Michael Daves celebrated the release of his new two-album set, Orchids and Violence, with a series of live NYC performances, culminating at The Bell House in Brooklyn on March 5. As on the album, the concerts featured both acoustic and electric takes on mostly traditional bluegrass songs, including Ralph Stanley's "Pretty Polly." You can now watch videos of both version of the song from the concert here. Daves and friends will mark the May 6 release of the album's vinyl edition at Littlefield in Brooklyn on May 19.
Singer/guitarist Michael Daves celebrated the release of his new two-album set, Orchids and Violence, earlier this year on Nonesuch Records, with a series of three live performances in New York City, culminating in a show at The Bell House in Brooklyn on March 5. As on the double album, the concerts featured both acoustic and electric takes on the repertoire of mostly traditional bluegrass songs, including the Ralph Stanley–penned tune "Pretty Polly." You can now watch videos of both version of the song from the Bell House concert, filmed by Jason Zucker, below.
In the bluegrass set at The Bell House, Daves was joined by banjoist Noam Pikelny and violinist Brittany Haas, both of whom perform on the album, along with mandolinist Jake Jolliff and bassist Larry Cook. For the electric set, he was joined by bassist Jessi Carter and drummer Kid Millions, performing their album roles as well.
The vinyl edition of the album, titled Violence and Orchids, will be released on May 6. To mark the occasion, Daves will assemble two bands to perform the music live at Littlefield in Brooklyn on May 19: the same electric band returns, and the bluegrass band will be Tony Trischka on banjo, Brittany Haas, Dominick Leslie on mandolin, Jen Larson on vocals, and Larry Cook on bass. For tickets, visit littlefieldnyc.com.
To pick up a copy of Orchids and Violence, head to iTunes or the Nonesuch Store, where CD orders include a download of the complete album at checkout, and the 96kHz/24bit HD digital album is available to purchase. While in the Nonesuch Store, you can also reserve a copy of the vinyl edition, Violence and Orchids.
Daves recently discussed the album with Blue Ridge Outdoors. "The records are absolutely genius in concept," writes the site's Dave Stallard. "If you are looking for a double album that features both Bill Monroe and Mother Love Bone, this is the one for you." You can read the interview here.
Michael Daves joins Chris Thile—his bluegrass duo partner and counterpart on the critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated album Sleep with One Eye Open—on stage at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on June 22 as part of Thile's four-day American Acoustic festival at the venue. For details, visit kennedy-center.org.
"Pretty Polly" (Bluegrass) Live from The Bell House in Brooklyn:
"Pretty Polly" (Electric) Live from The Bell House in Brooklyn:
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