Nickel Creek On Craig Fergison

Sep-14-2005, 7:49am

Did some of you catch Nickel creek on Craig Fergison a couple nights ago? If you viewed it, got any critique's?
Oh and also did anyone record it? I forgot about it and didnt see them, let me now if anybody has a copy that I could get.

**Mikey G** · Sep-14-2005, 8:15am

No offense, but I just don't get Nickel Creek. I've seen them playing at some venues with traditional bluegrass musicians, and they just don't ever seem to fit. They shouldn't be on the same stage with Ricky Skaggs or Dr. Ralph. It's like listening to Emerson, Lake and Palmer in the middle of a good Del McCoury set. I understand that Chris Thile is a virtuoso on the mandolin, but the overall style of Nickel Creek makes me think of a troubador band, wailing away on mysty ballads. I'd love to hear them throw a banjo in, and crank out some real bluegrass sometime. I know that's not their "style" but I've never been able to figure out how you would describe their type of music. I think it's an injustice to keep hearing about how Nickel Creek is a bluegrass band, and the future of bluegrass music...they're neither.

**Hondo** · Sep-14-2005, 9:04am

Groan...here we go again.

**John Flynn** · Sep-14-2005, 9:26am

Mikey: I agree. I see them as just another pop group. They try to establish a unique postion in the vase sea of pop groups with a "bluegrass flavor" and Thile's technical virtuosity. It works for some. It does nothing for me. I bought thier first CD and was greatly dissappointed. I have heard cuts from subsequent CDs and I am not tempted to buy another.

**Tim** · Sep-14-2005, 10:01am

Interesting that this was not posted in the bluegrass section and the only ones to even mention bluegrass are the ones wanting to challenge a statement that wasn't made.

**SternART** · Sep-14-2005, 10:11am

I heard a live broadcast on XM radio, coupla weeks back that was outstanding.
They basically played stuff from the new CD then about a 5 song encore of
tunes I was familiar with from earlier recordings & seeing them live. I enjoy
hearing them grow......a lot of artists don't reach maturity till they are well
beyond the age of these youngins. I'm not a big fan, but it is fun watching the
evolution, as they search for an identity. Interesting hearing Chris critique his
own playing at the Symposium this year....he WILL be a great artist.

**dudlebug23** · Sep-14-2005, 10:20am

Yes, even fellow mandolinists think that if someone plays the mando, they must be bluegrass. If you've read anything about them in the past 4 years, they continually state that they are NOT bluegrass, they happen to be a very innovative and talented young group who play instruments that are also used in bluegrass. Now let's all let them be whoever they want to be and if we want bluegrass, put in some Skaggs.

**acousticphd** · Sep-14-2005, 10:59am

Unfortunately, I had to turn off Ferguson that night because I couldn't stay awake.
I haven't bought Nickel Creek's last two CDs, but I like them and would like to see them live again. As impressive as Chris Thile is, I consider Sean Watkins' playing to be more impressive and more important in that band.

**VictorLouis** · Sep-14-2005, 12:34pm

Couldn't one say the same thing with regard to Alison Krauss & Union Station?

In my view, their's is more of a traditional-country type of sound, encroaching on pop with some tunes. It's dominated by the Dobro talent of Jerry Douglas (check their site!)

http://www.alisonkrauss.com/

However, Alison's voice is also quite unique. I just don't recall hearing much of the mando, or the banjo in their material.

**bjc** · Sep-14-2005, 1:28pm

Funny how it started off as post inquiring about weather or not anyone had seen a particular performance and the first two post go straight to NC Bashing. I don't get THAT. There are many artists dicussed in these forums who I really don't like and I simply don't particpate in those discussions. Some artists I just don't like and although they may be super HYPED by others I don't want to try to burst their ballon. If someone enjoys an artist that I think I dislike.. I'm ok with that. Live and let live.

**croonerexpress** · Sep-14-2005, 1:39pm

I say them on the show and they were great as usual.

**John Flynn** · Sep-14-2005, 2:22pm

Originally Posted by

even fellow mandolinists think that if someone plays the mando, they must be bluegrass

I am not primarily a bluegrass mando player, I know they aren't bluegrass and I don't care if they are or not. I do think it's sad that they have so much obvious talent that gets wasted on formulaic nouveau-country-pop. I also think criticism of them is brought on by people who start threads to gush about them.

