New from the Mike Marshall & Chris Thile, Live Duets.

Two of the finest musicians (let alone mandolinists) on the planet together wrestling again in sixteen strings of hyper-proficient frenzy, the dynamic duo of Mike Marshall and Chris Thile is releasing a successful follow-up to their masterful 2003 collaboration, "Into the Cauldron." Their latest recorded document of this premier partnership succinctly titled "Live Duets," journeys into the multifaceted talents and tastes of the eclectic, indefatigable dyad.

While one might very well expect to be overwhelmed by their tireless, eccentric technical virtuosity, the mature compositional skills of the pair manage to keep the deft prowess of the Florentine Force engaging and compelling. The sweet, simple texture of two mandolins draws the ears of the even the casual listener into straightforward form midst the drama of some sensational pyrotechnical diversion.

Though Thile and Marshall both have sprung from the well of the Bluegrass tradition in each of their earliest playing years, being major proponents of the low-action/light string school, they've abandoned the harsh, percussive nature of these roots. Unlike the Monroe "school" of players, they breathe linear melodic line, rather than "cough" it. Throw in their harmonic ascension into extreme chromatic discovery and modal manipulation, they continue to reinvent the neoteric genre of the 21st century mandolin duet.

From the ear-bending tonal center excursion of the opening track "Shoulda Seen it Comin'" to the pristine Debussy-like texture of the final song "Tanja," their playing is all about tone. Lush with pure, lilting sustain, speed never sacrifices a single solid, healthy note. The team's second most apparent strength is demonstrated most clearly in the quirky "Caparthian Mt. Breakdown," as they seamlessly trade roles as soloist and then as accompanist. Like one brain, the two anticipate, support, and inspire so ingeniously; uncannily they consistently read from the same mental page. Throughout the rest of the CD, it's apparent these two are musical birds of a feather, virtual sonic soul mates.

An exhaustive mix of styles in this collection, the two exhibit a particularly intense understanding and superb emotional comprehension of the music of J. S. Bach in "D minor Gigue" from his solo Violin Partita #2. Marshall displays his signature mandocello mastery here as well. Lest we forget, the rest of the tracks are magnificent original works, demonstrating the two compose as well as they play.

The contrast from the silky sweetness in "'Til Dawn" to the subsequent raucous Bulgarian traditional "Seidi Donka" is stunning and demonstrative of the showmanship and versatility of the two. The two are veteran entertainers and masters of their craft, experts without the oft-residual annoying self-absorption of ultra-exemplary performers. Top-notch musicianship, patent personality, and a well-rounded buffet of discriminating variety make "Live Duets" a promising release to be enjoyed by lovers of good acoustic musicians and closely examined by the perpetual student of mandolin for many years to come.

Scheduled Release: January 24, 2006
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Selections:

Shoulda Seen it Comin'
Byron's
Carpathian Mt. Breakdown
I'd Go Back if I Could
The Only Way Out
Hualalai
J.S. Bach Dm Gigue (from solo Violin Partita #2)
Joy Ride in a Toy Car/Hey Ho
'Til Dawn
Sedi Donka
Tanja