Mike Gordon Reunites With The Benevento Russo Duo

In January of 2004 Phish bassist Mike Gordon sat-in with the Benevento/Russo Duo at the Tribeca Rock Club in New York City and established a musical relationship with drummer Joe Russo and keyboardist Marco Benevento that fully blossomed over the next few years. The trio went on to play a number of shows together through the end of 2005 and brought Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio into the mix for a 2006 Summer Tour. However, performances from not only Mike and The Duo but The Duo itself became extremely rare. On Friday evening The Benevento Russo Duo played just their fourth show since 2010 and Gordon sat-in to help the pair close out their set at Suwannee Hulaween in Live Oak, Florida.

Mike Gordon was on hand for a performance with his five-piece that featured guest appearances from Emily Elbert and Madi Diaz on the whole set, which included such songs as “Victim,” “Whirlwind” and “Yarmouth Road.” Gordon’s set on the Amphitheater Stage at The Spirit Of The Suwannee Music Park ended with a cover of Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion.” The Amphitheater Stage later hosted The Benevento Russo Duo.

Joe and Marco played Threes Brewing in Brooklyn on December 27, 2016; bringing a six-year hiatus to a close. The pair then performed aboard Jam Cruise 15 in January and The Benevento Russo Duo made their Brooklyn Bowl debut this past February. Friday’s set at Hulaween was The Duo’s first since the Brooklyn Bowl concert. Benevento and Russo brought up Mike Gordon to close out the set with “Scratchitti.” The song was a fitting choice as it was the inital composed tune the trio played at their first official gig way back on June 7, 2004 at B.B. King’s in New York City.

“Scratchitti” was performed at all five The Benevento Russo Duo Featuring Mike Gordon shows that followed their B.B. King’s debut in 2004 as well as at most of the handful of gigs the trio played in 2005. Mike, Joe and Marco last shared the stage on September 8, 2009 at Gordon’s gig in Brooklyn. The previous time the threesome performed together as a trio was for The Benevento Russo Duo’s encore at Higher Ground in Burlington on October 16, 2008.

Watch video of Mike Gordon and The Duo at Hulaween captured by Inside Out’s Rob Turner:

Here’s upgraded video thanks to Live For Live Music:

[All stats via Phish.net]