Never and I mean never in 61 years have I heard Sally Goodin played on this level as far as fiddle. Best I've ever heard. And of Course Billy plays at such an intense level and his graciousness is humbling. We are in good hands with this young generation of bluegrass musicians. I will sleep well tonight!!
@@snickelfritz4706 And that's why the Devil went down to Georgia. He needed to replace his soul. But the old devil didn't know that Michael and Johnny go way back.
Whats so great about Michael Cleveland, Billy, and others like Sierra Hull is that they all play in the moment and have genuine love for the music, its like you are always getting their best performance because you are.
I've never heard a Michael Cleveland performance i didn't like, but this one in particular really puts a smile on my face. What a treasure to the entirety of music.
Just found this and as an old picker at 74, this had my feet tapping and a huge grin on my face! As said many timescBilly is such a class act and I can go to the grave knowing Bluegrass is in such great hands with all these amazing young guys and gals…pick on!
It turns out whenever I listen to Michael Cleveland play, tears start to stream down my face. It is an almost primal feeling of joy that washes over me!!!
There's a lot of things I can't do, but I'm gonna make do with what I can do' - Michael Cleveland (talking to Doc Watson). Legend. Love the bluegrass scene right now.
I met Michael at his family's house back in the 90's and heard him play and knew he would do great things. I grew up with his cousins and would hear him play. Even at a young age he was amazing. Such a great talent.
What amazes me about this clip is that Billy Strings, cool as all, guitar player extraordinaire, has the presence and prescience to know that he is playing with a man who has been gifted in a very special way by God. It must be akin to what Salieri felt in the presence of Mozart. Watch Billy's face as you listen if you want a lesson in music appreciation. Billy's response to Michael's gift gives me a whole new appreciation of who Billy Strings is and is not. Good on you.
@@garywhitt98 I believe that his parents made him, they certainly made me, not sure about you though. So do you have any proof of the supernatural,.....such as evidence?, I think we should be told.
@@timothywilliams4089 Not the place for that discussion Timothy. However, if his parents “made” him, why can’t they make another just like him or why couldn’t your parents make another you if they wanted to and tried. Also, why can’t people create anything? We can merely put it into another form. Some things on which to ponder along with the lovely music.
@@garywhitt98 You are right Gary not the place for a discussion on evolution, but its called speciation; We all had grandparents?, and each generation evolves differently, looks change as do habits, demeanour, character etc, with the exception of twins. Evolution is an irrefutable fact, and the best explanation of the diversity of life on this planet. Regards, and best wishes Tim, and atheist banjo picker.
Michael has been at our Father's Day festival a couple times in the last few years. Totally unbelievable fiddle player. This isn't the first time he's brought tears to my eyes.
If you haven't seen the interview where Billy tells about his Dad selling a Martin to pay the utility bills, and Billy later finding the guitar online and returning pop bottles to buy it to give back to his Dad, well, better look it up and watch it. If you don't have a lump in your throat after hearing that, you might be a brass monkey.
Same here! The fun, the expressions on their faces, the interaction between him and Cleveland and the others is equal to the music. Whoever filmed this did a great job at capturing everything as well.
Billy, I hope you watch this again and again... get Michael on the road with you. That is the most joy I have seen you have playing with another musician.. and we felt it out here. great showcase!
I play with a group that had the privilege to open for Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper on April 15th, 2019 in Fairview, Ohio. The greatest pleasure was being able to visit with him and the rest of the band backstage. His humbleness is so disarming that you almost forget you’re in the presence of quite possibly the best instrumentalist in the world.
Hi Matt. After I commented I realized that I was thinking of Fairview Park, a suburb of Cleveland, and that there might be a different Fairview. I looked it up and it turns out you were referring to the other one in east central Ohio. I went to school in Athens many years ago and got hooked on bluegrass there. It’s so great to see the genre still going strong thanks to Michael Cleveland and a Billy Strings.
God-Dang!!! I couldnt be happier than right now, I Literally commented on a video 2 days ago that Billy, and Michael should play together! Prayers Answered!
OMG what a monster performance. All the guys where smoking. Gotta say when Billy's smile and bouncing showed awe for Michael's skill it was priceless and infectious. Whewee! Joy. Joy. Joy.
