This Wednesday, November 17, Phish’s beloved bassist will take the stage at the Barrymore Theatre to share his funky jams with legions of fans. If you’re hoping to be among them, we suggest you read on to find out how you could win a pair of tickets to the show!
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
MIKE GORDON
Barrymore Theatre – 8pm – $20 adv $25 dos – all ages
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BIOGRAPHY:
Over the past decade, Mike Gordon has become an increasingly prolific solo artist, and Moss is an exciting addition to his growing catalog. It is the third solo album from the Phish bassist, following Inside In (2003)and The Green Sparrow (2008). During this same time frame, he also cut a highly entertaining pair of albums–Clone (2002) and Sixty Six Steps (2005)–with guitarist extraordinaire Leo Kottke. In other words, Gordon’s cup is overflowing with music on many different fronts.
Moss comes only two short years after The Green Sparrow, and about half of its songs stem from the same 50-song burst of creativity that seeded that album. They join songs of more recent vintage, all of which were revised, reworked and morphed by the tireless Gordon in spontaneous but exacting fashion.
Gordon had a number of goals in mind when it came to making this album. He wanted the songs to be simpler and more accessible, and he also wanted to spend more time writing and revising them. (“Just like John Prine said, ‘You don’t write, you edit,’” he quips.) He also wanted to allow more focus to be placed on the actual singing.
In addition, Gordon wanted to let the album “be more true to itself, where it dictates what it needs, like by picking songs that seem to fit and ignoring ones that don’t.” The powers-that-be in this album’s spirit world apparently decreed that Gordon’s bass guitar should function more like a lead instrument. And so he complied. Fans who appreciate Gordon’s role as the ever-inventive low-end anchor in Phish will be delighted to hear how central his bass work is on Moss.
“The driving force is the bass,” says Gordon. “Not in terms of soloing, but in terms of having unique rhythms. Sometimes I tell people that the lead instrument on Inside In was pedal steel and the lead instrument on The Green Sparrow might’ve been electric guitar, and the central focus on this album is bass.”
Indeed, Gordon’s bass lines wind through these songs like strands of DNA, determining the forms that the surrounding instruments and overall composition take. This is not an entirely far-fetched comparison, as lyrical references to double helixes, spirals and corkscrews – some of the shapes that DNA and other bits of cellular material assume – run through these songs, especially the dreamier, more otherworldly ones.
A four-song sequence, comprising “Flashback,” “The Void,” “Got Away” and “Spiral,” goes places no songs have gone before. They are uniquely Mike. You might suppose these soundscapes are musical evocations of particularly fanciful sights and sounds experienced while on hallucinogenic vision quests.
“There’s a sort of psychedelic theme, and I’ve never tripped before,” he acknowledges. “But I thought that’s okay because you don’t always have to write from your own character, necessarily. I have an appreciation for what consciousness can do, though my way of getting there has been via different avenues.”
Moss, in fact, is really more about the limitless places one’s imagination can visit on its own. Gordon has always been a dreamer and, by his own admission, an outsider, and this combination has made for a very colorful interior life. The songs on Moss are often accessible but also highly original, musing on matters of human consciousness and psychology in ways that are as listenable as they are unusual.
Words that crop up when Gordon discusses the songs’ themes include creativity and emptiness, observation and engagement, presence and absence. Referring to “Horizon Line,” he notes, “If I had to consolidate the sentiment into one word, it would be displacement. That whole feeling of talking to someone but being elsewhere. The concept is, ‘I’m talking to you but my mind is walking across the most distant part of my peripheral vision, where I’m actually walking on the horizon line, way out there.’ The theme of displacement weaves through all these songs.”
The fascinating thing is that he’s able to evoke concepts as ethereal as this not just lyrically but musically. Songs like “Spiral” and “The Void” detour into evocatively abstract, meterless areas of sound with a mysterious, textural richness. On the other hand, such numbers as “Can’t Stand Still” and “Fire From a Stick” – both joyfully devoted to muses, mentors and the ecstatic wellspring of inspiration – are infectious, danceable, upbeat and viscerally planted in the here and now.
Three years in the making, Moss is the later chapter in an ongoing collaboration between Gordon and his creative sounding board, Jared Slomoff. Gordon, of course, sings and plays bass, as well as a variety of other instruments, including guitar, piano and drum programming. Slomoff co-produced and contributed some singing, playing and programming as well.
Drummers Joe Russo and Doug Belote crop up throughout the album, and other guests include organist Marco Benevento and percussionist Ken Lovelett, who brought a few intriguing instruments of his own invention to Gordon’s studio. Mike’s bandmates in Phish — keyboardist Page McConnell and drummer Jon Fishman — also make appearances.
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WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS: Change is a central theme to Gordon’s song, “Morphing Again”. “She’s morphing again /
Into something I can’t recognize / Just when I’m in / She might morph her way out.” he sings. Many songwriters have revisited the theme of change again and again over the years. We want you to post your top five songs about change, or post at least one song that has inspired a personal change in your life. Post your responses in the comments section below.
