John Reischman - Walk Along John

By Mandolin Cafe
February 20, 2013 - 9:00 pm

John Reischman's much anticipated new solo release Walk Along John is now available for purchase. The recording is a mix of mostly original instrumental compositions and a few traditional pieces. An all-star cast delivers a polished performance and fans of John's brilliant playing and writing will not be disappointed at the outstanding result.

On the recording John is joined by Mike Barrett, Chris Coole, Trent Freeman, Trisha Gagnon, Sam Grisman, Nick Hornbuckle, Patrick Metzger, Bruce Molsky, Jim Nunally, Ivan Rosenberg, Patrick Sauber, Kenny Smith, Greg Spatz, Annie Staninec, Chris Thile, Eric Thorin, Tony Trischka, Sally Van meter and Eli West.

Listen to Itzbin Reel from the recording, featuring Chris Thile on second mandolin (lead on second mandolin break), Jim Nunally on guitar, Sam Grisman on bass, Mike Barnett on fiddle.

Selections

Itzbin Reel
Joe Ahr's Dream
Walk Along John to Kansas
A Prairie Jewel
Indian Arm
Little Maggie
Salt River
The Deadly Fox
Side By Each (Duet)
Little Pine Siskin
Gold Mountain Blues
Ice On the Dogwater
Side By Each (Band)
Anisa's Lulaby
Bonus Track (not listed on album) - untitled solo mandolin

John Reischman's comments about his new recording for this article:

"I had been thinking about making a new solo CD for some time but was not sure of the musical direction I wanted to pursue with it. I wanted it to have a cohesive sound stylistically rather than a little Jazz, some Brazilian, some Bluegrass, etc.

"A studio here in Vancouver contacted me for a project they were doing that would feature some of their new mastering gear. They were recording different ensembles, from string quartets to small jazz groups, and they asked me to contribute some bluegrass. They said I could use the recordings for my own purposes as well, so that it is what got the ball rolling in a bluegrass direction.

"I had admired Mike Seeger's Annual Farewell Reunion recordings, where he traveled around and had different folks play on each tune, so I decided to take a similar approach, except I recorded a few tunes with each ensemble that I put together.

"There are several duets in addition to the full band numbers. The duets feature Bruce Molsky and Chris Coole, both of whom I knew but had not played with. I had been a fan of both of them, so it was a treat to finally play music together.

"Putting together the larger groups represented on the recording was an interesting process. Some of the players in the ensembles had never played together, but I had a feeling there would be good chemistry. These included the Vancouver band; Patrick Metzger, Trent Freeman, and Eli West, and the Denver band; Kenny Smith, Eric Thorin, and Annie Staninec.

"I also included the Jaybirds, whose playing I am very familiar with, for a tune, and another ensemble recorded in California; Sam Grisman, Mike Barnett, and Jim Nunally. Sam and Mike play together in the Deadly Gentlemen, and Jim and Sam play together in the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, so there was some common ground there.

"To these ensembles I added musicians making cameos for one tune each, depending on what was needed musically. Tony Trischka, Sally Van Meter, Ivan Rosenberg, Greg Spatz, Alex Hargreaves, Patrick Sauber, Nick Hornbuckle, and Chris Thile are all featured in this way.

"The mando duet with Chris on "Itzbin Reel" was pretty fun. He was a fan of the Good Ol' Persons when he has a kid, and learned the tune from our record. He and his dad then recorded Itzbin on their very early, cassette only release when he was eight years old. It was exciting to have a tune featuring two February 18, 1924 Lloyd Loars, separated at birth, reunited after 89 years!"

Additional information

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Reader Comments

scapier

February 21, 2013 01:24 AM

I've been listening to this for a week or so, it's one of the finest things I've heard. Great tunes played with great elan.

doc holiday

February 21, 2013 07:06 AM

I've been listening to "Walk Along John" for several weeks, non-stop. I never miss the chance to see John live, & know all his CDs. This is in my opinion, his finest project.

AlanN

February 21, 2013 07:27 AM

Looks like CDbaby has it on backorder now.

TomBrisk

February 21, 2013 07:52 AM

Sweet, atta boy, John!
I've included 'Itzbin Reel' in jams for a LONG time, lots of PNW pickers have put up with me and enjoyed learning it ;-) Hearing a fresh version is nice- I'll be getting the CD, love to support 'us' folks!

-Tom

John Duncan

February 21, 2013 08:22 AM

Man!!! As soon as it is on Spotify I'll be listening to it non stop!!!

craigmurray

February 21, 2013 09:55 AM

I just downloaded the MP3 version from CD-Baby. It comes with a PDF of the artwork, but none of the juicy details like who is playing on what tracks. I have searched on-line but came up with nothing. Any chance someone who has a hard copy of this album could share which musicians are on which track?
Thanks

mandopete

February 21, 2013 10:32 AM

That version of Itzbin Reel is off da chart!!

AlanN

February 21, 2013 11:29 AM

Is it in A chord, like the original?

Philippe Bony

February 21, 2013 03:06 PM

Yes, it is...
I have to order it now!
cool

SternART

February 21, 2013 05:58 PM

I ran into John at the Andy Statman show last night at the Freight & Salvage. BTW Grisman sat in with Andy's trio for several tunes. It was a very memorable concert. Lots of musicians in the audience.

John is in town doing some recording and gifted me a copy of the CD and I just finished listening........a fabulous instrumental outing, well recorded. great tone on the mandolin. Highly recommended!

