"Most Valuable Player": 7.9 / 10
"Upright bassist Nat Baldwin has his experimental bona fides in order. The first time I caught him live, he was playing a duet with Alex Mead on a DustBuster, and matched its on/off blasts with bowwork like a cat scratching through wicker... Yet when Baldwin turned to writing and performing songs, first documented on his excellent, dire EP Lights Out, he held his improvisational chops in check to write solo, static pieces with keening vocals and dire words. His songbook has gotten catchier with time, and on his new release Most Valuable Player, he brings fierce performances to these polished compositions... His musical imagination is expansive, while his lack of pretense is admirable. He doesn't even make you flinch when you read that "Look She Said"'s lyrics come from the titles of Morton Feldman and Christian Wolff compositions; and in fact, the lyrics throughout the album are brief and strong. Reports from his latest tour say that the band takes wild free excursions off this material. But capturing his work on record, Baldwin hones his work to the starkest moments: an urge by the lake, a bloodstained footprint, a whistling bow in an empty room."
-Pitchfork Media
"Because Baldwin, whose virtuosity on the hardwood was enough to make college recruiters swoon up until he chose to pursue music instead, is about to make most everybody's ears do the same. The New Hampshire-native (and Anthony Braxton disciple) rains hyper-melodic chamber fire, three choice cuts of which are now available here in all their melismatic, cinematic glory. Hold them. Love them. Cherish them."
-RCRD LBL on "Lake Erie," "One Two Three" and "Mask I Wear"
"It seems as though Nat Baldwin is sharing all of his personal secrets with us, and it's uncomfortably beautiful."
-Tiny Voices
Wonderful job at Dark Was the Night (or as David Byrne called it: Dark... is... the... Night... yeah) last night! What was the other song you guys did with David Byrne?
amazing to watch you play two shows this weekend. a real privilege. your addition to the group transforms and distinguishes the music. i hope to catch a show when you start up on tour. cheers.
nat, your set was really nice tonight in burlington. it was great to hear your music live and hear how you maneuver around that bass. sorry we didnt get a chance to chat more, next time for sure. peace, greg
