King Wilkie

[Bobby Brite]

Picked up the King Wilkie CD "Broke". I love it. They do a stellar Blue Yodel #3. Just wanted to see what others thought.

[Garrett]

That is a mighty funny thread!

I think King Wilkie are good, but no better or worse than a lot of bands. They lack real powerful singing, but they are enthusiastic and enjoyable. They are also young which seems a big part of their appeal. They played a good set at Joe Val, but nothing in the league of Mountain Heart much the less the Seldom Scene (both of whom also played). They were pretty awful backing up Pete Rowan, but that was a seat of the pants thing so I wouldn't hold it against them.

Their recent fame only irks me a bit when I think about the Bluegrass Diamonds. Those guys are world class and no one has ever heard of them because they are Canadian and mostly middle aged. Best band I've heard in many years.

[chirorehab]

The fiddle player is an incredible musician. He was in my brother's band prior to King Wilkie. While he is a very laid back guy, he pretty much was the center of that band!

I think that in KW since he is the new guy, he really doesn't have much input at this point. In fact, I am sure he doesn't have much say in his breaks! I think that in time he will help this band take it to the next level. He is that good!

He plays a mean mandolin too!

Just my opinion,

Eric

P.S. My brother saw them in NY on Sunday & was blown away!

[Michael Lewis]

I have seen them the last two years at IBMA and was impressed. The first year they were a bit ragged in places and used some Django swing style phrasings from time to time. The next year they were smoother and tighter, and used very bluesy licks and fills. I think they have a great future if they keep working on improving their over all presentation. They are getting good and I would like to see them take it to the next level. I will get to see them again this Friday at the Wolf Mtn. bluegrass festival in Grass Valley.

I think they are a great uprising band. There not super but they bring the traditional style to a younger from and it sounds good. I heard the new cd and it is very good so dont put the group down.

[mandopete]

I have had their CD, Broke in my machine almost constantly for the past month. #I disagree with Garrett, I think their vocals are very strong and probably the highlight of the band. #One thing I noticed about their recording was that outside of the introductory (and closing) "40 West", there are no instrumentals. #That tells me that they are focused more on the singing and songs than the playing. #This is very refreshing for a band that is relatively young.

I am really looking forward to seeing them at Wintergrass in 2005 and this recording will be on my top 10 for 2004.

[Brian Aldridge]

I saw them at Grey Fox this past weekend, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Tight singing, great picking, and with a young and inocent, fresh appearance. I perhaps enjoyed the lead guitar work the most instrumentally, but the fiddler and banjoist also did a stellar job. The whole band had the dynamics thing going on. Their choice of material was quite good. I am a fan.

[GVD]

Thanks for the tip Mandofiddle that's quite a discussion they got going on over there. Stringbender that Leroy's sumpin ain't he? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

GVD

[Bobby Brite]

That LeRoy is funny. I hope thunderchop doesn't come over hear and start that. I don't know if we have a LeRoy type here in the cafe. Wait a minute....Where is Dale?

[Mike Bullard]

You can also d/l one of their "Live" shows from Bluegrassbox (http://www.bluegrassbox.com). Listened to it yesterday and they have nice sound and the fiddle player is excellant as are the mando breaks.

My 2 cents. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[newblue]

Just received my copy from amazon and its good. Refreshingly traditional. Nothing over the top. Great set of songs. Lee and Paige is sad:(

[newblue]

OK i clicketd the face whatws going on!!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #: