Nickel Creek!

[Hot Sugar]

Speaking for myself, my general ambivalence related to Christ Thile has nothing to do with his desire to experiment. I love bluegrass, but, as others have said, without experimentation, bands/artists like NGR, Hot Rize, John Hartford, LoS and many others wouldn't have progressed bluegrass to the art-form I know and love. My five favorite, currently active bands (Dusters, GSBG, Sam Bush, LoS, and Head for the Hills) are all known for experimenting and pushing the genre in new directions.

I personally feel that, while Chris plays his instrument with proficiency very few, if any, can match, he does so without much emotion. His playing usually feels flat to me. There have been exceptions to this. I loved his completely improvised set with Bela a few years ago. That was one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. I also really enjoyed the Punch Brothers main stage set in 2011. I also fondly recall Chris coming out to play with the Sam Bush band and Sam getting him to play his electric mandolin some years ago. He seemed to enjoy himself more than usual in these performances and that made them stand out to me. I respect his talent and dedication, but, on average, he just doesn't do it for me.

That being said, I'm very interested in seeing Nickel Creek this summer. Everything I've heard from them (mostly their older recordings), I've enjoyed, and I'm excited to get to see it all first hand. Who knows? Maybe Chris will even make me a fan this summer.

[nfire]

(Dusters, GSBG, Sam Bush, LoS, and Head for the Hills)

out of all these, IMO, only sam bush and LOS really pushed the music somewhere different.  the other three (while all three great and bands i love) are just kind of on the same jamgrass trail sam blazed many years ago.  thile does something DIFFERENT.  it should be encouraged, telluride is not a place to stay within the confines of the genre, rockygrass is a better place for that.  FREE THILE.

[landshark]

The best thing about Chris, He knows how to stir it up. Any way you slice it. I love the stuff I don't get and I don't even know why. He is expansive and  he makes you go there with him even if your not willin at times. He is so engaging to me and so very fluid and he is not flat! He has this great emotion I see but I am almost always very tuned into him and up front and center. He has this great expression at times and it's fun to watch.

Subjective .

 Listening to: My heart today. Ahhhhhhhhh

[TellurideTom]

Speaking for myself, my general ambivalence related to Christ Thile has nothing to do with his desire to experiment.

Freudian slip or on purpose?

[Auntie Hope]

Speaking for myself, my general ambivalence related to Christ Thile has nothing to do with his desire to experiment. I love bluegrass, but, as others have said, without experimentation, bands/artists like NGR, Hot Rize, John Hartford, LoS and many others wouldn't have progressed bluegrass to the art-form I know and love. My five favorite, currently active bands (Dusters, GSBG, Sam Bush, LoS, and Head for the Hills) are all known for experimenting and pushing the genre in new directions.

I personally feel that, while Chris plays his instrument with proficiency very few, if any, can match, he does so without much emotion. His playing usually feels flat to me. There have been exceptions to this. I loved his completely improvised set with Bela a few years ago. That was one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. I also really enjoyed the Punch Brothers main stage set in 2011. I also fondly recall Chris coming out to play with the Sam Bush band and Sam getting him to play his electric mandolin some years ago. He seemed to enjoy himself more than usual in these performances and that made them stand out to me. I respect his talent and dedication, but, on average, he just doesn't do it for me.

That being said, I'm very interested in seeing Nickel Creek this summer. Everything I've heard from them (mostly their older recordings), I've enjoyed, and I'm excited to get to see it all first hand. Who knows? Maybe Chris will even make me a fan this summer.

Better stated that my post.... Thanks, sugar! 

Auntie Hope 

[Hot Sugar]

Speaking for myself, my general ambivalence related to Christ Thile has nothing to do with his desire to experiment.

Freudian slip or on purpose?

I'll let history decide.

[swander99]

Speaking for myself, my general ambivalence related to Christ Thile has nothing to do with his desire to experiment.

Freudian slip or on purpose?

I'll let history decide.

Don't wait on history, or you'll miss it...

 Listening to: Not all who swander are lost, just sleeping with one open.