Review by Jim Zura

     Expectations were high for the command virtuoso duet performance of Kelly Lancaster and Vladimir Kotsiouruba at this installment of the  Mucky Duck Sunday Supper Sessions.  But no one could have predicted that a new high-water mark in the level of live musical performance would be attained and exceeded. I would suggest that the owners of the Mucky Duck have the roof inspected Monday, because I'm sure parts of it were blown off by the energy inside-- from the musicians, and the packed house as well.

     Lancaster is well regarded as the fastest and most precise acoustic flat-picker this side of the Yukon River, and Kotsiouruba is a brilliant violinist from the Ukraine.

     At the moment, just after the show, perhaps I'm too exuberant to write a truly dispassionate critical review.  But for anyone in attendance, it's impossible not to be impassioned, and I can't find anything to criticize.

     Kelly's projects are always marked by an astonishing journey into a wide variety of musical styles and genres never before assembled into one mind.   (See prior review for more on this)

     Kelly alternated between acoustic guitar and mandolin, as Vlad's violin passages intertwined, harmonized and soared.  They kept the audience on their toes every moment of the gig, which I'm sure set a record for number of musical notes performed in the span of three hours.  After one particularly awesome display of speed and precision, I asked a friend across the table: "Did that really happen?" 

     While the music of Kelly and Vladimir can be regularly enjoyed as part of larger ensembles, this performance was decidedly different.  When playing in a full band setting, their musical duties include featured breaks, but also accompaniment during a good portion of the songs as the other performers share the stage.  Here, it was 100% Kelly and Vlad.  No filler, no laying back to a mere rhythm stretch to catch a breather.  These guys were in high gear, at the top of their creativity and technical ability the whole way through.   There were no lines at the rest rooms during the performance, because nobody wanted to miss anything.

     While this was primarily an instrumental performance, gifted vocalist Janice Rubin joined the duet to grace the audience with some lively and spirited numbers. Noted Flamenco guitarist Lalo De Pilar was also invited to the stage for an improvised number with the duo. 

     An interesting contrast was provided by Kelly's banter with the audience between songs.  I mean, these are accomplished serious musicians – but when the song ends, there's Kelly, in his genuine "Aw, shucks" down-home Nacogdoches-bred style, cutting up with the audience, telling jokes about potatoes and such.  He's the kind of person everyone wants to give a bear-hug to after the show.

     I don't know how many thousands of musical performances I've attended over the years, but this truly ranks as one of the most stunning and enjoyable. 

     And a tip of the hat to Mike Stroup, who arranged and produces this series of Sunday Supper Sessions at McGonigel's Mucky Duck, which also features The Hardwood Brothers, PC Cowboys, and others.