Phish’s Mike Gordon joined veteran jam band Max Creek at Higher Ground in Burlington, VT on Friday night, sitting in and contributing vocals to the Scott Murawski original “Jones”, a song the two play regularly in Gordon’s solo outfit.

To kick off Max Creek’s second set on Friday night, Gordon planted his Nikes and plucked out a deep, funky low end, anchoring “Jones” and helping drive it into the lengthy creative improv that followed. Gordon and Murawski took no time to find each other moving out of “Jones'” structured segment, as Gordon laid down a rockin’ bass groove for Murawski to dance around on his Gibson SG guitar. It was evident Gordon was eager to get out of his Burlington-area home and jam on Friday night, with the bassist grinning from ear-to-ear as “Jones” continued to elevate with speed and tenacity. The jam led into a rendition of “Got My Mojo Workin'” by Muddy Waters.

“Jones > Got My Mojo Workin’”

[Video: Telefunken Toni Fishman]

Max Creek, who are celebrating their 48th year as a band with a new double live album and a run of shows beginning at Levon Helms Studios this March, have a long intertwined history with Gordon.

Max Creek told Live For Live Music:

Backstage last night, Gordon recalled seeing his first Creek show in Boston in 1983, and asking his dad to return and record them again the following week. Friendliness ensued.

As a professional, Gordon has played countless shows with Creek guitarist Scott Murawski, first as the other two members of Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann’s BK3 (Oteil Burbridge later took Gordon’s spot), then on Murawski’s solo work, and finally in Mike Gordon’s band, with whom Murawski continues to record and tour. The two are also songwriting partners—most of Gordon’s recent Phish originals include a Murawski writing co-credit.

The five-piece band—including guitarist Scott Murawski, bassist John Rider, keyboardist Mark Mercier, drummer Bill Carbone, and percussionist Jamemurrell Stanley—plans to release the first physical copies of Live at 45, the band’s first official release since 2000, at their two-night acoustic/electric stand at the Stafford Palace Theatre in Stafford Springs, CT next Friday and Saturday, February 22nd and 23rd.

Along with the band’s two-night Stafford Palace run in February and a show at Dover, VT’s Snow Barn tonight, Max Creek will celebrate their 48th anniversary with performances at Woodstock, NY’s Levon Helm Studios (3/29); Pittsfield, MA’s Colonial Theatre (4/5); Hartford, CT’s Infinity Music Hall (4/19); as well as festival appearances at Greenfield, MA’s Strangecreek and Bath, NH’s Jerry Jam.

Head to Max Creek’s website for more information and ticketing.

Setlist: Max Creek | Higher Ground | Burlington, VT | 2/15/19

I: Orange Sunshine > Columbus Stockade Blues, I Want You to Know, Willow Tree, Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, Sweet Wanomi, I Will Always See Your Face > Something is Forming

II: Jones* > Mojo Workin > Blood Red Roses > ICU > Band from Chicago > Windows

E: Around & Around

* w/Mike Gordon on bass, no Rider

[Setlist thanks to @Dave Bonan]