Jeff Hoelter

February 21, 2013 09:26 PM

Quote from SternART: I ran into John at the Andy Statman show last night at the Freight & Salvage. BTW Grisman sat in with Andy's trio for several tunes. It was a very memorable concert. Lots of musicians in the audience.

John is in town doing some recording and gifted me a copy of the CD and I just finished listening........a fabulous instrumental outing, well recorded. great tone on the mandolin. Highly recommended! End Quote

**jealous** smile

doc holiday

February 21, 2013 10:25 PM

John Duncan...why don't you just buy the CD?...that way perhaps the artist actually sees some revenue. :(

jgbeck

February 21, 2013 11:24 PM

As always John, very nice! Love your style!

mandomedic

February 23, 2013 05:31 PM

I've been a fan of John's for many years and have much of his music. I've done sound for him as well as his many configurations of bands, played his Loar and recorded his and other loars in Mandolin Tastings. This album exceeds them all. A high water mark for John. The musicians that John brought in for this project are top notch and this will become a classic, must have album for musicians for many years. Thanks John for the project. I still say you have the best sounding Loar being played and recorded today.

jasona

February 24, 2013 01:24 AM

Downloaded and mind blown

Mandobar

February 24, 2013 08:30 AM

Great album.

sgarrity

February 25, 2013 08:49 PM

Absolutely wonderful music! I bought the cd and ripped it into iTunes. Anybody else have trouble getting the track names? I'm having to enter them manually. Well worth it though!!!

Anybody know what the bonus track is? It sounds familiar but I can't quite place it.

Don Grieser

February 25, 2013 09:56 PM

Quote from craigmurray: I just downloaded the MP3 version from CD-Baby. It comes with a PDF of the artwork, but none of the juicy details like who is playing on what tracks. I have searched on-line but came up with nothing. Any chance someone who has a hard copy of this album could share which musicians are on which track?
Thanks End Quote

CD Baby needs to change this practice and get the liner notes to people. I downloaded it too since it was backordered. As much as CD Baby makes off of artists, the least they could do is provide liner notes with the downloads.

Someone please scan them and post them.

John's playing is off the charts good on this as are the tunes. Will be listening to it a lot.

Clement Barrera-Ng

February 25, 2013 10:46 PM

The album unexpectedly popped up on Spotify. I know what you're thinking - even as a premium subscriber I feel guilty listening to some of the music available on there some time without buying the record. But since I had ordered the CD and it's backordered, I think John wouldn't mind me getting a preview of his most fantastic and enjoyable album this way. Can't wait to see him perform here in August.

BradKlein

February 27, 2013 09:58 PM

It's on emusic as well, and it's downloading now. I can see the appeal in having this one in 16bit 44.1kHz CD sound, but like most folks, I make do with MP3s these days for the most part. And emusic, which is really just like the 'record clubs' of my youth, works for me.

Jeff Hoelter

March 01, 2013 08:01 AM

CDBaby notified me Monday that it was in stock and I got it yesterday. Really nice CD!

Liner notes as requested (13MB PDF):

SternART

March 01, 2013 09:23 AM

Quote from BradKlein: I can see the appeal in having this one in 16bit 44.1kHz CD sound, but like most folks, I make do with MP3s these days for the most part. End Quote

All this talk on the Cafe about tone, sound, which mando sounds like this or that.......which strings, picks, tonegards, or other tweaks, and then to listen to mp3's makes no sense to me. Those files are so compressed you're not hearing the nuance that is discussed here on a daily basis. I'm currently reading Neil Young's book & he rants on this topic too, saying mp3's take the soul out of music & that is part of the problem with the current state of the music business. I agree! I guess convenience over great sound is winning & so few of us care?! Buy the CD or find a way to download files larger than 16 bit 44.1khz like the Hi Def ones offered by the Acoustic Oasis. I hear the difference, just like I can hear the difference with different quality of mandolins.

AlanN

March 01, 2013 10:18 AM

The young man speaks the truth! Lossy formats are ng...

BradKlein

March 01, 2013 12:13 PM

Dang. I've been publicly shamed... and I thought the Cafe was my safe space! I'll just have to wear the scarlet 'MP3' as I listen to my tunes on the subway. (through closed over-ear headphones. I do value my hearing enough not to use earbuds on the subway)

PS to get 16/44.1 or better is about 300% what I pay for a fairly high end MP3 through emusic. As with many of the finest musical instruments, you have to be willing to pay exponentially more for those last few percentage points of 'quality' at the high end.

Benjamin T

March 01, 2013 01:29 PM

May I just say, there are many ways to evaluate this and all albums. Whether your listening to an MP3, CD, or 78 rpm on a victrola, Good music comes through the compression, snap crackle or pop. This particular album is superb, period. mymymy!

Scott Tichenor

March 01, 2013 01:48 PM

It's called railroading a thread off the track so that the conversation has virtually nothing to do with the opening subject matter. Suggest members stick to subject at hand instead of trying to tell everyone what format they should be listening to.

Or start your own titillating discussion.

BradKlein

March 01, 2013 03:39 PM

True that!

I've only had time for one listen, but this one seems like a real winner as far as I'm concerned. You really get a good feeling for differences in the playing of Thile and JR by listening to their solos on Itzbin!

And no hard feelings, Mr. Stern. I was just joshing around.

SternART

March 01, 2013 04:56 PM

My bad........no problem.
John's Loar sounds fabulous!

coletrickle

March 01, 2013 05:04 PM

Quote from sgarrity: Anybody know what the bonus track is? It sounds familiar but I can't quite place it. End Quote

Little Maggie (uptempo)