Michael Daves - Orchids and Violence (2016) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Grammy-nominated guitarist and singer Michael Daves, whom the New York Times calls 'a leading light of the New York bluegrass scene,' celebrates the release of his double album Orchids and Violence.

Orchids and Violence's double album comprise identical track listings of mostly traditional bluegrass songs: the first features straightforward interpretations of the songs and was recorded live to tape in a 19th-century church with a stellar band of roots-music innovators; the second disc, recorded mostly by Daves in his Brooklyn studio, includes drums, and electric bass and guitars, and takes a raw, experimental rock approach to the same mostly old-time material. In each of the three New York concerts, performances, Daves and his two distinct bands will play the songs from the albums done in their contrasting interpretations. In the first set each night, Daves will present the bluegrass material along with Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers) on banjo, Brittany Haas (Crooked Still, Dave Rawlings Machine) on fiddle, Jake Jolliff (Yonder Mountain String Band, Joy Kills Sorrow) on mandolin, Larry Cook on bass, and Jen Larson on harmony vocals. The second set will feature the electric material with Daves joined by experimental rock drummer Kid Millions (Oneida, The Boredoms) and electric bassist Jessi Carter (Buzz Buzz Tabernacle). Each of the three shows will also feature different special guest appearances: at Rockwood, the fiddle phenoms Mike Barnett and Alex Hargreaves in the bluegrass set; a surprise guest TBD at the Knitting Factory; and at the Bell House, the progressive banjo legend Tony Trischka in both the bluegrass and electric sets. Trischka was the only musician (other than Daves) to appear on both the bluegrass and electric sides of Orchids and Violence, on the cello banjo.

Both of Daves' live bands feature acclaimed musicians on the vanguard of their respective instruments and styles. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as the 'pros' top banjo picker,' Pikelny was recently awarded IBMA's Banjo Player of the Year and Album of the Year awards. Haas recently toured and recorded with the Dave Rawlings Machine and is regarded as one of the most influential fiddlers of her generation. On the electric side, drummer Kid Millions (a.k.a. John Colpitts) is a highly-sought collaborator for progressive and indie rock bands. The New York Times lauds the 'fury and expert precision' of Millions' playing, and describes him as 'a musician who has become deeply enmeshed in the underground rock world of New York and beyond … a ubiquitous force in a constantly changing scene.' Bassist Jessi Carter is a visual artist and also Daves' wife and longtime musical collaborator. She played on and helped produce the electric side of Orchids and Violence, and also contributed album cover artwork.

Tracklist:
01. June Apple 03:15
02. The Dirt That You Throw 03:57
03. Darling Corey 03:14
04. Elzic's Farewell 03:10
05. A Good Year for the Roses 05:20
06. Drunken Hiccups 03:35
07. Stargazer 04:41
08. Dark Angel 03:16
09. The 28th of January 04:43
10. I Only Exist 04:31
11. Pretty Polly 04:33
12. Train on the Island 03:10
13. June Apple 04:57
14. The Dirt That You Throw 04:32
15. Darling Corey 04:04
16. Elzic's Farewell 03:00
17. A Good Year for the Roses 06:15
18. Drunken Hiccups 04:25
19. Stargazer 04:58
20. Dark Angel 03:50
21. The 28th of January 04:46
22. I Only Exist 03:34
23. Pretty Polly 04:46
24. Train on the Island 03:36

Personnel:
Michael Daves, guitar, vocals
Noam Pikelny, banjo
Sarah Jarosz, mandolin, octave mandolin, harmony vocals
Brittany Haas, fiddle
Mike Bub, bass
Tony Trischka, cello banjo (track 9)
Mike Barnett, fiddle (tracks 2, 12)
Alex Hargreaves, fiddle (tracks 2, 12)
Chris Eldridge, harmony vocals (track 10)
Jen Larson, harmony vocals (track 10)