Posts tagged mike gordon

On the passing of Levon Helm

Of course The Band was a huge influence on Phish and many other bands. But Levon’s own musical career is just so inspiring…. from wanting to leave the Bob Dylan scene in the 60s despite all the success around it in order to follow his own musical tastes to the incredible Midnight Rambles of recent years. I was lucky enough to go to four of the Rambles and play at one, and these were life changing experiences. Jon Fishman called home from the parking lot after the first one I went to, saying it was a top musical experience of his life.

I’ve always thought music can exist so perfectly when churning in the confines of a barn, and this took it to an extreme where American culture was simply bubbling over with authenticity, passion, and a connection to the backwoods and the hills. It’s a testament that ten or fifteen incredible (and notable) musicians came through each time to make up and enhance this house band (not to mention the incredible opening bands). In the middle of the barn, with his deep seventy year old smile, Levon’s uniquely spare yet fierce drumming propelled a repertoire through these enchanted nights. Folk, bluegrass, and country blended effortlessly with blues, soul, and funk, creating a melting pot of sounds unique to our country. And despite battles with throat cancer, Levon would grab the mic and sing so powerfully that it shook the beams of his old barn-home to the core.

To do a few cool things when someone’s young is one thing, but then to grow older and cultivate such a heartfelt and moving musical situation is very inspiring. It’s no wonder so many artists are influenced by his sound, his sensibility, and his projects with their own pursuits. This is a huge loss, and I’m sorry for anyone who couldn’t experience that magic first hand, and I’m thankful that our country and our musical community was lucky enough to be graced by such a soul

- Mike Gordon

(The above was just posted on Mike’s Facebook page)

Mike Gordon, blinged out bassist

Mike Gordon, blinged out bassist

After Set 1, Coventry. (via andshecalledherselflil) Amazingly bitter sweet to flash back to when this was unfolding in front of my eyes. Set one was probably the best set of the weekend musically (the only one that wasn’t a complete trainwreck), but it also saw the handing of the tramps to the crowd during YEM, Tom Marshall saying goodbye with one last Esquandolas, and a final Fire to end the set. Trey appeared to have not slept in nights and was highly under the influence. We were still only about six hours removed from Gordo telling us over the radio in so many words that thousands of us would have to walk a dozen miles or more if we wanted to be part of the sad goodbye. To say it was emotional is a monumental understatement. While Mike may have also been holding a not so sure footed Trey up as they left the stage for physical reasons, today when I see this photo it reminds me of how and why Phish is still a band. It’s that unending friendship and brotherhood, the shared experience that only they could truly understand that has persevered in spite of a myriad of obstacles that have existed in their career. And in a way Mike stoically shouldered the load for all of us that loved Phish that weekend - before and after - keeping himself composed when the others couldn’t. It’s the kindness and compassion in this photo that embodies why no matter whether a show is great or horrible, they’re in it for the right reasons and so are we. The community and friendship will always be there, and there’s very few things - especially on the scale of Phish - that are so profoundly real and from the heart as this, as them.

After Set 1, Coventry. (via andshecalledherselflil)

Amazingly bitter sweet to flash back to when this was unfolding in front of my eyes. Set one was probably the best set of the weekend musically (the only one that wasn’t a complete trainwreck), but it also saw the handing of the tramps to the crowd during YEM, Tom Marshall saying goodbye with one last Esquandolas, and a final Fire to end the set. Trey appeared to have not slept in nights and was highly under the influence. We were still only about six hours removed from Gordo telling us over the radio in so many words that thousands of us would have to walk a dozen miles or more if we wanted to be part of the sad goodbye. To say it was emotional is a monumental understatement.

While Mike may have also been holding a not so sure footed Trey up as they left the stage for physical reasons, today when I see this photo it reminds me of how and why Phish is still a band. It’s that unending friendship and brotherhood, the shared experience that only they could truly understand that has persevered in spite of a myriad of obstacles that have existed in their career. And in a way Mike stoically shouldered the load for all of us that loved Phish that weekend - before and after - keeping himself composed when the others couldn’t.

It’s the kindness and compassion in this photo that embodies why no matter whether a show is great or horrible, they’re in it for the right reasons and so are we. The community and friendship will always be there, and there’s very few things - especially on the scale of Phish - that are so profoundly real and from the heart as this, as them.

andshecalledherselflil

Wilson, can you still have fun?!

Wilson, can you still have fun?!

saucysunshine

LOOKING FOR A BASS PLAYER WITH A P.A.
The sign you make to get Mike Gordon to join your band in 1983.
Do you like the Cactus? Of course you do. So why not click on the above link and get yourself a free download of the March 20 show by Gordeaux with Scott Murawski on guitar, Vermonters Craig Myers on percussion and Tom Cleary on keyboards and Brooklyn drummer Todd Isler? You’ll be glad you did.

Do you like the Cactus? Of course you do. So why not click on the above link and get yourself a free download of the March 20 show by Gordeaux with Scott Murawski on guitar, Vermonters Craig Myers on percussion and Tom Cleary on keyboards and Brooklyn drummer Todd Isler?

You’ll be glad you did.

Mike Gordon live with Marco Benevento (12:30 AM EST)

Thank me later.

P.S. If Gordo isn’t playing bass at the moment he will be.

wearyourart

Mike Gordon is quitting Phish… to join Arrested Development cast

He’ll be working at the banana stand in the upcoming season. You heard it here first.

boston: Local museum to host art exhibit by Phish bassist - The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham will host a multimedia plastics art exhibit in September produced by a team of three artists, including Phish bassist Mike Gordon. (AP Photo:The members of Phish, from left, keyboard player Page McConnell, guitarist Trey Anastasio, drummer Jon Fishman, and bassist Mike Gordon.)

boston:

Local museum to host art exhibit by Phish bassist

- The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham will host a multimedia plastics art exhibit in September produced by a team of three artists, including Phish bassist Mike Gordon. (AP Photo:The members of Phish, from left, keyboard player Page McConnell, guitarist Trey Anastasio, drummer Jon Fishman, and bassist Mike Gordon.)

Boston.com