egroj world: mandolin
Showing posts with label mandolin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mandolin. Show all posts

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Önder Focan • Aubergine ⁄ Patlican

 



Biography
Önder Focan started music by playing mandolin at the age of 8. He switched to guitar at 15 and concentrated on jazz in 1975. Being mainly self- taught, he has become a jazz musician most sought after as a guitarist, player, composer arranger and lyrics writer. In 1986, he got married to Zuhal Focan withn whom founded Nardis Jazz Club in 2002.

Focan improved his skills in music and teaching by attending seminars by IAJE (International Association for Jazz Musicians). From 1996 to 1999, he conducted Jazz Ensemble courses at the Istanbul Academy. In 1997, he performed in the Guitar Night that was organized by MIDEM (Marché International du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale) with 11 international guitarists representing Istanbul Culture and Arts Fund (IKSV).

Between the years of 2001 and 2005, he taught harmony classes at Mujdat Gezen Art Centre where he was elected as the best artist in Western Music in 2000. At Yildiz Technical University, he lectured “Jazz Styles in Analysis” in 2003-2004 and also “Jazz Guitar” in 2006-2007.

Since 2002, he has been the art director of Nardis Jazz Club, where he organizes concerts for more than 315 musicians and accompanies them on stage every year. Some of these musicians are Benny Golson, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Al Foster, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roy Haynes, Tierney Sutton, Kenny Drew Jr, Roseanne Vitro, Christian Mc Bride, Roy Hargrove, Ron Carter and majority of top local musicians.

Always valuing and recognizing social responsibility projects, Focan has directed and the coordinated IPMN (Istanbul – Pori Music Networking). This project supported jazz education, enabling young musicians to have experience on stage in both cities, Istanbul and Pori.

He has released 13 CD’s. In 1998, featuring the great drummer Bill Stewart and Hammond B3 player Sam Yahel, his album

“Beneath The Stars” honored him as the first Turkish Jazz musician to have released an album on Blue Note label. He has participated in 94 Festivals, while 43 have taken place in various cities in Turkey, the other 51 have been in other countries such as the USA (Los Angeles), France, Germany, China, Malta, Italy, Brazil, Senegal, Indiana, Finland, Australia, Jordan, Hungary, Switzerland, Croatia and Estonia.

Önder Focan uses and endorses Godin and Oeerless Guitars, also AER alpha amps.
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/onder-focan/

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Biografía
Önder Focan empezó en la música tocando la mandolina a los 8 años. Se pasó a la guitarra a los 15 y se centró en el jazz en 1975. De formación autodidacta, se ha convertido en un músico de jazz muy solicitado como guitarrista, intérprete, compositor, arreglista y letrista. En 1986 se casó con Zuhal Focan, con quien fundó el Nardis Jazz Club en 2002.

Focan perfeccionó sus conocimientos musicales y pedagógicos asistiendo a seminarios de la IAJE (Asociación Internacional de Músicos de Jazz). De 1996 a 1999, dirigió cursos de Jazz Ensemble en la Academia de Estambul. En 1997, actuó en la Noche de la Guitarra organizada por el MIDEM (Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale) con 11 guitarristas internacionales en representación del Fondo para la Cultura y las Artes de Estambul (IKSV).

Entre 2001 y 2005, impartió clases de armonía en el Centro de Arte Mujdat Gezen, donde fue elegido mejor artista de música occidental en 2000. En la Universidad Técnica de Yildiz, impartió clases de "Estilos de Jazz en Análisis" en 2003-2004 y también de "Guitarra de Jazz" en 2006-2007.

Desde 2002, es director artístico del Nardis Jazz Club, donde organiza conciertos para más de 315 músicos y los acompaña en el escenario cada año. Algunos de estos músicos son Benny Golson, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Al Foster, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Roy Haynes, Tierney Sutton, Kenny Drew Jr, Roseanne Vitro, Christian Mc Bride, Roy Hargrove, Ron Carter y la mayoría de los mejores músicos locales.

Siempre valorando y reconociendo los proyectos de responsabilidad social, Focan ha dirigido y coordinado IPMN (Istanbul - Pori Music Networking). Este proyecto apoyó la educación en jazz, permitiendo a jóvenes músicos tener experiencia sobre el escenario en ambas ciudades, Estambul y Pori.

Ha publicado 13 CD. En 1998, con el gran baterista Bill Stewart y el intérprete de Hammond B3 Sam Yahel, su álbum

"Beneath The Stars" le convirtió en el primer músico de jazz turco que publicó un álbum con el sello Blue Note. Ha participado en 94 festivales, de los cuales 43 han tenido lugar en diversas ciudades de Turquía y los 51 restantes en otros países, como Estados Unidos (Los Ángeles), Francia, Alemania, China, Malta, Italia, Brasil, Senegal, Indiana, Finlandia, Australia, Jordania, Hungría, Suiza, Croacia y Estonia.

Önder Focan utiliza y respalda las guitarras Godin y Oeerless, así como los amplificadores AER alpha.
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/onder-focan/


focanjazz.com ...


Thursday, July 31, 2025

David Grisman Quintet • Dawgwood

 

 

David Grisman's self-named "Dawg" music defies traditional categories, as it is such a unique blend of many influences, including bluegrass, jazz, gypsy music, Latin, and so much more. He's joined by flutist Matt Eakle, percussionist and violinist Joe Craven, bassist Jim Kerwin, and guitarist Rick Montgomery. The veteran mandolinist wrote six of the eight songs, starting with the cheerful opener, which features everyone in turn.  ... Full Description The intricate waltz "Dawgmatism" adds an exotic flavor with Craven's violin and Eakle's haunting flute. "Jazzin' (With Joe-Bob)" is a wild masterpiece (later appearing in slightly different form on his compilation DGQ-20 with jazz DJ Al "Jazzbeaux" Collins as "Jazzin' With Jazzbeaux"), with Craven providing percussion on bongos (and vocals with assorted hisses and comments) as well as overdubbing a slashing violin solo. "Steppin' With Stephane" was originally recorded by Grisman with its honoree, jazz violin great Stephane Grappelli. This version is lighter but every bit as swinging. "Bolero de Django," composed by Django Reinhardt, has a definite gypsy air, though Eakle's alto flute gives the piece a more modern flavor. "New Dawg's Rag" is an updated arrangement of an earlier Grisman chart; while the instrumentation has been changed, the impact of this brilliant performance is still pure magic. Throughout this release, Grisman's playing is nothing short of phenomenal. It should come as no surprise that fans of David Grisman should consider this CD an essential purchase. ~ Ken Dryden Live Recording David Grisman Quintet: David Grisman (mandolin); Rick Montgomery (guitar); Joe Craven (violin, percussion); Matt Eakle (flute); Jim Kerwin (bass). Composer: David Grisman. Personnel: David Grisman (mandolin); Rick Montgomery (guitar); Joe Graven, Joe Craven (violin, percussion); Matt Eakle (flute). Audio Mixer: David Grisman. Recording information: Dawg Studios. Photographer: Gary Nichols. Unknown Contributor Role: Steve Gilchrist


