Mandolin virtuoso and composer Chris Thile, a multiple–Grammy Award winner and a MacArthur Fellow, has long been known as an audacious improviser and a tireless collaborator whose work has incorporated bluegrass, folk, rock, jazz, and classical elements. Besides his brilliant bandmates in Punch Brothers, his fellow travelers have also included pianist Brad Mehldau, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, guitarist Michael Daves, and double bassist/composer Edgar Meyer, among others. But this time Thile has taken on perhaps his greatest musical challenge all by himself with Bach: Sonatas and Partitas, Vol. 1, which comprises three works written for solo violin: Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001; Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002; and Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003. While Thile has often included pieces by Bach in his live repertoire, alongside his own work and his interpretations of work by artists ranging from Bill Monroe to Radiohead, this disc, produced by his friend and mentor Meyer, fulfills a long-held dream to create studio recordings of these pieces rendered on mandolin. Thile says the recording sessions were an opportunity “to interact with the greatest musician who ever lived."

Sara Watkins concluded her gently self-assured 2009 Nonesuch debut with a wistful, self-penned ballad, “Where Will You Be?,” about the slow fade of a romance. With Watkins standing on the brink of a solo career, the question in the song title took on significance well beyond its lyrics, though: it marked the end of an album and the jumping-off point for a whole new life. Watkins had spent most of her younger years, nearly two decades, as singer and fiddle player for the Grammy Award–winning, bluegrass-folk hybrid Nickel Creek, a trio she’d started performing in when she was a mere eight years old, alongside her guitarist brother Sean and mandolinist Chris Thile. Now, for the first time, she was stepping away from that marquee name, alone. Watkins may have felt trepidatious, but, as old fans and new listeners could attest, the transition felt effortless, natural. As the BBC put it, “Watkins’ time in the spotlight is a triumph with her agile playing and the kind of voice that gives your goose bumps the shivers.”

Michael Daves was born in 1977 in the southern empire of Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up playing bluegrass in that grand old tradition of staying up late & singing real loud. Although he’s since moved north, the humid south remains, lodged in his heart and sinus cavities. Heralded as “a leading light of the New York bluegrass scene” by the New York Times, Daves has garnered attention for his work with Chris Thile, Steve Martin, Tony Trischka, and others in addition to his solo performances. 

Chain Station is a 4-piece, high-energy, get ‘em out on the dance floor string band from the Front Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. They’ve become known for catchy and lyrically-poignant original songs which flow from the mountains, through them and right back to you! Pure Mountain Music!
Their live shows have become that of legend, with energy and stage antics that guarantee one hell of a night out. Equally comfortable rocking a packed club, playing backyard BBQ’s, or providing tasteful mountain music for your wedding, this band does it all…with style. Please see the contact info to pack a venue in your neck of the woods.

Thanks for visiting!  I hope you enjoy the music.
Management:
mgmt@randomrab.net

Booking:
Sam Hutchinson
Pivotal Agency
sam@pivotal-agency.com

Horse and Buggy Time is following