Thile and Daves at the Ryman this Thursday 6/28/2012

**BradKlein** · Jun-26-2012, 5:43pm

Anyone going to the show Thursday? Having watched these guys so long, I'll hate to miss it, but I just can't swing a trip to Nashville this week. I bet it's gonna be a good one.

**Marty Henrickson** · Jun-28-2012, 1:32am

Good grief, I sure wish I'd known about this sooner (and probably should have, I get e-mail updates from the Ryman, so I obviously missed the listing), I am off on Friday and I could've gone if not previously obligated for tonight......

**BradKlein** · Jun-29-2012, 9:38am

Well, how did it go? Someone must have caught this show yesterday. The Boxcars shared the bill.

**Andrew Roberts** · Jun-29-2012, 10:15am

I'll go ahead and chime in here with a quick little review. The show was of course excellent. The Boxcars started the show off nicely. It's not too often that I see bands on the more traditional side of the spectrum play, but they put on a really good show. It was my first time seeing Adam Steffey which was cool, and he definitely had some cool licks. Some of the numbers were a little too reserved sounding for my liking, but on several occasions their three-part harmonies really sounded great.
Eddie Stubbs (Nashville DJ, Grand Ol Opry announcer) gave Chris Thile and Michael Daves a very nice introduction, recalling his memories from how intense the crowd response was while he was announcing the show that Nickel Creek opened for Vince Gill back in 2001.
Thile and Daves started out with Evening Prayer Blues, leading into some song off their record that I can't recall at the moment. Most of the show was songs from the record, although Fiddle Tune Request Time was a great little piece of improv, merging Temperance Reel, Whiskey Before Breakfast, and Jerusalem Ridge. They ended the show with a really nice version of Blue Night. I will also point out that there is almost nothing more exhilarating than listening to Michael Daves go for the high notes in Cry,Cry Darling live. I was practically holding my breath, but they nailed it.
Overall it was a great show. I only wish they had included Molly and Tenbrooks on the set list. For now I guess I will just have to rely on YouTube for their amazing version.

**BradKlein** · Jun-30-2012, 10:49am

Sounds like a fun show Andrew, and a nice review.

I think Michael usually does Molly and Tenbrooks when he plays with Tony Trischka, and they really tear it up.

I'm glad they did Temperance Reel, too. Ever since I watched Thile on youtube, I watch like a hawk to be sure he doesn't play a flat 7th on that one. (see the video below, regarding blues riffs in major fiddle tunes)

I'm going to add some new videos to Michael's youtube channel - michaeldavesmusic - that I shot for him in the next couple weeks, so check it out and subscribe if you want to catch them.

**mandolino maximus** · Jul-01-2012, 8:31am

I was there and I'll throw in with Andrew. It was a good 3 hour tour including The Boxcars. Thile / Daves: Went for the picking in the stratosphere which was evident from the beginning, but the vocal combination comes close to stealing attention the further you get into the concert. I recently saw or heard someone noting that Bill Monroe was doing what Chuck Berry did but 10 years earlier. The Thile / Daves combination allows me to look through time and see those two periods brought forward - all using great old songs filled full of hot, blazing energy. And still, I liked the Ookpik Walz the best.

We decided to go for Thile / Daves, but stayed in Nasville the next night to see Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Grand Ole Opry on Friday since we've never been there. I expected professionalism, but was pleasantly surprised by the whole show. A lot of mando content including Mike Snider and The Isaacs. And, BTW, saw Bobby Osborne sing Rocky Top live for the first time.

**drbluegrass** · Jul-01-2012, 11:11am

Are there recordings of Chris and Michael or Chris and other contemporary players doing more traditional stuff like they performed at the Ryman? I like some of the contemporary stuff but I personally prefer to hear Chris' and other's take on the more traditional stuff much more. I love to hear Chris play traditional BG.

Tom

**BradKlein** · Jul-01-2012, 11:46am

There's their Nonesuch Album from last year, Tom. It's a must have.

And here's the first of two stories that I wrote about it for the Cafe: http://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001351.shtml

**Fretbear** · Jul-01-2012, 12:24pm

Cancelled

**drbluegrass** · Jul-02-2012, 2:43pm

Originally Posted by BradKlein

There's their Nonesuch Album from last year, Tom. It's a must have.

And here's the first of two stories that I wrote about it for the Cafe: http://www.mandolincafe.com/news/publish/mandolins_001351.shtml

Thanks so much, Brad. I just downloaded it. Will listen to it after while.

Tom

**Andrew Roberts** · Jul-03-2012, 10:38am

To anyone who hasn't yet bought the Thile/Daves album from last year, I agree with Brad: it is a must have! Mr. Maximus brought up a good point about the old school rock n roll vibes that this duo pulls out of these songs. Some of the best moments for me during the show came on numbers like Sleep with One Eye Open and Loneliness and Desperation where the rhythms and vocals really do have more of a rock n roll feel to me than bluegrass.
I think the Chuck Berry reference you are thinking of (at least the one I am thinking of) came from a festival session with Thile, Tim O'Brien, and Ronnie McCoury when Tim O'Brien is talking about the bluesyness of songs like Bluegrass Stomp. That video is another great YouTube find if you haven't seen it.

Ookpik Waltz was great. It is such a pretty melody, and it is nice to see Chris Thile recognizing the tradition of owl songs at the Ryman.

**thespringsteenkid** · Jul-06-2012, 11:49am

Thile and Daves do a great job in their set for NPR's Tiny Music Desk podcast. I think it's free on Itunes. They play mostly the songs off of their album.