Barry mitterhoff and jorma

[red7flag]

This evening I saw Jorma and Barry play together at the Bellcourt Theatre, a small venue in Nashville. Both were simply stunning and played off each other. There was one song where Barry did some cross picking that was jaw dropping. As impressive as he was, he was very tasteful. If you have not seen them, I recommend them. I have a question. From where I was sitting I could not see what brand F5 Barry was playing. Would anybody let me know? It had great tone, but I would think he could make any mando sound great. He also played a great sounding arch top tenor Gibson, a tenor banjo ala plectrum and what looked like a octave flat top mandolin.
Tony

[AlanN]

42 F-5.

[red7flag]

Do you know what Jorma plays acoustically? It looks like a Martin auditorium size, but not quite. Sorry for the non mando question. But was not sure where else to ask. I did check the Jorma sites to no avail.
Tony

[Jim Garber]

Barry is a monster musician in many areas. I first met him in the New York Mandolin Orchestra (http://www.nymandolin.org/index_files/history.html) in the 1980s where he was the concertmaster. You can see some photos of him from the old days there.

Jim

[Russ Jordan]

[QUOTE]Do you know what Jorma plays acoustically? It looks like a Martin auditorium size, but not quite. Sorry for the non mando question. But was not sure where else to ask. I did check the Jorma sites to no avail.
Tony

When I saw Jorma at Merlefest he was playing a Gibson, pretty sure it was a Jumbo.

[red7flag]

Last night he was not playing a jumbo. Looked like a Martin auditorium size. Had gold hardware.
Tony

[allenhopkins]

First contact with Barry M was in the band Bottle Hill, back in the '70's, with Walt Michael, Lew London, etc. He was playing a 3-point F-2 back then. He also worked with Lynn Morris, and I believe with Peter Rowan. Great player and a nice, accessible guy.

[jmcgann]

Barry was the first mando player I ever saw live, Bottle Hill 1976. He remains one of the finest.

[mythicfish]

Our little non-profit coffee house was able to book Barry (&friends ... Tony Trishka, etc) on a few occasions. His taste,
versitility, and virtuosity is only exceeded by his good nature, friendliness, and humilility. Barry's a real "mensch".

Curt

[Jim Garber]

Last night, at a small library concert in South Salem, NY, Silk City Trio played: Barry, Danny Weiss (guitar) and Larry Cohen (electric bass). They played a wide variety of music: bluegrass, old style country, swing, musette, latin and tin pan alley. Barry was in excellent form as usual, despite his juts having left the UK that morning after a 2 week festival. He is among the cleanest and tasteful players drawing incredibly sweet tone from his F5. Danny Weiss is an excellent guitarist and lead with string lead vocals accompanied at time s by strong backup/harmony by Barry and Larry. Larry is an extraordinary bassist who moves with great ease all over the fretboard while still maintaining solid rhythm and low harmony underpinnings. Mary Olive Smith joined them for a few tunes supplying strong vocals.

This a pretty rare concert since these guys do not play together all that much any more, esp since Barry is on the road about 180 days a year with Jorma.

Jim

[Salty Dog]

For those that remember Barry with Bottle Hill; do you remember the version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" that he did? - it was his reply to John Duffey's "Sunrise". I saw them many years ago at a small venue in Bainbridge, NY.

[swampstomper]

Ah yes, the Town Hall Opry in downtown Bainbridge, NY. I caught the JMB there in the early 80's. A great venue! And yes I remember Bottle Hill, I even promoted them once in Ithaca about 1972 or 3. I played the grooves off their Melodeon LP. I also met Barry several times with Skyline (the aforementioned Wiess, Cohen and of course DeDe Wyland and Tony Trischka).

