They're better live
5
By Ordnance taster
Considering most all live performances are better than the typical studio recording it's not a surprise that they don't mesh as well. However they're chemistry is undeniable and even if Thile gets a little high pitched or monotonous the duo are able to pull off some magic with the instrumentals. There are undertones of jazz and it does stretch the definition a tad but it's worth it because of the way Mehldau taps at the keys and Thile's plucking of the mandolin.
No
1
By Boolez
This is not jazz, this is pseuod hipster pop. And who's bright idea was it to hand Mehldau am microphone? I can't tell if he was grunting in an ironic way. One is left wondering what the point of this project was, and who was it meant to demean: the music, the performers, or us, the listeners. Avoid this at all costs. -Bz
Thile awful
1
By earth wind no fire
As an artist Mehldau has to push his own boundaries, but please ITunes have a category that warns jazz lovers this could induce nausea
Get this!
5
By teh_pwn
Masterful playing and great singing , one of the best albums I've heard in a while.
Great musicians
3
By banjo&fiddle
I had high hopes for this album as a fan of both these musicians. The instrumentals on this album are fantastic but Chris Thile’s vocals make a few songs untolerable for me.
Yes
5
By Deeeke
If you know the artists then you know this album is a no brainer, buy it. If you didn't know this then now you do. Buy it.
Gorgeous
5
By Michael Logan
I've been hoping for this album since I read about them performing Joni Mitchell's early masterpiece, "Marcie," on tour. The whole album is wonderful.
Jazz??????
1
By And you are?
This is folk!!! This is not even remotely jazz!!!!!!! Once again iTunes gets it wrong!!!!
Wonderful...
5
By amishman0002
Some of the songs on here are just amazing. I had goosebumps driving down the road...
Two Masters
5
By Music Is Pretty Neat I Guess
I was REALLY hoping they would release an album together. I saw a show from their tour in years past and was expecting an album sooner than later since they were both on Nonesuch. Alas, it is here finally :)
Good originals and some great covers on here, I mean, you can't go wrong with Elliott Smith and Bob Dylan. And their arrangments are developed but tasteful, very nice.
I'm enjoying the production on this record too. I always appreciate that Mehldau plays on big rich concert size pianos. They were able to get a great stereo image of his piano on this recording (bass on left, treble on right) so it really fills the space that needs filling in a duet album like this. They also did a good job fattening up Thile's voice (mic choice, proximity effect, analog saturation? Some of those? All of those?) Thile has a somewhat thin voice (sorry Chris, love you) so it helps to have it fatter on a sparce duet like this.
Anyways, likely you are familiar with Thile and/or Mehldau before getting this album so you will not be dissapointed.
