Search - Leo Kottke, Mike Gordon :: Clone

Great Sounds -- So many good things to say --

Lee smallwood | St. Louis, MO USA | 10/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Reviewer: Lee smallwood from St. Louis, MO USA
Mike Gordon says they wanted to keep it light -- they didn't want to make a serious album -- and they didn't. Yet Clone is destined to have a strong impact on everyone and everything within its range, the artists, their fans, and the rock music world from which it came. I'm writing this as a Kottke fan who has become a Kottke/Gordon fan who is happy to have been introduced to Phish. I've discovered quality music that I never knew existed. And I expect that's going to be true for a lot of us as a result of the Kottke/Gordon effort.
These two artists (apparently going down quite different musical paths) have found their way to a collaboration, the likes of which has never been seen before, because these guys are so unique in their approach to life and music. The result was a 'lot of fun' for them and a happy listening experience for us. The tunes are full of varied, infectious rhythms and clever lyrics, and most of all, great melodies! Yet, what keeps you smiling throughout is the sense that these musical giants are themselves smiling at having found a (playfully weird) kindred spirit with whom to make music! Leo Kottke is a national treasure, and a wonderful part of the story is that Mike Gordon, brilliant bassist of PHISH, having admired Leo's musical output AND his sense of humor for years, foresaw the possibilities and approached Leo with the idea that they might try playing together. According to them, when it finally happened, they had 'hours of bad jamming' -- but then, they 'found a lick' on which they could really groove, and they were off. With that small success, they knew they could write and play together. So, based solely on that lick (and the fact that they were having so much fun), they jumped in and committed to making an album together. And what an album!!
These guys are not only great player/composers -- they have the knack of bringing forth from their instruments (and voices) sounds that people actually enjoy hearing. The CD is
well-sequenced so that the eight vocals and six instrumentals each seem like they show up at just the right time. Thirteen of these tunes are instantly likeable. The 14th, 'Clay' (track 10), may take some 'getting used to', but it works in the end.
This is music that is great to pay attention to, noticing the interplay of instruments and voices or chuckling over some verbal riff of Mike's. As my friend Patty O'Day said:
"We played it on that VERY GOOD SOUND SYSTEM :-) of mine . . . Wow . . . . it sounded even better. The reason I bring this up is, I realized how very well this CD was produced when I played it at max decibel levels . . . :-) You can really hear how well these two musicians mesh with their instruments when played at high volume." Or, it's great to have it playing over and over in the background as you go about doing 'whatever'. It's clear that the combination of their musicianship, personalities and the 'fun they're having' is at the heart of what makes this album work so well. Though a Kottke fan, I'm enjoying Mike's tunes as much as Leo's. It helps that you can hear that they are both playing on each other's tunes.
These guys are so genuinely likable as people that, whether we're Kottke fans or Phish fans, we can embrace this album because Mike and Leo have embraced the opportunity and each other to produce something truly worthwhile."

A Clone Worth Having

applewood | everywhere and nowhere | 12/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great collaboration! I can't wait to hear more. Kottke and Gordon make a great pair, an odd couple that have obviously found kindred spirits in each other, in their quirky song selection and lucid interwoven acoustic instrumentation. I feel Kottke is better off with someone to play against, keeping the sound more varied, and what Gordon brings to the mix with his wonderful songs, singing and bass sound is equally playful and new. Perhaps when the Gods clone their creations they come out as delightful recordings like this...I'm glad I got one."

Fantastic

Lee smallwood | 10/10/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"i've been a phish fan for several years, but i've only "discovered" leo kottke in the past few months....i was so excited when i heard about the collaboration between these two heavys, that i pre-ordered the CD before its release. i was NOT disappointed with the result. this is a very fun album, and the styles of gordon and kottke seem made for each other...if you're debating buying this record, just do it. you probably won't be disappointed either!"