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Mark Vickness (Mark Vickness Interconnected) Shares His Top 10 Mandolin-Based Songs

With mandolin being front and center on his recent single “Mandolin Spring,” Mark Vickness runs down his Top 10 mandolin songs.

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MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected), photo by C2 Management
MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected), photo by C2 Management

Every artist has their own point of view when it comes to their art, but Mark Vickness’ is, to say the least, quite unique. MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) is his outlet for creating music that he feels reflects the reality of the interconnected world in which we live. He views music as an exercise in exploration. It’s less about genre and more about looking across and beyond influences and cultural traditions to conjure up a wholly unique experience. Vickness’ foundation is within classical Western music, from jazz to world music. To him, music is a universal language that extends well beyond any artificial boundaries we have established.

Although he oversees his songwriting, Vickness is far from a lone wolf in this process. He has formed a dream ensemble featuring violinist Mads Tolling, cellist Joseph Hebert, bassist Dan Feiszli, Ty Burhoe on tabla, wind player Matt Renzi, and Grammy-winning percussionist MB Gordy.

MVI’s recently released the progressive instrumental acoustic fusion titled “Mandolin Spring.” Along with his highly accomplished band, the song also features Mike Marshall, a highly accomplished and respected string instrumentalist. Marshall blends his American roots background with an elaborate understanding of European classical, jazz, pop, and Brazilian music. It has added yet another layer of depth to MVI’s already dynamic sound.

With mandolin being front and center on “Mandolin Spring,” Vickness joins us to run down his Top 10 favourite mandolin-based songs.

1. Sarah Jarosz – “Mansinnedof”

“This is a masterpiece instrumental featuring Mike Marshall, violinist, Alex Hargreaves, and bassist Paul Kowert. This is an all-star lineup playing a fabulous, sprightly piece. The violin solo is outstanding. Sarah Jarosz is now one of the leading lights in progressive acoustic music. In addition to her own work, she has collaborated with pretty much everyone at the top of this genre. Her work with I’m With Her (with Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Watkins) is amazing. She is one of those exceedingly gifted musicians who combines extraordinary skill on her instruments with a gorgeous voice and a brilliant instinct for songwriting. Sierra Hull and Sarah Watkins also come to mind in this group.”

MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected), photo by C2 Management

MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected), photo by C2 Management

2. Chris Thile & Mike Marshall – “The Goldberg Variations, Variation #1 (J.S. Bach)”

“The mandolin is not commonly thought of as a classical instrument. Players such as Mike Marshall, Chris Thile, and Sierra Hull are changing that perception by playing Bach. As someone who has devoted a lot of time and effort to studying and playing Bach’s music, I’m fascinated by this group of progressive acoustic musicians who recognize and celebrate the pre-eminent place of Bach’s music in our Western system. Whether you’re playing jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass or anything else in the realm of tonal music, it was Bach who codified the system and thereby paved the way for all those in the Western tradition who came after.”

3. The Goat Rodeo Sessions – “Attaboy”

“This album won a Grammy. Not surprising given the lineup: Chris Thile, Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer; all brilliant virtuosos. Chris’ mandolin playing anchors this piece beautifully. This is one of those albums that demands attention from anyone interested in progressive acoustic instrumental music. I heard these musicians perform music from this album at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, California on the tour after the album came out. It was easily one of the most wonderful concerts I’ve ever seen!

“As to that Grammy, it was for ‘Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.’ This is the only acoustic instrumental album to ever receive this award and it is the album that ultimately led to me working with Adam Ayan, our mastering engineer. This piece was a model for us in recording, mixing, and mastering the music on ‘In The Rain Shadow’ and ‘I Will Find My Way.’”

4. Nickel Creek – “The Lighthouse’s Tale”

“Just an outstanding song with a signature mandolin phrase that returns after each verse. Nickel Creek has a prominent place in the development of progressive acoustic music. They continue to push the envelope with their most recent release. I have had the opportunity to spend some time with Chris Thile. He is one of the most brilliant musicians currently working in any genre. His comments to me on music from the MVI release, In The Rain Shadow, had a real impact on the follow-up release, I Will Find My Way.”

5. Nickel Creek – “Sweet Aftron”

“Another outstanding Nickel Creek song. I have heard Chris Thile perform this live. It is absolutely mesmerizing! There is something irresistible to me about a slow-tempo, beautifully conceived, and executed song that dispenses with flashy virtuosity and proceeds with a straightforward delivery of a heartfelt lyric carried on a gorgeous melody. It does not get much better!”

6. Punch Brothers – “Julep”

“Maybe the most popular piece by Punch Brothers. This piece highlights the mandolin as a percussion instrument. Punch Brothers brings together a bunch of hardcore virtuosos capable of a very wide range of styles. They recently added Brittany Haas, an amazing fiddle player who brings as much fire to this ensemble as is generated by the rest of them. Can’t leave this group without mentioning Noam Pikelny (who goes by ‘Pickles’ to the rest of the group). He stands atop the banjo world (maybe sharing the peak with Bela Fleck) as a remarkable improviser.”

7. Sierra Hull – “Bombshell”

“Sierra is a serious young badass whom I got to spend some time with over the summer. She has a uniquely beautiful mandolin sound (and her voice is gorgeous as well!). She was initially noticed by Chris Thile when Sierra was only ten years old.”

8. I’m With Her – “Crossing Muddy Waters”

“An all-women super-group. This one features Sarah Jarosz on mandolin. A great song! These women are just outstanding musicians. The vocal harmonies are stunningly beautiful.”

9. Mike Marshall & Caterina Lichtenberg – “Mara’s Sleeping Song”

“Having spent some time in the studio with Mike, I am very partial to his playing. This lullaby is just an undeniable beauty. Here again, I can’t resist music that invites listeners in without resorting to virtuosic shredding.”

10. Mark Vickness & Mike Marshall – “Mandolin Spring”

“Another example of Mike’s beautiful mandolin playing. I’m so fortunate to have gotten to work with him on this joyful piece! I am absolutely thrilled that the YouTube video of this recording garnered over a quarter million views in the first 30 days of release. I’m hoping that we can coordinate our schedules so that Mike can come in and guest on this piece for live shows. That would be something!”

Born in 2003, V13 was a socio-political website that morphed into PureGrainAudio in 2005 and spent 15 years developing into one of Canada's (and the world’s) leading music sites. On the eve of the site’s 15th anniversary, a full relaunch and rebrand took us back to our roots and opened the door to a full suite of Music, Entertainment, and cultural content.

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