The Goat Rodeo Sessions

Yo-Yo Ma (Artist), Stuart Duncan (Artist), Edgar Meyer (Artist), Chris Thile (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: SONY MASTERWORKS
• ASIN: B005G5NPIS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Classical (c.1770-1830) > Forms & Genres
  • #1 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > By Period > Classical (c.1770-1830)
  • #84 in Music > Pop

Editorial Reviews

The Goat Rodeo Sessions is an ambitious and groundbreaking project that brings together four string virtuosos: world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, fiddler Stuart Duncan, bassist Edgar Meyer and mandolinist Chris Thile. While each artist is a prominent figure in his own music sphere, they have come together as a unified ensemble on a most remarkable and organic cross-genre project. The music, including two tracks with female vocalist Aoife O'Donovan, feels both new and familiar it's composed and improvised, uptown and down home, funky and pastoral and above all, uniquely American.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! We're off to Grammy's house....., October 25, 2011

By 

sprint (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Goat Rodeo Sessions (MP3 Download)

Of all the Sony recordings with Edgar as the common denominator (Appalachian Waltz, Appal. Journey, Short Trip Home, his solo effort, Melody of the Rhythm), this one is by far the best! My favorite instrumental up to this point was "Look Away" with Edgar, Chris and Joshua Bell. The Goat Rodeo album is very much in the same spirit as "Look Away." Overall, an incredible blend of Celtic, Classical and Jazz/Funk stylings topped off with 2 tracks that include vocals by that lady from 'Crooked Still' and Chris. The addition of guitar, piano and banjolin (I think) makes it stand out even more from the other ones. Way to go, Stuart, Yo Yo, Chris & Edgar! The new Fab Four!

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars World class musicians playing fabulous music, October 28, 2011

By 

E. Strickenburg (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Goat Rodeo Sessions (Audio CD)

Vibrant and varied, this album is a wonderful addition to the classical crossover genre. Some tracks made me want to get up and dance, others were melancholy and heart rending. The musicians are all world class, and the music is of original composition. The fire and drive of the bluegrass world meets with the clarity and class of the classical world, and something new is born.

Edgar Meyer and Yo-Yo Ma have collaborated successfully before on albums such as Appalachia Waltz and Appalachian Journey, but this album reaches new levels of musical interest and variety. In this collaboration, they've added two more fabulous musicians to the mix: Chris Thile on mandolin (originally of Nickel Creek fame) and Stuart Duncan on fiddle (session musician with the big names in Nashville). This album relies primarily on instrumental work, but each track has a unique sound. The album never sounds repetitive. At times, the musicians even pull out instruments we're not used to hearing them play: we hear Meyer on the gamba and piano, Duncan on the banjo and mandolin, and Thile on the guitar, fiddle, gamba, and vocals.

The album flows well, and I enjoyed it in its entirety. "Here and Heaven" and "No One but You," which both include vocalist Aoife O'Donovan, are particularly wonderful. I also thoroughly enjoyed "Less is Moi," with its catchy and surprising rhythm. I think my favorite track, though, was "Franz the Eagle" -- I can't get over the beauty of the piano and cello duet in this haunting and majestic piece.

36 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Man... is this GOOD!, October 24, 2011

By 

J. Wilczewski (Kansas City MO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Goat Rodeo Sessions (Audio CD)

This may be the best recording I have heard in 20 years... I say "may" because all four of these musicians have recorded other projects that I also enjoy immensely. As I listen my soul is refreshed. I will be waiting to see the Grammy acceptance speech for this project! Do not pass this up!