Nickel Creek

[lindensensei]

Hi All,
Just saw Nickel Creek last night at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando. #You know I'm getting up there in years, but these amazing musicians took me back to an age and energy I haven't seen on a stage since Jerry Garcia was experimenting with amphetamines.

They started with a nice trio of tunes that spotlighted all three stars and were careful to mix in old tunes and new ones as the show progressed. #What amazed me was how Chris was able to prance, bounce, gyrate, stomp, spin, whirl, and simply lose himself while playing some of the best mandolin I've heard. #Great performance.

And the highlight of the night were the bizare segues into old standards while moving around in the breaks of their own standards. #The began a beautiful balad by Sara and then the next verse they were doing Randy Newman's Short People. #(which was a scream) #and later in the encore when Chris finally launched into The Fox he took it into a complete rendition of Up on Cripple Creek and then brought it back home to finish the song. #

If you have not seen these amazing young people and you get the chance, do it. #The shows on television where I've seen them just don't show the whole act.

Oh, and one complaint. I have not been to a live concert other than my own in years so it may be common now, but for some reason the lighting was predominanatly back lit with very powerful spots rotating and shining into the audience's eyes. At times it was painful and made it hard to see what they were doing. Even with that, I'd go see them again tomorrow.

[Larry S Sherman]

Yeah, they put on a great show and seem to be having a lot of fun too. The lights were a bit tough to look at (I saw them up in VT when the current tour started).

They should release a live DVD, then I could see up close without having to fight a crowd.

Larry

[A9cp]

yep, they were interesting, what used to be a newgrass group is now doing some NEW things that for sure aren't newgrass, bluegrass, not sure what, but Chris's playing was really clean.

[bjc]

I saw them here in NOrfolk...and (despite what the nay-sayers will type) they were inspiring...

[lindensensei]

One of my friends is a borderline jazz type... He thinks tension and resolution is THE major integral part of music; He needs to see these kids and see where they have taken acoustic bluegrass instruments. You are right, they are not doing bluegrass or newgrass, but... did you notice that when they did do it... it was perfect.

[grant_eversoll]

I saw them last year at the IU campus in Bloomington Indiana. Loved the show...Hated the lights in my eyes

[jaco]

I was at the Orlando show last night. I've held off on posting anything about them until seeing them live. They really need a live DVD out as their studio material doesn't capture the magic of their live show. What was the encore were they sang three part harmony around a single mike with just Sean on guitar? Amazing. I thought Chris really played to the songs and held off on the gymnastics in a very musical way. When he did rip it was scary. They are all very talented musicians and will only get better (that's hard to imagine). Awesome show.

[dochardee]

Just got back from their sold out show at the Tampa Theater ... Nickel Creek put on a great show ... what a hoot when they covered Britney Spears' "Toxic" ... Mike Marshall also put in an appearance, did a duet with Chris Thile on "Gator Strut." I also would really like to see a concert DVD. I'll go back and listen to my Nickel Creek CD's with new appreciation.

Same complaints with the lights. I would have expected a group with the class of Nickel Creek to have a better opener than a magician who pulled cards out of his ###, though.

--Mike Hardee

[lindensensei]

Jaco,
If you are local (orlando) and want to kick it up some time, give me a call. Im always looking to play. lindensensei@yahoo.com

[jaco]

Hey Dan, would love to. Just sent you an e-mail. Mike

[Moose]

This is a good "thread" - I'm probably classed as a "traditionalist", but from all I've read(on CAFE) and heard I would definitely go see 'em - Good musicians - are good musicians - ANY genre! - Thanks for the comments, guy's!! - Moose.

[mandolin123]

check out www.woodsongs.com and then link to archives to download the Thile and Mike Marshal video...amazing.

[mandolin123]

check out www.woodsongs.com and the archives link to download the Thile and Mike Marshal show.

[mandodan1960]

I can't keep myself from commenting on the lights. I thought the lighting crew screwed up at first but then the lights kept coming. very annoying ! Fox theater Atlanta Oct 16 th ish.
Dan

[bjc]

I think the lighting is a new "trend." I've sen several shows with lights like the ones they used...including a punk show and a metal show (I'm not a "traditionalist" either)...and I can say as a one time "Effect" its cool, but aftera whle you end up squinting at the the stage...

[JeffS]

I just saw them in Jacksonville tonight. Great show. I was in the 6th row, directly across from Sean. I occasionally was blinded by some of his backing lights. That Britney Spears song they played never sounded better. And I loved the opening act. It was a good night of entertainment.

[MandoNewb]

Saw them in London back in September....they were pretty awesome then, but we had exactly the same problem with the lights...! My dad ended up 'watching' the whole show with his eyes closed....

[travisburch]

Hey saw them too, they really are inspiring and are so pleasant to talk to! My girlfriend loved the lights, said she got lost in the show... If you're trying to watch Thile's hands and learn from him you'll hate the lights but they do add a pretty cool effect.