The best young artists in music today are in bluegrass. It really is starting to remind me of rock in the sixties when it was an open canvas and everyone was filling in their space. Billy is a rock star and leading the way. Exciting times!
Michael Cleveland is without a doubt a freaking genius on the fiddle. Listen to his second break (starting at 4:55) at how inventive he is. His improvisational skills are at the same level as some of the jazz greats. I laugh out loud in amazement when he goes off on one of those riffs. We are fortunate to be alive at the same time he is reaching these heights on the fiddle. Truly historic..........And Billy Strings ain't too bad either!
I love watching Billy as much as I love listening to him, well almost. He cracks me up with his faces and dances he does. You can't help but to smile. And I don't know what fucking planet Michael Cleveland comes from but that boy can play. Thank you boys for a real good time!
These guys have restored my faith in human nature,.Havent seen Bluegrass played with this much love and intensity in decades...if ever. Billy and his band are absolute gems. This being my first experience listening to Michael Cleveland it certainly kicked it off right. Mind blowing truely.
Man, I thought it couldn't get any better than Michael doing 'Whiskey fore Breakfast and John Hartford's Vamp in The Middle, but Mr. Cleveland proved me wrong, God Blessed us with him and his Fiddle.
Try listen to this without tapping your foot 😂 Shyt 5:00 min in and I didn't know to sit down,stand up, cry,laugh,dance or what haha.Absolutely amazing 💙
He's basically deaf in his left ear too!!! Look at the end when Billy tries to talk into his left ear and he has to turn to hear him. Insane. He's other worldly good 🔥🔥🔥😲
Dudes a monster. He went to the Louisville School for the blind a couple doors from where I’d worked back in the day. Monster fiddler and mando player. He’s in the conversation for the GOAT. INCREDIBLE FIDDLER.
IDK how I even stumbled onto these vids but damn! First it was Billy with the baggie, then I caught on to Molly and the freightliner, now MICHAEL! It's not possible to stuff more heart and soul into music. I wanna say more but I'm kinda speechless.
The Medicine Man too funny man. I stumbled down the exact same path. I’m 52 and a hard rock, grunge guy but now apparently I’m a bluegrass fan. I love what these guys are doing
Wow. Just WOW. I really think I saw fire shooting out of Mr. Cleveland's fiddle a few times. Billy always brings the energy, emotion and virtuosity to every performance. And that Invisible mandolin player was smoking as well. Cheers! P[>
this very well may be the greatest live performance of all time. Billy always impresses but my lord this is just next level musicians doing what they were born to do. beautiful
I guess this is that time every few months where I watch Michael Cleveland and Billy Strings videos all day. Also Billy walking up to Michael at around 4:45 is so wonderful, he knows he's about to unleash something he's just as excited about as everybody else, it's so pure and good.
Jesus... this was amazing! I never ever listened to American country music, since I never was exposed to it... but damn, now I completely understand it, and its beautiful! Thank you for showing me what its all about ;)
Damn!!! I knew before watching just how good both all of these musicians are, but DAMN! MIchaeld KILLS it... just kills it and Billy is so freakiing awesome. Billy is truly amazed and enthused, but it doesn't even try to contain it - He just lets it all out and show how much he is loving it the audience to see just how amazing Michael Cleveland is -
Michael is a blind musician. How did he get so good ?? He has an amazing ear and can pick up a tune in a matter of minutes. Of course, he already knows a million and half tunes, and has the unique ability to remember them all and keep them straight in his fingers and head. I would wager Michael does very little else but listen to other fiddlers and plays constantly. That is how he got to be such an outstanding fiddler. He can play in any key and is a master at everyone. Billy is a natural musical genius as well and must also play an amazing amount of time. How he and Molly Tuttle do it shows that they are gifted musicians. I truly envey all three of these musical geniuses. They bring much pleasure to the listening audience.
Never heard of Michael Cleveland before... uh, I’ll never forget him now.
I first saw him on ( Song of the Mountains ) A show on NC Edu TV about a year ago , this tune didn show all his talents !
That's how I felt when I stumbled on a video featuring him. His intensity is just brilliant. Superb.
lol you better not!
watching him play it looks like he's about to jump out of his skin with every single note.
You were me six months ago. Ty YT for sending Michael Cleveland and Billy Strings my way!
Completely blind and deaf in one ear and Michael outplays all of em! That's solid gold talent right there.
