Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
It is absolutely great that you are sharing the artistry of these wonderful mandolin players from the past. Gino and I were instrumental in providing a lot of information and photos to Sheri for her book. It took many hours but was well worth it. Gino was always full of stories about the Andrini's and was so proud to have played with them. Fred Andrini, the oldest brother, played in Aurora as well as Silver Strings for many years and we spent a lot of time with him until his death, when he was well into his nineties.
I believe the sessions at Nick's house was around the 50s and 60s. Thanks again Bill. Let me know if I can help any further.
....Jo Pellegrini
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Thanks, Jo. I read Sheri's book quite awhile before I acquired these tapes, so I knew about Gino Pelligrini but of course had never heard him play. Listening to these tapes makes me understand what an outstanding player he was. He's now one of my mandolin heroes.
I will eventually get around to posting some of his tracks too.
I look forward to hearing the Aurora Mandolin Orchestra at the San Francisco Festival of the Mandolins soon!
https://www.facebook.com/events/168985976941670/
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Hey Bill,
Unknown Track #2 is "Andalucia" also known as "Breeze and I." I tried to post that on Soundcloud but not sure it embedded or not.
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Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Thanks, Bill! Great resource.
Cool photo of Lawrence and Nick, too. From other photos I've seen of him, that mandolin he's holding seems to have been a regular for him. Do you know anything about it?
Attachment 160477
More images in the Forum here.
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Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Paul Kotapish
Thanks, Bill! Great resource.
Cool photo of Lawrence and Nick, too. From other photos I've seen of him, that mandolin he's holding seems to have been a regular for him. Do you know anything about it?
Attachment 160477
More images in the Forum
here.
Yes, that was his Calace mandolira (I seem to recall it being 1904 or 1906). To make it easier to perform while standing, he had the bowl cut off so the back was flat; and a big hole made in the soundboard to accomodate a D'Armond pickup! Brother Fred said they were so mad at him after he did that, that they wouldn't talk to him for weeks. Amazingly, it still sounds great, even after all that butchering.
I've attached other pics I have of Lorenzo and his mandolira, as well as a 4-page flyer.
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Hi Matt!
I just stumbled across this thread--what a thrill. And thanks for posting those beautiful pictures, they bring the Andrini's to life for me.
Be sure to contact me next time you are here in Grass Valley, I'd love to visit.
Billy Packard
billypackardmandolin.com
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Hi Bill: This summer I was inspired to reproduce "The Silent Fountain" as a homage to our friends Gino and Matteo and to my Italian ancestry. I've recorded all the tunes on Gino and Matteo's LP in my home studio, playing both the guitar and mandolin parts. Today I finished recording the last tune. The recordings are very clean and naturally all the instruments are perfectly separated because I overdubbed all the parts. Now I need to decide what to do with these recordings. I'm considering adding a bass, but so far it is just guitars and mandolins with harmonies of course. I'll send you a sample or two. Phil Lawrence
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Looking at my LP, there was only one mandolin (and I assume one track). Tom Marion played mandola and mandocello.
Without going to the source files (probably long ago destroyed), I'm not sure how this "over-dubbing" (?) will improve on
what was originally recorded but I will keep an open mind. Thanks, Sheri
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
This revival of The Silent Fountain Project is almost complete now. I have a bass player coming in this week to add the final tracks. I'm very happy so far with the results. I tried to reproduce the recording as faithfully as possible. The sound is crisp and clean. The overdubbing process allows for complete separation of the instruments. Each track has twin mandolins, guitar, and bass. The harmonies sound pretty good to me. I think lovers of Italian music and friends of Matteo and Gino will enjoy the finished product. I'm going to call it "Echoes of the Silent Fountain." I also just published a CD of my own compositions called "Blue Fire." Here's a link for anyone who wants to learn more: http://phillawrence.com/home.html
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Phil Lawrence just came out with his "Echoes of Silent Fountain." I've just listened to it and it's terrific. Let's hope it becomes more widely available soon.
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alex Timmerman
From this kind of recordings we can learn a lot about mandolin playing!
Yes indeed.
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mandophile
Phil Lawrence just came out with his "Echoes of Silent Fountain." I've just listened to it and it's terrific. Let's hope it becomes more widely available soon.
Phil and Sheri,
Any idea where / when this project might be available? Silent Fountain is very dear to my heart. Matteo's original SF set me off on a wonderful musical adventure 15 years ago when I first discovered it.
Non vedo l'ora di sentire l'eco della fontana......
Mick
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
I'm putting the artwork and cover design together tonight. It will take a few days to make sure its exactly to spec. I mastered the recording last Monday evening. When the artwork is complete I'll upload the music files to Diskmakers and from there they will be available on CDBaby and I will have hard copies of CDs. I'm hoping to have CDs that I can bring with me to The Festival of the Mandolins. I have a sample on my website of Matteo's "Mazurka per Caterina".
http://phillawrence.com/RecordingsDream.html
http://phillawrence.com/Echoes%20of%20the%20Silent%20Fountain.html
http://phillawrence.com/RecordingsDream.html
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
It's almost "out." I'm finishing the graphic design tonight and then I'll upload the music files for printing and digital distribution on CDBaby.
http://phillawrence.com/Echoes%20of%...0Fountain.html
http://phillawrence.com/home.html
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
I've listened to the entire preview CD and I must say the arrangements are lovely and enhance the beauty of each dance. My favorites are the mazurkas but I found Phil's composition "Tarantella di Michele" one of the best on the CD. We want to hear more of your compositions, Phil. Didn't I see your book at the slide show? Will you sell these at the Festival? Looking forward your great tribute to Matteo and Gino. Thank you for your heroic efforts in giving their Silent Fountain CD new life!
Re: Tracks of San Francisco Italian Mandolin Masters
After almost 5 years inaction, I've started this project up again, this time on YouTube because it was so much easier to organize tracks into play lists and edit them. Plus there's more traffic on YT vs. Sound Cloud.
As before, if you see any inaccuracies, mistakes or typos please let me know. Some of the tracks are untitled. If you know the names of those tracks, please pass them on to me.
I will be adding tracks with more regularity than before.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvQ...IREg/playlists