In the beginning there was “A Prairie Home Companion” a live radio variety show presented by Garrison Keillor from the Fitzgerald Theatre in St Paul, Minnesota. By 2016, Keillor was ready to hand over to a new, younger host. The announced replacement was mandolin legend Chris Thile (Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers and more).
A year later, Keillor had been the subject of misconduct allegations, and it was decided to change the name of the show – which was closely associated with Keillor – to “Live From Here”. Later the show moved from St Paul to New York’s Town Hall before being cancelled in the early days of the Covid pandemic.
Thile hosted many famous names from folk, country, bluegrass and americana over his four-year tenure. Some would front the house band while others would bring their own group. A quick YouTube search should yield hours of enjoyment.
In 2018, the Dave Rawlings Machine appeared on “Live From Here” delivering a three-song set which included ‘Method Acting / Cortez The Killer’. The two songs had been originally performed as a medley on the Rawlings Machine’s first album “A Friend Of A Friend” (2009). ‘Method Acting’ was written by Conor Oberst and featured on Bright Eyes “Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground” album (2002) while ‘Cortez The Killer’ originally surfaced on Neil Young’s “Zuma” (1975).
The Dave Rawlings Machine that appeared on “Live From Here” comprised Rawlings, Gillian Welch (guitar, vocal), Willie Watson (guitar, vocal), Brittany Haas (fiddle) and Paul Kowert (bass).
The performance in the video below easily justifies a sublime description whether for the superb guitar work, the delicate vocals or Haas’ haunting fiddle. Rawlings vocal seems to shape itself around the lyric in the verse while the introduction of harmonies on the chorus should be enough to have neck hairs standing to attention. Rawlings solo guitar and Hass’ fiddle separately or together are a delight.
One to watch, listen and bask in.
@williewatsongs @brittfiffarkansausag
