Mike Marshall
, like
David Grisman
, may have roots in bluegrass, but he has long cross-pollinated his music with many different genres, making memorable recordings no matter what string instrument he plays and which instrumentalists join him. This compilation surveys performances from nine different CDs, most of which were under his name and issued between 1996 and 2009. There are no weak tracks in this collection, which provides highlights for the casual fan and fuel for the serious collector to seek out each of the original releases. A frequent partner is violinist
Darol Anger
(who worked along with
Marshall
in
Grisman's Quintet
), with both men excelling in
's furious
"Borealis"
by overdubbing on multiple instruments (though this track is mislabeled as
"Peter Pan"
and vice versa).
joins
Hamilton de Holanda
for an engaging mandolin duet medley of two traditional favorites, the bluegrass tune
"Blackberry Blossom"
and the popular Latin tune
"Apenhei-te Cavaquinho"
(which will be instantly recognizable to most listeners, even if the title itself isn't familiar). From his recording of music by
Hermeto Pascoal
comes the touching duet with pianist
Jovino Santos Neto
of the ballad
"Serenata,"
with
switching to nylon string guitar. It's hard to overlook the mandolinist's duet with banjo virtuoso
Bela Fleck
of
"Indifference,"
an intricate Latin masterpiece played with precision and a spirit of adventure. ~ Ken Dryden