Search - Mike Gordon :: Inside in

Soundtrack to "Mike's Corner"

09/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I just wanted to give my two and a half cents about this CD. I have been waiting a lonnnnngggggg time for Mike to come out with a solo work. Besides loving what he brings to Phish, I think he is an absolute genius. Yes - eccentric to put it mildly - but he is all about quality when he puts his mind to something. I have only listened to this CD a couple of times, but I know it will be one I listen to often. It has (as all other posts have said) a little of everything, but there are definitely strong bluegrass undertones in a lot of it (which would expected from Mike, as that is his true love). He has brought on board for this project some major heavy hitters, who just add to the depth and uniqueness of this great CD. It is clean, tight, funky, groovy, twangy, funny and silly. As I said in the title, if you have "read" (I don't even know if that is the right word....."dabbled in" may be better) his "book", Mike's Corner, this would be the soundtrack. Definitely worth checking out though."

Honky Tonk meets Medeski Martin and Wood

Aaron Kinney | 07/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just got this album and can't say enough good things about it. It'll help if you're a Phish fan and are attuned to Mike's sensibility. It'll also help if you're a fan of Medeski Martin and Wood and/or have a high regard for Galactic drummer Stanton Moore.



A lot of the songs have the stripped down bass and drum feel of MMW but are complemented with country music instrumentation, with a great line-up of guests, from Bela Fleck on banjo to Gordon Stone on pedal steel guitar.



Some of the highlights include "Bone Delay," "Outside Out," "Soulfood Man," and "Major Minor." My favorite song is "Couch Lady," which begins and ends with dissonance but in between features a gorgeous melody about an old woman who travels to the moon at "negative speed" and becomes an expert guitar player, learning the instrument in "seven minutes flat."



I've always liked the album versions of "Train Song" and "Scent of a Mule." My appreciation for Gordon as a song writer/arranger has shot way up."