odeman

[odeman]

A couple of years ago at "MandoFest" in Lawrence,KS I was completely blown away by Evan marshall's solo performance. It was the most melodic, technically proficient and inspiring piece of mandolin work I had ever witnessed. I'm just wondering why he's not mentioned very often, if at all, on Mandolin Cafe. He has GOT to be one of the greatest mandolinists since Dave Apollon, but nobody knows who he is. Frank Wakefield is another example, although he's more well known than Evan. I think we must truly be in a mandolin "Golden Age" - where there are so MANY world-class musicians floating around that many of them don't get the recognition they deserve. Can anybody think of others?

[J. Mark Lane]

Evan Marshall gets mentioned quite frequently here.

One player I have recently discovered whom I am surprised is not mentioned more often is Tom Ohmsen. I recently bought his "Wilderness of Mirrors," will now be ordering his earlier "Acoustinova."

Another player who seems to me isn't mentioned often enough is Simon Mayor -- an amazingly diverse and talented musician.

Mark

[odeman]

Mr. Lane, You are absolutely right. I'm listening to Simon Mayor at this exact moment. Elderly raved about his "New Celtic Mandolin" CD and I had to order it - BEAUTIFUL stuff! 'Getting back to "the golden age of mandolin", there are more world class mandolin players out there than ever before, and more world class builders than ever before. It's a shame they all can't get the recognition they deserve.

[J. Mark Lane]

If you like "New Celtic Mandolin," try ordering "The Mandolin Album." Then, once you've digested that, try "The Second Mandolin Album." Also "Mandolinquents." Of all these, I think "The Second Mandolin Album" is the most remarkable.

I've been playing "Waynesboro" from the "New Celtic" CD. Very easy tune to play and quite enjoyable.

And I agree -- I think it's a "Golden Age" of music generally. For years, I was stuck in a 60's/70's mentality: the only music that had ever moved me was stuff from that period (Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Band, The Dead, and stuff in that vein). I was sure there was no good music being made today. Then somehow I got on track to discover some new stuff that doesn't get widely played -- the Internet made this possible. Now, I live in constant amazement at the tremendous music beind made. It was there all along, of course.

I think the Internet has also helped grow more builders.

Hey, Scott's part of what makes all this happen. Thanks, Scott!

Mark