“Dawgwood features the David Grisman Quintet with David on mandolin, Jim Kerwin on bass, Matt Eakle on flute, Rick Montgomery on guitar, and Joe Craven on percussion and violin. The breadth and beauty of this collection-from David’s own award-winning dawg music to jazz by Django Reinhardt and Latin by Jacob do Bandolim - make it one of Grisman’s most satisfying yet. Dawgwood captures the personality, talents, and charm of a band that has been captivating audiences for several years. On it you will hear some of the finest acoustic music played by some of the best acoustic musicians of our time.” 
Dawgnet 
“Again, the DGQ has given us a C.D. of “dawg music” that combines the best of jazz, classical, and mountain string music. The entire C.D. can be enjoyed as “background” music, but it is difficult to listen to it without being distracted to it because of all the intricate solos and complicated duets, trios, etc. There is not a “bad” track on the entire C.D. and each song is uplifting to the spirit much as the Dogwood blooming in Spring. 
AMAZON


Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Don Stiernberg, Evan Price, Greg Ruby and Kevin Kehrberg • Rhythm Twist

 



This project was created while "sheltering in place" during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Each musician composed one song and arranged two others. Passing charts, tracks and ideas between the four of us, we created something unique and collective. Not only did this project help us maintain a sense of sanity, ground us in creativity but it kept us in touch with each other while riding out a very strange period of human history.

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Este proyecto se creó mientras "se refugiaban en el lugar" durante la pandemia de Covid-19. Cada músico compuso una canción y arregló otras dos. Entre los cuatro nos pasábamos diagramas, pistas e ideas para crear algo único y colectivo. Este proyecto no sólo nos ayudó a mantener la cordura y la creatividad, sino que nos mantuvo en contacto con los demás durante un periodo muy extraño de la historia de la humanidad.


donstiernberg.com/
www.evanpricemusic.com/
gregrubymusic.com/
www.warren-wilson.edu/kevin-kehrberg/



Friday, May 30, 2025

The Guitar in America Victorian Era to Jazz Age



The Guitar in America offers a history of the instrument from America's late Victorian period to the Jazz Age. The narrative traces America's BMG (banjo, mandolin, and guitar) community, a late 19th-century musical and commercial movement dedicated to introducing these instruments into America's elite musical establishments.

Using surviving BMG magazines, the author details an almost unknown history of the guitar during the movement's heyday, tracing the guitar's transformation from a refined parlor instrument to a mainstay in jazz and popular music. In the process, he not only introduces musicians (including numerous women guitarists) who led the movement, but also examines new techniques and instruments.

Chapters consider the BMG movement's impact on jazz and popular music, the use of the guitar to promote attitudes toward women and minorities, and the challenges foreign guitarists such as Miguel Llobet and Andres Segovia presented to America's musicians.

This volume opens a new chapter on the guitar in America, considering its cultivated past and documenting how banjoists and mandolinists aligned their instruments to it in an effort to raise social and cultural standing. At the same time, the audiobook considers the BMG community within America's larger musical scene, examining its efforts as manifestations of this country's uneasy coupling of musical art and commerce. 


Saturday, March 15, 2025

Butch Baldassari Trio • American Portraits

 



Biography by Craig Harris
The mandolin has been turned into an instrument of melodic brilliance by Butch Baldassari. A former member of Lonesome Standard Time, Baldassari has continued to explore his six-stringed instrument on his solo albums and recordings with the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. In addition to working with Richard Greene's Grass Is Greener since 1995, Baldassari is the leader of his own group, the Butch Baldassari Trio, featuring guitarist Gene Ford and mandocello player John Hedgecoth.

Influenced as much by the Beatles and Frank Sinatra as he is by Bill Monroe, Baldassari played guitar with his brother, Buster, in late-'60s garage bands. A trip to the 1972 Philadelphia Folk Festival proved to be the impetus for Baldassari's switch to the mandolin.

After earning a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Scranton, Baldassari moved to Las Vegas for post-graduate studies at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. While there, he befriended three musicians who were forming a tradition-rooted bluegrass band, Weary Hearts, and he was invited to join. The group went on to win the International Band Competition held by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America in 1989. Their debut album, By Heart, was released shortly afterwards.

Moving to Nashville in 1985, Baldassari continued to explore the possibilities of the mandolin. While attending the Classical Mandolin Society convention in 1990, he conceived the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, an 11-piece group featuring mandola, mandocello, guitar, and bass. After four months of rehearsals, the band made its public debut at the Dark Horse Theater in Nashville in October 1991.

Baldassari has remained active with numerous outside projects. As a member of Lonesome Standard Time from 1992 to 1996, he recorded three albums -- Lonesome River Band, Mighty Lonesome, and Lonesome as It Gets. Together with innovative bluegrass fiddler Richard Greene and his band, the Grass Is Greener, Baldassari recorded Wolves A' Howlin' in 1996 and Sales Tax Toddle in 1997.

Baldassari's musical career has been balanced by his work as a teacher. In addition to conducting bluegrass mandolin workshops in Nashville, he became the adjunct associate professor of mandolin at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music in 1996.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/butch-baldassari-mn0000943417/biography
Note:
In May 2007, Baldassari was diagnosed as having an inoperable brain tumor, and died Saturday January 10, 2009 in Nashville at age 56.

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Biografía de Craig Harris
La mandolina se ha convertido en un instrumento de brillantez melódica de Butch Baldassari. Ex miembro de Lonesome Standard Time, Baldassari ha seguido explorando su instrumento de seis cuerdas en sus álbumes solistas y grabaciones con el Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. Además de trabajar con Grass Is Greener de Richard Greene desde 1995, Baldassari es el líder de su propio grupo, el Butch Baldassari Trio, con el guitarrista Gene Ford y el mandocello John Hedgecoth.

Influenciado tanto por los Beatles y Frank Sinatra como por Bill Monroe, Baldassari tocó la guitarra con su hermano, Buster, en bandas de garage de finales de los 60. Un viaje al Festival Folklórico de Filadelfia de 1972 resultó ser el impulso para que Baldassari cambiara a la mandolina.

Después de obtener una licenciatura en música de la Universidad de Scranton, Baldassari se trasladó a Las Vegas para realizar estudios de postgrado en la Universidad de Nevada en Las Vegas. Mientras estuvo allí, se hizo amigo de tres músicos que estaban formando una banda de bluegrass de raíces tradicionales, Weary Hearts, y fue invitado a unirse a ella. El grupo ganó el Concurso Internacional de Bandas de Música de la Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America en 1989. Su álbum debut, By Heart, fue lanzado poco después.

Trasladándose a Nashville en 1985, Baldassari continuó explorando las posibilidades de la mandolina. Mientras asistía a la convención de la Classical Mandolin Society en 1990, concibió el Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, un grupo de 11 músicos con mandola, mandocello, guitarra y bajo. Después de cuatro meses de ensayos, la banda hizo su debut público en el Dark Horse Theater de Nashville en octubre de 1991.

Baldassari ha permanecido activo con numerosos proyectos externos. Como miembro de Lonesome Standard Time de 1992 a 1996, grabó tres álbumes: Lonesome River Band, Mighty Lonesome y Lonesome as It Gets. Junto con el innovador violinista de bluegrass Richard Greene y su banda, Grass Is Greener, Baldassari grabó Wolves A' Howlin' en 1996 y Sales Tax Toddle en 1997.

