Customer Reviews

Mondo Mando

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It's really a shame this album (and Quintet '80) is out of publication because in my opinion it's one of the greatest works produced by David Grisman. Cedar Hill and Fanny Hill are early bluegrass compositions of DG updated for dawg fans. Albuquerque Turkey is a great fiddle tune featuring Mark O'Connor's world class fiddling. Anouman is a Django Reinhardt composition performed as only Grisman could do. Japan is a slower piece featuring a japanese koto throughout. Mondo Mando, the title cut, is a captivating mini-symphony featuring the Kronos Quartet. This piece is classic David Grisman .... drawing from a number of musical genres in a style that can only be referred to as dawg music. And the album cover illustration by Wayne Anderson is unlike any other mandolin album design. Truly bizarre. If they ever release the album again every mandolin enthusaist should snag a copy. Highly recommended.

As a longtime fan of David Grisman, I had heard of the 'Mondo Mando' album but was not sure if I would have my own copy anytime soon b/c it was out of print. But now in the age of digital downloads, this is no longer an issue. The music here represents the heart of what we all love about Dawg Music-- the groundbreaking blend of jazz, funk & folk that will forever be DG's personal underground revolution and landmark legacy to the music world. This recording marks the period when the group operated as a quartet- Tony Rice and Todd Phillips are not on this one- leaving DG, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall and Rob Wasserman to the collective devices of their stripped down quintet. Every track is gem! To those who have listened to DG's instructional recordings, you will be familiar with Cedar Hill, Dawg Funk (my personal favorite), Japan and Fanny Hill. The remaining 4 tracks are pleasant surprises- Anouman is a Django tune, Caliente features an intro with the strangest use of a rhythm section reminiscent of "flying saucer music from 1950's cinema" (or alternatively that type of eery high-pitched wavering music that you hear during Halloween), Turkey Albuquerque (mid tempo, evenly paced folky tune with friendly humor) and Mondo Mando (appearance by Kronos Quartet). Up to this point I always felt that "Hot Dawg" was the seminal moment for the mandolin world- the moment when DG handily demonstrated to the world (or at least to me) that anything was possible on the mandolin-there were absolutely no limits-- but 'Mondo Mando' gives 'Hot Dawg' quite a run for its money-and may just surpass it!