Just God...and HI s divinity
@@Kenttx100oh right, the god that is killing kids with cancer, such divinity
Never and I mean never in 61 years have I heard Sally Goodin played on this level as far as fiddle. Best I've ever heard. And of Course Billy plays at such an intense level and his graciousness is humbling. We are in good hands with this young generation of bluegrass musicians. I will sleep well tonight!!
I told my wife two years ago when I came across Billy Strings the same statement. I have seen Billy and his band live and and it was dynamic.
Best fiddle player I've ever seen imo
Well put 59.
Michael Cleveland is the Real Deal.
Billy is amazing that’s why he gets the best musicians on stage with him. And at his age to draw such legends speaks volumes
Michael Cleveland went down to the crossroads, I don't know what He got but The Devil got fiddle lessons.
I’m pretty sure the Devil sold his soul for the lessons too.
@@snickelfritz4706 And that's why the Devil went down to Georgia. He needed to replace his soul. But the old devil didn't know that Michael and Johnny go way back.
LMAO
@@tylerbrandon460 And there we have it, folks!
He put a boot in the devil's rear end and said, "GIT!!!! I don't need to make a deal!!!"
Michael Cleveland ...A blind man with more sight than I could ever dream of!
Where is my hooray button! Well said.
The second fiddle break is totally freaking awesome!!! Michael IS the best fiddler on the scene today!
Hot damn if this isn’t the best thing on the internet
YES.🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉
For sure
ua-cam.com/video/VFEZOjtrwls/v-deo.html. Just in case you missed it
Whats so great about Michael Cleveland, Billy, and others like Sierra Hull is that they all play in the moment and have genuine love for the music, its like you are always getting their best performance because you are.
One of the best uses of 10 minutes of my life. Such a good use it's about to become 20 minutes
@@lesmay9871 I have replayed several times & will again. My word that performance was hot.
Surely the greatest fiddle player ever. And Billy is to the line too.
My face hurts from smiling the whole time
Same lol 🤭😬
Mine doesn’t, it looks like I’ve been smelling cat shit cuz that was utterly filthy
I've never heard a Michael Cleveland performance i didn't like, but this one in particular really puts a smile on my face. What a treasure to the entirety of music.
It's cool to see how Billy is blown away by him. 2 of the best musicians on the planet.
Billy Strings embracing one of the few moments when he is not the one blowing the crowd's socks off.
Just found this and as an old picker at 74, this had my feet tapping and a huge grin on my face! As said many timescBilly is such a class act and I can go to the grave knowing Bluegrass is in such great hands with all these amazing young guys and gals…pick on!
I would live to hear you pick, sir!!!!
FANTASTIC!🎶💪
This is one of those performances that simultaneously bring a smile to your cheeks, and a tear to your eye!
Yesss!! Smiling and crying this while performance!
Almighty God is blessing us all!😊
most definitely!
It turns out whenever I listen to Michael Cleveland play, tears start to stream down my face. It is an almost primal feeling of joy that washes over me!!!
There's a lot of things I can't do, but I'm gonna make do with what I can do' - Michael Cleveland (talking to Doc Watson). Legend. Love the bluegrass scene right now.
When I come across one if my fave rust youtuber's on a reccomended bluegrass vid, I'm in good company.
Wtf never thought I would see you here Jordan hahah
Right?!? So many passionate players. And in the Old Timey scene there’s unbelievable players now!
CRAZY 🌟🌹🌟🌹🌟🌹
Just left that video❤
Mercy! What a God gifted performance...great music!
I met Michael at his family's house back in the 90's and heard him play and knew he would do great things. I grew up with his cousins and would hear him play. Even at a young age he was amazing. Such a great talent.
How can you not love this music? It’s just so much fun.
As a 5-string bluegrass banjo player who has played this tune many times, this is beyond a joyful performance! A great duet!
I regret I can only like this once. Good heavens that was hot.
Michael heard everyone's break......hold my beer.
big appreciates for Billy Strings being one of the few fusion artists who know how bluegrass music works
You can see Billy’s brains start to leak out his skull at 5:45
Mr Cleveland better hope that fiddle gave consent!
