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Mandolin Mondays #176 w/ Special Guest Simon Mayor

Rating: 1 votes, 5.00 average.
British humorist and mandolin luminary Simon Mayor, brings us a very special Mandolin Mondays video this week with his beautiful teardrop mandolin built by Mike Vanden. Hear him play the sweetest Irish Air that's ever been played on the mandolin.



Simon has been at the forefront of the UK acoustic scene since the release of his 1990 debut release The Mandolin Album. His virtuosic and eclectic playing style mixed with his off-beat humor and wit has earned him a slice of the mandolin world all to himself. In addition to his reputation as a performer and composer, Simon has also written instructional books and hosts his very own mandolin retreat in November: https://mandolin.co.uk/booking-form-sheffield-2019/

He now tours regularly with long-time partner Hilary James. They've worked on a legion of records together--check them out here: http://www.acousticsrecords.co.uk/hilary-james.html

Here's some gear info from Simon about this instrument in this video, "The mandolin I’m playing is one of my spares, made by Mike Vanden in 1999. I have four Vandens, three teardrop shaped f-holes and one F5 that I bought with a matching mandola from Dave Pegg (of Jethro Tull and Fairport Convention). I favour the teardrops for what I do, although the F5 is a great example of that style. My favourite 1983 Vanden is in for a new nut and a re-fret at the moment, my first on any instrument - ever! I use Newtone 11-39 strings and a 0.8mm ordinary cheap plastic plectrum."

If you'd like to download a free copy of the transcription for this music, you can get it here on Simon's website: https://mandolin.co.uk/free-music/

Be sure to connect with Simon at the following links below for more information about his music:

https://mandolin.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/mayorandjames/
https://www.youtube.com/user/AcousticsRecords/videos

And as always, tune in next week for more Mandolin Mondays! Until then...

Happy Picking!
David

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Comments

  1. Mandolin Cafe's Avatar
    So happy to see Simon on Mandolin Mondays. Long one of our favorite mandolin players on the planet. One of the most spectacular players walking the planet right now in our opinion. Bravo, Simon, and what tone!
  2. AlanN's Avatar
    Marvy!
  3. Luna Pick's Avatar
    Just beautiful. Nice way to start the week. Amazing tone and dynamics.
  4. oliverkollar's Avatar
    Wow....beautiful!
    Your tone is spectacular Simon.

    Thanks!
  5. Perry's Avatar
    I have long admired Simon Mayor's playing. His instructional material is excellent as well. I love the way he fills out the sound playing solo.
  6. Anglocelt's Avatar
    Tremendous and tasteful.

    Thanks.
  7. DougC's Avatar
    The pure drop as they say. It is so nice to hear an arrangement from someone who really knows the style. A gentleman and a generous soul. Thank you for the transcription.
  8. Paul Statman's Avatar
    Thanks, Simon and 'cafe. A very emotive piece, and with Mayor tone. Beautiful.
  9. Al Trujillo's Avatar
    One of the best...and so much fun to watch!
  10. Larry Mossman's Avatar
    Wonderful. Love the interpretation and execution.
    Thx for taking the time to share that beautiful piece with us.
    Larry
  11. greenoak's Avatar
    Wow! Picking jaw off floor! Thanks for sharing such beautiful music.
  12. John Soper's Avatar
    Masterful tone variation and beautiful tune. Kudos!
  13. ccravens's Avatar
    How very beautiful.

    Many thanks.
  14. darylcrisp's Avatar
    my kind of mandolin playing. absolutely wonderful in every way, and thank you very very much for the transcription!

    d
  15. Bud Barnwell's Avatar
    Simon Very tasteful and well done. Thanks for the transcription. Absolutely beautiful.
  16. Dave Hanson's Avatar
    The Lark in he Clear Air, beautiful.
  17. SimonMayor's Avatar
    A quick word of thanks for all the very nice comments here. Mindful that most users of this site will be American, some advance notice that Hilary James and I will be in the US summer of 2020, our first trip there for many years. I've been invited to Brian Oberlin's River of the West Mandolin Camp, and to also Steve Kaufman's Mandolin Kamp. We'll have gigs in between and maybe before and after too. Be good to see you then!
  18. Alfons's Avatar
    Beautiful!
    I'll be looking for the U.S. tour schedule.
  19. chasray's Avatar
    One of the best ever. Thanks.
  20. EvanElk's Avatar
    Wow and wow. What a wonderful piece and great playing