Compare & Contrast: Goldie and Phish take on Uncle Pen
June 26th, 2007 by Pete - - Posted in Bluegrass |
Bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe’s “Uncle Pen” has been covered by a multitude of artists, from the Flying Burrito Brothers to Buck Owens. But had you any idea, dear reader, that fair-haired 70’s hottie Goldie Hawn sang it on her 1972 debut album? Goldie covered Dylan, Van Morrison, and Joni Mitchell on the album, among others. And she sweetly sung this Monroe classic…
Goldie Hawn - Uncle Pen (mp3) - from Goldie
Also taking on “Uncle Pen” quite frequently throughout their history was Phish. I haven’t really touched on my fondness for Phish over the brief 2.5 year history of Ickmusic, but they’ll always rank up there as a favorite. During my four years at Colorado College (88-92), they dropped in 3 times: an Earth Day ‘90 afternoon show with Pike’s Peak in the background, and two killer Halloween shows in ‘90 and ‘91 (I was dressed as Josey Wales one year, and I completely forget the other - imagine that).
So I had a unique introduction to the boys from Phish. Over the 90’s I got to see them a bunch of times here in Arizona, Vegas, Alpine Valley, Wisc., and at Shepherds Bush Empire in London. So allow me to get a little - *sniff sniff* - nostalgic as I listen to Mike Gordon sing “Uncle Pen” as Trey plays the fiddle part with his guitar at breakneck speed.
Phish - Uncle Pen (mp3) - live, Mansfield, MA, 7-1-95.
Get Phishy
Watch a 1990 “Uncle Pen” on da’ Tube.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Goldie Hawn! Gotta remember that for a music trivia quiz.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Pete ~ Somehow it doesn’t surprise me at all that we share an affinity for Phish. I, too, have seen them numerous times… Including 2 shows at Alpine Valley (in ‘03, I think). What year were you there?
Trey is an absolute master! I mean, I like ‘the band’, but he is unbelievable.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:56 am
sloppiest.intro.ever!
June 27th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Goldie was the cutest hockey mom ever!
June 29th, 2007 at 5:52 am
[...] Who does a better job with Uncle Pen: Goldie Hawn or Phish? [...]
June 29th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Phish sucks. Goldie Hawn Tour 2007.
July 11th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Goldie! Hands down. Uncle Pen is a song about a fiddle player, if you’re not going to play it with a fiddle, don’t bother.