The Session >> Discussions >> What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
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What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I just wanted a thread where people could mention their favorite musicians, groups, tracks or albums featuring lead/support bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing. Is there a specific style of playing, technique you like?
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I have heard and enjoyed most of the albums and musicians mentioned so far, including Chris Thile and Nickel Creek. I just want to mention a few more. There's an old Frankie Gavin and Alec Finn album that I think came before De Danann. I love the work of Ciaran Curran through all the years he has been with Altan and his "Sport" on the Local Ground album. I have recently encountered the Rock and More Roses album of Battlefield Band member Pat Kilbride. I can't say that I like all of his tracks, but his cittern and guitar are awesome through several tracks. Old Blind Dog (before the "Fit?" album and loss of three original members) had a unique, strong Cittern background for most of its tunes contributed by Buzzbee McLean. (^:
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Capercaille(Manus Lunney), The ORiarda live gig with Arty McGlynn and Manus, Donall Lunney, Coolfin with Donal Lunney, Tamalin with Kevin Dorris or Andy Irvine and Paul Brady album.All have amazing bozouki leads throughout the albums
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Rabharta Ceoil (In Full Spate) - Paddy Glackin and Dónal Lunny.
Also if you can still get your hands on "The irish Bouzouki" it has some great players - including some of the aforementioned. This is where you can get the book: http://www.elderly.com/books/items/224-11.htm
I think it comes with the accompanying cassette. Some of the tracks here are unavailable elsewhere, e.g. Andy irvine's recording of the song "Bridget".
Niall O'Callanain is a lovely player; you can hear him on the Deiseal recordings with Cormac Breathnach.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Thanks Bren - those brain cells floated down the River Pale Ale. 0^: Buzzbee McMillan! We need a conspiracy to get him back into this type of playing with a new group. There was an awesome track on a generic "Irish Jigs and Reels" with Various Artists being anonymous. It starts with an extended, excellent bouzouki performance. Anyone know who the musician is?
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
For bouzouki accompaniment, anything with Alec Finn.
Seamus Egan, on top of everything else, is a great mandolin player. I've heard one solo mandolin track of him on a Solas album ('Sunny Spells and Rainy Showers', I think.).
Nobody seems to have mentioned Declan Corey of the Josephine Marsh Band yet. Personally, I am not too keen on his bluegrass leanings, but there is no disputing his brilliance as a mandolin player.
I have a recording of a fine mandolin player called John Colfer, from Galway ('Swinging on a Gate). But I think there are some great players out ther yet to be recorded. Sean Casey, unfortunately, rarely plays mandolin nowadays (it was once his main instrument), but I believe he features on a recording with his late father, Bobby Casey ('Casey in the Cowhouse'). Another player who deserves to be recorded is Eddie Moloney of Quin, East Clare.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Every time I go back to a De Dannan or Gavin recording, my appreciation of Alec Finn’s playing is renewed. I think it’s subtly brilliant. I like the way he’s able to complement the tune without sounding like a rhythm section. It’s similar to the way a good clawhammer banjo player can support and color an American fiddle tune. Sometimes the oom-pa of accompaniment distracts from what the tune has to say.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
David Surette is a grossly under-rated guitar and mandolin player from New England. I can never understand why he isn't better known.
I recommend his 'Back Roads' CD (1993). Some wonderful playing, much of which is Irish music.
Guitar is his main instrument (flatpick and fingerstyle), but he does quite a lot of mandolin, plus some tenor banjo and bouzouki. A really excellent player. As I say - grossly under-rated.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I love the tight, well coordinated arrangements Dervish has had for a team of Octave Mandolin, Bouzouki and Guitar. It is very evident in their "best of" album, "Decade." Unfortunately, I am hearing less of it currently. Dervish is different since their manager died.
That Bouzouki track is on a Celtophile "Irish Jigs and Reels." A bit confusing, as there is another Various Artists Jigs and Reels .
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
This is all bouzouki stuff...