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Please have your responses in by Tuesday, November 16 at 8:00pm. We will choose and notify the winners shortly thereafter. Good luck everyone!
Filed under: Free Madison Concert Tickets & MP3 Downloads, Jam, Music Shows This Week in Madison Tagged: | Barrymore Theatre, Madison WI concerts, Mike Gordon tickets, Win Tickets
1) changes – david bowie
2) dont think twice, its allright – bob dylan
3) your time is gonna come – led zeppelin
4) 50 ways to leave your lover – paul simon
5) hey jude – the beatles
Blue Sky-Allman Bros.
War-War
Freedom-Richie Haven
Another Brink in the Wall-Pink Flloyd
Always look on the Bright side of life. Monty Python
#1 song that has inspired a change for me to just simply let things be is of course “LET IT BE” i have turned to this song multiple times when life has happened. The lyrics also speak to me because my mothers name is mary…
‘when i find myself in times of trouble mother mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom.. let it be”
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd.
About 4 years ago my girlfriend of 4 years and I had just broken up (my fault) and I was not handling it that well. I, like may others, sought solace through a multitude of substances and other women. This continued on for about 6 months until one early morning I was sitting on my porch swing watching the sun come up and listening to my ipod. It was on random and Wish You Were Here came on. As I listened and the sun began to warm my face, I had a yearning to do whatever I could to get her back in to my life. I immediately grabbed a pen and paper and wrote down every thought that came to my head. I later called her and read to her what I had written. It was the first time I had spoken with her in months. She called me back a few days later and we began to talk off and on. Eventually we began to spend some time together and over the next year we started to rebuild our relationship. I am now happy to say that we got engaged a little over three weeks ago and there is nothing that could make me happier.
Yes We Can -Will.i.am…..Will.i.am. put this song together after Barack Obama lost a primary election in 2008-Some of his audio from his speech is even used in the song. It was meant to get people to rally together and to say we can fix our nation and make it better….I think this song is a great example of change….with appearances in the video and song by Common, John Legend, Jesse Dylan, and even Scarlett Johanssen this song brought about a lot of change and hopefully more to come!
“Titties & Beer” by Frank Zappa.
because….. I never thought the two could be so dangerous until i heard this song? So I’ve steered clear of both ever since? Well no…..
And because the rest of these posts are way to serious:-)
Ain’t Wastin Time No More – The Allman Brothers
Do You Realize? – The Flaming Lips
Walk On – Neil Young
Time – Pink Floyd
Back in the High Life Again – Steve Winwood
Once In a Lifetime – The Talking Heads
All great songs with some message in the context of change.
Not all are about change, but have inspired me in some way.
Character Zero by Phish
Home Again by The Disco Biscuits
Spiritualize by Lotus
Breath In by Sound Tribe Sector 9
Three Little Birds by Bob Marley
“Optimistic Soul” and “Not An Easy Road” by: Buju Banton
“Higher Ground” by: Stevie Wonder
“Run For The Roses” by Jerry Garcia
“Gimme Shelter” by: The Rolling Stones
“No Shelter” by: Rage Against The Machine
I have way to many songs that I love and know that have been so inspiring in my life. Its hard to name just 5. I hope this is good enough!
“Things Have Changed”– Bob Dylan
“Let It Be Me”– Indigo Girls
“Redemption Song”– Bob Marley
“Follow Me (87 Times)”– Bryan Sirchio
“Waiting on the World to Change”– John Mayer
I hope I’m not too late. I just got out of class and saw this.
The song I have chosen, while it may sound a bit cliche at first, is Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’”.
I had a friend that I met in kindergarten, we remained friends throughout all of grade school and through most of high school. He was always a musician, playing the piano like no one else I had seen before, or since. The further he delved into the musical world, the stranger he became. He began listening to artists that were far beyond the norm for most of my high school peers, and that included Bob Dylan, Jethro Tull, the Beatles, and even Phish.
He would always play the most bizarre songs of the preceding artists, just to see me cringe, as I was farther into the mainstream at the time. He was amused by my various reactions. I wasn’t a big fan of those sounds at the time, though I began making my transition at that time.
The summer before what would have been our senior year, he was killed in a car crash involving a speeding, off-duty police officer. To this day I still can’t believe what happened, but I have learned to live with it.
Curious as to what was so special about what he was listening to, I decided to give his music a fair chance. I wasn’t used to what I was hearing, but I slowly grew fonder and fonder of it. I am glad someone was able to show me the late, I just wish it didn’t cost my friend his life.
Of the thousands of songs I had started listening to, and have listened to since, many have been inspiring, entertaining, and intriguing.
I suppose the song that has inspired change in myself, as well as the world around, would be Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’”. The song is a call to all those who are oppressed to rise above the challenges they are facing. At the same time, it warns the very same oppressors that they had best change their ways, lest they be taken down by those they have subjugated. It is a reminder to all human beings that we have the power to inflict massive change, should the time ever come that we are so browbeaten and a call for action is in order.
