The Green Sparrow | 
| Artist: Mike Gordon
Label: Rounder / Umgd
Category: Music
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $5.99
You Save: $8.99 (60%)
New (43) Used (21) from $3.95
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 68387
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 619083
UPC: 011661908321
EAN: 0011661908321
ASIN: B001APM44Y
Release Date: August 5, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships first class from New York City. All items are official products and come with all the original inserts, unless otherwise noted. We have a positive feedback rating of 96% - buy with confidence!
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| Tracks:
| • | Another Door | | • | Voices | | • | Dig Further Down | | • | Pretend | | • | Traveled Too Far | | • | Andelmans' Yard | | • | Radar Blip | | • | Morphing Again | | • | Jaded | | • | Sound |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
An artist known for his endless creativity and touring stamina, Mike Gordon took 2007 off from touring and dedicated his time to writing his new album, The Green Sparrow. The end result is an eclectic record boasting the former Phish bassist's skillful assimilation of free-form rock & roll, calypso, pop and funk that also showcases an unexpected side to his songwriting. The Green Sparrow features Gordon's wide range of influences on a winning 10-track album that reminds us that he is one of the most imaginative and mold-breaking artists in music today. Recorded at Mike's home studio in Vermont and mixed at The Barn (his former band's studio and art space), The Green Sparrow features guest appearances from Gordon's Phish band mates Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones), Ivan Neville and horn players from Antibalas.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Mike's first clunker September 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While Mike hasn't been as prolific as Trey in the post-Phish years, his work has been more consistent. Trey has scored some highs ("Trey Anastasio" "Plasma") and lows ("Shine" "Bar 17") as Mike's output has been smaller but more consistently good. Quality examples include "Clone" and "Inside In," both of which were fantastic albums. Unfortunately, there never was a GRAB (Gordon, Russo, Anastasio and Benevento) release. In any case, "the Green Sparrow" is Mike Gordon's first clunker. All of the good PR in Relix Magazine can't makeup for what's lacking from this album. It's not that there's anything wrong with this release, there's just nothing compelling about it. The songs are okay, but there are no highlights. It's enjoyable to hear Mike sing so much, but when the tunes themselves are so bland, the satisfaction is limited. It's hard to believe that Mike had a reputation as the weird guy in Phish when considering how stock this effort sounds. Improvisationally speaking, this material has been opened up on tour, but the album is very song oriented. At the end of the day, "the Green Sparrow" isn't a bad album, it's just mediocre. You win some and you lose some. Let's hope that after the current shows, Mike will recharge his batteries and get back in the saddle.
Mike: Back And Groovy! August 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Ok, first of all let me say I usually don't write these reviews at all, so forgive me if this sounds stupid or something! I just recieved this album on Friday night(today is Monday morning), and I can tell you allready this is a good one. Some albums just dig a hook into you and don't let go for a long time, they latch onto something in your brain that picks up on a certain sound or a certain groove and keep feeding it until the album ends and I think Mike has really achieved that with this record.
I personally loved Inside In and think it is one of the best Phish side projects ever (what I refer to as really good "haunted house music"), and Mike had sort of flipped it over with "The Green Sparrow".
The record has a very light hearted and very upbeat sound with songs that are extremely catchy and fun, too "poppy"?...... maybe, if you are very anti "pop" sound, but not any more then previous Phish member albums such as "Shine" and the Page Mconnell S/T.
Mike really delivers a feel-good album with a sence that he is ready to start on a new path or make a fresh start with his solo music, and as usual gives the impression that he is not even really trying too hard to do so (his voice always gave me that impression and it's no different on this LP) and getting the job done just fine.
Don't look for any extended jams or ground breaking "Guyute" style anthems or anything, but if you are a Phish fan or enjoyed "Inside In" check this one out for sure. Mike proves that he is more then capable of writing, aranging, and recording truly unique and yet catchy tunes once again with a feeling of relaxed confidence.
All Phish Fanboy Fervor Aside... August 6, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
...this is an entirely forgettable, albeit thoroughly pleasant listen. The studio lends a cleanliness to each of The Green Sparrow's crisp rock ditties. And yes, that's precisely what they are. It's at once strange, amusing, and placating to hear Mike sing so much. His voice is smooth, inoffensive, and not without a certain dreamy quality. The songs are mostly inane, but there are some nuggets of distinctly rich lyricism to be gleaned. Tracks like Another Door, Traveled Too Far, and Andelmans' Yard offer clever, catchy wordplay and are clearly highlights of this generally well-received album. It offers little in the way of jamming, but that's not necessarily a knock.
Mike recently launched a lengthy tour in support of The Green Sparrow. While his band is admittedly mediocre, the humility and intimacy of these shows are refreshing and provide an easy context for a good time. Get there early and you're bound to bump into the man - just like the good old days! Seriously, go support Cactus.
While I wanted to like this album more, I certainly wasn't disappointed. Gordo will always hold a special place in my heart. Dude just makes me smile. I trust I'm not alone.
 The Return of Cactus August 5, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
The Green Sparrow is the album that every phish phan knew Mike Gordon had within himself to make. Every song is beautifully written with the complex textures and originality that has not been apparrent since Phish gave the world the beautifully composed albums such as A Picture of Nectar, Rift and The Story of The Ghost. Not one track stands out as the best on the album, but make sure to take a listen to "Traveled Too Far" which includes Phish bandmates Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, and the absolutely amazing one man show that Mike Gordon displays on "Andelman's Yard".
This album represents a tour de force of every ability Mike Gordon posesses from his virtuosity on the electric and stand-up bass to the banjo, the guitar, the drums, and his incredibly original melodic and harmonic vocal abilities.
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