Bozeman Magazine

Seattle-based Eli West is known for being one of the most tasteful and innovative of young American musicians. Old and new, folk and jazz, vocal and instrumental, odd and accessible, subtle and virtuosic…. it takes great skill and care to make music that sounds this natural! Well-known for his work with Cahalen Morrison, Tim O’Brien, Jayme Stoneand more, the singer and multi-instrumentalist oozes understated talent. We recently witnessed both Martin Simpson and Richard Hawley utterly floored by his skill. Truly a sublime musician! Eli’s recent debut solo album, The Both, sees him taking the lead, on electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, and pedal steel, whilst remaining a thoughtful collaborator – here with some of his close friends and personal heroes, like jazz great Bill Frisell, new Americana discovery Dori Freeman, and Anna & Elizabeth. The album focuses on the story of his two grandfathers; one a decorated WWII prisoner of war, the other a Brethren preacher and peace advocate. They couldn’t have differed more, but together they shared a family. In this spirit, the theme of the album is duality: the first half showcases carefully built arrangements of six American folk songs, the second revisits these as instrumental passages, revealing new sides to the other.