This was a loose, highly improvisatory set featuring seamless interplay between Chris Thile on mandolin and Brad Mehldau on piano. I have never seen Thile accompanied by a piano, which lent great dynamics and color to the arrangements. As is often the case with any Chris Thile-led enterprise, the set list featured a smart selection of songs from contemporary artists, some of whom I had expected (Radiohead, Gillian Welch), and some I hadn't (Elliott Smith, Fiona Apple). Also, there was a jazz standard in "I Cover the Waterfront," and I believe a snippet of Dizzy Gillespie's "Groovin High" (Though I am not sure about that). There was not a lot of stage banter, and in fact, the normally talkative Thile remarked that this was the least he has ever spoken on stage. As such, large portions of the set list are unknown to me. Although most folks probably don't come to see Chris Thile sing, his vocals were outstanding. He does not have the distinct timbre of a great bluegrass singer such as Ralph Stanley or Bill Monroe, but he does possess impressive range His playful and intelligent vocal phrasing on Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" was a highlight.
Bowery Ballroom @
- New York @
, NY @
- Tue, Apr 9, 2013 @
Favorite moment: The show closed with Bob Dylan's "Don't Look Twice, It's Alright" @
Setlist: Here's what I recognized: Elliott Smith's "Tomorrow, Tomorrow", Radiohead's "Knives Out", "I Cover The Waterfront", Gillian Welch's "Scarlet Town", and Fiona Apple's "Fast As You Can." I think I also recognized Dizzy Gillespie's "Groovin' High", but I could be wrong about that. @
Opening act(s): None. @