On Kieran O'Hare's eponymous (and first) CD, he plays three Scottish tunes on whistle and John Doyle backs him on the last of them, just brilliantly! I think it's in C#, too! Really a dramatic arrangement.
Zan McLeod's playing on "The Ring Sessions" with James Kelly is a great favorite of mine. I like Zan's playing wherever I can hear it.
The zouk backing on Siobhan Peoples' and Murty Ryan's CD, "Time On Our Hands" is really nicely done.
Eoin O'Neill's playing on his CD "In Session" is lovely.
Pat Broaders' zouk playing with Bohola is a favorite, too. He plays very differently when he plays with others, tho. I heard him back up Tommy Peoples, and then Joannie Madden in St Louis and he was brilliant. He plays a huge Joe Foley instrument that he calls something other than a bouzouki.
Chipper Thompson is AMAZING.
My favorite among Roger Landes' recordings is the live house concert recording with Randal Bays, called "House to House". There is some splendid mandolin on that too.
Mandolinically, Andy Irvine's playing always delights me, and Dan Beimborn's CD stays in 'heavy rotation' around here. So does Tim O'Brien's "The Crossing".
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Ditto on Zan McLeod. Don't know how he slipped my mind. His style has probably influenced my playing more than anyone elses. He has a phenomenal ability to add wonderful and diverse accents that accentuate the melody line.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I second the recommendation of Kevin MacLeod. Wonderful playing, and stellar accompanimnet by Alec Finn. Quite the musical chemistry those two have! I saw them playing together several times at the 2002 Zoukfest in New Mexico and was mightily impressed.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Gerald Trimble! I have this various artist Celtophile album called Jigs and Reels, and the second track is beautiful bouzouki. The vintage is probably mid to late 1980's. I see someone else has already cited it on this thread. Vintage but exemplary stuff.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Great list of luminary players!
I just realized that I had forgotten a pretty new one.
On the Boston Edge CD, John McGann plays a tremendous set on mandolin, solo! It's fantastic!
I don't remember what the tunes are just now, and Min has the car with the CD in it... The whole Boston Edge CD is great, but that' mando solo is a real high point!
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Daithí Kearney plays mandolin on some fo the trackes of Nuadas album, 'Open the Door for 3'. Its up for the best newcomers award at this years Irish Music Mag awards...
What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I just wanted a thread where people could mention their favorite musicians, groups, tracks or albums featuring lead/support bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing. Is there a specific style of playing, technique you like?
# Posted on April 24th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
http://www.custysmusic.com/mall/CustysTraditionalMusicShop/donal_lunny.htm (Be sure to enlarge the image!)
# Posted on April 24th 2005 by slainte
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Rod Stuart - Mandolin Wind
# Posted on April 24th 2005 by kuec
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Kevin MacLeod -
- Springwell
- Polbain to Oranmore (w/Alec Finn)
Dagger Gordon
- Highland mandolin
- The Frozen River
Dan Beimborn
- Shatter the Calm
Aly Bain & Ale Moller
- Fully Rigged
Any Planxty
Any Hom Bru
# Posted on April 24th 2005 by Bren
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Gerald Trimble - First Flight
http://thesession.org/recordings/display.php/468
Roger Landes - Dragon Reels
http://thesession.org/recordings/display.php/535
RL & Chipper Thompson - The Jannisary Stomp
I enjoy the Dan Biemborn and Alec Finn / Kevin Mcleod albums mentioned above too.
If you are a melody player on this family of instruments, I consider these albums essential listening.
Enjoy,
Greg
# Posted on April 24th 2005 by octogreg
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
The Easy Club.
# Posted on April 24th 2005 by curlew
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I'd say
Mike Marshall - briliant albums with fidler Darol Anger http://www.mikemarshall.net/
Chris Thile - album with Mike Marshall, as well as with Nickel Creek http://www.nickelcreek.com/
Tim O'Brien - lately I'm listening to Two Jurneys album really nice http://www.timobrien.net/
Not very Irish but really good.
