OM or Mandola in band settings

[Dan Krhla]

Hey all, I was wondering are there any bands, probably over in Europe, that have an OM or mandola player. Looking for something like a Dubliners type scene. New to that genre and looking for inspiration. Thanks in advance. Peace!

[chuck3]

They are not together anymore, but Planxty were great. Check out this version of The Blacksmith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z3A5Tgy47M

[Eddie Sheehy]

It's harder to find a band that doesn't have one... Or two...

[Mandobart]

The String Cheese Incident

Not in Europe, but have toured there.

[multidon]

Check out Dervish.

[foldedpath]

Not exactly Dubliners, but there is a great recent recording by a power trio project called "The Alt," with trio harmony vocals, flute, and a mix of bouzouki and guitar from John Doyle, Nuala Kennedy, and Eamon O'leary. Just a great album, one of my recent favorites. Here's their web site:

http://www.thealtmusic.com/

A video with two 'zouks (or OM's?):

[derbex]

Melrose Quartet -probably a Gazuki https://youtu.be/8eWu1gMVSN8

[Tavy]

Show of hands are well known for their use of Dave Oddie's mandocellos/OM's:




Audio's not so great on this one, but a good illustration of Steve Knightley's technique on the slower numbers with lots of sliding up and down the bass:

[Tavy]

And lastly, a version of their tall ships epic.... "prog folk" anyone?

[Tavy]

Canadian band "the once" are using OM's, here they are with Passenger and Stu Larson:

[Tavy]

And let's not forget Mark Knopfler.... no really... OM-based intro starts 3:50 in:

[Mike Anderson]

Canadian band "the once" are using OM's, here they are with Passenger and Stu Larson:

Interesting that a player in the UK is recommending a Canuck hipster folk band without a trace of Irishness when asked for an Irish-type sound! Interestingly, the luthier who made their bouzouki told me to watch their videos when I asked for sound samples - but it's buried in the mix and nothing interesting is being done with it anyway.

Then we have others recommending British folk with mandocello, and Mark Knopfler...er, how about Emerson, Lake & Palmer? Surely they have something with a 4-course instrument?

To the OP: Dervish has always had the very fine Brian McDonagh on mandola and they've got 9 albums out, all excellent. If flat-back bouzouki will substitute for OM for ya, there are too many to count: Danú, Teada, Planxty of course, Patrick Street. But most of what you hear with the type of instruments you're asking about is going to be more on the trad side, not so much a big rollicking sound like Dubliners. Maybe it's up to you to make this happen?

[Dan Krhla]

Awesome. Thanks all. Keep em coming!!!

[Tavy]

Interesting that a player in the UK is recommending a Canuck hipster folk band without a trace of Irishness when asked for an Irish-type sound! Interestingly, the luthier who made their bouzouki told me to watch their videos when I asked for sound samples - but it's buried in the mix and nothing interesting is being done with it anyway.

Then we have others recommending British folk with mandocello, and Mark Knopfler...er, how about Emerson, Lake & Palmer? Surely they have something with a 4-course instrument?

I took the OP's request to be broader than simply ITM (which tends to limit things to "bands containing Donal Lunny"... which happens to include Knopfler's band for time BTW).

[Dan Krhla]

As far as the "European" part of the post, it was a "what I thought I would get" more so than a "what I want". Close to that or Dubliners or not, keep em coming. One OM, one love!

[Colin Lindsay]

If flat-back bouzouki will substitute for OM for ya, there are too many to count

Oh the irony….. sorry Mike but I just had to point out that if the OP asks about Irish music and someone recommends British folk, it’s almost the same as enquiring about bands with mandola or OM… and someone suggesting bouzouki.
(Yes there are too many to count, and not always a good thing either)
Now: if you’d rather substitute 12-string guitar, I can recommend Greg Lake, or Mark Knopfler…

[Soundfarmer Pete]

Not exactly the Dubliners....but a bit of OM in the daft little combo I play with (I`m the idiot with the bass http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/im...s/laughing.gif

[Tavy]

Classic Rocky Road to Dublin:

[rps2rduc]

I'll reccommend a David Francey album entitled 'Waking Hour.'
Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch, Fats Kaplan made up the 'backing' band and there are two two tunes on there 'Highway 95' and 'Ashtabula' that feature bouzouki to good effect. Excellent arrangements deftly played.