Went to see Allison Kraus and Union Station last night in Edinburgh and I have to say, Barry Bales is one impressive upright player. It seemed to me that everything he played fit the music perfectly and his tone was superb. I was also fascinated by what seemed to me to be a very 'aggressive' right hand technique. Most of the night was spent on his acoustic apart from one song on electric upright which seemed a bit superfluous - new toy perhaps.
Needless to say, the rest of the band were also fantastic, Jerry Douglas was in fine form and Allisons' vocals were astounding. Shame we don't get this calibre of musicianship in Scotland more often. Where's Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller when you need them?
Graeme