# Posted on April 24th 2005 by padre
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
and for bouzouki Jamie McMenemy (Kornog) and Donal Lunny
# Posted on April 24th 2005 by padre
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Another vote for two mentioned above:
Roger Landes
- Dragon Reels
Kevin MacLeod & Alec Finn
- Polbain to Oranmore
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by rob zouk
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I have heard and enjoyed most of the albums and musicians mentioned so far, including Chris Thile and Nickel Creek. I just want to mention a few more. There's an old Frankie Gavin and Alec Finn album that I think came before De Danann. I love the work of Ciaran Curran through all the years he has been with Altan and his "Sport" on the Local Ground album. I have recently encountered the Rock and More Roses album of Battlefield Band member Pat Kilbride. I can't say that I like all of his tracks, but his cittern and guitar are awesome through several tracks. Old Blind Dog (before the "Fit?" album and loss of three original members) had a unique, strong Cittern background for most of its tunes contributed by Buzzbee McLean. (^:
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Little musgrave; planxty. Listen to it with headphones
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Buzzby McMillan :^)
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by Bren
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Capercaille(Manus Lunney), The ORiarda live gig with Arty McGlynn and Manus, Donall Lunney, Coolfin with Donal Lunney, Tamalin with Kevin Dorris or Andy Irvine and Paul Brady album.All have amazing bozouki leads throughout the albums
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by eurbanjo
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Not sure if anyone has mentioned Paul Kelly (Mandolin Album) and Simon Mayor - see http://www.mandolin.co.uk.
Both of these are well worth listening to.
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by Cuso
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Oh yea and Stoney steps(Matt Molloy) Has amazing playing-again by D Lunney
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by eurbanjo
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Mick Moloney.
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by John J.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Not my only favourite but it was high time he was mentioned :-0
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by John J.
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Rabharta Ceoil (In Full Spate) - Paddy Glackin and Dónal Lunny.
Also if you can still get your hands on "The irish Bouzouki" it has some great players - including some of the aforementioned. This is where you can get the book:
http://www.elderly.com/books/items/224-11.htm
I think it comes with the accompanying cassette. Some of the tracks here are unavailable elsewhere, e.g. Andy irvine's recording of the song "Bridget".
Niall O'Callanain is a lovely player; you can hear him on the Deiseal recordings with Cormac Breathnach.
C
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Deiseal with Cormac Breathnach,Paul O Driscoll and Niall O Callinain is amazing in my opinion also but apparrently hard to get.
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by eurbanjo
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
You're telling me! I stood on one CD and "lost" the other! No doubt the second one is enjoying it's new home on one of my mate's CD racks.
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Thanks Bren - those brain cells floated down the River Pale Ale. 0^: Buzzbee McMillan! We need a conspiracy to get him back into this type of playing with a new group. There was an awesome track on a generic "Irish Jigs and Reels" with Various Artists being anonymous. It starts with an extended, excellent bouzouki performance. Anyone know who the musician is?
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
For bouzouki accompaniment, anything with Alec Finn.
Seamus Egan, on top of everything else, is a great mandolin player. I've heard one solo mandolin track of him on a Solas album ('Sunny Spells and Rainy Showers', I think.).
Nobody seems to have mentioned Declan Corey of the Josephine Marsh Band yet. Personally, I am not too keen on his bluegrass leanings, but there is no disputing his brilliance as a mandolin player.
I have a recording of a fine mandolin player called John Colfer, from Galway ('Swinging on a Gate). But I think there are some great players out ther yet to be recorded. Sean Casey, unfortunately, rarely plays mandolin nowadays (it was once his main instrument), but I believe he features on a recording with his late father, Bobby Casey ('Casey in the Cowhouse'). Another player who deserves to be recorded is Eddie Moloney of Quin, East Clare.
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Every time I go back to a De Dannan or Gavin recording, my appreciation of Alec Finn’s playing is renewed. I think it’s subtly brilliant. I like the way he’s able to complement the tune without sounding like a rhythm section. It’s similar to the way a good clawhammer banjo player can support and color an American fiddle tune. Sometimes the oom-pa of accompaniment distracts from what the tune has to say.
