Product Description

Mandolinist Butch Baldassari and Dulcimer Legend the late David Schnaufer joined forces for a new CD of duets showcasing traditional music of the Appalachian Mountains. "Appalachian Mandolin and Dulcimer" is a program of 14 tunes performed on a variety of mandolin and dulcimer family instruments.

"No overdubs here!!!" exclaims Baldassari, "just straight ahead live playing". David Schnaufer described the CD as "...a musical conversation performed on vintage and contemporary instruments in settings to showcase the rare archaic harmonies of these joyful, lonesome and eternal themes".

Track Listing

1. Ground Hog
2. June Apple
3. Muddy Roads
4. Tater Patch
5. Sandy River Belle
6. Black Mt. Rag
7. Wayfaring Stranger
8. Drunken Hiccups
9. Wolves-A-Howling
10. Wild Rose of the Mountain
11. Cheep Mountain
12. Flop Eared Mule
13. Cold Frosty Morning
14. Pretty Saro

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9983 in Music
• Released on: 2006-01-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Customer Reviews

Old Time Poetry in Motion
David Schnaufer, a national dulcimer champion brought the dulcimer to the Nashville scene. Dulcimer means "sweet sound" and it's never sounded sweeter than when played by David Schnaufer. Combine that with Bruce Baldassari and you've got a winning combination. Bruce can play the mandolin like no other. I had the opportunity to hear these two together in concert, and I've never heard such a wonderful sound as the dulcimer and mandolin played together by these two masters. This may be heavenly music at it's best. It sure would have the angels singing, clapping, and stomping their feet.

Beautiful and Timeless
Too often instrumental music by skilled musicians is strong on musicianship at he expense of poetry. This release is rich in both, with beautiful aural landscapes portraying a range of thought and emotion. This version of Wayfaring Stranger reaches a desolation few vocalists have ever found, and Pretty Saro sounds like the wind through cenuries. Much glee, warmth, and romp throughout, with Wolves-A-Howling a personal favorite. An echo from the past, yet as immediate as your heartbeat today. Highly recommended.

Happy and Bright songs to lift your spirits
This is a historical recording by Butch Baldassari and the late David Schnaufer featuring duets arranged for mandolin and mountain dulcimer, showcasing the traditional music of Appalachia. Most of the tunes are happy and upbeat. My favorites are: June Apple, Black Mountain Rag, Muddy Roads and Flop Eared Mule.

There is also a very unique Wayfaring Stranger, so haunting and moving.

This is a true duet, and neither mandolin nor dulcimer dominate, but instead compliment each other in a conversational style. Warning to mandolin players: you'll want to get a dulcimer after you hear this album.

The sweet sounding dulcimer, tickling the ear, coupled with mandolin artistry and the droning (bowed dulcimer) makes this an Appalachian feast to enjoy time and time again.