Sep-14-2005, 3:46pm

The fact of the matter is, Nickel Creek is a band of Amazing performers and composers. You can't take that away from them. Wouldnt you agree that it is nice to go to a show and hear some variety in a set rather that just ONE style of music the whole time? They are young musicians who like to be creative. Playing music shouldnt be just about using ideas that have already been thought up in the past, you need to explore your craft and thats what they do.

**bjc** · Sep-14-2005, 3:49pm

The points that have been raised about their style have been endlessly debated on the Cafe' with no one changing their mind. To me that makes a "debate" a pointless effort.
If people want to gush, why ruin their party? I don't when other folks sing the praises of someone/some group that I personaly can not stand. If someone finds joy in an artist music it's a good thing :-)

**bjc** · Sep-14-2005, 3:50pm

The points that have been raised about their style have been endlessly debated on the Cafe' with no one changing their mind. To me that makes a "debate" a pointless effort.
If people want to gush, why ruin their party? I don't barge in when other folks sing the praises of someone/some group that I personaly can not stand. If someone finds joy in an artist music it's a good thing :-)

Sep-14-2005, 3:52pm

something wierd happend, it says i started the post?? can anyone explane?

**GBG** · Sep-14-2005, 3:58pm

John, they're not performing to impress us old f**ts. There is a generation gap (or 2) between me and them, but it's better than rap (music?).

**Mikey G** · Sep-14-2005, 4:40pm

I was watching the Bluegrass Celebration show from the Ryman in Nashville, and Ricky Skaggs introduced them as "one of the hottest new groups in bluegrass music," and it weirded me out. They played "Seven Wonders" which mellowed everyone out. Not to bash, or burst balloons, but they played as a solo act in Knoxville last year, and they were trying to give tickets away right before show time. Do many mandolists try to copy Chris Thile's style? Seems like that improvisitional meandering would be kinda hard to replicate.

**fangsdaddy** · Sep-14-2005, 5:04pm

i'm sorry i missed them on craig fergison. they ruled on leno.
personally, i dig the new disc much more than the last two. it sounds much more like they do as a live act. i disagree about the "just another pop group" comment. i tend to view them as an indie rock band playing acoustic instruments. but hey, different strokes for different folks.

**Mikey G** · Sep-14-2005, 5:17pm

They are very talented musicians, indeed. I have their first CD, and enjoyed many parts of it. Fangsdaddy, your view of their style is pretty cool. I'm sure Chris Thile has an istructional video out, and wonder if anyone has seen it, and how he describes his playing style.

**Stephanie Reiser** · Sep-14-2005, 8:31pm

Mikey, Chris does not describe his playing style on the instructional CD. NC themselves do not describe themselves as bluegrass, any more than the Rolling Stones describe themselves as bluegrass. Just because one player has a mandolin folks are inclined to place them into that category. But Chris himself has said that he mostly 'plays drums' for NC, which is why he creates his solo work. By the way, Speaking of Ricky Skaggs (of whom I am a great fan - I have all of Kentucky Thunder's CDs, just as I have all of Thile's) this may be a bit of a bold statement, but, I heard THile play Rawhide live with some bluegrass players at a festival. I won't say in public that he can play Skaggs under the table with regards to bluegrass mandolin. I will say, though, that he can certainly hold his own.
And to whomever said that Sean Watkins plays better than Thile: Plays what? PLays the guitar better than Thile plays the mando? That is like saying that Dale Ernhart Jr. can drive a race car better than Barry Bonds. Plays the guitar better than thile plays the guitar? How do you know? Or the Mando? What is the point, even if it were true?
This is the same old Thile/NC bashing that pops up whenever they release a new CD. I don't like M&M, and so I will never buy his CD's. If you dont like Thile/NC, dont buy their CD's.

**Jim Rowland** · Sep-14-2005, 8:56pm

I love the Creek,and stayed up way too late to watch them on the Ferguson show,although they didn't do my favorite song. At a live concert a couple of months ago,I saw and heard a phenomenal response from the local crowd at the packed college auditorium,something I've never witnessed in this town. They are all great musicians,but I enjoyed the old boy trimming the tabs and working the wires,Mark Schatz on bass,plucking and in arco,most of all. The program didn't say what kind of music it was,but it was wonderfully done.
Jim