He lost his last fiddle...got a restraining order on him 😂
What amazes me about this clip is that Billy Strings, cool as all, guitar player extraordinaire, has the presence and prescience to know that he is playing with a man who has been gifted in a very special way by God. It must be akin to what Salieri felt in the presence of Mozart. Watch Billy's face as you listen if you want a lesson in music appreciation. Billy's response to Michael's gift gives me a whole new appreciation of who Billy Strings is and is not. Good on you.
Excellent,....but which god?
@@timothywilliams4089 Why, the One who made him, of course.
@@garywhitt98 I believe that his parents made him, they certainly made me, not sure about you though. So do you have any proof of the supernatural,.....such as evidence?, I think we should be told.
@@timothywilliams4089 Not the place for that discussion Timothy. However, if his parents “made” him, why can’t they make another just like him or why couldn’t your parents make another you if they wanted to and tried. Also, why can’t people create anything? We can merely put it into another form. Some things on which to ponder along with the lovely music.
@@garywhitt98 You are right Gary not the place for a discussion on evolution, but its called speciation; We all had grandparents?, and each generation evolves differently, looks change as do habits, demeanour, character etc, with the exception of twins. Evolution is an irrefutable fact, and the best explanation of the diversity of life on this planet. Regards, and best wishes Tim, and atheist banjo picker.
Michael has been at our Father's Day festival a couple times in the last few years. Totally unbelievable fiddle player. This isn't the first time he's brought tears to my eyes.
Get it Mikey !!! That's the best fiddler ever right there.........
100% 👍
Truth! 100%💗
My late fiddle teacher Dan Kelly used to call him mikey
@@haileybryant8336 I used to work with his father and been listening to him for a while !!!
Holy shitski. Michael be killin it. Billy’s the best flat picker around now too. I’d pay twice to see this live.
Brothers from another mother.
Old-time fiddle tunes like this surviving the last 80 or so years is what im here for. yall can have my pie and puddin
Billy Strings is a fantastic musician AND a fantastic human!
If you haven't seen the interview where Billy tells about his Dad selling a Martin to pay the utility bills, and Billy later finding the guitar online and returning pop bottles to buy it to give back to his Dad, well, better look it up and watch it. If you don't have a lump in your throat after hearing that, you might be a brass monkey.
Fishin & picking... love this boy... ripped the place apart... gray Fox bluegrass festival... especially with Molly ....
i have heard of that video, i love it
Links my man links please
No doubt about it. Michael is in a league of his on. He stands by himself as the best all around fiddle player.
I can't get enough of this video !! Billy's expressions while Michael plays is pure gold ! So much talent having so much fun !
Same here! The fun, the expressions on their faces, the interaction between him and Cleveland and the others is equal to the music. Whoever filmed this did a great job at capturing everything as well.
Have come back to watch this many times never gets old.
That was freaking awesome. Tears in my eyes and I am sitting here smiling.
Billy, I hope you watch this again and again... get Michael on the road with you. That is the most joy I have seen you have playing with another musician.. and we felt it out here. great showcase!
listened to this 1,000 times and still say "holy smokes!:"
Wow ! You are so right !
How does he keep that fiddle cool. Seems to me it would burst into flames.
I play with a group that had the privilege to open for Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper on April 15th, 2019 in Fairview, Ohio. The greatest pleasure was being able to visit with him and the rest of the band backstage. His humbleness is so disarming that you almost forget you’re in the presence of quite possibly the best instrumentalist in the world.
Matt< I saw a UA-cam video of Michael and Doc Watson and Michael is as humble as you say. Best of luck to you and your Band.
Wow. Where in Fairview? I grew up around there and can’t think of a music venue, especially one that would have bluegrass.
dfgalvin Hi there! It’s the Pennyroyal Opera House just as you take the Fairview exit off I70.
Hi Matt. After I commented I realized that I was thinking of Fairview Park, a suburb of Cleveland, and that there might be a different Fairview. I looked it up and it turns out you were referring to the other one in east central Ohio. I went to school in Athens many years ago and got hooked on bluegrass there. It’s so great to see the genre still going strong thanks to Michael Cleveland and a Billy Strings.
Damn boi
God-Dang!!!
I couldnt be happier than right now, I Literally commented on a video 2 days ago that Billy, and Michael should play together!
Prayers Answered!
ALA Ayuwuh Durn if I wasn’t thinking the same thing!