La carrera musical de Baldassari ha sido equilibrada por su trabajo como profesor. Además de dirigir talleres de mandolina de bluegrass en Nashville, se convirtió en profesor asociado adjunto de mandolina en la Blair School of Music de la Universidad de Vanderbilt en 1996.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/butch-baldassari-mn0000943417/biography

Nota:
En mayo de 2007, Baldassari fue diagnosticado con un tumor cerebral inoperable y murió el sábado 10 de enero de 2009 en Nashville a la edad de 56 años.


Tuesday, February 25, 2025

David Grisman Quintet • Quintet '80 [Deluxe Edition]



In early 1980 David Grisman recorded the first of four studio albums for Warner Brothers Records. Quintet ‘80 introduced a newly formed quintet featuring multi-instrumentalists Mike Marshall and Mark O’Connor, bassist Rob Wasserman and founding member Darol Anger on violin and cello. The original LP has been out of print for nearly three decades and this Deluxe Edition presents all of the original master takes plus five previously unissued alternate takes, all newly transferred to the highest quality sound format available (24 bit, 96khz) at Acoustic Oasis.
http://www.acousticoasisdownloads.com


Grisman grew up in a Conservative Jewish household in Hackensack, New Jersey. He started his musical career in 1963 as a member of Even Dozen Jug Band. His nickname "Dawg" was affectionately assigned by his close friend Jerry Garcia in 1973 (the two met in 1964 at a Bill Monroe show at Sunset Park in West Grove, Pennsylvania). "Dawg Music" is what he calls his mixture of bluegrass and Django Reinhardt/Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz, as highlighted on his album Hot Dawg (recorded Oct. 1978, released 1979). Stephane Grappelli played on a couple of tracks on Hot Dawg and then the 1981 recording Stephane Grappelli and David Grisman Live. It was Grisman's combination of Reinhardt-era Jazz, bluegrass, folk, Old World Mediterranean string band music, as well as modern Jazz fusion that came to embody "Dawg" music.

Grisman's father had been a professional trombonist at one time and had young David begin piano lessons at the age of seven. In the early 1950s, Grisman heard the beginnings of rock 'n' roll and was influenced by pop music and everything he heard. Following his father's death, when David was 10, he drifted away from the piano. He took it up again when he was about 13 or 14, soon discovering folk music through the Kingston Trio, a group that became popular during the American folk music revival.

David and three friends from his school then met folklorist and musician Ralph Rinzler in Passaic, New Jersey, and became greatly influenced by Rinzler's vast knowledge about traditional music. During this period, Greenwich Village in New York City was already bustling with folk musicians, and David realized what he wanted to do with his life. In 1963, Grisman played in the Even Dozen Jug Band, who recorded an album that year on Elektra Records.

Grisman did a Red Allen and Frank Wakefield session for Folkways Records in 1963 but didn't perform with Red Allen and the Kentuckians until 1966. Also in 1966, Grisman recorded Early Dawg, a live recording from a show in New York that featured the talents of Del McCoury on guitar and vocals, and Jerry McCoury on bass. The album was not released until 1980. Grisman then played mandocello on Tom Paxton's album Morning Again (Elektra, 1967).

In 1967, Grisman was in a psychedelic rock group called Earth Opera with Peter Rowan. In 1973, Grisman joined Rowan, Vassar Clements, Jerry Garcia and John Kahn to form the bluegrass group Old and in the Way. It was while with this group that Garcia gave him his nickname, after a dog he saw behind Grisman while they were driving in Stinson Beach. In 1974, Grisman, Rowan, and Richard Greene joined Bill Keith, and the late, great Clarence White, in the group Muleskinner. In 1974, Grisman was also in The Great American Music Band. Then in 1975 he started his own band, the David Grisman Quintet (DGQ), which released its first album in 1977.

Grisman also played mandocello on Bonnie Raitt's album Sweet Forgiveness (1977).
David Grisman Bluegrass Experience at DelFest, May 30, 2010

In addition to performing with the Quintet, Grisman also performs with his bluegrass group, the DGBX (David Grisman Bluegrass Experience). Other members of the DGBX are Keith Little on banjo, Chad Manning on fiddle, Jim Nunally on guitar and Samson Grisman on upright bass. He has also recorded an album and toured as a duo with John Sebastian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Grisman

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A principios de 1980 David Grisman grabó el primero de cuatro álbumes de estudio para Warner Brothers Records. El quinteto '80 presentó un quinteto recién formado con los multi-instrumentistas Mike Marshall y Mark O'Connor, el bajista Rob Wasserman y el miembro fundador Darol Anger en violín y cello. El LP original ha estado agotado durante casi tres décadas y esta edición de lujo presenta todas las tomas originales del maestro más cinco tomas alternativas no publicadas anteriormente, todas recién transferidas al formato de sonido de más alta calidad disponible (24 bits, 96khz) en Acoustic Oasis.
http://www.acousticoasisdownloads.com


Grisman creció en un hogar judío conservador en Hackensack, Nueva Jersey. Empezó su carrera musical en 1963 como miembro de Even Dozen Jug Band. Su apodo "Dawg" le fue asignado cariñosamente por su amigo cercano Jerry García en 1973 (los dos se conocieron en 1964 en un show de Bill Monroe en Sunset Park en West Grove, Pennsylvania). "Dawg Music" es lo que él llama su mezcla de bluegrass y jazz con influencia de Django Reinhardt/Stéphane Grappelli, como se destaca en su álbum Hot Dawg (grabado en octubre de 1978, publicado en 1979). Stéphane Grappelli tocó en un par de temas en Hot Dawg y luego en la grabación de 1981 Stephane Grappelli y David Grisman Live. Fue la combinación de Grisman de Jazz de la era Reinhardt, bluegrass, folk, música de bandas de cuerda del Mediterráneo del Viejo Mundo, así como la fusión de Jazz moderno que llegó a encarnar la música de "Dawg".

El padre de Grisman había sido trombonista profesional en un momento dado e hizo que el joven David comenzara a tomar clases de piano a los siete años. A principios de los 50, Grisman escuchó los comienzos del rock 'n' roll y fue influenciado por la música pop y todo lo que escuchaba. Tras la muerte de su padre, cuando David tenía 10 años, se alejó del piano. Lo retomó cuando tenía 13 o 14 años, y pronto descubrió la música folclórica a través del Kingston Trio, un grupo que se hizo popular durante el resurgimiento de la música folclórica americana.

David y tres amigos de su escuela conocieron al folclorista y músico Ralph Rinzler en Passaic, Nueva Jersey, y se vieron muy influenciados por el vasto conocimiento de Rinzler sobre la música tradicional. Durante este período, Greenwich Village en Nueva York ya estaba lleno de músicos folclóricos, y David se dio cuenta de lo que quería hacer con su vida. En 1963, Grisman tocó en la Even Dozen Jug Band, que grabó un álbum ese año en Elektra Records.

Grisman hizo una sesión de Red Allen y Frank Wakefield para Folkways Records en 1963, pero no actuó con Red Allen y los Kentuckians hasta 1966. También en 1966, Grisman grabó Early Dawg, una grabación en directo de un espectáculo en Nueva York que contó con el talento de Del McCoury en la guitarra y la voz, y Jerry McCoury en el bajo. El álbum no se publicó hasta 1980. Grisman luego tocó el mandocello en el álbum de Tom Paxton Morning Again (Elektra, 1967).

