Re: What mandolin recordings are definitive to evolving its role?
Do you mean pushing the musical and technical boundaries of the instrument itself? Your examples of Les Paul, Barry, Hendrix, Van Halen, and SRV, did help popularize those styles of playing but they would probably be the first to admit that there were folks who had already broken those musical and technical boundaries before them. I think an argument could be made that The Wizard of Waukesha was a true pioneer and innovator in music production and recording. I'm a big fan of all of those guys but I just don't think that they were pushing the boundaries of the instrument in the same way that maybe Earl Scruggs, Bill Keith, or Bela Fleck did with the Banjo, or Jerry Douglas with the Dobro, or even Django Reinhardt with the guitar.
But, I really like the question in general. I'm certainly not knowledgeable enough about Mandolin to answer and I'd love to read the thoughts of some of the experts here at Mandocafe. Bill Monroe did seem to help redefine the role of mandolin within ensemble playing. Sam Bush helped to expand the rhythmic repertoire of the mandolin as well as help start a whole new genre known as "New Grass." Chris Thile seems to be expanding the role of the mandolin not only within Bluegrass but outside of it as well. I think one could argue that what Aaron Weinstein is doing with his chord melody arrangements are redefining how people think of the role of the mandolin in jazz and redefining how mandolin can be played in general.
Play that which you feel is groovy, get down with your bad self, and shake your money maker if it makes sense for you to do so.
Bookmarks