Search - Mike Marshall, Chris Thile :: Live: Duets

The duo works well together to create nuance and significant

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 03/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 53:00 -- With Mike Marshall in the left speaker, and Chris Thile in the right, "Live Duets" captures two virtuoso mandolin masters at work. After the opening cut of their composition, "Shoulda Seen It Comin'," we can hear one of the players comment, "We're gonna have fun tonight!" And that is no doubt why this record was made ... for us to enjoy the fun and energy of their 16 strings in consummate performance. After the second cut, Mike says, "This is fun!" Based on their power and strength, the dynamic duo could very well be two super heroes in disguise. This sequel to their successful 2003 collaborative effort, "Into the Cauldron," takes us into some similarly adventurous territory. To these guys, Mandoville has no city limits. Four cuts feature one of the guys playing mandocello, and one of those (Thile's "Hualalai") actually has Marshall on both mandola and mandocello.



There are a couple ways to tune into the music of this indefatigable duet. One is to listen very intently to appreciate the sensational musical telepathy and groove happening between the two. Mandolin players might want to follow this course. Another approach is to merely relax and let the notes and rhythms casually weave their way through a Zen-like atmosphere in search of truth and understanding. To me the players' minds seem clear of all limitations as they strive for oneness in their music. They realize that there's really only one way that they can collaboratively succeed - and that is along a musical path that is straight, open, wide, and free of obstructions. A traditional Bulgarian tune, "Sedi Donka," begins with Thile demonstrating the complicated rhythm to the audience ... long, short, short, long, short, short, short, short, long, short, short. The song's genesis includes aqueous improvisation and tremolo built around the tune's unique melody.



Through invisible, sound does have much color. Marshall and Thile use their instruments in much the same way that Monet and Piccasso used paintbrushes. The juxtaposition of one's notes with the other's creates each piece's coloring. Notice how their sonic colors work together to produce feelings. I was very happy to see a delicate piece like Marshall's 2-minute "'Til Dawn" breathe some slower air into the overall set. With high musical intellect, good ears, and considerable sensitivity, the duo works well together to create nuance and significant emotional content. Check out their musical canvas to discover the special quality of their sound. As with most live albums, applause between songs can be a little annoying. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)



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Modern, International, Technical, Brilliant Mandolin Stew

Kim A Miller | Windsor, CT United States | 01/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those of you who loved "Into the Cauldron" "Live Duets" is more and better. More of Mike Marshall and Chris Thile because of the live ambiance and comments in this fine recording. Better because the recording is actually cleaner and clearer than its studio predecessor. Better because the songs are even more daring, complex and if you like that sort of thing, obscure.



Being one of those who loved the more melodic Chris Thile of his earlier efforts, it has taken me a while to accept the changes. While listening to a few of the cuts, I am reminded of the first time I heard Igor Stravinsky. At first, it struck me as grating and hard to listen to, but as I embraced the music I found it both complex and compelling.



No, this is not a whole album of "modern" music. Some of the other cuts are based on music from other countries, some from the other side of the planet, with a little tweak to those who resent Thile blowing through bluegrass and moving on (Carpathian Mountain Breakdown).



The brilliance is not only in the speed of play and fine technique. The layering of the two players, playing one bit above or below the other, creating effects that sound like waves of tiny bells, clearly transcends what they have done together before. Tanja, the last cut on the album, has some mandolin "effects" I have never heard before.



My favorite cut on the album is "Joy Ride in a Toy Car" which is so beautiful and breathtaking in its speed and cacophany that I replay it first each time I load the album. Other fine cuts include Byron's and Sedi Donka (Bulgarian).



Mike Marshall accompanies many of the efforts and leads on some and his composition, "Till Dawn" is short, but clearly the most melodic song on the album."

Transcendent.

Amy Burcham | Collierville, TN USA | 02/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gorgeous, fascinating, mind-altering musical collaboration. I can't stop listening to these pieces. Each one is different and each one is a seamless fabric made up of many adventures. This album captures the meeting of two national treasures at their best - if you love music, you owe it to yourself to spend some time with this album."