En 1967, Grisman estuvo en un grupo de rock psicodélico llamado Earth Opera con Peter Rowan. En 1973, Grisman se unió a Rowan, Vassar Clements, Jerry García y John Kahn para formar el grupo de bluegrass Old and in the Way. Fue mientras con este grupo que García le dio su apodo, por un perro que vio detrás de Grisman mientras conducían por Stinson Beach. En 1974, Grisman, Rowan y Richard Greene se unieron a Bill Keith, y al difunto gran Clarence White, en el grupo Muleskinner. En 1974, Grisman también estaba en la Great American Music Band. Luego, en 1975, comenzó su propia banda, el David Grisman Quintet (DGQ), que lanzó su primer álbum en 1977.

Grisman también tocó el mandocello en el álbum Sweet Forgiveness (1977) de Bonnie Raitt.
David Grisman Bluegrass Experience en el DelFest, 30 de mayo de 2010

Además de actuar con el Quinteto, Grisman también actúa con su grupo de bluegrass, el DGBX (David Grisman Bluegrass Experience). Otros miembros de la DGBX son Keith Little en el banjo, Chad Manning en el violín, Jim Nunally en la guitarra y Samson Grisman en el bajo vertical. También ha grabado un álbum y ha hecho una gira a dúo con John Sebastian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Grisman


 

 
 

Saturday, February 15, 2025

VA • True Bluegrass Mandolin

 



With a generous 18 tracks, True Bluegrass Mandolin draws on Rebels' vast catalog along with tracks from Rebel’s sister label, County Records. First and second generation performers such as Red Rector, Hershel Sizemore, Frank Wakefield, and Doyle Lawson provide solid links to the roots of bluegrass. Younger musicians like Alan Bibey, Dempsey Young, Jimmy Gaudreau and Larry Rice burst forth with inventive variations. Still others, like Butch Baldassari and Scott Napier, fuse youthful enthusiasm with the fundamentals of the masters. Among the highlights are Bill Monroe picking on his own showpiece “Road to Columbus” and tracks by Ricky Skaggs and Frank Wakefield that appear on CD for the first time! In fact, Wakefield’s “Bill Cheatham” is issued here for the first time anywhere.
https://www.countysales.com/products/various-artists-true-bluegrass-mandolin-reb-8009-cd

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Con una generosa selección de 18 temas, True Bluegrass Mandolin se nutre del vasto catálogo de Rebels junto con temas del sello hermano de Rebel, County Records. Intérpretes de primera y segunda generación como Red Rector, Hershel Sizemore, Frank Wakefield y Doyle Lawson proporcionan sólidos vínculos con las raíces del bluegrass. Músicos más jóvenes como Alan Bibey, Dempsey Young, Jimmy Gaudreau y Larry Rice irrumpen con variaciones inventivas. Otros, como Butch Baldassari y Scott Napier, fusionan el entusiasmo juvenil con los fundamentos de los maestros. Entre lo más destacado, Bill Monroe interpreta su propia obra maestra "Road to Columbus" y temas de Ricky Skaggs y Frank Wakefield que aparecen por primera vez en CD. De hecho, "Bill Cheatham" de Wakefield se publica aquí por primera vez.
https://www.countysales.com/products/various-artists-true-bluegrass-mandolin-reb-8009-cd


Tuesday, February 4, 2025

VA • True Bluegrass Instrumentals

 

 



From its earliest days there has always been a premium placed on instrumental prowess in Bluegrass music, and to hear one amazing tune after another is truly invigorating and inspiring. That is the nature of this superb compilation that highlights some of the finest performances from Rebel Records’ long history. With stunning examples that feature lead guitar, banjo, mandolin and/or fiddle, there’s more than enough variety here to warrant many repeated plays. The 20 tunes include gems by Tony Rice, Seldom Scene, Ralph Stanley, Kenny Baker, J.D. Crowe, Jimmy Arnold, Norman Blake, Whitley & Skaggs, Don Reno and Josh Graves among others. Besides the obvious gems like Black Jack, Orange Blossom Special, Billy In The Low Ground (Tony Rice) and Bill Emerson’s Home Sweet Home, there are some “sleepers” like Cody Kilby’s St. Anne’s Reel, Richard Greene’s Little Rabbit and a lovely two guitar treatment of Old Spinning Wheel by Charlie Waller & Randall Hylton.
https://rebelrecords.com/albums/compilations/rebel-8003/

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Desde sus inicios, la música Bluegrass siempre ha concedido una gran importancia a la destreza instrumental, y escuchar una melodía asombrosa tras otra es realmente estimulante e inspirador. Esa es la naturaleza de esta magnífica compilación que destaca algunas de las mejores interpretaciones de la larga historia de Rebel Records. Con ejemplos asombrosos que incluyen guitarra solista, banjo, mandolina y/o violín, hay aquí variedad más que suficiente para justificar muchas reproducciones repetidas. Los 20 temas incluyen joyas de Tony Rice, Seldom Scene, Ralph Stanley, Kenny Baker, J.D. Crowe, Jimmy Arnold, Norman Blake, Whitley & Skaggs, Don Reno y Josh Graves entre otros. Además de las joyas obvias como Black Jack, Orange Blossom Special, Billy In The Low Ground (Tony Rice) y Home Sweet Home de Bill Emerson, hay algunos "sleepers" como St. Anne's Reel de Cody Kilby, Little Rabbit de Richard Greene y un precioso tratamiento a dos guitarras de Old Spinning Wheel de Charlie Waller & Randall Hylton.
https://rebelrecords.com/albums/compilations/rebel-8003/


Friday, December 13, 2024

David Grisman • Early Dawg [Deluxe Edition]

 



Early Dawg originally released on LP by Sugar Hill Records in 1980. This deluxe edition includes the original 16 tracks, combined with 13 previously unpublished tracks and David’s first recorded mandolin instrumental, “Mandolin King Rag” from the Even Dozen Jug Band LP, released on Elektra Records in 1964. Among these performances are the earliest recordings of Dawg’s first original compositions, “Cedar Hill”, “Fanny Hill”, “Opus 57”, “Opus 38” and his only  banjo tune — “New York Ramble”, played by Winnie Winston and later renamed “Dawggy Mountain Breakdown”, the “Car Talk” theme recorded with Earl Scruggs. This music is presented chronologically, spanning the decade between 1963-1973 and features Del and Jerry McCoury, Bill Keith and many other incredible musicians who inspired the “early Dawg.”
https://acousticdisc.com/product/early-dawg-deluxe-david-grisman-hi-def-download/

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Early Dawg fue lanzado originalmente en LP por Sugar Hill Records en 1980. Esta edición de lujo incluye las 16 pistas originales, combinadas con 13 pistas inéditas y el primer instrumental de mandolina grabado de David, "Mandolin King Rag" del LP Even Dozen Jug Band, lanzado por Elektra Records en 1964. Entre estas actuaciones se encuentran las primeras grabaciones de las primeras composiciones originales de Dawg, "Cedar Hill", "Fanny Hill", "Opus 57", "Opus 38" y su única melodía de banjo," New York Ramble", interpretada por Winnie Winston y más tarde rebautizada como "Dawggy Mountain Breakdown", el tema "Car Talk" grabado con Earl Scruggs. Esta música se presenta cronológicamente, abarcando la década entre 1963-1973 y presenta a Del y Jerry McCoury, Bill Keith y muchos otros músicos increíbles que inspiraron el " early Dawg.”
https://acousticdisc.com/product/early-dawg-deluxe-david-grisman-hi-def-download/


