Must own mandolin CDs

[mdsmith]

So, I haven't bought any music in a long time, mainly because I've been using Pandora radio and things like that. I kinda have the itch to buy a few new CDs, and am looking for some suggestions on albums that feature so goo mandolin playing. I know one of them will be Shady Grove - I love Garcia and Grisman together. They have such a laid back feel to their music. Any other suggestions?

[Dagger Gordon]

Chris Thile new Bach CD?
I also much enjoy his CD with Mike Marshall - Into The Cauldron.

If you want something a bit different check out the Melonoius Quartet from France.

[Perry]

So many must haves. Here's a few of mine that I really like

Mike Compton/David Long -"Stomp"

Andy Statman - "East Flatbush Blues" * this may become hard to get soon

various "Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza"

[lukmanohnz]

Reischman's Up In the Woods and his new one Walk Along John
Dan Crary and Thunderation Perfect Storm for Don Stiernberg's playing on Deep River Blues (but the whole album is great)

[Nathan Kellstadt]

You're going to no doubt be inundated with suggestions, but as a mutual fan of shady grow, there are two mandolin CDs that never leave my rotation and that I consider "must own". Both feature Butch Baldassari. I don't think anyone will argue that these aren't amazing recordings.

Travellers (w/ John Reischman) & Appalachian Mandolin and Dulcimer

Don't let the title of the latter fool you. Even if you're not into "Appalachian" music per se, it's an amazing piece of work.

On top of the fact that the mandolin is front & center on these CDs, the sound quality is fantastic. These guys have amazing tone, and it's showcased perfectly.

[kmj2587]

I started buying all sorts of mandolin heavy music when I started playing. There's tons of it out there that's good, but there are three albums in particular that have stuck with me personally.

Chris Thile and Mike Marshall - Live: Duets. This is a live album from when they were touring in support of Into the Cauldron. I have both, and the set list is a somewhat different between the two. I think the sound is better on this album as well.

Modern Mandolin Quartet - Americana. Dvorak's "American" string quartet and Glass' "Mishima" quartet were already a couple of my favorite classical pieces before this album was released, and I think they were well chosen to be adapted to the mandolin.

John Reischman and John Miller - Bumpy Road. This album and the duo's new one "Road Trip" are both very, very good. The music on Bumpy Road is, to my ears, a bit livelier, which gives it the advantage for my preferences. I think this definitely has a similar kind of "laid back" feel that you mention enjoying in the Grisman/Garcia album.

[Cheryl Watson]

I like the Growling Old Men CDs, anything by Ben Winship and/or John Lowell

[Bill James]

Simon Mayor with Hilary James-New Celtic Mandolin

[AlanN]

Ray Legere Common Denominator. Ray plays all the instruments - gtr, mando, fiddle, bass - on this all-instrumental outing; some shop-worn, some originals. And as a bonus, he has available well-done tabs to all of the mandolin solos, including the harmony parts. He is a terrific picker and his solos are hip and exciting.

[SincereCorgi]

These guys, from Spain:



http://loshermanoscubero.bandcamp.co...-alcarria-2010

I got their disc off CDBaby and it's awesome, like bluegrass with a strong Spanish rhythmic accent. Even my coworkers like it.

[Stoker]

Chris Thile - Not All Who Wander Are Lost

That'll keep you busy.

[Jim]

Matt flinner , The View from Here & Latitude. Matt Flinner Quartet and Music Du Jour are good too but those first two are my favorites.

[Caleb]

Simon Mayor with Hilary James-New Celtic Mandolin

This is a great record, as is his "Music from a Small Island." Very underrated player and one more people should know about.

[Joel Glassman]

Up in the Woods and Travellers as discussed below are absolutely great.
For Jazz Mandolin, Paul Glasse's recordings are also outstanding as is Back to Back with Jethro
Burns and Tiny Moore. Chris Thile's Stealing Second is a monster disc.
Mike Marshall's Gator Strut, anything by Sam Bush. There are so many...

[mdsmith]

Wow- you guys have certainly given me plenty to consider. Thanks

[SternART]

If you don't have it the first David Grisman Quintet CD it is a desert island disc for me.
I really dig Hot Dawg too.........Tony Rice's Manzanita is another must have. Sam Bush and David Grisman play mando on it.

[Nathan Kellstadt]

If you don't have it the first David Grisman Quintet CD it is a desert island disc for me.

I can't believe I forgot about the Grisman Quintet CD. Phenomenal recording. That completely trumps my previous suggestions.