Medeski Martin & Wood

On Wednesday, January 18th, I went to experience an amazing trio by the names of Medeski, Martin and Wood at Le Poisson Rouge in lower Manhattan. 

John Medeski is the keyboardist. He plays an array of keys including a Hammond organ, Clavinet and a mellotron along with distortion pedals and other effects. Chris Wood alternates between stand up bass and bass guitar. On drums is Billy Martin. He bangs out wild funk, hip hop, brazilian and african beats on an assortment of percussion instruments. Each member's passion for music is made obvious through the display of their incredible skill set.

These three create such a unique sound. It's an experimental/improv music show. Their genre is hard to classify. It's a little bit of jazz, funk, dance, rock, and many other styles all at once. They played two blissful sets with a short break in between in a space that boasts a capacity for 700, but felt far more intimate. The whole room could not help but move to the groovy tones vibrating throughout the space. You could feel everyone's excitement and anticipation as to what the band would bust into next. It's great to watch them perform live because you can see that they are completely playing off one another and are not entirely sure where each song will take them. After thirty years of playing with each other, these three men know how to take your idea of music, turn it upside down and melt your brain a little in the sweetest way possible. Be prepared to jam out in a beautiful and unexpected way. 

Phish

I spent December 28th through December 31st at Madison Square Garden. 

This lovely band that initially handed my ass to me earlier in June did it four more times all while groovily guiding me into the year of 2017.

A little bit about the members... 

Jon Fishman is the percussionist. He plays quick, complicated but soft rhythms keeping the band in time. You would never know if you only listened to his solos which are humorously short and simplistic. He is known for performing almost always in his "Fishman Frock" (dress) which is Blue and adorned with orange/red donut rings. This vacuum playing man is responsible for creating one of the most phantastic songs ever, "Ass Handed". Go have a listen. (Now, you understand where my blog title comes from) 

Mike Gordon is the head bobbing melodic bass player. He hardly ever plays rhythm alone. He makes it sound as if there is another guitar on stage (aside from Trey). That man fills out all the empty spaces with some delicious funk. He wrote and co-wrote many Phish songs and is also probably the most fashion forward band member. 

Page McConnell a.k.a. "Professor" - The Chairman of the boards - is the band's keyboardist. His fingers fly over the keys and pound out notes in ways that really get your blood pumping. He transitions between eight different pianos and keyboards to create many different sounds. Sometimes he's the horn section, back up percussionist, second guitar and pianist all at once. 

Trey Anastasio plays lead guitar. He is also the main song writer with co-author and long time friend, Tom Marshall. There are many things that make up this terrifically nerdy guitar boss. His unique sound is created by using all kinds of fancy effects processors and custom hollow bodied electric guitars made by Languedoc (Phish's soundman, luthier and audio-technician between '86-'04).

Who is this "hippie jam band"? Only the most talented group of musicians you'll ever come across. They have this magical way of speaking straight to your soul with their music. It seems to flow from their soul, through their finger tips, into their instruments, out into the air which immediately infects everyone around. Even more so, Phish isn't just music. It's a community. It seems to exist in its own atmosphere (a.k.a. The Phish Bowl). Everyone treats each other with kindness as if all we are old friends. There seems to be no judgement, but tons of laughter, dancing and fun. 

The show is known to last at least three hours with no opening act and one set break. During this time you are taken on an inconceivable journey. It amazes me how incredibly loud this band can get and conversely how unimaginably soft and quiet they can play without losing momentum. All I can say is this professional jazz/improv band takes you on a musical adventure. If you get an opportunity to see this band live, take it!