Just got back from Chris Thile at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC.

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My foundest dreams have come true. Not only was the show simply
stupendous (which I was figuring on; Nickel Creek and all solo records
are on high rotation in our kitchen), but not a damn thing was taken
direct, except for the upright bass, and it was so great to hear
instruments without that &$^%$ direct guitar/fiddle sound! Mandolin,
banjo, fiddle and acoustic guitar, all just played with a mic in front
of them. Not a soft show, either, so it's not a case of "Well they
don't need to go direct because they play so quietly". Don't know
what the bassist had, but he wasn't mic'd. Sounded good.

Crazy energy. Long two hour show. Wonderful tunes from the new
album. Incredible vocals. Musicianship to keep you alternating
between grinning and shaking your head in disbelief. First show
they've done, so the sound started off good and got better. Basically
sounded really, really good. An incredibly enjoyable show.


Next time I'm faced with a direct acoustic guitar I'm just going to
walk out.

[Spiggy]

In article om>,
wrote:

I was there too, and I echo the sentiments. Who was that guitar
player? He's a different guy than is on the CD. He's unbelievable!

And yes, a wonderful player with a great sounding guitar will only be
rendered to **** by going direct, regardless of what system is used.

I heard Richard Thompson play with a direct out at a gig that was lower
in volume than this one and it was lame plunko, much as I love RT.
This guy (Brian something?) sounded just heavenly with just a mic stuck
in front of him.




> My foundest dreams have come true. Not only was the show simply
> stupendous (which I was figuring on; Nickel Creek and all solo records
> are on high rotation in our kitchen), but not a damn thing was taken
> direct, except for the upright bass, and it was so great to hear
> instruments without that &$^%$ direct guitar/fiddle sound! Mandolin,
> banjo, fiddle and acoustic guitar, all just played with a mic in front
> of them. Not a soft show, either, so it's not a case of "Well they
> don't need to go direct because they play so quietly". Don't know
> what the bassist had, but he wasn't mic'd. Sounded good.
>
> Crazy energy. Long two hour show. Wonderful tunes from the new
> album. Incredible vocals. Musicianship to keep you alternating
> between grinning and shaking your head in disbelief. First show
> they've done, so the sound started off good and got better. Basically
> sounded really, really good. An incredibly enjoyable show.
>
>
> Next time I'm faced with a direct acoustic guitar I'm just going to
> walk out.

[Mike Rivers]

Spiggy wrote:

> I was there too, and I echo the sentiments. Who was that guitar
> player? He's a different guy than is on the CD. He's unbelievable!

> This guy (Brian something?) sounded just heavenly with just a mic stuck
> in front of him.

Brian Sutton? He's the current hot guitar darling in bluegrass circles,
but he's been playing Hot Club jazz gigs with Mark O'Conner, so it
seems like he would fit with Chris Thile. Sometimes I love what he's
doing, other times I wonder "when's he going to relax? I'd tired of
hearing how many notes he can play."