Friday, August 5, 2022

Dave Apollon • The Man With The Mandolin: Complete Recordings 1930-1956 [2 CD Set] [1997] Acoustic Disc ACD-27

 



Scans of the 20-page booklet are available for download via email request!

This two-CD collection, compiled and produced by the king of "Dawg Music" (a kind of swinging bluegrass jazz), David Grisman, is filled with overlooked treasures by a mandolin genius. Apollon was a bit of a novelty act in his early years, and much of the first disc is a bit bogged down with some of the promotional and film work that showcased him as a rather clownish Hungarian. But by the second disc, his fingers fly freely on masterful renditions of such wide-ranging work as "Perfidia," "Zigeunerweisen," and "The Man I Love." A must for guitar and mandolin fans. 

Bill Monroe asked Dave Apollon for his autograph. That's the kind of respect he got from mandolin players. And it was well deserved. David Grisman (an awesome player as well) put together this collection, and even though some of the tracks are from the 30s, the sound is amazing. This is not bluegrass, it is Gypsy, Russian, European, and American popular music of its time. It is incredible to listen to, and I would bet even most heavy metal guitar shredders would be impressed by this man's tone, speed, and overall talent. Some of it is extremely fast! Coupled with the interesting life story of living through the dangerous Russian Revolution, his comedy skills (all included in the most extensive autobiography of the man available in the booklet) makes this collection a must-have for any mandolin fan as well as an open-minded music fan in general. One of the greatest entertainers of all time playing some of the best music.  ✌

Tracklist:
Disc 1: 1930-1939
01 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody (Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2)
02 Two Guitars 
03 Sweet Sue 
04 A Media Luz 
05 Russian Rag 
06 Mandolin Blues 
07 No Te Engañes, Corazón (released in English as Don't Fool Yourself, Dear)
08 La Cucaracha (The Cockroach)
09 Czardas 
10 Tiger Rag 
11 The Poet and The Peasant Overture 
12 Dark Eyes 
13 When A Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry 
14 Who? 
15 Who? (Alternate Take)
16 Trees 
17 The Lady In Red
18 Shine
19 You Go To My Head
20 I Want To Be Happy
21 You, The Night, and The Music
22 Music, Maestro, Please
23 Spanish Fantasy

Disc 2: 1941-1956    
01 Perfidia
02 Stardust
03 Begin The Beguine
04 Dark Eyes
05 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
06 Two Guitars
07 Czardas (Csárdás)
08 Gypsy Aires
09 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody (Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2)
10 Play, Gypsy, Play
11 Hora Staccato
12 Zigeunerweisen
13 St. Louis Blues
14 Parlez D' Amour
15 So I Love
16 Lover (Take 1)
17 Love, Your Magic Spell Is Everywhere
18 What Is This Thing Called Love?
19 If I Loved You
20 The Man I Love
21 They Say It's Wonderful
22 Moonlight Love
23 Amour Medley
24 Lover, Come Back To Me
25 Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
26 Love Is The Sweetest Thing
27 Lover (Take 8)
28 Love Me Or Leave Me

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