New from Mike Marshall & Hamilton de Holanda
New Words.

Release: October 17, 2006
Adventure Music

Few musicians on the planet can do what mandolinist Mike Marshall does. Sometimes, as in this setting, we actually have to go to the other side of the globe to match musical wits and kinetic mandolin prowess. Mission accomplished in this magnificent recording, teaming the versatile veteran with the 30-year-old Brazilian superstar bandolimist, Hamilton de Holanda. Marshall quips about his "Brother," the "Monster from WAY down South..."

Brandishing an arsenal of Loar-era Gibson mandolin, 10-string (Tércio Ribeiro) custom bandolim, a bouzouki and mandocello, the twosome fill the harmonic strata high and low with a wide range of melodic, harmonic and percussive texture. Marshall is well known for his past artistic architectural prowess in the duo environment. Partnering with the likes of Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, Darol Anger and a myriad of other musical monsters in his first Choro CD "Brasil Duets," including Béla Fleck, Andy Narrell, Michael Manring, Jovino Santos Neto, and wife, violinist Kaila Flexer, among others. He's always been able to adapt and exploit the wide-open sonic terrain with competent others, filling with interesting nuance and comprehensive compositional structure. Heart of the project is gorgeous, rich Choro heritage from the Brazilian giants, Jacob do Bandolim, Pixinguinha, Nazareth, Garota, and some lush Hermeto Pascoal, but we also enjoy some of the compositional artistry of the two in some originals. Throw in some Americana, an acoustic classic of Béla Fleck (Big Country), a kicking excursion into a traditional Fiddletune (Blackberry Blossom), and the Johnny Mercer classic (Autumn Leaves), you get the literal best of both worlds.

Many of the Brazilian songs, "Receita de Samba," "Pra Sempre," " Valse em Si, " and "Devairada" have been recorded previously by these artists in other ensemble settings, but the opportunity to hear the songs with the complementary sonic competence of Hamilton's low-mid, punchy 10-string bandolim in tandem with Mike's vintage Loar F5 in all its soprano purity is a extraordinary pleasure.

Hamilton often drives the duo with the intense pedal-point foundation of his duo-style school training, occasionally morphing into a walking bass and still manages to weave chordal accompaniment at the same time. Quick Light Bulb Joke: "How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb?" Answer: "None. The piano player can do it with her left hand..." In this situation it's Hamilton turning on the lights, yet masterfully trading melodic duties with Mike midst the grounding. Both artists exploit the entire range of the fretboard, finger-wizardry never failing to pull lyric splendor and a cleanly-picked linear steadfastness seldom associated with the mandolin, especially in the speed-at-any-cost Bluegrass realm.

Percussive roots engaged, pick becomes drumstick, bandolim body becomes pandeiro, and the tiny strings between nut and tuner perform as makeshift agogo bells. Add some impromptu multi-phonic vocals and the duo becomes strings, percussion, and winds. Anything but "stark," there are lots of notes here, complex, inventive orchestration in every sense of the word.

Marshall tells us Hamilton is quite adept with American Jazz standards. The CD's very brief tease with the popular "Autumn Leaves" is a taste of this hidden treasure, and we quiver at the thought of more, combining a traditional jazz, "Realbook Jazz" with his dynamic Latin flair and flamboyant dexterity. His "Valsa em Si (Waltz in B)" is certainly a glimpse of this potential, its innate linear pull and harmonic flair could very well stand the test of time; and we see becoming a true "standard" decades from now. Solid composition, like good architecture, an exacting science clad in an artistic soulfulness, Hamilton is a master builder of melody and memorable chord progression.

We've enjoyed past Mike Marshall duo settings, his work with long-time friend Darol Anger, and recently consummate mandolin virtuoso, Chris Thile. Perpetually seeking a new challenge, this new opportunity to revisit his beloved Choro with another gifted musician, perhaps one of the greatest bandolimists alive, has transcended personal labor of love and brought the world another rich opportunity to discover the wealth of Brazil, a centuries-cultivated tradition of lush harmony and percussion. The primal simplicity of indigenous "Folk Music," yet augmented by a keen a virtuosic musicianship, we hope to enjoy the fruits of many more years of partnership of these two.

Many more "New Words." Novas palavras.

Selections:
1. Receita de Samba
2. Blackberry Blossom/Apanhei-te Cavquinho
3. Egypt
4. Brejeiro
5. Valsa em Si
6. Cochichando
7. Big Country
8. Desvairada
9. São Jorge
10. Pra Sempre
11. Autumn Leaves
12. New Words
13. Ham & Mike
14. Receita de Samba 'Reprise'

Purchase Information: New Words

Visit: Adventure Music

Booking information: Maria Camillo

Artist information: Mike & Ham