SternART
Jan-07-2006, 4:42pm
I'm not sure if I've ever seen Mike Marshall wear a suit AND tie....I guess he was trying to match Chris Thile.....but there he was.....the Berkeley concert, first stop on the Thile/Marshall tour, held in the spacious St. John's Church sanctuary...... several times larger than the Freight & Salvage Coffee House that sponsored the show.
They were fabulous.....playing seated, using the Loar, Dudenbostel, Lawrence Smart mandola and Monteleone mandocello. For the first gig in some time... there was incredible chemistry & interplay between them as they romped thru Bach, New Acoustic, Choro, Jazz, and obscure things like Bulgarian folk tunes. An appreciative crowd included many musicians including David Grisman. Some of the co-written tunes were like a mind-meld .....incredible duet performances. Mike wrote a cello part to accompany Chris on a Bach solo violin piece.....one of the highlights of the show....... I hear a growth in Chris' playing.....some more adventurous Monk-like note selections....he played a tad more outside than I have heard him play before,especially on a tune like his Waiting in Kodiac which was another highlight. Both players are incredibly supportive rhythmically as the other solos....it is almost seamless as they switch roles, and some tunes are more like complex arrangements, both seemed to be soloing at the same time, playing lightning fast & complex lines.....there was a lullaby & a waltz to slow things down....and if you thought Fishers Hornpipe was wild on their first CD....fasten your seat belts, it was like a rollercoaster last night as they played it inside out! They closed Nickle Creek style....acoustic, standing in front of the mics, as Chris sang some BG, with Mike harmonizing between blazing solos. The only vocals of the performance.
A big thumbs up review by this acoustic music veteran.....go see them if they head your way....be prepared for lotsa notes, incredible technique.....a very sensitive and unique duet performance. I have a feeling this tour will get increasingly HOT as they get more relaxed & familiar with the material. Mandomania on tour!!
They were fabulous.....playing seated, using the Loar, Dudenbostel, Lawrence Smart mandola and Monteleone mandocello. For the first gig in some time... there was incredible chemistry & interplay between them as they romped thru Bach, New Acoustic, Choro, Jazz, and obscure things like Bulgarian folk tunes. An appreciative crowd included many musicians including David Grisman. Some of the co-written tunes were like a mind-meld .....incredible duet performances. Mike wrote a cello part to accompany Chris on a Bach solo violin piece.....one of the highlights of the show....... I hear a growth in Chris' playing.....some more adventurous Monk-like note selections....he played a tad more outside than I have heard him play before,especially on a tune like his Waiting in Kodiac which was another highlight. Both players are incredibly supportive rhythmically as the other solos....it is almost seamless as they switch roles, and some tunes are more like complex arrangements, both seemed to be soloing at the same time, playing lightning fast & complex lines.....there was a lullaby & a waltz to slow things down....and if you thought Fishers Hornpipe was wild on their first CD....fasten your seat belts, it was like a rollercoaster last night as they played it inside out! They closed Nickle Creek style....acoustic, standing in front of the mics, as Chris sang some BG, with Mike harmonizing between blazing solos. The only vocals of the performance.
A big thumbs up review by this acoustic music veteran.....go see them if they head your way....be prepared for lotsa notes, incredible technique.....a very sensitive and unique duet performance. I have a feeling this tour will get increasingly HOT as they get more relaxed & familiar with the material. Mandomania on tour!!