Friday, September 27, 2024

Danny Knicely & Jack Dunlap • Chop, Shred & Split



Album Notes
I can’t remember the first time I saw Danny Knicely play, which I find somewhat curious since he is one of the most remarkably talented musicians I’ve ever heard. Perhaps it’s because he is so ubiquitous in musical settings, usually supporting other artists, on the concert stage, in the recording studio, or backing up musicians of all ages and levels in some fiddle contest. Maybe too it’s because every time you hear him is a little bit like a first time. Each lick he plays on any of the stringed instruments he’s mastered - whether it’s the mandolin, the guitar, the fiddle, or the bouzouki – sounds remarkably fresh, immediate, and decidedly present. Danny is equally comfortable playing with an old time banjo picker at a campsite in Galax as he is with a Malian n’goni player on a tour in France, and while he remains bafflingly unfamiliar to many, he has played all over the globe. He is truly a musicians’ musician and was the perfect candidate for our Folklife Apprenticeship Program.
The Virginia Folklife Apprenticeships pair experienced master artists in a wide range of traditional arts and skills with gifted and dedicated apprentices for a one-on-one, nine-month learning experience, in order to help ensure that a particular art form is passed on in ways that are conscious of history and faithful to tradition. Since its inception in 2003, the program has sponsored nearly 150 apprenticeships in everything from old time fiddling to South Asian tabla playing, from blacksmithing to hot rod car building, from country ham curing to Mexican mol’e making.
Danny is easily one of the youngest master artists we’ve ever had in our program, but his selection as a master was a no brainer. When I approached Danny about the idea, he already had an apprentice in mind. Danny’s choice, Jack Dunlap, of Winchester, Virginia, is already a musician of incredible depth who plays mandolin in the critically acclaimed bluegrass band, Bud’s Collective. While I hadn’t previously been introduced to Jack, I was immediately aware of who he was, as I’ve watched him grow up, literally and musically, at festivals and fiddlers conventions around Virginia. Jack can always be found at the jams that go the latest and his passion for the mandolin is undeniably apparent. Jack fit the mold of the apprentice perfectly – the apprenticeships are not meant for those who enter into them casually, or for those picking up the tradition for the first time. When I called Jack to offer him the apprenticeship with Danny, he answered from the side of the road as his car had just broken down. Suffice it to say, his day took a decidedly better turn.
This album is a record of the fruits of Danny and Jack’s apprenticeship, and it can also be thought of as a key aspect of the apprenticeship itself. This apprenticeship isn’t only about learning the fine points of playing the mandolin, but about what it means to be a mandolin player and professional musician. Entering into this kind of collaborative project with an experienced master like Danny, with all the accompanying decisions and negotiations regarding composition, arrangements, recording, and production, is an experience that will forever benefit Jack and, as you will learn after your first listen, will forever delight us all.
The selections on this project speak to Danny’s trademark versatility and creativity. Danny leads his apprentice on a musical expedition that seamlessly transcends the boundaries of genre. You’ll be treated to a collection of originals that span the gamut from bluegrass to swing, funk, polka, and even the stylings of the late South Indian mandolin master U. Srinivas, memorialized in their joint composition “Wish U. Was Here.” These originals are complemented with an eclectic array of covers by the likes of Benny Goodman, Rex McGee, and the French jazz musician Tchavolo Schmitt, who fittingly portrayed a music teacher in the film Swing.
Jack’s apprenticeship with Danny was truly a Virginia affair. The album was recorded in Millwood, using microphones made by John Peluso of Willis. Danny’s mandolin was built by John Fraley of Dungannon. Jack’s mandolin was built by Scott Carey of Culpeper, and his guitar was built by Martin Fair of Neersville. Like the apprenticeship, support for this recording project was provided by the Virginia Folklife Program, the state center for the documentation, presentation, celebration and support of Virginia’s rich cultural folkways.
Apprenticeships often yield surprising results. Danny will be the first to say that he’s benefited as much Jack has. Their time together has enriched us all through this recording.
Jon Lohman, Virginia State Folklorist
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/dannyknicely2

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Notas del álbum
No recuerdo la primera vez que vi tocar a Danny Knicely, lo que me parece un tanto curioso, ya que es uno de los músicos con más talento que he oído en mi vida. Quizás se deba a que es tan ubicuo en los escenarios musicales, normalmente apoyando a otros artistas, en el escenario del concierto, en el estudio de grabación, o respaldando a músicos de todas las edades y niveles en algún concurso de violín. Quizás también es porque cada vez que lo escuchas es un poco como la primera vez. Cada lamida que toca con cualquiera de los instrumentos de cuerda que domina -ya sea la mandolina, la guitarra, el violín o el bouzouki- suena sorprendentemente fresca, inmediata y decididamente presente. Danny se siente igual de cómodo tocando con un viejo recogedor de banjo en un campamento de Galax que con un jugador de Malí n'goni en una gira por Francia, y aunque sigue siendo desconcertantemente desconocido para muchos, ha tocado en todo el mundo. Es realmente un músico de músicos y fue el candidato perfecto para nuestro Programa de Aprendizaje Folklórico.
La pareja de Aprendices del Folklore de Virginia une a experimentados artistas maestros en una amplia gama de artes y destrezas tradicionales con aprendices dotados y dedicados para una experiencia de aprendizaje individualizada de nueve meses, con el fin de ayudar a asegurar que una forma de arte en particular se transmita de manera consciente de la historia y fiel a la tradición. Desde su inicio en 2003, el programa ha patrocinado cerca de 150 aprendizajes en todo, desde tocar el violín en los viejos tiempos hasta tocar la tabla en el sur de Asia, desde la herrería hasta la construcción de autos calientes, desde el curado de jamones en el campo hasta la elaboración del mol'e mexicano.
Danny es fácilmente uno de los artistas maestros más jóvenes que hemos tenido en nuestro programa, pero su selección como maestro fue muy sencilla. Cuando le pregunté a Danny sobre la idea, ya tenía un aprendiz en mente. La elección de Danny, Jack Dunlap, de Winchester, Virginia, ya es un músico de increíble profundidad que toca la mandolina en la banda de bluegrass Bud's Collective, aclamada por la crítica. Aunque no me habían presentado a Jack, inmediatamente me di cuenta de quién era, ya que lo he visto crecer, literal y musicalmente, en festivales y convenciones de violinistas en Virginia. Jack siempre se puede encontrar en las mermeladas que van a la última y su pasión por la mandolina es innegable. Jack encaja perfectamente en el molde del aprendiz - los aprendizajes no son para aquellos que entran en ellos de manera casual, o para aquellos que aprenden la tradición por primera vez. Cuando llamé a Jack para ofrecerle el aprendizaje con Danny, me contestó desde el costado de la carretera, ya que su coche acababa de averiarse. Basta decir que su día dio un giro decididamente mejor.
Este álbum es un registro de los frutos del aprendizaje de Danny y Jack, y también puede considerarse como un aspecto clave del aprendizaje en sí mismo. Este aprendizaje no se trata sólo de aprender los puntos finos de tocar la mandolina, sino de lo que significa ser un tocador de mandolina y músico profesional. Entrar en este tipo de proyecto de colaboración con un maestro experimentado como Danny, con todas las decisiones y negociaciones que lo acompañan en cuanto a composición, arreglos, grabación y producción, es una experiencia que siempre beneficiará a Jack y, como aprenderás después de tu primera escucha, siempre nos deleitará a todos.
Las selecciones en este proyecto hablan de la versatilidad y creatividad de Danny. Danny dirige a su aprendiz en una expedición musical que trasciende los límites del género. Disfrutará de una colección de originales que abarcan desde el bluegrass hasta el swing, el funk, la polca e incluso el estilo del maestro de la mandolina del sur de la India, U. Srinivas, memorizado en su composición conjunta "Wish U. Was Here." (Desear que la U. estuviera aquí). Estos originales se complementan con una selección ecléctica de portadas de personajes como Benny Goodman, Rex McGee y el músico de jazz francés Tchavolo Schmitt, que retrató a un profesor de música en la película Swing.
El aprendizaje de Jack con Danny fue realmente un asunto de Virginia. El álbum fue grabado en Millwood, usando micrófonos hechos por John Peluso de Willis. La mandolina de Danny fue construida por John Fraley de Dungannon. La mandolina de Jack fue construida por Scott Carey de Culpeper, y su guitarra fue construida por Martin Fair de Neersville. Al igual que el aprendizaje, el apoyo para este proyecto de grabación fue proporcionado por el Virginia Folklife Program, el centro estatal para la documentación, presentación, celebración y apoyo de la rica cultura folklórica de Virginia.
El aprendizaje a menudo produce resultados sorprendentes. Danny será el primero en decir que se ha beneficiado tanto como Jack. Su tiempo juntos nos ha enriquecido a todos a través de esta grabación.
Jon Lohman, Folklorista del Estado de Virginia
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/dannyknicely2
 

