Album Review of
Mandolin Duets, Vol. 1

Written by Mark Gallo
August 30, 2017 - 12:00am EDT
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If you’re a fan of the mandolin, this manna. Casey Campbell is a highly respected mandolin player who took up the instrument at age 11. The idea was simple. Reach out to heroes and as them to record with him. Just two mandolins having a conversation. Some of the recognized masters are here and the result is magical. The liner notes explain the importance of each player to his growth as a musician. He says that Del McCoury’s favorite mandolinist Ronnie McCoury (“Wailin On Waldron) and Bill Monroe specialist Mike Compton (“Monroebilia”) were his initial inspirations to play mandolin. Buck White (“Down Home Waltz”), David Grisman “(“Cedar Hill”), Bobby Osborne, with his son on guitar (“Cherokee Lady”), Tim O’Brien on vocals, as well (“The High Road”), Ricky Skaggs on the lively “Amanda Jewell”, Roland White with Dianne Bouska on guitar (“Waltz With Me”), Andy Statman playing note for note with Campbell (“Sweet Potato”), Jesse McReynolds  with Diane Bouska on guitar, Sam Bush, using Jethro Burns; mandolin (“Sam’s Bush”),  Mike Compton on Bill Monroe’s “White Horse Breakdown”, and Buck White on a gorgeous “Saratoga Blues.” These are all masters and this is an extraordinary collection. If you’re a fan of the mandolin, this manna.