more Italian mandolin, please

[David Surette]

Well, it is an extreme privilege for me to be able to say that I will be part of the teaching staff at this year's International Mandolin & Guitar Accademia in Genoa. I am honored to be there with Maestro Carlo Aonzo, and looking forward to an amazing time. In preparation, I've been listening back over some of the Italian recordings I have picked up over the years; yesterday's car rides included Carlo playing Paganini, the great Tony Flores CD with Paul Hostetter and Irene Herrmann, and Ricardo Tesi's Banditaliana (not much mando, but there is one great track with Patrick Vaillant). I have also have some folk compilations, and some CDs from bands like Cantovivo and La Ciapa Rusa. I am wondering if there are more groups like these that are more current, and groups that use the mandolin more fully. For example, there's some great guitar playing with Ricardo Tesi on a number of his albums over the years; any cds that have that kind of contemporary-influenced trad stuff for mando? I do have the Tesi/Vaillant Verana CD, which is great! Any listening recommendations will be gratefully checked out.

[brunello97]

Bravo, David! That sounds like a wonderful experience awaiting you.

I'm a big fan of Gus Garelick's playing with the Hot Frittatas from out SF way. I think his tremolo work is outstanding. Gus doubles on violin and his interplay with the accordionist (who I think has left the band) is really very musical. Some may fault Gus for having the temerity to play this music on a Gibson, but his tone and touch are splendid, I think.

Please report back in on your experience at IMGA!

Mick