Top 5 Songs about change:
Change – Blind Melon (duh)
Julius – Phish
Oh Lonesome Me – Neil Young
Meeting in the Aisle – Radiohead
The Thin Ice – Pink Floyd
“Sleep Again” by Trey Anastasio. (Sorry this is serious!) Last year my 21 year old brother died in his sleep suddenly. Anyone who knows the lyrics to this song would understand how this song can be quite literal and can have the meaning that the pain will pass, never go away, but change into something different that you can live with somehow. This song was played at Festival 8 which was a very short time after his death and I wasn’t sure I should go but I went and i’m unbelievably glad I did because it brought upon a realization that life truly is short and I am forever changed. Music was/is the only thing that truly helps me and has transformed my situations.
Others:
“Come let go” by Xavier Rudd
“Echoes” by Pink Floyd
“Breathe” as Played by Phish
Another Door – Mike Gordon
This songs hits on the optimistic outlook that no matter what your doing or where you going there is always another opportunity around the next corner. Life is short so you have to take advantage of another door.
Change -Blind Melon
We Got The – Beastie Boys
The Times, They are a Changin’ – B. Dlyan
Chameleon – Herbie Hancock
A lot of great entries. We may have to pick more than one winner!
1) Animal by Mike Snow
2) Changing by Moondoggies
3) On Children by Sweet Honey In The Rock
4) Arc of the Sun by Assembly of Dust
5) Garden Song by Peter, Paul & Mary
1. Poems, Prayers & Promises- John Denver
2. Across the Universe – The Beatles
3. Time – Pink Floyd
4. Change Bilnd Melon
5. Changes – David Bowie
Simon & Garfunkel- “The Only Living Boy in New York”
Grateful Dead- “Ripple”
The Beatles- “The Inner Light”
Phish- “Wading in the Velvet Sea”
John Lennon- “Imagine”
John Lennon: “Imagine”
Phish: “Backwards Down The Number Line”
Bob Marley: “Get Up Stand Up”
Peter Tosh “LEGALIZE IT” Fo Sho
Michael Jackson “Man And The Mirror
Fuck you I’m out -Off With Their Heads
Comes A Time-Grateful Dead
Bitch-Rolling Stones
Mission In The Rain-Jerry Garcia
Changes-Black Sabbath
1. Joyful Sound- String Cheese Incident
The lyrics connect being happy with themes of positivity. Working for what you want allow you to have fun, be able to do what you love, give love, and receive love. This song makes me want to dance, love, and live.
2. Uncle John’s Band- The Grateful Dead
Listened to this song after one of the toughest nights of my life. “When life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door.”
Life is too short: “Ain’t no time to hate, barely time to wait.”
Connect, talk, live, do, experience.
3. Brian and Robert- Phish
This is my go to song on the darkest and loneliest of days. More than once I’ve sat with this playing, feeling sad but knowing that the song is dedicated for my exact reason. I’m sure I’m not the first to feel these lyrics, “then this one if for you” to help pick me up.
4. Cemetery Walk- Umphrey’s McGee
This song always makes me feel alive, I can hear their passion busting from the sounds. To me this song means, the truth will set you free. Lies and secrets cover you until you can’t escape. The thing I love about this song is anyone can feel something different about it, there’s a story behind it people can relate to in the most passionate personal way.
5. Really Wut?- STS9
The notes in this song give me goosebumps. A thoughtful, awesome opening line that asks us all, “People are you ready? People are you trying?”
There and Back- Biohazard
Wow just 5 songs?!? Hmm well off the top of my head I will go in order of when I heard them as my listening matured.
1. 1991~ Life Is A Highway off of Mad Mad World- Tom Cochrane
2. 1993~ Feel So Real off of Everything IS Wrong- Moby
3. 1994~ Down With Disease off of Hoist- first ever exposure to Phish which basically scared me silly at the time. I only loved this song till
4. 2000~entire disc but really Bouncing Around the Room hooked me off of A Live One- Phish
5. Seeing Regina Spektor Live Lollapalooza 2007 and not knowing who she was but the A Capella was unbelievable
Also unbelievable and deserving recognition for seeing live and not previously hearing of them would be Matisyahu at Wakarusa in 2005 and of course Grace Potter &the Nocturnals who I saw with Gov’t Mule in 2007 on tour.
Thanks now I need to go mosey around downtown Madison listening to anything besides the radio….
Tag’s right…this one wasn’t easy. Not only did we have great responses, we also had a TON of them!
The tickets for Mike Gordon will go to Kyle—you weren’t too late!
Thanks everyone!
Thank you very much.
I also enjoyed reading everyone’s posts. They are very thought-provoking, and contain a lot of good songs, and a lot that is new to me that I will have to investigate.
Peace!
Kyle couldn’t make the show—-the tix will now go to Brandon. Congrats!