# Posted on April 25th 2005 by Bob himself
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
David Surette is a grossly under-rated guitar and mandolin player from New England. I can never understand why he isn't better known.
I recommend his 'Back Roads' CD (1993). Some wonderful playing, much of which is Irish music.
Guitar is his main instrument (flatpick and fingerstyle), but he does quite a lot of mandolin, plus some tenor banjo and bouzouki. A really excellent player. As I say - grossly under-rated.
Dagger Gordon.
# Posted on April 26th 2005 by CWGordon
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
In addition to Ciaran Curran of Altan andAlec Finn, Michael Holmes of Dervish does nice backing work.
# Posted on April 26th 2005 by rob zouk
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I love the tight, well coordinated arrangements Dervish has had for a team of Octave Mandolin, Bouzouki and Guitar. It is very evident in their "best of" album, "Decade." Unfortunately, I am hearing less of it currently. Dervish is different since their manager died.
That Bouzouki track is on a Celtophile "Irish Jigs and Reels." A bit confusing, as there is another Various Artists Jigs and Reels .
# Posted on April 26th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
This is all bouzouki stuff...
On Kieran O'Hare's eponymous (and first) CD, he plays three Scottish tunes on whistle and John Doyle backs him on the last of them, just brilliantly! I think it's in C#, too! Really a dramatic arrangement.
Zan McLeod's playing on "The Ring Sessions" with James Kelly is a great favorite of mine. I like Zan's playing wherever I can hear it.
The zouk backing on Siobhan Peoples' and Murty Ryan's CD, "Time On Our Hands" is really nicely done.
Eoin O'Neill's playing on his CD "In Session" is lovely.
Pat Broaders' zouk playing with Bohola is a favorite, too. He plays very differently when he plays with others, tho. I heard him back up Tommy Peoples, and then Joannie Madden in St Louis and he was brilliant. He plays a huge Joe Foley instrument that he calls something other than a bouzouki.
Chipper Thompson is AMAZING.
My favorite among Roger Landes' recordings is the live house concert recording with Randal Bays, called "House to House". There is some splendid mandolin on that too.
Mandolinically, Andy Irvine's playing always delights me, and Dan Beimborn's CD stays in 'heavy rotation' around here. So does Tim O'Brien's "The Crossing".
stv
www.cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on April 26th 2005 by stv culchie
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Ditto on Zan McLeod. Don't know how he slipped my mind. His style has probably influenced my playing more than anyone elses. He has a phenomenal ability to add wonderful and diverse accents that accentuate the melody line.
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by rob zouk
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
I second the recommendation of Kevin MacLeod. Wonderful playing, and stellar accompanimnet by Alec Finn. Quite the musical chemistry those two have! I saw them playing together several times at the 2002 Zoukfest in New Mexico and was mightily impressed.
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by Layers
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Gerald Trimble! I have this various artist Celtophile album called Jigs and Reels, and the second track is beautiful bouzouki. The vintage is probably mid to late 1980's. I see someone else has already cited it on this thread. Vintage but exemplary stuff.
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Great list of luminary players!
I just realized that I had forgotten a pretty new one.
On the Boston Edge CD, John McGann plays a tremendous set on mandolin, solo! It's fantastic!
I don't remember what the tunes are just now, and Min has the car with the CD in it... The whole Boston Edge CD is great, but that' mando solo is a real high point!
stv
www.cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on April 27th 2005 by stv culchie
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Planxty / Dervish / Altan
# Posted on May 1st 2005 by Lizzy
Re: What are your favorite tracks or albums for exemplary bouzouki, cittern, octave mandolin or mandolin playing?
Daithí Kearney plays mandolin on some fo the trackes of Nuadas album, 'Open the Door for 3'. Its up for the best newcomers award at this years Irish Music Mag awards...
# Posted on May 3rd 2005 by Dceol