It's a festive time, isn't it? Nothing like listening to Alan & Bonnie Epstein's new CD, "Come in from the Cold" while washing down Christmas cookies with a little egg nog, or better, hot chocolate and amaretto.

We met Alan a few years ago before he transplanted himself from Pennsylvania (founder of the Pittburgh Mandolin Orchestra) to Michigan where he teaches mandolin lessons at Elderly Music. An avid coffee bean roaster, Alan is one of the nicest guys around and well-versed in a variety of styles, including bluegrass, classical, choro, and can even swing, as is evident on this special Yuletide recording. He and his pianist wife, Bonnie, delight us with tasteful arrangements of pop, traditional, and classical favorites in this piano/mandolin duo.

We were thrilled to bump into Alan again at Mandofest 2005, only to discover he had recently been added to the Neptune Quartet as a special guest fifth member. Bandleader Don Julin quipped, "Most quartets only have four members. Our quartet has five..."

It's not too late to get your copy of the CD to listen to before the Christmas Season is over (order today!), but even so, order it so you can have it ready in your collection for next year.

Purchase information: Come in from the Cold

Posted by Ted at December 16, 2006 3:12 PM