OMG what a monster performance. All the guys where smoking. Gotta say when Billy's smile and bouncing showed awe for Michael's skill it was priceless and infectious. Whewee! Joy. Joy. Joy.
Billy had a "front row seat" for one of the best fiddle performances ever!
michael was smoking and billy was alright
mando and banjo were trash
Exactly.
The best young artists in music today are in bluegrass. It really is starting to remind me of rock in the sixties when it was an open canvas and everyone was filling in their space. Billy is a rock star and leading the way. Exciting times!
Good to hear. Who are some of your favorites?
Fuck off racist prick.
Billy plays metal as well! Heavy shit!
Some of the best music out today is country music..check out Charley Crockett's The Valley album.
@@bobthabuilda1525 ditto
Fine pickin and fiddlin.
The classification is MUSIC
Michael Cleveland is without a doubt a freaking genius on the fiddle. Listen to his second break (starting at 4:55) at how inventive he is. His improvisational skills are at the same level as some of the jazz greats. I laugh out loud in amazement when he goes off on one of those riffs. We are fortunate to be alive at the same time he is reaching these heights on the fiddle. Truly historic..........And Billy Strings ain't too bad either!
His intonation is freaking amazing, almost perfect. And his slurrs and all little effects are awesome. Best fiddler since Gid Tanner.
Mind melting run, absolutely unreal!
And he just won a Grammy for best Bluegrass Album.
@@tybrady1935 worried
Me too man I'm sitting on my couch fucking shittin and a grinnin ear to ear
Sitting here in tears of how awesome this dude is.
I love watching Billy as much as I love listening to him, well almost. He cracks me up with his faces and dances he does. You can't help but to smile. And I don't know what fucking planet Michael Cleveland comes from but that boy can play. Thank you boys for a real good time!
Mr Cleveland is in a different universe...
These guys have restored my faith in human nature,.Havent seen Bluegrass played with this much love and intensity in decades...if ever. Billy and his band are absolute gems. This being my first experience listening to Michael Cleveland it certainly kicked it off right. Mind blowing truely.
I watched this video about 25 times and am truly stunned every time I see it. MC is so good it's a real treat to watch him like Billy is.
Billy’s facial expressions as Mike shreds makes this even better for me
Damn, what a fine bunch of musicians. Michael was born with a bow in his hand & Billy with a geeeeetar.
Billy's Mom's water broke while she was playing in a bluegrass jam. True story.
Michael Cleveland just makes me smile.
Michael Cleveland is a freaking legend
A song that makes my hairs stand up is a song that goes down in my history books
The second fiddle break might be the best one I’ve ever heard by anybody. Totally smokin
Takin the world over with music and love
That was a fantastic performance and I love Billy's face at the end. Just love him and his band so much.
I wish I could like this video 1,000 times!
A torrent of creative genius
Yo that fiddle just got PLAYED. DAMN.
Man, I thought it couldn't get any better than Michael doing 'Whiskey fore Breakfast and John Hartford's Vamp in The Middle, but Mr. Cleveland proved me wrong, God Blessed us with him and his Fiddle.
Try listen to this without tapping your foot 😂
Shyt 5:00 min in and I didn't know to sit down,stand up, cry,laugh,dance or what haha.Absolutely amazing 💙
He's basically deaf in his left ear too!!! Look at the end when Billy tries to talk into his left ear and he has to turn to hear him. Insane. He's other worldly good 🔥🔥🔥😲
Best fiddle player in the world
Dudes a monster. He went to the Louisville School for the blind a couple doors from where I’d worked back in the day.
Monster fiddler and mando player. He’s in the conversation for the GOAT. INCREDIBLE FIDDLER.
IDK how I even stumbled onto these vids but damn! First it was Billy with the baggie, then I caught on to Molly and the freightliner, now MICHAEL! It's not possible to stuff more heart and soul into music. I wanna say more but I'm kinda speechless.
The Medicine Man too funny man. I stumbled down the exact same path. I’m 52 and a hard rock, grunge guy but now apparently I’m a bluegrass fan. I love what these guys are doing
Hey don’t forget about Marcus King!
Dude straight up smoked that fiddle. Awesome stuff!
I believe that Michael Cleveland is the greatest fiddler who ever lived.
Chill bumps from head to toe. This can never be matched!
