author: Lavern E. Hill
The 3 tunes that stand out to me,in order of preference is Misty,Bridger Waltz, Far East/Petunia's Jig with the 5 string banjo! All the others were ok, but I would like to here these Guys Live, I think that might change my opinion of the other songs.
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Pleasurable aural experience that evokes nostalgic images of a better day gone b
author: Joe Ross
Total playing time – 45:08 -- Imagine yourself in your Sunday best, sitting comfortably in a parlor, enjoying an eclectic blend of instrumental string music from around the world. Together since 1999, the Montana Mandolin Society is a resurrection of the Bozeman Mandolin and Guitar Club, which performed at the turn of the century during the heyday of the mandolin family orchestra. The music of this latest reincarnation of the historic group is a very pleasurable aural experience that evokes nostalgic images of a better day gone by, with a touch of pioneer character and vision that one might only find in the rugged hills of Montana. This album opens with a spirited New York Ideal March, written by Samuel Siegel about a hundred years ago. The Montana Mandolin Society then expertly moves through Scottish, Irish, Sluzduz, Blues, Classical, Ballroom Dance, Brazilian, Jazz, and Old-Time numbers. The Scottish waltz, Canisp, is a showpiece for violinist Sara Williams. O’Carolan’s Frolic is a bouncy and rhythmic number that was written by the blind Irish harper, Turlough O’Carolan, who lived from 1670-1738. The cello (played by Jesse Ahmann) and classical guitar (Steve Marty) add a nice touch to 16-year-old Megan Waldum’s clear and bright mandolin notes and tremolos on Heart of the Heartland, an expressive tune penned by Peter Ostroushko. The guitar medley Acordai Doncela/Chorindo in La Mineur by Celso Machado features the twin classical guitars of Steve Marty and Kris Ellingsen. The medley, Far East/Petunia’s Jig, is a highlight of the album with its arrangement featuring Dennis White’s five-string banjo and Lindsay Turner’s hammered dulcimer, along with mandolin, mandola, guitar and shaker. Misty is always a crowd-pleaser, especially when one can hear a rawboned version with mandola, guitar and bass.
The album’s title cut, The Bridger Waltz, inspired by Montana’s Bridger Mountain Range, and written by Dennis White, has an old-time flavor and is a clear indication of the heights that this professional group is aspiring to with their musical talents and perseverance. In its short time together, the Society has played small and large venues, historic settings, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and has toured Japan. With their highly arranged and eclectic repertoire of historic and original compositions, the Montana Mandolin Society is succeeding in its mission to preserve and promote the rich musical heritage of America, with its many international influences. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)
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