Monday, September 16, 2024

Butch Baldassari • Music Of O'Carlan - Ireland's Bard




Jerome Henry "Butch" Baldassari (December 11, 1952 – January 10, 2009) was an American mandolinist, recording artist, composer, and music teacher.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butch_Baldassari


Artist Biography by Craig Harris
The mandolin has been turned into an instrument of melodic brilliance by Butch Baldassari. A former member of Lonesome Standard Time, Baldassari has continued to explore his six-stringed instrument on his solo albums and recordings with the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. In addition to working with Richard Greene's Grass Is Greener since 1995, Baldassari is the leader of his own group, the Butch Baldassari Trio, featuring guitarist Gene Ford and mandocello player John Hedgecoth.

Influenced as much by the Beatles and Frank Sinatra as he is by Bill Monroe, Baldassari played guitar with his brother, Buster, in late-'60s garage bands. A trip to the 1972 Philadelphia Folk Festival proved to be the impetus for Baldassari's switch to the mandolin.

By Heart: Piano Solos
After earning a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Scranton, Baldassari moved to Las Vegas for post-graduate studies at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. While there, he befriended three musicians who were forming a tradition-rooted bluegrass band, Weary Hearts, and he was invited to join. The group went on to win the International Band Competition held by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America in 1989. Their debut album, By Heart, was released shortly afterwards.

Moving to Nashville in 1985, Baldassari continued to explore the possibilities of the mandolin. While attending the Classical Mandolin Society convention in 1990, he conceived the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, an 11-piece group featuring mandola, mandocello, guitar, and bass. After four months of rehearsals, the band made its public debut at the Dark Horse Theater in Nashville in October 1991.

Mighty Lonesome
Baldassari has remained active with numerous outside projects. As a member of Lonesome Standard Time from 1992 to 1996, he recorded three albums -- Lonesome River Band, Mighty Lonesome, and Lonesome as It Gets. Together with innovative bluegrass fiddler Richard Greene and his band, the Grass Is Greener, Baldassari recorded Wolves A' Howlin' in 1996 and Sales Tax Toddle in 1997.

Baldassari's musical career has been balanced by his work as a teacher. In addition to conducting bluegrass mandolin workshops in Nashville, he became the adjunct associate professor of mandolin at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music in 1996.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/butch-baldassari-mn0000943417/biography

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Jerome Henry "Butch" Baldassari (11 de diciembre de 1952 - 10 de enero de 2009) fue un mandolinista, artista de grabación, compositor y profesor de música estadounidense.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butch_Baldassari


Biografía del artista por Craig Harris
La mandolina se ha convertido en un instrumento de brillantez melódica de Butch Baldassari. Ex miembro de Lonesome Standard Time, Baldassari ha seguido explorando su instrumento de seis cuerdas en sus álbumes solistas y grabaciones con el Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. Además de trabajar con Grass Is Greener de Richard Greene desde 1995, Baldassari es el líder de su propio grupo, el Butch Baldassari Trio, con el guitarrista Gene Ford y el mandocello John Hedgecoth.

Influenciado tanto por los Beatles y Frank Sinatra como por Bill Monroe, Baldassari tocó la guitarra con su hermano, Buster, en bandas de garage de finales de los 60. Un viaje al Festival Folklórico de Filadelfia de 1972 resultó ser el impulso para que Baldassari cambiara a la mandolina.

De memoria: Solos para piano
Después de obtener una licenciatura en música de la Universidad de Scranton, Baldassari se trasladó a Las Vegas para realizar estudios de postgrado en la Universidad de Nevada en Las Vegas. Mientras estuvo allí, se hizo amigo de tres músicos que estaban formando una banda de bluegrass de raíces tradicionales, Weary Hearts, y fue invitado a unirse a ella. El grupo ganó el Concurso Internacional de Bandas de Música de la Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America en 1989. Su álbum debut, By Heart, fue lanzado poco después.

Trasladándose a Nashville en 1985, Baldassari continuó explorando las posibilidades de la mandolina. Mientras asistía a la convención de la Classical Mandolin Society en 1990, concibió el Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, un grupo de 11 músicos con mandola, mandocello, guitarra y bajo. Después de cuatro meses de ensayos, la banda hizo su debut público en el Dark Horse Theater de Nashville en octubre de 1991.

Poderoso Solitario
Baldassari ha permanecido activo con numerosos proyectos externos. Como miembro de Lonesome Standard Time de 1992 a 1996, grabó tres álbumes: Lonesome River Band, Mighty Lonesome y Lonesome as It Gets. Junto con el innovador violinista de bluegrass Richard Greene y su banda, Grass Is Greener, Baldassari grabó Wolves A' Howlin' en 1996 y Sales Tax Toddle en 1997.

