Chris Thile: I think I may have to reassess the Mandolin...

equalsql

This chap is just superb, and monster player with a sly sense of humour. One of those wonderful finds that you chance upon when 'cruising  the tube'.  A real eye opener this:

not_the_dj

He's amazing. Saw him with Nicklecreek a while back (before they split up and then reformed).

That was at the Wulfrum in Wolverhampton and for the encore they came about and played right at the front of the stage totally unplugged, everyone was as hushed as possible to hear them, but it sounded so great...a real shivers down the spine moment.

paisleysoul

Nickelcreek are amazing. Smoothie Song in particular. Very talented man. Isn't he generally regarded as one of the best Mandolin players on the planet?

ChrisMusic

thecolourbox

Yes he is very good, excellent in fact,  though I do find after a while that all mandolin solos essentially sound the same. I heard of him a few years ago when he covered a White Stripes song (he's sinced recorded with White for his record label actually) and I also learnt to play mandolin (a bit) with help from his instructional dvd borrowed from Birmingham library. The guy can certainly play!

koneguitarist

Saw them at the Fleece and Firkin, they did the acoustic unplugged then as well. Awesome musicians.

Antique_Guitars

Its all about Mountain Dulcimers

This guy is pretty ace.

Lewy

He did a duo album with Michael Daves called "Sleep With One Eye Open" which is one of the most outstanding examples of post-Monroe bluegrass mandolin playing (and guitar playing from Daves) you'll ever hear.

stimpsonslostson

I bought a second hand mandolin on the back of seeing Chris play. (I need LOTS more practice!)

It ain't as easy as he makes it look! They are however massively good fun & also INCREDIBLY portable- in its hard case mine is 2' long at best, great when trying to sneak it into a car already full of my toddlers accoutrements.

The tuning takes some getting used to, and those reels are FAST, but once you get to grips with it they're great wee things to have around.

Basher

He's one of the few musicians I've seen live that I would have no hesitation in calling "great". People like him are few and far between and just operate on another level to even very accomplished musicians. They seem to have simply absorbed music in it's entirety and can generate it in pretty much any style at any time.

Saw him do a solo gig a few years back - him, voice and mandolin. Riveting throughout and full of warmth and humour. 

I like it when he reins the monster technique in a bit. He writes some beautiful tunes.