He's so blisteringly fast, and never looks rushed even for a second. What a great performance.
Wow. Just WOW. I really think I saw fire shooting out of Mr. Cleveland's fiddle a few times. Billy always brings the energy, emotion and virtuosity to every performance. And that Invisible mandolin player was smoking as well. Cheers! P[>
He don't fray his bow hair it burns up before they get a chance to fray!
pitty the mando was out of tune and has a bad ringing problem
this very well may be the greatest live performance of all time. Billy always impresses but my lord this is just next level musicians doing what they were born to do. beautiful
To see a virtuoso like billy strings so tickled at another musicians talent is awesome. He knows he’s in the presence of pure talent.
My heavens, best fiddle I've ever heard.
This is probably some of the best picking and fiddling I have ever heard awesome!!!!! Woo
no words can describe this is truly off the charts. BRAVO! BRAVO!
Pure unadulterated magic on a fiddle ❤️
Internet is officially dead after this🙌🙌🙌
Thank you Michael & Billy, this was an absolutely fucking batshit crazy brilliant version of Sally👌
And they make it look easy
I guess this is that time every few months where I watch Michael Cleveland and Billy Strings videos all day. Also Billy walking up to Michael at around 4:45 is so wonderful, he knows he's about to unleash something he's just as excited about as everybody else, it's so pure and good.
Legend has it the Fiddle is still steaming.
Not only is he a phenomenal musician but he is also the nicest guy you would ever want to meet.
which 'he'?
They both are!
WINDnotOILdotCom I was referring to Michael Cleveland
@@RonnieMinh ok!
I know we are friends on facebook!! Hes so nice.
There’s nobody like Michael and Billy. They are raising bluegrass music to a whole new level. I just love Billy’s facial expressions here.
Cleveland and strings together, what a show!!
"I am sitting here with my jaw in my lap....OMG...what talent on that stage!"
These two are it.... A match made in heaven!!!
Goosebumps all over. I was wondering when these two would play together. Wonderful to see and hear.
Jesus... this was amazing! I never ever listened to American country music, since I never was exposed to it... but damn, now I completely understand it, and its beautiful! Thank you for showing me what its all about ;)
This music is actually bluegrass, which has some key differences from country--it's way better, in my opinion!
'The Devil went down to..."
And Micheal Cleveland kicked his as*!
I feel healthier after listening to this. That was the storm before the calm of 2020. What a lucky crowd to witness that.
Michael is an incredible artist!
Damn!!! I knew before watching just how good both all of these musicians are, but DAMN! MIchaeld KILLS it... just kills it and Billy is so freakiing awesome. Billy is truly amazed and enthused, but it doesn't even try to contain it - He just lets it all out and show how much he is loving it the audience to see just how amazing Michael Cleveland is -
Man ..this is just sick! One of the best musical performances I ever seen...
First time billy strings has played with someone on the same planet of talent as him
I've been thinking about it. If there was a fiddle contest for my soul between the devil and Michael Cleveland, then I'm going with Michael
Actually he beat Johnny after Johnny beat the devil, so yeah definitely go with Michael.
The devil sold his soul to Micheal Cleveland!
Gosh damn this is the best shizznit in a long time.
well, don’t have many words… speechless
Michael is a blind musician. How did he get so good ?? He has an amazing ear and can pick up a tune in a matter of minutes. Of course, he already knows a million and half tunes, and has the unique ability to remember them all and keep them straight in his fingers and head. I would wager Michael does very little else but listen to other fiddlers and plays constantly. That is how he got to be such an outstanding fiddler. He can play in any key and is a master at everyone. Billy is a natural musical genius as well and must also play an amazing amount of time. How he and Molly Tuttle do it shows that they are gifted musicians. I truly envey all three of these musical geniuses. They bring much pleasure to the listening audience.
There is a whole cool doc on his life on UA-cam
واو مجانين موسيقى صاحب الكمان أسطورة سيخلد اسمه في تاريخ الموسيقى يا له من عبقري تحياتي من المغرب 🇲🇦👍🌹
2 of the best musicians on the planet. I hope to get to see Billy sometime this year.
I kept expecting the fiddle to burst into flames any second.
Ya can just see Billy showing So much Respect for Michael Dig that 👍👍👍✌️❤️
Boy. MC just keeps getting better and better....