La carrera musical de Baldassari ha sido equilibrada por su trabajo como profesor. Además de dirigir talleres de mandolina de bluegrass en Nashville, se convirtió en profesor asociado adjunto de mandolina en la Blair School of Music de la Universidad de Vanderbilt en 1996.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/butch-baldassari-mn0000943417/biography


Monday, September 2, 2024

Yank Rachell • Chicago Style

 



Review by Ron Wynn
While Yank Rachell was past his prime when he began recording for Delmark in the 1960s, he was still an effective, often exciting vocalist and mandolin player. He seldom sounded more striking and enjoyable than on the nine cuts that comprised Chicago Style, recently reissued on CD. Rachell sang with a spirited mix of irony, anguish, dismay, and bemusement on such numbers as "Depression Blues," "Diving Duck," and "Going to St. Louis."
https://www.allmusic.com/album/chicago-style-mw0000273768

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Reseña de Ron Wynn
Aunque Yank Rachell ya había pasado su mejor momento cuando empezó a grabar para Delmark en los años 60, seguía siendo un vocalista y mandolinista eficaz y a menudo emocionante. Pocas veces sonó más llamativo y agradable que en los nueve cortes que componen Chicago Style, recientemente reeditado en CD. Rachell cantó con una animada mezcla de ironía, angustia, consternación y desconcierto en números como "Depression Blues", "Diving Duck" y "Going to St.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/chicago-style-mw0000273768


Friday, August 23, 2024

Butch Baldassari, John Carlini & Byron House • Reflections



Welcome to the world of Butch Baldassari and John Carlini, a place where acoustic string virtuosity and wide-ranging musical influences merge and diverge to create haunting aural images at once familiar and brilliantly explorational. Imagine Bill Monroe's hardscrabble roadhouse mandolin exploring both the uptown vistas of George Gershwin's elegant and romantic melodic sophistication, and the downtown modal improvisations of John Coltrane for a sense of the possibilities explored here. Reflections is filled with that kind of juxtaposition, where musical worlds collide to create their own unique planetary systems operating on rules of harmonic physics that should be contradictory, but in fact emerge as logical and elegant equations that reveal our musical common denominators.
The soloists here both have made indelible marks on today's propulsive and energetic acoustic music scene. John Carlini has been the man behind the curtain of the New Acoustic pyrotechnics, involved in everything from helping flatpicking legend Tony Rice absorb the jazz theory needed to energize his evocative playing to another level, to helping arrange and coordinate the ensemble playing of groups ranging from the David Grisman Quintet to the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble.
The latter association brought him into contact with Butch Baldassari, who in addition to being one of the true keepers of the Monroe-style bluegrass mandolin flame, has branched out to explore everything from turn-of-the-century mandolin orchestra performance pieces, Appalachian fiddle music, and his own brand of brilliant original acoustic string music.
 
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Bienvenidos al mundo de Butch Baldassari y John Carlini, un lugar donde el virtuosismo de las cuerdas acústicas y la amplia gama de influencias musicales se fusionan y divergen para crear inquietantes imágenes auditivas a la vez familiares y brillantemente exploratorias. Imaginen la mandolina de Bill Monroe, que explora las vistas de la elegante y romántica sofisticación melódica de George Gershwin, y las improvisaciones modales de John Coltrane, para tener una idea de las posibilidades que se exploran aquí. Reflections está lleno de ese tipo de yuxtaposición, donde los mundos musicales chocan para crear sus propios sistemas planetarios únicos que operan con reglas de física armónica que deberían ser contradictorias, pero que de hecho emergen como ecuaciones lógicas y elegantes que revelan nuestros denominadores comunes musicales.
Los solistas de aquí han dejado marcas indelebles en la actual escena musical acústica propulsiva y energética. John Carlini ha sido el hombre detrás de la cortina de la Nueva Pirotecnia Acústica, involucrado en todo, desde ayudar a la leyenda del flatpicking Tony Rice a absorber la teoría del jazz necesaria para energizar su evocadora forma de tocar a otro nivel, hasta ayudar a arreglar y coordinar la forma de tocar en conjunto de grupos que van desde el Quinteto de David Grisman hasta el Ensamble de Mandolina de Nashville.
Esta última asociación lo puso en contacto con Butch Baldassari, quien además de ser uno de los verdaderos guardianes de la llama de la mandolina bluegrass al estilo de Monroe, se ha diversificado para explorar todo, desde las piezas para orquesta de mandolina de principios de siglo, la música de violín de los Apalaches y su propia marca de brillante música acústica original de cuerdas.

 

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Butch Baldassari & Van Manakas • Leavin' Tennessee



Album Notes
A Butch Baldassari does not come along every day. Having achieved
conversational level with his instrument, able to express himself
extemporaneously in any context, Butch thus got beyond playing the
mandolin to playing the music. He was also the kind of true master
of his realm, in that he was able to step away from the light and
provide a strong and supportive backing to other virtuosos, allowing
them to shine in turn. This collection of tunes, mostly by Van
Manakas, wide and deep as it is, presents an appropriate overview-
though welcome as it is, it doesn’t cover or heal the breach that was
left when we lost Butch so soon, so unfairly. Yet as it provides so
many moments of his musical gifts, it helps. ~Pat Flynn

If Van Manakas isn’t well known among bluegrass fans, that’s a
problem for which Leavin’ Tennessee is part of the solution—and it’s
likely that this was one of the goals Butch had in mind when he and
Van set about making the album. Bluegrassers can, alas, be a
clannish bunch at times, and no matter how great an artist is, he or
she can pay a price for devoting time and energy and talent to other
styles-and a stroll through Van’s discography shows just how widely
he and rewardingly he’s roamed. But what this album shows, among
other things, is the depth of Van’s grasp of ‘grassy flatpicking and
the profundity of his approach, always informed by tradition but
never chained down by it. Anyone who ever saw Butch and Van
performing together knows how deep was the musical bond that they
shared, and everyone who never had the chance to see it can—right
now, right here—hear it for themselves. ~Jon Weisberger
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/baldassari13

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Notas del álbum
Un Butch Baldassari no aparece todos los días. Habiendo logrado
nivel conversacional con su instrumento, capaz de expresarse
extemporáneamente en cualquier contexto, Butch fue más allá de tocar el
mandolina para tocar la música. También era el tipo de verdadero maestro
de su reino, en el que fue capaz de alejarse de la luz y
proporcionar un respaldo fuerte y de apoyo a otros virtuosos, lo que permite
para que brillen a su vez. Esta colección de melodías, principalmente de Van
Manakas, por amplio y profundo que sea, presenta una visión general apropiada.
aunque bienvenido como es, no cubre ni cura la brecha que fue
cuando perdimos a Butch tan pronto, tan injustamente. Sin embargo, tal y como lo estipula
muchos momentos de sus dones musicales, ayuda. ~Pat Flynn

Si Van Manakas no es bien conocido entre los fanáticos del bluegrass, es un
problema para el cual el salir de Tennessee es parte de la solución-y es
probablemente este era uno de los objetivos que Butch tenía en mente cuando él y
Van se puso a hacer el álbum. Los Bluegrassers pueden, por desgracia, ser un
de clanes a veces, y no importa cuán grande sea un artista, él o ella.
puede pagar un precio por dedicar tiempo, energía y talento a otros.
y un paseo por la discografía de Van muestra cuán ampliamente
él y de forma gratificante, está deambulando. Pero lo que este álbum muestra, entre otras cosas
otras cosas, es la profundidad de la comprensión de Van de la'hierba flatpicking y
la profundidad de su enfoque, siempre informado por la tradición pero
nunca encadenado por ella. Cualquiera que haya visto a Butch y Van
actuando juntos sabe lo profundo que era el lazo musical que ellos
y todos los que nunca tuvieron la oportunidad de verlo pueden hacerlo.
ahora, aquí mismo, escúchenlo por sí mismos. ~Jon Weisberger
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/baldassari13


Friday, July 19, 2024

David Grisman Quintet • Dawganova

 



On Dawganova, Grisman and his quintet add Latin and bossa nova rhythms and melodies to their distinctive blend of bluegrass, folk, and jazz; the results are energetic, and usually quite successful.

