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.
Out of fucking nowhere, this one's been stuck in my head for the last 2 days; I haven't listened to it in years. Lyrics under the cut.
Well met, well met said an old true love
Well met, well met said he
I've just returned from the salt, salt sea
And it's all for the love of thee
Come in, come in, my old true love
And have a seat by me
It's been three-fourths of a long, long year
Since together we have been
I can't come in and I can't sit down
For I've only a moments time
They say you're married to a house carpenter
And your heart will never be mine
I could have married the kings daughter fair
And she would have married me
But I have forsaken her crowns of gold
And it's all for the love of thee
Now will you forsake your house carpenter
And go along with me
I'll take you where the grass grows green
On the banks of the deep blue sea
Then she picked up her darling little babe
And kisses she gave it three
Saying stay right here, my darling little babe
And keep your papa company
They had not been on the ship 2 weeks
I'm sure it was not three
When the old true love began to weep and to mourn
And she wept most bitterly
Saying are you weeping for my silver and my gold
Saying are you weeping for my store
Or are you weeping for your house carpenter
Whose face you'll never see no more
A curse, a curse to the sailor she cried
A curse, a curse she swore
You robbed me of my darling little babe
That I shall never see no more
They had not been on the ship three weeks
I'm sure it was not four
When there came a leak on the bottom of the ship
And sank them for to rise no more
As its members remain busy with outside projects - Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz solo and Sara Watkins with Nickel Creek - I’m with Her released a studio version of “Hannah Hunt.”
Recorded in 2018, the track mirrors the arrangement IWH featured on its most-recent tour. Jarosz sings lead and plays mandolin; O’Donovon is on acoustic guitar and backgrounds; and Watkins serves up violin and backgrounds.
From the trio’s wordless opening to their verses together, I’m with Her’s three-part harmonies are skin-raising in their beauty as they lead into equally exquisite ensemble playing that allows Watkins’ plaintive violin to set up the homestretch.
If I can’t trust you, then damn it, Hannah/there’s no future, there’s no answer/though we live on the U.S. dollar/you and me we got our own sense of time, the bandmates sing.
The only thing that could make this gorgeous Vampire Weekend cover more welcome is if it signaled the long-overdue return of I’m with Her.