Mandolin Camp 2009 was this past weekend and it marks my fourth year of attendance out of 5. It's always a pleasure to be surrounded by people who share a keen interest in making and listening to
mandolin music of all types. This year the faculty concerts were breathtaking and especially tight.
Mike Compton from Nashville was the guest performer/instructor this year and what a treat to see his effortless playing style that had such a great feel. I've been a fan of his for some time and put his CD collaboration with
David Long entitled
STOMP high on my list of great works. Well worth buying!
It was nice not being a newcomer and absolute newbie any more. While there were some classes where I was overwhelmed and out of my league [mostly because my practice this past year has been so sporadic] it was nice feeling comfortable in the experience of 'not knowing'. The panic really wasn't evident so I guess I'm progressing!
There are many things I enjoy but high on the list is simply being exposed to so many types of music that people are exploring.Whether it's blues or jazz or bluegrass or irish or old time or a hybrid of them, it's really instructive to hear and see how people are relating to their music.
Personally, a great eye-opener is learning how much I enjoy listening to traditional Irish tunes.
David Surette is one of the instructors who specializes in this kind of music. His CD
Green Mandolin [hint: listen for free by clicking the link!] showcases some beautiful mandolin renditions of traditional Irish tunes. I grabbed a copy during the weekend and put it on while I was driving home from the camp. The recording captures how adeptly he plays these sometimes complicated Irish
jigs and reels and really brings the music alive in a way that you don't hear every day. I was pleasantly surprised to hear applause at the end of the tracks as they were so beautifully recorded and played, I assumed they were recorded in a studio but no the tracks were recorded at festivals around the country!
So there are just two examples of the many fine musicians and instructors I got to enjoy this weekend. As a friend put it, it was an escape from the reality of the day to day and a real treat to think of nothing other than mandolins for a weekend. I"m ready for next year!
coder of iGongyo: the chant app for iPhone 
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