[bush-man]

Barry kicked a** on over the rainbow. They, Bottle Hill, did a killer version of oh commanchero [sp?] back then also. First time I came in contact with that music. My band back then played as an opening act for Bottle Hill a few times, at places like the Spare Room, a bowling alley bar in NJ. hehehehe A tune they used to play that I haven't heard in ages is Harold's Super Service. I love that song and stole it to play in many bg bands I was in. Oh the nostalgia. heheheh

[Ivan Kelsall]

I've been lucky enough to see Barry twice in the UK. Once with Lynn Morris & once with Tony Trishka & Skyline. A wonderful player & his LP 'Silk City' is one of the finest Mandolin recordings i have.

[adgefan]

I've just spent a week in Barry's company at Sore Fingers bluegrass camp in England. I was in Ben Winship's class but saw enough of Barry's playing to realise he has a very special talent. During the tutor concert he played a klezmer piece that went down a storm.

[AlanN]

I recorded once with Barry. He was kind, gentle and supportive (and came up with a harmony line in no time flat!)

[Jim Garber]

For those that remember Barry with Bottle Hill; do you remember the version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" that he did? - it was his reply to John Duffey's "Sunrise". I saw them many years ago at a small venue in Bainbridge, NY.
He still plays "Somewhere" and had extended it to the "Wizard of Oz" medley with which they closed the first set Saturday night. I believe it is on the first Silk City CD.

Jim

[Tom C]

Blue Country Heart...
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f231/tomando/bluecountypnc7_12_025.jpg

[WJF]

I'm thrilled whenever a "Barry post" pops up here. Its so nice to see this guy get the recognition he deserves! He is truly one of the greats!!

Last summer Barry and I figured out that we've known each other for thirty years. In that time I've had the pleasure of studying with him extensively, playing along side him in the NY Mando Orchestra and various gigs, recording with him and subbing for him on a few gigs. He is a MONSTER musician and a complete mandolin player (flawless technique, great tone taste and timing ... the whole package!)for sure but also one of the absolute nicest guys you're likely to meet anywhere, anytime!

If you ever get a chance to see him live, don't hesitate ... GO!! You'll be blown away. And ... if you get a chance to speak with him you'll be equally impressed that a guy with his amazing talent is as down to earth, nice and approachable with no hint of ego.



<<On a somewhat related topic for those in the Purdys, NY area, I'll be playing with Larry Cohen (the monster bass player Barry works with in Silk City mentioned above) in an all mandolin family show (except for the bass of course) on Saturday night. Come out and say hi if you're in the area!>> http://www.banjoben.com/westchester_bluegrass_club.htm

[tterral]

I first saw Barry with Tony Trishka and Skyline. Danny Wiess and Larry Cohen were in that band, as well as Tony (obviously) and a gal whose name I can't remember, unfortuantely. Great band with a somewhat different approach to progressive bluegrass (would you expect anything else from these folks). Barry has always impressed me for the same reasons that have been mentioned here.

[Scotti Adams]

I first saw Barry with Tony Trishka and Skyline. Danny Wiess and Larry Cohen were in that band, as well as Tony (obviously) and a gal whose name I can't remember, unfortuantely. Great band with a somewhat different approach to progressive bluegrass (would you expect anything else from these folks). Barry has always impressed me for the same reasons that have been mentioned here.
..that would be Dee Dee Wyland...Barry and I exchanged some chops back in the Skyline days...great guy..great player.

[Jonathan Peck]

I would like to add that while both Barry and Tony have monster chops, the words tasteful and respectful always come to mind when I hear them play.

[tterral]

Dee Dee Wyland, thanks Scotti. I really like her songwriting and singing, any idea what she is up to now? All the Skyline folks were very nice. I got a chance to sit by our hotel pool and chat for a good while with Tony, back at the Nacogdoches Bluegrass Festival in the late '80s. What a great, but shortlived festival that was. Tony was a very personable guy. There were probably 3-4 folks from our group and few other performers there that evening. Very relaxed and like sitting around talking to a bunch of pals. Probably one of the reasons I truly emjoy this kind of music is the apprachability and friendlyness of the performers. Most that I have talked to do not have attitudes and seem to enjoy talking to folks, especially if you catch them at the right time.