Mike Marshall & Chris Thile - Live: Duets

When Bill Monroe pushed the mandolin forward as a lead instrument, he opened a Pandora's box of musical possibilities, but even he couldn't have imagined a recording like this. Neither classical nor jazz nor bluegrass, the sound owes much to David Grisman--whom Marshall studied under and Thile worshipped--who just called it "dawg music." Call these live instrumentals "cat music": slinky, cool, effete, at times sphinx-like, at times blissed out on improvisational 'nip. Culled from a range of small-theater concerts in the winter of 2003, the set emphasizes original compositions--some written collaboratively--and one Bach revision, plus a blazing Bulgarian folk tune. Though writing credits are split evenly, Marshall is the de facto leader here. His jaunty, funky rhythms keep Thile's capricious twists grounded through the time shifts of "The Only Way Out," and his playful countermelodies turn the pastoral, seven-minute excursion "Joy Ride in a Toy Car/Hey Ho" into an experiment from a time machine set to either 1740 or 2740. The improvisation on a Bach violin partita, however, conveys the warmest, clearest melody, while "Sedi Donka" deserves its own genre: thrashgrass. Hearing these two maestros, the most expert mandolinist will likely succumb to despair--albeit a dizzying, lyrical, even beautiful despair. --Roy Kasten Amazon.com

This = Good

If you know what's good for you, you'll buy this album. If you don't buy this album...well, I don't even want to think about that possibility. However bad or good your life is, listening to this music will improve it. May 24, 2007

Transcendent.

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. February 9, 2007

Enchanting

I love this cd...at first I thought it would simply be pleasant "background music" (which is is) but found that I couldn't help but be engaged with every song. The more I listen to it, the more I find and I am always amazed. Highly recommended..Chris Thile rocks my world! January 4, 2007

The duo works well together to create nuance and significant emotional content

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)

March 14, 2006

Genius cannot begin to describe this.

Have you listened to this album yet? If not, you are leading a sad, sad life. I am beginning to think that Chris Thile could take a poo on a mandolin and it would sound amazing. This is my first taste of Mike Marshall and I wonder why I went so long without him. Just buy it. If you don't like it, you don't know what good mandolin playing is. March 2, 2006

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