Editorial Review:

Item Description:
This collaboration between Chris Thile, leader of Nonesuch quintet the Punch Brothers and former Nickel Creek vocalist-mandolin player, and double bassist Edgar Meyer is a meeting of two prodigious, Grammy Award-winning talents in, quite literally, the most down home of settings. Co-writing a dozen compositions, the pair recorded their work at Meyer's house in Nashville. No frills, no words and no other musicians were needed, keeping the focus on thed quick-thinking repartee between these two players. Their wide-ranging musical dialogue incorporates bluegrass, folk, country, and classical elements.









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Rating: - * Challenging but worthy ... These two players have serious chops, and they are certainly on display here! While these guys can tear it up speed wise, you don't get the sense that they are just noodling. At the same time, the compositions are challenging for me. This is not background music, it demands attention. Partly because of the freedom that the players feel to use dissonance, and plenty of it. The other part that makes it challenging for me is the freedom of their melodic improvisation. There are few predictable song patterns to warn me what is coming next! It reminds me of Miles Davis in that regard, when he moved into modal jazz. The recording is good but not audiophile quality. The bass comes through with all the bottom end your system can supply, but the upper register and bow noise are well integrated with the basement. You will need speakers with quick bass to keep up with Edgar Meyer though! Chris Thile's mandolin is clear, but I do not hear the wood of the instrument like I do with David Grisman's recordings. There is no digital "bite" or harshness to the treble, in fact the upper harmonics of the mandolin are M.I.A. The soundstage is a bit reverberant and diffuse too. Nit picks all, the sound was pleasant but not distinguished. Having said all that, I know this will be music I sit with and grow to love. Preview the tunes, and if it is even remotely your cup of tea, perhaps just a little dissonant, I suggest you get it and sit with it awhile. I feel confident it will grow on you. Rating: - * Brilliant. ... To those not used to 20th century composition, this might be a difficult listen. To those with ears for dissonance, this will be a pleasure. Rating: - * Another great duet album ... Chris Thile is a mandolin prodigy. Edgar Meyer is a virtuoso who took string bass to new musical heights. Each of them in their own right is in total command of their instrument. While their talent is clear in this album (which is hardly bluegrass), the music seems a little schitzophrenic at times. For any Chris Thile fan this album is a sure buy, but I miss the days of Not All Who Wander Are Lost when melody took more of a presence. Nevertheless, listening to these two musicians is a joy, and no matter where they go, I'll follow.