It was clear to fans that this was much more than a side project. Mike Gordon was far from the center of attention as he frequently stepped back to let his band mates take the lead. Everyone on stage was having a great time as they joked around and exchanged ear-to-ear grins with each other. Several times during the show Mike would pick up and noodle with his Korg Kaossilator, even letting fans in the front row play with it a bit. Percussionist Craig Myers plucked away at his African string instrument, the Kora, adding a very unique sound on a few songs.
One couldn’t help but think that the improvisation sounded Phishy at times, especially with Murawski playing the signature Languedoc guitar next to the big, fat notes coming from Gordon’s Modulus bass. However, Mike Gordon and his band were undoubtedly making their mark as they nailed their compositions and teared through jams with a sound that was polished and tight.
Mike Gordon currently has five more dates on his already lengthy tour, which ends in his hometown of Burlington, Vermont on October 4th at Higher Ground.
Mike Gordon Band
September 25, 2009
Park West
Chicago, ILSet One: Another Door, Walls Of Time, Spiral, Can’t Stand Still, Time (The Revelator), The Field, Morphing Again, Soulfood Man, Dig Further Down
Set Two: Sugar Shack, What Things Seem, Sound*, Hey Now Baby*, 15 Step, River Niger, Radar Blip, Traveled Too Far
Encore: Rhymes, She Said, She SaidShow Notes: * with Ivan Neville on keys and vocals