Customer Reviews

Clone

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Reviewer: Lee smallwood from St. Louis, MO USA
Mike Gordon says they wanted to keep it light -- they didn't want to make a serious album -- and they didn't. Yet Clone is destined to have a strong impact on everyone and everything within its range, the artists, their fans, and the rock music world from which it came. I'm writing this as a Kottke fan who has become a Kottke/Gordon fan who is happy to have been introduced to Phish. I've discovered quality music that I never knew existed. And I expect that's going to be true for a lot of us as a result of the Kottke/Gordon effort.
These two artists (apparently going down quite different musical paths) have found their way to a collaboration, the likes of which has never been seen before, because these guys are so unique in their approach to life and music. The result was a 'lot of fun' for them and a happy listening experience for us. The tunes are full of varied, infectious rhythms and clever lyrics, and most of all, great melodies! Yet, what keeps you smiling throughout is the sense that these musical giants are themselves smiling at having found a (playfully weird) kindred spirit with whom to make music! Leo Kottke is a national treasure, and a wonderful part of the story is that Mike Gordon, brilliant bassist of PHISH, having admired Leo's musical output AND his sense of humor for years, foresaw the possibilities and approached Leo with the idea that they might try playing together. According to them, when it finally happened, they had 'hours of bad jamming' -- but then, they 'found a lick' on which they could really groove, and they were off. With that small success, they knew they could write and play together. So, based solely on that lick (and the fact that they were having so much fun), they jumped in and committed to making an album together. And what an album!!
These guys are not only great player/composers -- they have the knack of bringing forth from their instruments (and voices) sounds that people actually enjoy hearing. The CD is
well-sequenced so that the eight vocals and six instrumentals each seem like they show up at just the right time. Thirteen of these tunes are instantly likeable. The 14th, 'Clay' (track 10), may take some 'getting used to', but it works in the end.
This is music that is great to pay attention to, noticing the interplay of instruments and voices or chuckling over some verbal riff of Mike's. As my friend Patty O'Day said:
"We played it on that VERY GOOD SOUND SYSTEM :-) of mine . . . Wow . . . . it sounded even better. The reason I bring this up is, I realized how very well this CD was produced when I played it at max decibel levels . . . :-) You can really hear how well these two musicians mesh with their instruments when played at high volume." Or, it's great to have it playing over and over in the background as you go about doing 'whatever'. It's clear that the combination of their musicianship, personalities and the 'fun they're having' is at the heart of what makes this album work so well. Though a Kottke fan, I'm enjoying Mike's tunes as much as Leo's. It helps that you can hear that they are both playing on each other's tunes.
These guys are so genuinely likable as people that, whether we're Kottke fans or Phish fans, we can embrace this album because Mike and Leo have embraced the opportunity and each other to produce something truly worthwhile.

i've been a phish fan for several years, but i've only "discovered" leo kottke in the past few months....i was so excited when i heard about the collaboration between these two heavys, that i pre-ordered the CD before its release. i was NOT disappointed with the result. this is a very fun album, and the styles of gordon and kottke seem made for each other...if you're debating buying this record, just do it. you probably won't be disappointed either!

A great collaboration! I can't wait to hear more. Kottke and Gordon make a great pair, an odd couple that have obviously found kindred spirits in each other, in their quirky song selection and lucid interwoven acoustic instrumentation. I feel Kottke is better off with someone to play against, keeping the sound more varied, and what Gordon brings to the mix with his wonderful songs, singing and bass sound is equally playful and new. Perhaps when the Gods clone their creations they come out as delightful recordings like this...I'm glad I got one.

I've been a Kottke fan for more than thirty years. That may explain why I had never heard of Mike Gordon, until now. What a wonderful combination! Very witty lyrics, supported by fantastic musicanship, make this CD a creative masterpiece, in my view. If you want pure Kottke, this isn't the CD for you. But if your musical tastes bend toward the eclectic, you should hear this collection of slightly avante garde, but very entertaining, album of songs from two of the world's most creative and intelligent musicians.

As we all know, Leo's style just can't be pinned down--and with the help of Mike Gordon, he's found a friend with whom he can share his tilted sense of melody, rhythm, and lyrics. I admit I was dubious at first--but the more I played it, the better it became: it almost took on a life of its own. So why can't Leo's followers just accept that he's taken a different turn--or that maybe this is a comfortable way of sharing his talents? Look to his CD "Standing in My Shoes" for an idea of where he was going--this is comical, laughable, and most of all, as whacky as can be. Mike Gordon isn't trying to steal the show or turn this into a Phish-like disc; if anything, he's the perfect foil. Besides, Leo does a nice turn with his voice on "I am a Lonesome Fugitive," so kick back and enjoy these two characters at play.

This cd is awesome. I listen to it while I do homework, chill out, and whatever else. Leo Kottke's flawless picking, combined with the vast musical talent of Mike Gordon provide for an amazing musical experience.

In a world of musical crap, heres two guys doing it right and having fun. What more can be said about what Leo does with his guitar? The guy is the best. Gordon adds a new dimension. Or maybe Leo adds a new dimension. The two feed off eachother and produce a very interesting listen. A must have for Kottke / Phish fans. A must have for music fans.

I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive about buying this CD. Kottke is a brilliant guitarist/musician in his own right and Gordon of Phish phame is known for the stranger stuff in Phish; so I wasn't sure how these two would meld. Let me tell you that the interplay between these two is simply amazing. Gordon's bass lines interweave seamlessly with Kottke's percussive guitar stylings. All of the songs on this album are a keeper. If you're a fan of great musicianship and songwriting then go buy this album today. It hasn't left my CD player yet!

I've been simply smiling since the first time I put this on. Kottke's picking with Gordon's bass lines? Kitchen implements and other instrumental oddities? Instrumentals and skewed lyric pieces? You even have harmonies on I Am a Lonely Fugitive.

I'm a Kottke and a Phish fan. I am not disappointed. This is just a fine cd.

I'm a big Phish-head and a bass player, but i'd heard a little Leo before and was aware of his history. This disc has a playful vibe, and features several very memorable tunes. I like the instrumentals a lot, but the highlights are the Mike-sung tunes. Anybody who likes Train song, Weigh, or Scent of a Mule will like this CD....