Mike Gordon Releases 2016 Variety Playhouse Show

Last year Phish bassist Mike Gordon held a late fall run of shows with his solo band that included a night at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. A live recording of the December 3, 2016 concert has been officially released via LivePhish.

Gordon was backed in Atlanta by guitarist Scott Murawski, keyboardist Robert Walter, drummer John Morgan Kimock and percussionist Craig Myers. Mixed from multi-track masters, the Variety Playhouse release is available to purchase via a digital download or stream for free via the LivePhish app.

A lengthy “Long Black Line” opened the first set at the Variety, followed by Murawski leading the group through Max Creek’s “Cruel World.” A cover of Fred Neil’s “Everybody’s Talkin’” came ahead of Phish’s “555” and the set drew to a close via the combination of Robert Palmer’s “Looking For Clues” and Gordon’s “How Many People Are You.”

Phish rarity “Spock’s Brain” started the second set and was trailed by “Let’s Go.” More improvisation surfaced during the collaborative “Peel” and the second set was rounded out by Here We Go Magic’s “How Do I Know,” as well as “Jones,” “Face” and “Traveled Too Far.” Son Seals’ blues number “Funky Bitch” was covered for the lone encore of the night. Here’s more from Mike on the show in Atlanta:

That whole week felt so dreamy and fun and when I listened again to Atlanta I thought ‘we have to share this’ and take the time to do a mix! This gig just revs me up, hearing that the sonic reinventing is well underway – seems like we were firing freely on all cylinders or sumpin. I get so fired up hearing what used to be more standard soloing and now the guys are using simple mesmerizing melodies and haunting new sounding textures.

Setlist (via Phish.net)

Set One: Long Black Line, Cruel World > Everybody’s Talkin’, 555, Daisy Hill Grove, Looking for Clues > How Many People Are You

Set Two: Spock’s Brain, Let’s Go, Peel, How Do I Know, Jones > Face, Traveled Too Far

Encore: Funky Bitch