Traversata: Italian Music in America [Original recording remastered]

David Grisman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 6, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Acoustic Disc
• ASIN: B00005R60L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,271 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Costumi Siciliani

2. Oh, Mio Babbino Caro

3. Idillio Primaverile

4. Manzanillo

5. L'Onda

6. Tarantella Op. 18

7. Intermezzo

8. Pickin' The Guitar

9. Violinata

10. Study For Two Mandolins

11. Valtzer Fantastico

12. The Godfather Waltz

13. Mazurka VI Op. 141

14. April Kisses

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Acoustic Disc's all-time best recordings, November 26, 2001

By 

Pharoah S. Wail (Inner Space) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Traversata: Italian Music in America (Audio CD)

While I can't claim to be any sort of an expert on Italian music, I must say that this is a fantastic cd. Being a fan of old movies, there are quite a few times while listening to this cd that all I can picture in my head is Sophia Loren circa 1958 strolling along a beach. Yeah it's THAT good.

Aside from Puccini, Cipolla, Eddie Lang, and the Godfather music, I wasn't really familiar with any of this music or its composers but now I wonder why this music has seemingly been forgotten. It's really gorgeous music and I am extremely grateful to David Grisman for "introducing" me not only to these Italian styles, but also to the two specific Italian musicians on this cd, Carlo Aonzo (mandolin) and Beppe Gambetta (14-string harp-guitar). The harp-guitar is usually in a supporting role here so it's never the lead instrument but it has wondeful, rich tone. I was suprised at times that it is a wooden guitar because it has a low-end more reminiscent of a National.

Carlo is the leader here, from playing to arranging. He is "the mandolin find" of the year for me this year, a truly great player. I initially had my doubts as to whether these guys would sound good next to Grisman but it turns out that they steal the show. Carlo also plays one of the single best moments of the cd when he takes a turn on mandocello for track #4 (Manzanillo).

Acoustic Disc has released many great cd's over the last decade and this is one of the best. The only other "ethnic" cd Grisman has released that can compare to this one is the masterpiece, Songs Of Our Fathers, but this one has better, richer sound than does that one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Traversata: Credit Where Credit is Due, February 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Traversata: Italian Music in America (Audio CD)

As for Jason Verlinde's review: Please be aware that Carlo Aonzo is the principal mandolinist on this recording. He is a virtuoso player in the classical repertoire and on many of the cuts he is the sole player. David Grisman should be praised foremost for issuing this CD and certainly for his playing, but he plays, for the most part a secondary role on most of the cuts. In fact in his intro he says: "Thank you, Carlo and Beppe, for allowing me to enter this beautiful world and for being such wonderful tour guides."

In any case, this is certainly one of the finest comtemporary issues of this older style of Italian mandolin music. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, May 28, 2008

By 

G. Allingham (Irvine CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Traversata (Italian Music in America) (Audio CD)

One of the best CD's I own. The music is magic and tugs at your heart strings. I play it over and over.