Nickel Creek & The Ditty Bops

The night after the Matt Nathanson concert I saw Nickel Creek. They were playing just down the street from me. I recently bought their album and think it's great. I listen to it, on average, once a day. Well, I used to, but that was before I bought the Ditty Bops' album.

The show was so good. Pure entertainment. It's hard to classify the music, though most stores would put these bands in the Country/Blue Grass section. But that's mostly based on the fact that they use mandolins. The Bops also have washboards, upright bass, a guitar, keyboard, and various other sound makers. Their show was fantastic. When a musician didn't have something to play during a song, he/she would do something to help the show. One percussionist had so few parts to play that he managed to carve a jack-o-lantern during his downtime. There were juggling, a sword fight, and dancing. There were also "pirate songs" as the Ditty Bops have challenged themselves to write a "pirate song" every day that they are on tour. I can't explain them, but if you get the chance to see them, do it. They are a treat for the ears, the eyes, and the mind.

Nickel Creek headlined. They are a trio of violin, mandolin, and guitar. They also had bass back-up. The mostly played stuff from their new album Why Should the Fire Die? Full of life and spunk, but also touching. And there were definitely funny moments in the show. At one point, the two siblings argued a little back-and-forth as only brother and sister can. They also introduced a song by saying that they cover it because it really is "pure, unadulturated fun." The opening notes sounded familar, but it wasn't till a long screechy note of the violin before I recognized Britney Spears' "Toxic." It was funny, but it was also extremely well done. Two encores before we let them leave, and the first included some tap-dancing by the bassist.

Note to self: Look for a tap-dancing class again.