stage and Gordon seems past the stage of battling the given name. The beauty of attending Mike Gordon Band shows is that you get to hear tunes that may rarely be in the Phish catalog (“Say Something” has been played twice by Phish). As the set progressed with a strong version of “Daisy Hill Grove” and the versatile new song “Check Your Pepper”, you could tell that the group were finding their groove and gelling with another. Gordon told a quick story about longtime friend and Phish lyricist Tom Marshall, who also was in attendance for the show, with one word “SPUNK”. The word seemed to ring throughout the show and also got morphed into the word 'SKUNK'. Word play is something Mike has always been fond of, a common connection with the lyricist, Marhsall.
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With Robert Walter’s driving keyboard work along with Murawski’s roaring guitar solos, the show was shaping up to be a musicians dream. Craig Myers led the way with his percussion expertise throughout the set, as John Kimock, showed why years of experience behind the drumkit has made him one of the most unique drummers in the scene today. Closing the first half of the performance was a powerful version of “Crazy Sometimes”, featuring a few “ Purple Haze” teases by the legendary bassist and guitarist.
Second set brought the energy and that was apparent in the opening number “Ether”, off of Gordon’s 2014 album “ Overstep”. The band and audience were all smiles, as the highlight of the second set “Susskind Hotel --> Mother's Song --> Susskind Hotel”, which gave an opportunity for all of the musicians to showcase their skills on their respective instruments. As the night came to a close with fan favorite “Spock’s Brain" and a newer song performed by Phish this past summer, "Let’s Go”, it was evident that Mike Gordon along with his crew made a great impression on the Philadelphia fans - the energy in the room had literally quadrupled in two hours.
After the Tuesday visit to DC's Lincoln Theatre and a stop tonight down to Asheville's Orange Peel, Mike and crew will play the Nashville Cannery Ballroom on Friday. The band are then off to Atlanta to the Variety Playhouse, circling back north after a few days off for three sold out nights in Cambridge, MA at The Sinclair, 12/9-11, to end the tour.
Mike Gordon will appear next with Phish at Madison Square Garden for their traditional (and somewhat annual) four-day New Years run in New York City on December 28-31. Mike and Phish will then make their second consecutive visit to the Barcelo Riviera Maya Deluxe Resort where they will host three days of music on the sunny Mexican beach by the ocean, January 15-17. (more at http://phishrivieramaya.com)
Second set brought the energy and that was apparent in the opening number “Ether”, off of Gordon’s 2014 album “ Overstep”. The band and audience were all smiles, as the highlight of the second set “Susskind Hotel --> Mother's Song --> Susskind Hotel”, which gave an opportunity for all of the musicians to showcase their skills on their respective instruments. As the night came to a close with fan favorite “Spock’s Brain" and a newer song performed by Phish this past summer, "Let’s Go”, it was evident that Mike Gordon along with his crew made a great impression on the Philadelphia fans - the energy in the room had literally quadrupled in two hours.
After the Tuesday visit to DC's Lincoln Theatre and a stop tonight down to Asheville's Orange Peel, Mike and crew will play the Nashville Cannery Ballroom on Friday. The band are then off to Atlanta to the Variety Playhouse, circling back north after a few days off for three sold out nights in Cambridge, MA at The Sinclair, 12/9-11, to end the tour.
Mike Gordon will appear next with Phish at Madison Square Garden for their traditional (and somewhat annual) four-day New Years run in New York City on December 28-31. Mike and Phish will then make their second consecutive visit to the Barcelo Riviera Maya Deluxe Resort where they will host three days of music on the sunny Mexican beach by the ocean, January 15-17. (more at http://phishrivieramaya.com)
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SET 1: Say Something, Spiral, Jones, Looking for Clues, Daisy Hill Grove, Check Your Pepper, Crazy Sometimes
SET 2: Ether > Black Tambourine, Peel, Susskind > Mother's Song > Susskind, Sleep to Dream, Here Today
ENCORE: Spock's Brain > Let's Go
NOTES: Scott and Mike teased Purple Haze in Crazy Sometimes.
