Chris thile - how to grow a concert!

[Kirk Albrecht]

Chris Thile and the boys tore it up last night in Pittsburgh at the Rex Theater. About 250 in attendance, I reckon. Incredible musicianship - I took two fine musicians (guitar, bass) with me who had not heard him much. Their jaws were on the floor most of the night. All the guys were on top of their game.

A couple disappointments - they play plugged in, and the sound wasn't great - good, but not great. Some things got a little muddled. And Bryan Sutton is not traveling with his 1940 D-18, but a Bourgeois BRW dred. Sounded pretty good, but I would have loved to have heard that dry 'bone in the mix. But I can understand him wanting to preserve it from the wear and tear of the road.

Just about 2 straight hours of killer music. And the energy from them live is just something else. All that for just $20. Kenny Chesney is in town this weekend for just $120! lol

[Any Day Now]

Thats weird i've never seen them play plugged in.

Also personally I don't see the big deal with Bryan Sutton, I think the Normal Guitarist Chris Eldridge is a much more inventive and talented musician. Bryan is faster no doubt, but you listen to his solo on "Song for a young queen" and then listen to Chris's on the you tube video in the same spot. #There is no comparison. #

I really like Bryan also but I don't get why people act like it's such a step up from Chris, that guy is as good as they come.

If you have a video that will change my mind plz show it to me. Does anyone know if Chris Will be staying permanently, I know he said he was but im not sure.

[donnied]

ADN - I totally agree with your assessment. I've seen Chris E twice recently, once with Chris T and his group and once with the Stringdusters. I can't imagine that he would permanently cut ties with the Stringdusters. Those guys are incredible. Chris E and Jesse Cobb are definately on the same wavelength.

Donnie D

[luvmymando]

I got to agree on the preference of Chris E over Bryan in the how to grow situation. I love BRyan Sutton and I love to see him and thile play together especially doing some of that stuff from not all who wander but for me the feel that eldridge gives playing the newer stuff fits for me. And I agree that Eldridge really fits well in to the Stribgduster setting als. I love those guys and hope he can somehow continue to be a part of each.

[Kirk Albrecht]

Yea, all the guys had pickup on their instruments - Chris had his Scherlter, Noam's was attached to his rim, Bryan was plugged in through the end pin jack, and Gabe also had a wire from his fiddle.

Bryan played really well. Chris Eldridge brings some strengths to that mix, but Bryan was great, having fun interacting with the other guys.

[jaco]

You know that feller that married that famous actress, what's her name.:D

[John Hill]

If I understand right, Eldridge has engagements with another band of his and Sutton fills in for him while he can't play in the Tensions Mountain Boys. Either way it ain't bad.

[SternART]

Saw the Stringdusters at the Freight just before Strawberry Festival. They opened for Tim O'Brien and then backed him up for the last part of his set. Those Stringdusters are a great BAND, each guy a link in the chain......what a great young band, with a total band sound...lots of integrated parts.....cool varied backup behind the vocals.....great singing & hot pickin'.....I heard Ethridge was going to try & be in both bands, as best could be fit into his schedule. Sutton is also a fabulous guitar player, Thile isn't hurting with either.

[Peter Hackman]

Chris Thile and the boys tore it up last night in Pittsburgh at the Rex Theater. #About 250 in attendance, I reckon. #Incredible musicianship - I took two fine musicians (guitar, bass) with me who had not heard him much. #Their jaws were on the floor most of the night. #All the guys were on top of their game.

A couple disappointments - they play plugged in, and the sound wasn't great - good, but not great. #Some things got a little muddled. #And Bryan Sutton is not traveling with his 1940 D-18, but a Bourgeois BRW dred. #Sounded pretty good, but I would have loved to have heard that dry 'bone in the mix. #But I can understand him wanting to preserve it from the wear and tear of the road.

Just about 2 straight hours of killer music. #And the energy from them live is just something else. #All that for just $20. #Kenny Chesney is in town this weekend for just $120! #lol
A herringbone D18? Interesting.

[cooper4205]

its a 1940 D-28, look about halfway down this article

Vintage Guitar article (http://www.vintageguitar.com/music/details.asp?ID=748)

[Any Day Now]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOCpYLcxv7c

Chris Eldridge's solo at the end of this video is the greatest guitar solo i've ever heard. I feel like Eldridge and Chris Thile are meant to play together. The stuff with Bryan is impressive and they are both individually great, but I don't think they connect the way Eldridge and Chris do.

I saw them at the premier in New York and he said he would stay. I sure hope he does and they come back to gerogia soon. Their show last year in athens is the reason that I bought a mandolin.

And the best part is how cheap the tickets are I paid like 30$ and after 30 seconds I looked to my friend and said I would happily have paid double. It almost doesn't sound real it's so perfect when they play acoustically.

[Kirk Albrecht]

um, yea, thanks cooper - my typo on the D-28 (least I knew it was a 'bone!

I have his "Not Too Far From the Tree" CD where that's all he plays, and it's a great sounding guitar.

[Kirk Albrecht]

ADN -

Just read another review where Chris Thile praises Bryan Sutton as being "incredible", talking about how great it is to play with him. At least HE doesn't sound like it's a step down from Chris Eldridge (who is a killer player to be sure). I think there is a lot more to Bryan Sutton than just speed - he is a tremendous guitarist.

[Any Day Now]

Ya I think he is great to I just mean that I like the chemistry from the original band. Bryan Sutton is incredible too, i've watched a couple of their duets he definetly knows exactly what he is doing.

[PhilGE]

My family and I saw Chris Thile and the How to Grow A Band this evening in South Bend. Nice show. He's a phenomenal musician. I'm not sure about the compositions, though I certainly respect the work.

bunch o' stuff edited out

We didn't get to see the band after the show, though we waited a long time. There were many circumstances that contributed to our family's choice to leave before they came out. I wish things had been different, but they weren't. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Maybe someday we'll finally get to meet him.

And now back to pleasant content... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Any Day Now]

Hes supposedly really nice I don't think they did it maliciously

[fwoompf]

I saw them at The Ark on the 8th. Definitely fantastic. Sutton sounded noticeably different with the Bourgeous (I saw them last time and he was playing the Martin), but it didn't detract from it that much.

I've still never seen Eldrige live, but he's a very different player than Sutton. Both are unbelievably good in my eyes.

[james condino]

I've seen Brian Sutton numerous times with several different bands, including the current tour with Chris. He is always impeccable and VERY tasteful. I saw him at the Orange Peel in Asheville a few weeks ago with Chris and my impression was that for this tour he was enjoying a rare opportunity to not be the center of attention and just be able to provide a solid foundation for a fantastic group of his peers.

If you want to see an amazing show, catch the Tony Rice and Peter Rowan Quintet on their summer tour. I lack words to describe how tight they are right now.

j.
www.condino.com

[Chad Stein]

I've seen the band three times. Twice with Chris and once with Bryan. Even though Bryan was incredible he just didn't seem to have the Chemistry that Chris and Chris had. Reminded me of how Chris and Sarah Watkins are at NC shows.

m2c