The Benevento/Russo Duo have been keeping busy over the last couple of years. They’ve gone from regional improv act to an international draw and have cemented a name for themselves by producing great music night after night and pushing the boundaries of what a drum and organ combo can do. Their show at the State Theater with special guest Mike Gordon was the second of a five night east coast run that featured the former Phish member’s chess minded bass style.
The show kicked off with a trio of Duo tunes, two of which, the ping-pong sounding “Becky” and the uber-relaxing “Welcome Red,” were from the Duo’s critically acclaimed album Best Reason To Buy The Sun. Gordon’s basslines fit in nicely with the Duo’s almost telepathic sound, and with the unveiling of Phish’s “Theme from The Bottom,” Benevento’s organ sang along in a dreamy silhouette over Gordon’s determined bass lines. The early set came to a close with the Gordon penned “Beltless Buckler,” during which the Christmas song “Carol of the Bells” was slyly infused.
High anticipation was greeted with a mostly Phishy second set, opening with a Russo drum solo leading into a spacey, almost free-jazz version of “Lengthwise.” The spacey jam went directly into “Foam,” a Phish tune that the Duo with Mike has made into it’s own machine. The musical interplay between the band was transcendent, and at times the trio teased many familiar songs, including Miles Davis’ “All Blues” and Page McConnell’s “Magilla.”
The Phish classic, and new addition to the Duo repertoire, “You Enjoy Myself,“ was played to near perfection and featured Benevento mimicking the lead harmonies on organ before donning a guitar and jumping on a trampoline in true YEM fashion. The ensuing jam went into some rather interesting and exploratory territory before finally settling into a hot “Mike’s Song,” complete with audience sing-a-long.
This trio of musicians have gotten to know each other well quite well over the past year and aren’t afraid to jump into uncharted waters at any time. The show was tight when it needed to be and spacious when the moment dictated. Together they’ve set a new standard for collaborations and one can only hope that it will continue to grow.
Contributing writer Joe Adler is a musician based out of Burlington, Vermont. He performs regularly with his band The Joe Adler Acoustic Project.
