The best American roots artists make their way with great subtlety and refinement. Seattle singer and multi-instrumentalist Eli West has staked his claim in the roots music world as one of the most tasteful and innovative musicians. Well known for his work with Cahalen Morrison, Tim O’Brien, Jayme Stone, John Reischman, Tony Furtado and more, his debut solo album, entitled The Both, centers him as a leader, but also a deeply thoughtful collaborator. To record the album, he curated small ensembles of some of his close friends and personal heroes, like jazz great Bill Frisell, new Americana discovery Dori Freeman, and Appalachian duo Anna & Elizabeth. He centered the album conceptually 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 way, the theme of the album is duality. The first half of the...