JamBase Releases ‘Cluster Flies’ Covers Compilation Reimagining Phish’s Album ‘Farmhouse’

JamBase proudly presents Cluster Flies, a covers compilation reimagining Phish’s album Farmhouse, which is available to stream on all major platforms.

Mastered by engineer Joe Lambert, Cluster Flies features Phish covers recorded by Umphrey’s McGee’s Brendan Bayliss, Club d’Elf, Daniel Donato, Chris Forsyth, Neal Francis, Jennifer Hartswick, Amy Helm, Lindsay Lou, Reed Mathis, White Denim’s James Petralli, Strand Of Oaks, Sylvan Esso, William Tyler, Sadler Vaden, Vetiver, Ryley Walker, and a supergroup led by Tim Palmieri. A true reimagining of Farmhouse, the songs on Cluster Flies were given an entirely new sequence, with five bonus tracks alongside the 12 on the original album released by Elektra Records in 2000.

A limited-edition 3LP release featuring custom artwork and a poster created by longtime Phish collaborator Jim Pollock is available to pre-order through Monday, May 3 at 11:59 p.m. ET. A standalone triple gatefold, 180-gram vinyl edition without the poster and a high-res digital version can also be purchased.

For the cost of an average concert ticket, you can support JamBase and musicians who haven’t toured in over a year by ordering your copy of Cluster Flies.

“In July of last year, as it became clear the COVID-19 pandemic would have a devastating impact on the live music industry,” JamBase CEO David Onigman said, “I tasked the team to come up with an idea that we could rally around in place of live music and to raise lost revenues for JamBase. Rather than a standard fundraiser, the Cluster Flies project was conceived, and we soon reached out to an incredible group of musicians who graciously jumped at the opportunity to support JamBase. What happened over the last nine months outperformed even my wildest of expectations. I’m elated with how the performances, the artwork, the packaging, the mastering and the podcasts we are going to be launching daily came together. It’s a collection of work I am extremely proud of and honored to share with the world.”

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Here’s a rundown of the covers featured on Cluster Flies:

The compilation begins with guitarist William Tyler’s gorgeous arrangement of the instrumental “The Inlaw Josie Wales.” Genre-bending duo Sylvan Esso follow with a welcoming version of the title track. Trumpeter/vocalist Jennifer Hartswick, who is a member of the Trey Anastasio Band and contributed to Farmhouse, was joined by bassist Christian McBride and others on “Dirt.” The first non-Farmhouse track, “Vultures,” was recorded by guitarists Tim Palmieri and Amar Sastry with members of Goose, Twiddle, Tea Leaf Green and Strangefolk.

Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Daniel Donato covers “Back On The Train.” Then it’s the non-Farmhouse song, “Bye Bye Foot,” recorded by multi-instrumentalist Reed Mathis and drummer Jay Lane. Bay Area-based singer-songwriter Vetiver (Andy Cabic) delivers a beautiful performance of “Driver.” White Denim’s James Petralli leads a wild dub “Gotta Jibboo” while supported by Sam Cohen, Eric Slick, Mike St. Clair and Zero Percent APR.

Guitarist Chris Forsyth delivers an expansive take on “Piper.” Club d’Elf infuses their signature psychedelic Moroccan vibe on “Sand.” Next, bluegrass singer-songwriter Lindsay Lou gives her interpretation of the Japanese bonus track “Mountains In The Mist.” Guitarist Sadler Vaden of Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit then puts a Nashville stamp on the original album’s single, “Heavy Things.” Americana makes an appearance with Amy Helm’s intriguing arrangement of “Sleep.”

Neal Francis gives a neo-soul-funk rendering of the final non-Farmhouse song, “Dogs Stole Things.” Then comes Umphrey’s McGee guitarist Brendan Bayliss with a truly twisted-around adaptation of “Twist.” Strand Of Oaks (Timothy Showalter) stretches out “Bug” beyond its normal confines. Guitarist Ryley Walker takes over from there, digging into a nearly 20-minute, free-form, improvised rendering of “First Tube,” closing out Cluster Flies.

Stream Cluster Flies below: