Octave Mandolin Listening Suggestions

[robinson.sam8]

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of hearing Greg Spatz (of John Reischman & The Jaybirds) play a Fletcher Brock octave mandolin with his group Mighty Squirrel. The band was absolutely fantastic but what really stuck out was that octave mandolin. I had heard a few artists (e.g. Tim O'Brien, Sarah Jarosz, Sierra Hull) play them on records but I had never heard one in person.

After the show, I was talking to Greg about it and he graciously let me play his octave in the green room for a little while. Ever since, I can't get it out of my head. Buying one isn't possible right now so let's move on to the next best option: listening to others play them.

So, does anybody have any suggestions of octave mandolin players that I need to check out? Greg recommended Cahalen Morrison & Eli West. I did. And they're great.

Thanks, Mandolin Cafe!!!

[dorenac]

I, too, will be interested reading responses to this. I recently acquired an Old Wave GBOM, which is fantastic. But I'm still working on ways to best use it. By the way my wife likes the sound of my OM better than my mandolin. But what does she know?

[JH Murray]

Here's a few: Colin Botts
Jim Richter

[Denman John]

Check out Roger Landes and Chipper Thompson's "The Janissary Stomp" album. All OM goodness!

[foldedpath]

I always post this clip when inspirational OM players come up. It's Ale Möller, playing a Latmandola. Not exactly an OM, but a Swedish variant with a low course on a longer nut. Not exactly a Cittern either... I've always wanted one of these:





You can learn a lot about the accompaniment side of OM playing if you get both these following albums, where Ale backed Shetland fiddler Aly Bain on two albums. It's great accompaniment, and some of these tunes have made it into the Irish trad tradition. Just really great music to listen to. Links here to the Amazon (USA) site where you can hear short MP3 sample tracks:

Fully Rigged

Beyond the Stacks

[allenhopkins]

Sara Jarosz



Sierra Hull

[Daniel Nestlerode]

This'll be going on my next CD.
It's a little rough in this clip (I've since improved it), but then I'm not as young and beautiful as Sierra Hull either.

Best,
Daniel

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Found these too. Kevin MacLeod playing a new "guzouki" from Tarran Guitars.








Enjoy!

Daniel

[Tavy]

Some English players:

[Tavy]

The mention of Aly Bain and Ale Moller led to one of my favourite tunes:

[CelticDude]

I'm surprised that no one's mentioned Gerald Trimble yet. Although not a traditionally-tuned (whatever that is) OM, he's a great player. IIRC he's playing a Sobell 10-string.

[vernob]

This is a great thread. Thanks to all who posted. I really enjoyed watching and hearing these players. There is a broad range of styles. I sometimes push myself to play tunes, to be a "picker." Mostly I'm a "singer" and use a string instrument to accompany. There were some in this thread who were mostly strummers, some who were pickers, some who were both, some who were also singers. I haven't been acquiring recordings lately so this was very cool.

[Wes Brandt]

It's interesting to see these instruments, and their use, evolving before our very eyes, many people now making basically guitars with octave or zouk necks attached… being used more as solo instruments.

[bingoccc]

[robinson.sam8]

fI'm loving all of these octave mandolin tunes! Now I just gotta figure out how to get my hands on one...

[Sweetpea44]

Thanks for starting this thread .... I've enjoyed all the clips!

[Wes Brandt]

Hey Folks,

I would be greatful for some insight here… but can you post/upload audio only clips right on the Cafe server or are do you have to put them elsewhere and then provide the link, possibly using the video upload?

Thanks in advance.

[derbex]

Saw the Melrose Quartet last sunday, James Fagan is the Gazuki player (a Sobell), very friendly, I had chat with him and he was extolling the virtues of GDAD -we agreed I need another instrument for that tuning

[zoukboy]

IIRC that guitar bodied bouzouki was built by Nigel Forster, not Stefan Sobell. http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/instruments/

[derbex]

It is indeed -but the one in the video above isn't the one he played live, I could have made that clearer.

I think it's the Sobell in this video below, great song, but less bouzouki fireworks.

I'd take either home tomorrow

[Emmett Marshall]

Here's a few:Jim Richter

Jim's arrangement (sheet music/TAB) for "The Rain Song" is available for download on his website. NFI. I've been working on it for a week now, and it's a fun song to learn for sure, and not as difficult as some might think. My pinky is getting pumped up!

[Roman Pekar]

Just found this video yesterday - couple of jigs on octave mandolin. As I play a lot of irish, I should say that John is really good on ornamentation on OM, so nice tutorial as well

[Wes Brandt]

Just found this video yesterday - couple of jigs on octave mandolin. As I play a lot of irish, I should say that John is really good on ornamentation on OM, so nice tutorial as well

Anyone familiar with The Pentangle from the late 60's early 70's will recognize their influences. Nice stuff.

[pollywaffle]

A gazouki I crudely made from a 12 string guitar many many years ago. Nothing special but it works.

[CES]

Dude, quite enjoyable, thanks for sharing!!