I'm sure there are other threads pertaining to Thile / Mehldau shows, but I just have to say that I caught them tonight at a very nice-sounding venue (Sharon Lynn Wilson Theatre in suburban MKE) and .... goodness, this was was musicianship of such a high level.
This format lends itself well to Chris's intimate vocal songs... man is he an emotive singer -- a times, you could hear a pin drop -- and he completely sucked you in without playing a note. And no need to talk about his playing, or Brads. There were so many moments where I just had to shake my head, and not tear up, it was so good. This was a pretty "classy" crowd, and it was all I could do to contain myself in my seat during Thile's peaks... and Mehldau threw in some crazy stuff that, from my 4th row seat, even seemed to take Thile by surprise. They did a version of Neil Young's "Tell Me Why" that started by 'respecting' the flavor of the tune, but then jazzed it up, which I didn't think was working ... and after revisiting the core feeling of the song, started to funk it up. Again, I'm thinking "whao, pushing it for such a classic Niel tune", but then.... they went places with it and it was just gorgeous and pure magic.
Life is rough for in many ways these days, but man, for an hour and a half... life was very very good.
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