Smooth as Butter

[billkilpatrick]

Not sure which genre to post this, but I've been sampling mandolin recordings on Spotify, trying to find artists with a nice smooth, less percussive style of play - lots of tremolo, sliding double stops, etc., etc. ... call it "lyrical" as opposed to "picky."

Any suggestions?

Mike Compton's rendition of "I'll fly away" would be a perfect example. I know he plays many styles but for the moment, that's what I'm into. I suspect "Old Time" would be the most fruitful but I'm open to any and all.

Thank you for any advice or recommendations you might have.

- Bill

[MikeZito]

Hey Bill:

Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for - but give it a try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb85NKauNDc

[Tobin]

I would say that David Grisman would be a good choice. He plays all types of styles, but he has a lot of material that's full of tremolo, double stops, and smooth melodic work.

[mandolin breeze]

Yeah Tobin, my thoughts exactly. I looked up Grisman in the dictionary and found . . . "lyrical" as opposed to "picky"

[JEStanek]

I agree with Grisman. Maybe a lot of what Andy Statman does will fit the bill. I'm more of a jazz head than a grasser. Certainly jazz influenced bluegrass but, I hope you get what I mean. I do like Old Time an awful lot.

Jamie

[Ron McMillan]

Isaac Eicher is very, very smooth.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFaLjw7EMDE

[fifths]

Not flashy or virtuosic, but definitely lyrical and old timey is Bill Bolick of the Blue Sky Boys.
https://youtu.be/QuqLdkiY2Dg

[CarlM]

Jimmy Gaudreau always plays really sweet and musically as opposed to rhythmic and percussive.

[AlanN]

Jimmy Gaudreau always plays really sweet and musically as opposed to rhythmic and percussive.

I agree about J.A.G., and he can burn it picky picky like nobody's business, too

[Matt Harris]

It's not always a featured part of their music, but I think Andrew Marlin of Mandolin Orange has a very smooth and melodic style.

[Rob Meldrum]

A while ago someone on this site turned me on to a duo called "Mandolin Orange." Andrew Marlin writes their songs and he plays mandolin and guitar. Emily Frantz is the other part of the duo, and she plays violin and guitar. They both sing. Download their album "Such Jubilee." That's the one that hooked me. He has an amazing, delicate yet full tremolo that blows me away. His leads are always tasty. I have since downloaded their other albums, and they're all good, but Such Jubilee is still my favorite.

[JeffD]

My favorite:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BG9W8HE05k

[Beanzy]

I always like what Norman Blake does for a tune on mandolin. There's a certain legato 'easyness' to how he approaches tunes.

No particular reason for these particular examples except as a starting point for a good rummage.

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[foldedpath]

If we're talking tremolo and smooth approach overall, here's my go-to example (in spite of my rants against tremolo in Irish trad):

OwTsojr6hfI

[Ron McMillan]

Agreed about Mr Grisman. His understated solos on the very much understated album with John Sebastian are a delight.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-OVbi7_0BA

[EdHanrahan]

For something super-smooth and totally non-bluegrassy, try Carlo Aonzo's version of Puccini's opera aria, O Mio Babbino Caro. Couldn't find a link, but here's a nice substitute (and hey, I was at the show!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYsbcMB25kA

[billkilpatrick]

If we're talking tremolo and smooth approach overall, here's my go-to example (in spite of my rants against tremolo in Irish trad):

OwTsojr6hfI

"This video is not available" ... pity - but thanks anyway.

[NursingDaBlues]

I've truly enjoyed David Grisman's Tone Poems with Tony Rice. This is my favorite selection off that album.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnJfpjXpr8s

[NursingDaBlues]

Eva Holbrook is another talented artist. As I understand it, she wrote this song when she was in her teens. Very fluid. Very dynamic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRFzpt0rp_E

[Marty Jacobson]

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[MediumMando5722]

Eva Holbrook is another talented artist. As I understand it, she wrote this song when she was in her teens. Very fluid. Very dynamic.

Good lord... And of course her album is out of print.

[atetone]

Why doesnt my Weber Beartooth sound like that? ;)

Chris you might already know this but she plays in a band called SHEL which consists of her and her 3 sisters.
They have some good stuff on utube.

[NursingDaBlues]

Not sure which genre to post this, but I've been sampling mandolin recordings on Spotify, trying to find artists with a nice smooth, less percussive style of play - lots of tremolo, sliding double stops, etc., etc. ... call it "lyrical" as opposed to "picky."

Any suggestions? - Bill

Bill, have any of the suggestions offered thus far come close to what you're looking for?

[fatt-dad]

do you know the Buchanan Brothers?

f-d

[billkilpatrick]

Bill, have any of the suggestions offered thus far come close to what you're looking for?

Yes - some I knew of already and some not. Daunting stuff ...

Thank you all, very much.

[billkilpatrick]

Rummaging around in Spotify I found this - acoustic mandolins and guitar, no banjo and no singing - they're all there and they're all great:

155557

[ajh]

Pretty much anything by Ostroushko....especially an obscure recording called "Duo" by Ostroushko and (Dean) Magraw.

Also, give "Sea Breeze" by Grisman and Bush a listen with headphones on. Just sit and smile.

[JeffD]

Rummaging around in Spotify I found this - acoustic mandolins and guitar, no banjo and no singing - they're all there and they're all great:

155557

Of particular beauty on that collection is Buck White's Downhome Waltz. I think its in there.

[AlanN]

Yep, a terrific number. The original is on here, 1977 RidgeRunner RRR0006. Buck overdubs multiple mandolins to create a shimmering effect. Just lovely.

[billkilpatrick]

Buck White is a terrific find for me - so ... uncluttered. Grazie!

[Bren]

Rummaging around in Spotify I found this - acoustic mandolins and guitar, no banjo and no singing - they're all there and they're all great:

155557

That album was exactly what sprang to mind for me. That's where I learned Down Home Waltz.

Their version of Ashokan Farewell is another that I can't tire of.

[billkilpatrick]

Cruising through "Spotify" I found several albums from Butch Baldassari - absolutely butter-would-melt, creamy-smooth playing - just lovely. I hope his estate is receiving the royalties because I'm sure clocking 'em up.

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