Jam Session LP from Mark O’Connor. I seriously dig.
March 2nd, 2010The people at Shore Fire Media sent me a kick ass CD. In the interest of full disclosure, I love everyone on this album, most of what comes out on OMAC records, and Andy Silva has sent me some really great CDs (and some not so great CDs) for review.
Here’s the scoop:
I had a friend in college who was super into electronic music (god bless him) try to tell me that MIDI would eventually replace the need for real musicians, that the precision and control of electronics could replace the real article. Not only is this patently false on its face, but I was more concerned about protecting the honor of the acoustic music I love (and it helped that at the time, banjo and mando patches were still a ways off). Really no argument there, but all “realism” aside, try pulling ANYTHING from this album off on a midi controller.. Good luck. This CD has some of the most outstanding musicianship on it I have heard in a really long time. Seriously. This record is insane.
But superlatives aside, where are you going to get fantastic live recordings from such a ridiculous super group.. let’s just lay the awesomeness out in a little more detail. A little roll call if you please: Mark, Chris Thile, Frank Vignola, Bryan Sutton, Jon Burr, Byron House. If you don’t know who these people are go online and get hip.. these are heavyweights, friend.
And I just love what it says on the back. I usually never do this, but it does a better job than most at encapsulating the point of the CD, and in turn why it’s so exciting to listen to. So a spoiler for you:
“…Once in a while, imporvisational exchanges between musicians escalate to a fever pitch; this recording, which captures nine such instances, represents the contributions of six natural jammers to the art of the jam,”
It truly is one of the most transparent musical conversations I’ve heard in a long time.. simply raw, uncut proficiency, with enough soul and flavor to convert anyone to acoustic music. This is not a “bluegrass” record at all, rather it’s an acoustic exploration through a variety of genres including swing, jazz, americana, latin, blues.. you catch my drift. The tracks aren’t ONLY a lifetime’s worth of hot licks and sick solos, but also some of the most tasteful accompaniment I’ve heard. Period.
As a mandolin player, I can’t help but give my thanks that Chris Thile is on this record. He is really developing as a player (as if I have the authority to say so). His accompaniment is much more selective and complex, more akin to the smooth stylings of Mike Marshall. Mark has done something so simple, yet so deep: just pick out fantastic recordings of himself with some of the finest musicians in acoustic music and VIOLA! real magic.
I’ve given a solid 3 listens in a row before this review, one with headphones, one on my home stereo, and on repeat on my iPod.. still fresh and still wrapping my head around it.
I’m being forced to withhold the deliciousness via stream for now, but I’ll certainly let you all know when I get the green light!
And of course, for more from Mark (tour dates, etc), check out his site.


