MANDOLIN ABSTRACTIONS

David Grisman & Andy Statman

Many moons ago, when Andy and I were young mandolin maniacs in NYC, we’d often take out our mandolins in empty subway stations late at night and play spontaneously — whatever came into our minds and hands! After I moved to California, whenever we’d see each other, we’d do the same thing — just start playing! We always amazed (and amused) ourselves with the music produced by this off-the-wall-ness. I often thought of recording this music and finally, in August of 1982 in San Francisco, we did! I set up the studio the day before Andy arrived, testing the mics with Mike Marshall and when Andy got there, I insisted that we not play at all before rolling tape.

In two evenings we spontaneously created 27 pieces and this project features 13 of them. The first track,“Overture”, was the very first thing we played and “’Til We Meet Again” was the last. In many ways, this is the most “honest” recording I’ve ever made. Not for the faint of mandolin heart, but Andy and I hope you enjoy the ride. — David Grisman, 2021

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