Chris Thile on Jimmy Fallon

[Wolfmanbob]

Totally boring song. Thile seems way too full of himself as always It's just annoying.
Yes, I know, he's Sooo talented. But I'm just not interested.

[sykofiddle]

Totally boring song. Thile seems way too full of himself as always It's just annoying.
Yes, I know, he's Sooo talented. But I'm just not interested.

He does not look good to me - tired, strung out? No idea - haven't followed him closely, but he does not look healthy for his age.

[Larry S Sherman]

Sara's vocals sounded really great. Nice to see them back together. Three part harmonies, dynamics, very tight.

Video here.

I hope I have a chance to catch them live this time around.

Larry

[mandotrout777]

...But I'm just not interested.

So you started this thread just to get that off your chest?

[Dan Margolis]

He's a busy guy, many projects, lots of learning, playing, touring, I'm not surprised that he looks tired.

[Dan Margolis]

Yes, I know, he's Sooo talented. But I'm just not interested.

And yet, life goes on...

[Wolfmanbob]

So you started this thread just to get that off your chest?

There's been a lot of hype about this band's re-formation and his recent appearances. I tuned in to see and felt underwhelmed. Sorry if this observation is not as interesting as "should I buy the Morgan Monroe of The Loar"

[FLATROCK HILL]

Jimmy Fallon introduced them as a 'Bluegrass' band.
I wonder if the average viewer believed that was Bluegrass.

[Phil Goodson]

I enjoyed Mark Schatz's bass lines.

[Craig Montgomery]

My bet is that the average viewer of the Tonight Show would have a difficult time distinguishing Bluegrass from Country. I could be wrong but the homogenization of music genres is more to blame for this than anything else, I think.

As for the extremely talented Mr. Thile: He looks exactly like a fellow who has spent the better part of his life roaming the country doing night work for a living. It does take it's toll.

[Herbm55]

Jimmy Fallon introduced them as a 'Bluegrass' band.
I wonder if the average viewer believed that was Bluegrass.

They might have....the average listener thinks today's "country" is country, instead of warmed over Rock 'n Roll. Repeat a lie long enough.......

The tune really gave Sarah's vocals a chance to shine. Great harmonies, too. Whether I like it or not, it's great to see boundaries pushed.

[Brandon Flynn]

I have never seen the sound guys get the mix right for Thile on any tv broadcast ever. Not the worst mix I've heard for him, but I felt that both Sean and Chris' instruments could've used more presence in the mix. When the Punch Brothers have been on the late night shows before I always thought the songs lacked the punch and drive that I experience on the album and when seeing them live due to the poor mix. It's a shame.

They usually seem to get it right if it really is a bluegrass group with a mandolin player taking a solo. It's a little more obvious that he needs to be clearly heard.

[Wiggles]

Thile just got off tour with Punch Brothers. I saw them 2 weeks ago and it was great! But yeah, he literally just got off tour, got married recently (I think) and now this! I think he looks fine for working so much.

Edit: Oh yeah, AND Nickel Creek isn't there to solely make Thile shine. As this performance does show, he plays amazingly well with a group without having to "shred" on the mando.

[f5joe]

Personally, the OP's comments are just fine. A forum is for open discussion ........ up, down or sideways.

[F-2 Dave]

Jimmy Fallon introduced them as a 'Bluegrass' band.
I wonder if the average viewer believed that was Bluegrass.

I really doubt that much thought was put into the 'bluegrass' introduction. But for the unwashed masses, it was, for all intents and purposes, bluegrass. While it's true that bluegrass isn't what it was 40 years ago, neither is country or rock and roll.

[CES]

Totally boring song. Thile seems way too full of himself as always It's just annoying.
Yes, I know, he's Sooo talented. But I'm just not interested.

I'm giving the album a couple of more listens before passing final judgment. So far I really like a couple of the tracks, but like "Why Should the Fire Die" better as a whole. But, I usually hear more layers the more I listen, so we'll see.

They're all amazingly talented, and I enjoy them together and on solo projects. I genuinely enjoy Sara's vocals and Sean' guitar playing and vocals, too. But, I think Chris has continued to progress beyond what the other two are capable of keeping up with when he really pushes. I probably shouldn't make that judgement as I haven't seen the other two live, but I feel like the Punch Bros are all really pushing each other. These guys play really well together, and they've done some exceptional work together (some on this album, I think), but I don't get that same sense of competition among them, for lack of a better term. It may well be there, I just don't pick up on it...

As for how Chris looks...I work a ton of hours, sometimes (rarely, thankfully) pushing 60 hours without much sleep. I think he looks pretty good, all things considered...

[Mandorich]

Jimmy Fallon introduced them as a 'Bluegrass' band.
I wonder if the average viewer believed that was Bluegrass.

Agreed, that was definitely not bluegrass. I recently saw Thile and Marshall play an amazing show. When I heard Nickel Creek was touring I was considering going, but most of their music leaves me cold. After seeing the video here I'll definitely not be spending my hard earned cash on their show. Different strokes.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Nickel Creek started me on mandolin and the bluegrass sound in general. Like an entry drug of sorts. Then came Skaggs, then Monroe. But I still appreciate Nickel Creek for beauty in their simplicity. Whereas Punch Brothers is much more complicated and complex, and can be tasking to listen to at times. I really hope Thile keeps Nickel Creek simple and uses it as a relaxing sound outlet.

[John Hill]

* yawn *

...Thile sucks and NC "ain't bluegrass"...shocking Cafe thread.

[SincereCorgi]

Agreed, that was definitely not bluegrass.

OH GREAT HERE COME THE BLUEGRASS POLICE A BLOO BLAH BLOO... naw, that clearly is not bluegrass. If anything this sounded like, I dunno, the Mamas and the Papas or something. I agree with the OP about being underwhelmed, but I was never a Nickel Creek guy in the first place, so no great surprise. I do think that Thile has hired somebody to dress him and get his hair just right.

[George R. Lane]

Thile has always reminded me of Sam Bush, with the gyrations and such. He really seems to get totally absorbed by the music. It may not be old time Bluegrass, but the man can play and the vocals were great.

[Mike Bunting]

I thought it wasn't all that bad for network TV fare.

[roysboy]

Totally boring song. Thile seems way too full of himself as always It's just annoying.
Yes, I know, he's Sooo talented. But I'm just not interested.

Hmmm...yeah ....uninspiring ...disappointing even , knowing what this band is capable of. .

[JeffD]

Face the facts, if they were playing straight ahead orthodox bluegrass, they would not have been booked on the Tonight Show.

Nice to see Chris in a supporting role. They did good.

[Tom Coletti]

Meh, oddly I feel like a bowl of petunias saying "oh no, not again"...
--Tom