This group was amazing. No over the top amplification, just good music. I was already a fan of Gillian's but now I add Face to the list. Great guitar playing and the whole band was so talented. At the end the crowd exploded!
David Rawlings is a great acoustic guitarist and a good vocalist. I could not get into his song writing - maybe expecting more substance. His writing style is more Jimmy Buffet than Gillian Welsh. Gillian sang lead in just one song in the first half - she did not disappoint. We left at intermission. Moore theater is great!
The musicians playing are top of the line, and the Rio is a great venue in which to see and hear these amazing folks. David Rawlings plays a lively guitar, and his vocals with Gillian Welsh were to die for. Brittany Has was a treat, and plays so cleanly but with great energy. The young stand-up bass player was solid, creative within his role, and so musical! And the banjo-mando-2nd fiddle-guitar player Willie rounded them out. Fun, sparkling, well-played music all around. The only negative was the miking that required the musicians to be right on them to be heard, so fiddles and ends of sung lines were lost when they stepped back even a tiny bit.
I saw an amazing show by David Rawlings, Gillian Welch, and Willie Watson at the Rio. They played their hearts out. But the sound was too loud and lacking detail. There are not too many good seats at the Rio in terms of sound and viewing.
The Ryman Auditorium was a unique venue with a lot of history and, boy, did David Rawlings and co. put on a show! Always a pleasure to see/hear Gillian Welch (I am a huge fan), but I was surprised to find my jaw dropping at Brittany Haas, the fiddle player's performance. She was incredible. I also enjoyed Willie Watson and Paul Kowert's contributions. All together, they really were a "Machine" and one I am honored to have seen in action.
If you get a chance to see David Rawlings live, do it! You will not be disappointed in that decision at all. What a talent! The Bijou was an excellent venue as well.
Dave Rawlings is one of the best guitarists/performers to experience live. Seeing the Dave Rawlings machine with his musical partner Gillian Welch and in the historic Ryman auditorium was one of the best musical experiences of my life. You Rock Dave!!!
Exceptional show. Enthusiastic playing not to mention for 3+ hours. Venue was charming, great acoustics.
Very energetic performance by a group of wonderful musicians. For some reason, the sound system was not tuned properly, making it difficult to understand words. The bass was a little too loud and I usually complain that the bass is too low. Not a reflection on the bass player; he was great! Almost always the sound at the Bijou is better than almost any other venue. Just not this last Saturday night.
Outstanding show love the Bijou. Dave and Gillian were fantastic
