Billy Strings and Chris Thile Blow Minds on “CBS Saturday Morning”
- Two players, three songs and one duo that should play together more often
Their second time playing together also represented Billy Strings and Chris Thile’s national-television debut as a duo.
And while some music lovers might’ve expected more from their Feb. 3 appearance on “CBS Saturday Morning” that’d been insane. For Strings and Thile, arguably the greatest guitarist and mandolinist their generation has produced, blew not only Sound Bites’ mind - but their own minds as well.
Thile couldn’t help but chuckle when Strings hit on a particularly splendid riff during their up-tempo rendition of “I’ve Been All around this World.” And the laughter continued as the song progressed, causing Strings to call for an extra bar.
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The intricate interplay continued on the instrumental “I am a New Pilgrim,” during which they wrapped their instruments into a double helix of their respective musical DNA. This number was subdued in its delivery but Strings and Thile’s facial expressions betrayed the intensity that went in to making this music.
There was one mic - and no amplifier - for the pair to play and sing into as they performed and they offered “Wild Bill Jones” as a vocal duet - their very different voices blending into one glorious sound of joy. Each watched the other for silent cues and responded appropriately as the music cascaded from their brains to their hands to viewers’ ears.
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They ended it with a high-five. If only Strings and Thile had been given more time - that’s the one thing sane folks could’ve wish for because the duo deserved the entire broadcast. For even with the sky-high expectations that accompany such a pairing, Strings and Thile exceeded them.
Beer and food before our show. At the Left Hand RINO location right across the plaza. I am excited for a night out. Seeing Nickel Creek and really looking forward to it.
Okay, so. Take a man and stretch him out to absolutely ridiculous proportions. Like 'what does anyone need that much arm for what the fuck' kind of proportions. Now give him the smallest instrument imaginable. Got it? Okay, great. Now he's going to play a bluegrass cover of Brittney Spears' Toxic.
Tim O’Brien Adds Making it to 70 to Impressive Résumé
Tim O’Brien has a fat bluegrass résumé and now he can add made it to 70 to his accomplishments list.
Born March 16, 1954, the multi-instrumentalist O’Brien rolled on to the bluegrass scene with Hot Rize in 1978.
His song have been recorded by Nickel Creek, Garth Brooks and the Chicks and O’Brien’s made records with Darrell Scott, the Earls of Leicester, Mark Knopfler, Sturgill Simpson, Aoife O’Donovan and others.
Between all this, O’Brien’s found time to make more than 20 solo albums - Cup of Sugar arrived in 2023 - on which he combines fun-loving novelties with ardent calls for social justice.
Not super-well-known, O’Brien is worth seeking out. Whether on wax or on stage, his performances remain powerful and retain the power to make audiences think, and have a good laugh while doing so.