I had the great pleasure of seeing Ken and Alan play a concert together last Saturday. I had heard their album, and heard or read that the concert was very fine, but it was very much more than that.
First, they're both amazing technical players. That almost feels like a given with these two. What floored me was their ability to merge their playing, and make very tasteful decisions about dynamics and interplay between the two instruments. It would not have been half the show it was had it just been two technical wizards showing their stuff... these two were a tight knit team. Simply amazing.
As a banjo player, I was particularly impressed with Ken. Of course I was familiar with his playing and solo work, but his prowess as an accompanist I hadn't appreciated, even after hearing his album with Alan. He did a wonderful job holding down the fort, keeping a steady drive, while still sprinkling in counterpoint, harmony and some melodic phrases. I spent a good deal of the concert watching his hands, trying to soak up some ideas for backing others up outside of my current arsenal of techniques.
To top it off, they are such treasure troves of tunes as humans. Both have spent so much time collecting and treasuring tunes that would have been lost without them. I could almost watch a concert of them just telling the stories of the sources and tunes.
Anyway, don't miss the chance to see them if they head your way. It's a good show.