Pork Tornado CD

A solo project by Phish's drummer Jon Fishman, under a Zappa-inspired group name? More cynical observers will instantly harbor fears of overly clever, annoyingly quirky jam-band fare with overly facile "difficult" sections. That couldn't be further from the truth in the case of Pork Tornado. Instead of the expected Phishisms, Fishman and his pals embrace the proletarian bar-band aspect of Vermont's favorite sons. PORK TORNADO is bookended by two straight-ahead blues tunes, "Move With You" coming off like Los Lobos playing the Roomful of Blues songbook, and "Aaron's Blues" turning out to be a surprisingly believable slow blues tune with soulful vocals and shimmering organ.

A pronounced country influence is present as well, as the band comes dangerously close to approximating western swing on "Home is Where You Are" and "Blue Skies." "When I Get Drunk" works off a hopped-up Jimmy Reed feel, while "Guabi Guabi" conjures fond memories of roots-rockers the Subdudes. Of course, it wouldn't be a Phish-related project without a little left-field weirdness, supplied here by the bizarre a cappella tune "All American" and the funk freakout "Kiss My Black Ass." In general though, this is far more user-friendly fare than one would ever expect.

Debut;Led By Phish Drummer Jon Fishman

Recorded at Archer Studios, Colchester, Vermont.

Personnel: Dan Archer (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, baritone guitar, nylon-string guitar); Joe Moore (vocals, pennywhistle, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Joan Fishman, Jonathan Fishman (vocals, organ, drums, percussion); Phil Abair (vocals, keyboards); Aaron Hersey (vocals); Buddah (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Dan Archer; John Siket.

Recording information: Archer Studios, Colchester, VT; The Barn.

Photographers: C. Taylor Crothers; Danny Clinch.

Pork Tornado: Dan Archer (vocals, acoustic, electrric, nylon string guitars & baritone guitars); Joe Moore (vocals, alto & baritone saxophones); Jon Fishman (organ, drums, percussion); Phil Abair (vocals, keyboards); Aaron Hersey (vocals, bass).

Additional personnel: Jim Pittman (pedal steel); The Dean LaBrie Solo Choir (background vocals).