Customer Reviews

Gone Phishin'-Bluegrass Tribute to Phish

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Phish has hauled some incredible names to stage center through the years, and, very soon, we'll see some of those names and other influential artists -- Los Lobos, Willie Nelson, Little Feat, Arlo Guthrie, Son Seals, to name a few -- pay tribute to the band in the Mockingbird Foundation's tribute album.

Until the album (and book) hit the shelves, we have this somewhat mysterious bluegrass-tinged tribute to fill the space. Why mysterious? Well, the record label -- CMH Records -- is a small entity specializing in odd compilations and tribute albums cut by faceless studio musicians. This release -- conveniently timed with Phish's strongest public exposure to date - features covers of their compositions spanning nearly the breadth of their career.

The delivery of the covers by these six slick pro studio musicians is fine...great, really. Nice pickin', some wonderful guitar work, good renditions of the album versions of the tunes. But by midway through my second listen, the novelty wore off. One thing I realized after hearing these instrumental versions was just how much power and soul the original version's lyrics pack...imagine hearing the band hum their way through 'Rift'. Sure it would be a hoot, but much of the meaning of the voice-instrument interaction would be stripped away. In the case of the songs on this CD, the already soul-less covers are even more so without words. Perhaps this CD should've stuck to bluegrass covers of instrumental Phish tunes (except for 'Sparkle'...nicely done here).

Listening to these tunes, I couldn't help but think that the recording was made between takes for car commercials and TV news theme songs. Another day in the studio -- quick listen to the album version of the song, slap the sheet music on a music stand, cue the tape, cut the track, next tune, repeat 11 more times, that's a wrap, next up -Volkswagon ad theme music....

Perhaps I shouldn't have taken a look at CMH's catalog - it's filled with these sorts of "tribute albums": SWINGIN' TO MICHAEL JACKSON / PICKIN' ON THE GRATEFUL DEAD VOL. 2 / GETTING INTO THE GROOVES: A TRIBUTE TO MADONNA / STRUNG OUT ON U2: THE STRING QUARTET TRIBUTE / PICKIN' ON ZZ TOP / THE 3 TENORS OF BLUEGRASS / PICKIN' ON JIMMY BUFFETT: A BLUEGRASS TRIBUTE

Pass the Cheez-Whiz. This CD is campy, but, still, it's a welcome addition to my eclectic collection (it fits nicely next to my CD of the London Philharmonic covering Pink Floyd). It's like the 'Stars on 45' for the new millennium, only without the constant segues and disco beat (now THAT would be a cool Phish tribute album).

The CD will make this little label some profit, for certain. But I recommend that you put your money to a good, non-profit cause...the Mockingbird Foundation's TRUE tribute will offer cover music played from the heart.

The album contains 12 songs, 4 from each of 3 different studio albums (Story of the Ghost, Picture of Nectar, and Rift). It is my guess the folks responsible for this record caught wind of the phenomenon that is Phish, bought these 3 records randomly not knowing much about the band, picked the 4 songs from each that they felt that they could pull off, and proceeded to make this album with the intent of making a few bucks.

The music is good at times, but usually falls flat. I was hoping for at least a little jamming in the vein of Phish, but none is to be found (each song clocks in at around 3-4 minutes).

This record is a fun novelty at times, but usually comes off sounding like Phish elevator music.

This album has gotten a lot of flak from Phish fans, "not enough jamming", "too much fiddle", etc. You need to be aware that this is not a Phish album, it's a Bluegrass album covering Phish songs. If you don't like Bluegrass but love Phish, the album still might not be for you. But, on the contrary, if you hate Phish but love Bluegrass, you may very well enjoy it. The instumental work, while not the best I've heard, is good and very musical, especially when played against Phish. It goes without saying that you'll love the album if you like Phish and Bluegrass. So konw what you're in for, but overall, it's a good buy.

The bluegrass influences on Phish are made evident, but without the lyrics some songs get repetitive. The group uses the fiddle for most of the vocals (with a very nicely done mix of guitar and fiddle on Rift to represent Mike and Trey singing the alternate verses). This is a fiddle, not a violin, however, and on Tweezer it gets strident enough that I skipped it on several play throughs. There are three songs each from Picture of Nectar, Rift, and Story of the Ghost. Perhaps the cover band had a limited cd collection. This is produced by a company that does bluegrass tributes to lots of bands, but as a Phan it was phun to hear a different interpretation of songs I know by heart. If you don't know Phish it's just some pretty music with an occasionally annoying violin.

this tribute shows phish as well as bluegrass music alot of well deserved respect. the first time i listen to "gone phishin'"--no wait lets just break it down to "velvet sea"--i mean the opening was just beautiful, you could see right where they were going with it (not that its a bad thing) when the lyrics started playing i started singing them, and i sang right along with it--it was perfect, my only problem was that they just didn't jam it out long enough, ya know, once the lyrics were over, the song was over, i wish they would have put a little more bluegrass in there instead of cutting each song so short, but every song on the c.d. was played perfect, just like velvet sea. all in all the various artists that concocted this c.d. are very gifted and talented, i guess that's why i wish so much they would have played more music, because i know the potential they have.

"Bring your self on a new pyscadelic journey into the wonderful world of phish" is something of what the liner notes said. I don't think so. This album was interesting, and i enjoyed listening to it, but its not a great album. The bluegrass isn't increadible and there are absolutely no solos that will rock your mind, which is what makes phish so increadible. Plus the song selection is terrible, taking songs from only "Story of the Ghost", "Rift", and "Picture of Nectar". I would be careful with this album for it is definantly not what i thought it would be. If you love bluegrass, check out Bela Fleck. If its phish you want to hear, well stick to Phish.

you may have heard this disc lacks jamming.

My opinion is, it's a very nice listen. I'm not really a Phan, so i probably have a more objective opinion than some. It's not the most brilliantly creative repetory CD out, but fun for sure. As far as the lack of jams, there's plenty of brief but energetic blowing. Remember what Charlie Parker said "Anything longer than 3 or 4 choruses and you're just practicing..."

If you like this, check out Tales from an Acoustic Planet 2 - the Bluegrass Sessions; Tales from an Acoustic Planet; or Live Art Bela Fleck (if you don't have them.)

PS - If you're into these "Cover" CD's, get Fareed Haque CD covering CSN+Y's classic Deja Vu.

This is an interesting disc and if you are fond of the newgrass explosion or just good old fashioned pickin' you will most likely dig it. My only complaint is the song selection. Although all of the songs are good, they represent only three albums(Picture of Nectar, Billy Breathes, and Story of the Ghost). For fans that only like Phish's hardcore seering rips, Gone Phishin' may be a little soft. The slow playing is beautiful, although it does not pack the punch of even a Phish studio album. There are no vocals, but the fiddle fills in very well(check out Wading in the Velvet Sea). Overall, although it lacks the real jams followers of Phish have come to expect, this is a beautifully played album and if you are a dedicated Phan with any interest in bluegrass it's definitely worth having.

First off, a little background. Phish seems to run my life and I also very much enjoy some fun bluegrass. I bought this album and when I first opened it was surprised to see the same artists doing all of the songs since amazon said "various artists" and I had never heard of them before. I think they did a great job. While the songs are shorter than when Phish does them, they are beautiful!

I have been a phan for over 10 years now and I love this album! Now, if you asked me 5+ years ago if I liked it, I probably would have said no, but now the older and wiser, I love it. Granted, it's not trance inducing by any means, but these musicians are talented and don't make a mockery out of the music. I can honestly say that I was smiling thru the whole album while I played it (nugs helped too). I am also very happy they included Tweezer on the album!