Search - Matt Flinner :: View From Here

Cold Quarters to fire up your spirit

Pharoah S. Wail | Inner Space | 10/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While the majority of the "acoustic string music" world seems to be jumping through hoops for the pop-grass of Nickel Creek, one of the best mandolinist/composers around, Matt Flinner, doesn't get nearly as much recognition. In terms of compositional ability and gift for melody, Matt is right up there with Mike Marshall and David Grisman.More than anything else, this cd makes the new Phillips, Grier & Flinner album (Looking Back) even more disappointing. I will never understand why a group with 2 composers on the level of Matt Flinner and David Grier decided to waste an album on lackluster Beatles, Hendrix, etc.. covers. There are a couple noteworthy tracks on that album, but it pales in comparison to their greats.... The View From Here, Latitude, and the original PG&F album. Matt Flinner's biggest gift, to my ears, is his ability to write such memorable, sometimes haunting melodies. His tunes aren't derivative, yet sometimes they feel like they could be 150 years old. On this cd, the tune Cold Quarters puts visions of the Civil War into my head every time I hear it. Red Shift is just a flat-out masterpiece. One of my favorite tunes in the entire spacegrass, newgrass, jazzgrass (whatever you want to call it) world. This songs just never gets old. Another Valley could be a lost tune from the brilliant Tony Rice Unit album, Backwaters.The core band here is Matt Flinner (mandolin), David Grier (guitar), and Todd Phillips (bass), plus we get some fantastic guest appearances by Stuart Duncan, Darol Anger, Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas, and Mike Marshall. Darol still has some of the best fiddle tone in history, and I swear Stuart makes his fiddle cry in a couple spots on this cd. The way Todd and Jerry lead into Jerry's Red Shift solo will certainly grab your ears and soul.Simply put, at their best, I love this band. Matt's mandolin style is wonderful, David is THE acoustic guitarist right now, and Todd is as strong as ever.I won't say that this cd is great from start to finish, there are a couple tunes I usually skip over, but the majority of this cd places it (and Matt) at the forefront of acoustic American string music."

Wonderful tunes - terrific playing!

david.sington@tvdox.com | London, UK | 12/08/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I caught Matt playing with Judith Edelman (who's new album "Only Sun" is terrific, too) in London a couple of years ago and was bowled over by their sheer musicianship. This album shows that Matt is not just a great player, he can also write beautiful melodies. I must have listened to this album a hundred times - it stays fresh and interesting and always puts me in a good mood. A real life-enhancing piece of work. I can't imagine anyone regretting buying this wonderful album."

Hot Dawg!, this kid can play

david.sington@tvdox.com | 08/14/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great songs, great playing, and plenty of space make this first release from Matt Flinner a real keeper. I haven't enjoyed an instrumental album this much since I discovered Dave Grisman's Hot Dawg, and if you're a fan of that record you better buy this one as soon as you find it. In addition to what you'd expect - - great playing, a jazz influence, an excellent recording - - Flinner offers some truly terrific songs, all of which are originals. I can't recommend it highly enough."