Dawganova is a 1995 all-instrumental album by American musician David Grisman, recorded with his group The David Grisman Quintet. It's a unique collection of Latin rhythms and melodies inspired by the group's newest member, Argentine guitar virtuoso, Enrique Coria. Five Grisman originals are accompanied by classical Latin standards: "El Cumbanchero", "Tico Tico", "Manha de Carnaval" and the Nat "King" Cole classic "Nature Boy".

In his Allmusic review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated "Grisman's distinctive blend of bluegrass, folk, jazz, and, in this case, latin music is energetic and very impressive."

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En Dawganova, Grisman y su quinteto añaden ritmos y melodías latinas y de bossa nova a su distintiva mezcla de bluegrass, folk y jazz; los resultados son enérgicos y, por lo general, bastante exitosos.

Dawganova es un álbum totalmente instrumental de 1995 del músico americano David Grisman, grabado con su grupo The David Grisman Quintet. Es una colección única de ritmos y melodías latinas inspiradas por el miembro más reciente del grupo, el virtuoso de la guitarra argentina, Enrique Coria. Cinco originales de Grisman están acompañados por estándares clásicos latinos: "El Cumbanchero", "Tico Tico", "Manha de Carnaval" y el clásico de Nat "King" Cole "Nature Boy".

En su reseña de Allmusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine declaró: "La mezcla distintiva de Grisman de bluegrass, folk, jazz, y, en este caso, de música latina es enérgica y muy impresionante".
 
 
 

Saturday, June 22, 2024

David Grisman & Tony Rice • Tone Poems

 

Review by Ken Dryden
While mandolin master David Grisman and the equally talented guitarist Tony Rice may be better known in the world of bluegrass, jazz fans need to check out Tone Poems, an excellent collection of mandolin/guitar duets, performed with different vintage instruments on each track. The improvising by both men is never less than brilliant, transforming traditional folk tunes like "Grandfather's Clock" and "I Am a Pilgrim," plus the unlikely "O Solo Mio," into masterpieces. The lone track that's very familiar to jazz listeners is "Swing '42," played very convincingly by two men who are well-versed in jazz even if they don't play it exclusively.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/tone-poems-mw0000115788

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Reseña de Ken Dryden
Mientras que el maestro de la mandolina David Grisman y el igualmente talentoso guitarrista Tony Rice pueden ser más conocidos en el mundo del bluegrass, los fanáticos del jazz necesitan ver Tone Poems, una excelente colección de dúos de mandolina y guitarra, interpretados con diferentes instrumentos antiguos en cada pista. La improvisación de ambos hombres nunca es menos que brillante, transformando en obras maestras las melodías folclóricas tradicionales como "Grandfather's Clock" y "I Am a Pilgrim", además de la improbable "O Solo Mio". El único tema que es muy familiar para los oyentes de jazz es "Swing '42", tocado de forma muy convincente por dos hombres muy versados en jazz aunque no lo toquen en exclusiva.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/tone-poems-mw0000115788

 

David Grisman & Martin Taylor • Tone Poems II

 

Review by Ken Dryden

David Grisman doesn't stick exclusively to mandolin on this top-notch duo date with guitarist Martin Taylor, playing mandola, mandocello, tenor guitar, and guitar as well. As on this album's predecessor, the two artists play a different vintage instrument on each track, though the music this time is much more familiar to jazz fans. The interpretations of such classics as "Swanee," "Anything Goes," "Blue Moon," and "Over the Rainbow" are consistently both stunning and fresh. The gems among the jazz compositions include Django Reinhardt's "Tears" and a tour de force arrangement of Chick Corea's "Crystal Silence." Two surprising tracks are the usually trite "Mairzy Doats" (an irritating song that was a huge hit in the '40s) and the very snappy take of the often tedious "Besame Mucho"; when musicians the caliber of Grisman and Taylor can make something out of unpromising songs like these, it demonstrates how gifted they are. Highly recommended.

Tone Poems 2 is an album by American musicians David Grisman and Martin Taylor, released in 1995. It is Grisman's follow-up to his collaboration with guitarist Tony Rice on Tone Poems. This is a more jazz-oriented recording, on which Grisman and Taylor play on a variety of vintage fretted classic instruments (altogether they use 41 guitars, mandolins, mandolas, tenor guitars and mandocellos). 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_Poems_2https

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Reseña de Ken Dryden

David Grisman no se ciñe exclusivamente a la mandolina en esta cita a dúo de primera categoría con el guitarrista Martin Taylor, tocando mandola, mandocello, guitarra tenor y guitarra también. Como en el álbum anterior, los dos artistas tocan un instrumento vintage diferente en cada canción, aunque la música esta vez es mucho más familiar para los fans del jazz. Las interpretaciones de clásicos como "Swanee", "Anything Goes", "Blue Moon" y "Over the Rainbow" son consistentemente impresionantes y frescas. Las joyas entre las composiciones de jazz incluyen "Lágrimas" de Django Reinhardt y un arreglo "tour de force" de "Silencio de Cristal" de Chick Corea. Dos temas sorprendentes son el usualmente trillado "Mairzy Doats" (una canción irritante que fue un gran éxito en los años 40) y la muy rápida toma del a menudo tedioso "Besame Mucho"; cuando músicos del calibre de Grisman y Taylor pueden hacer algo con canciones poco prometedoras como estas, demuestra lo dotados que están. Muy recomendable.

Tone Poems 2 es un álbum de los músicos americanos David Grisman y Martin Taylor, publicado en 1995. Es la continuación de la colaboración de Grisman con el guitarrista Tony Rice en Tone Poems. Se trata de una grabación más orientada al jazz, en la que Grisman y Taylor tocan una variedad de instrumentos clásicos antiguos con trastes (en total utilizan 41 guitarras, mandolinas, mandolas, guitarras de tenor y mandocellos). 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_Poems_2https 

  

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

John Abercrombie-Dave Holland-Jack Dejohnette • Gateway 2

 



Review by Scott Yanow
Unlike the first Gateway album, this CD reissue puts more of an emphasis on the rockish side of guitarist John Abercrombie's style. Abercrombie (who also plays some electric mandolin) still indulges in close interplay with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Jack DeJohnette (who doubles a bit on piano) but the playing on the five group originals is generally more fiery than introspective. None of the individual selections are all that memorable but the group improvising does have plenty of surprising moments.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/gateway-2-mw0000181614

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Reseña de Scott Yanow
A diferencia del primer álbum Gateway, esta reedición en CD pone más énfasis en el lado rockero del estilo del guitarrista John Abercrombie. Abercrombie (que también toca algo de mandolina eléctrica) todavía se permite una estrecha interacción con el bajista Dave Holland y el batería Jack DeJohnette (que dobla un poco al piano), pero la interpretación de los cinco originales del grupo es generalmente más ardiente que introspectiva. Ninguna de las selecciones individuales es memorable, pero la improvisación en grupo tiene muchos momentos sorprendentes.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/gateway-2-mw0000181614


 


abercrombiefilm.com ...

daveholland.com ...

jackdejohnette.com ...