Database with cittern-containing recordings

Database with recordings featuring cittern, bouzouki, octave mandolin and/or mandola prominent in the mix. Mandolins, although sort of tiny citterns, do not apply for this list. As much info as possible regarding the people behind the instrument, the instrument itself, and the tuning that is used, is given. This is the result of a suggestion made on the Cittern mailing list.

Artist: Caravel Title: A Sailor's Story
Author: A. de Waal/Mark Fitzsimons Medium: CD Number of tracks: 11 Playing time: 52.24
Player: Mark Fitzsimons Instrument: 10string cittern by Davy Stuart Tuning: GDAEB various capo positions Tracks: 4, 5, 7, 8, 10
Player2: Mark Fitzsimons Instrument2: 10string bouzouki by Davy Stuart Tuning2: CGDAE various capo positions Tracks2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10
Record label: Green Man Humming Productions Catalog Nr: GMHCD2002 Year: 2000 ID of this entry: 14
Remarks: I don't have this album (yet). If anyone wants to give a review, I'll post that here. I know Cittern List member Mark from his work for the COI series, that contains some of his own compositions. Mark is a muli-instrumentalist; he also plays guitar, bass, drums, cello, bodhran, marimba and sings. This album also contains female vocals. This self-produced album is available by secure credit card order from http://greenmanhumming.com or http://www.celticmusic.co.nz/shop/welcome.html
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Artist: Ceol Title: The last order
Author: Jean Banwarth Medium: CD Number of tracks: 11 Playing time: 49:46
Player: Jean Banwarth Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: GDAE Tracks: 8 out of eleven
Record label: EDMI Catalog Nr: EDMI 01 Year: 1999 ID of this entry: 19
Remarks: Sound samples, reviews, and ordering information at http://perso.club-internet.fr/banwarth/index.html
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Artist: Dan'u Title: Dan'u
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 14 Playing time: 51:35
Player: Eammon Doorley Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: ? Tracks: 1,2,3,5,7,8,9,12,13,14
Record label: ? Catalog Nr: TM002 Year: 1997 ID of this entry: 6
Remarks: Tasteful and inventive backup on bouzouki. Track 14 has some melody.
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Artist: Dervish Title: Live in Palma
Author: A. de Waal Medium: 2CD Number of tracks: 20 with music, 26 total Playing time: ?
Player: Michael Holmes Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: GDAD half step up Tracks: ?
Player2: Brian McDonagh Instrument2: mandola's Tuning2: DAEA half step up/EBF#B half step up and capoed 1 Tracks2: ?
Record label: Whirling Discs Catalog Nr: WHRL004 Year: 1997 ID of this entry: 8
Remarks: Beautiful interplay between bouzouki and mandola. Brian plays two vintage Gibson mandola's. The really good thing is that the bouzouki and mandola tracks are well-separated and up-front in the mix. The bad thing is that there is a lot of talking between the tracks, but the good thing is that the introductions have their own track number so can be skipped. Also a bit of a pain is that all the music is played a half step too high compared to the usual pitch. Most important of all: the music is great!
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Artist: Djal Title: Nuits blanches
Author: Jean Banwarth Medium: Number of tracks: 11 Playing time: 69:47
Player: Jean Banwarth Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: GDAE Tracks: all
Record label: MusTraDem Catalog Nr: MTD 0019 Year: 2000 ID of this entry: 20
Remarks: Live recording. French folk music. Sound samples, reviews, and ordering information at http://www.mustradem.com
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Artist: Fitzsimons, Mark Title: Creatures of the undergrowth
Author: A. de Waal/Mark Fitzsimons Medium: CD Number of tracks: 9 Playing time: 41.22
Player: Mark Fitzsimons Instrument: 10string cittern by Davy Stuart Tuning: GDAEB various capo positions Tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
Player2: Mark Fitzsimons Instrument2: 10string elec cittern by Davy Stuart Tuning2: GDAEB various capo positions Tracks2: 3, 6, 8
Record label: Green Man Humming Productions Catalog Nr: GMHCD9901 Year: 1999 ID of this entry: 13
Remarks: I don't have this album (yet). If anyone wants to give a review, I'll post that here. I know Cittern List member Mark from his work for the COI series, that contains some of his own compositions. Mark is a muli-instrumentalist; he also plays guitar, bass, drums, cello, bodhran, marimba and sings. This self-produced album is available by secure credit card order from http://greenmanhumming.com or http://www.celticmusic.co.nz/shop/welcome.html
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Artist: Joseph Sobol Title: Citternalia
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 13 Playing time: 48:59
Player: Joseph Sobol Instrument: 10-string cittern Tuning: FCFCF, usually capo'd Tracks: all except 8
Player2: Joseph Sobol Instrument2: 12-string cittern Tuning2: DADADE Tracks2: 7,12
Record label: Catalog Nr: Year: ID of this entry: 21
Remarks: A really great recording, which I purchased directly from Joseph. There is a cittern on almost every track, and some tracks have more than one. What distinguishes this from most cittern playing is the right hand: Joseph plays with his (strengthened) fingernails. This gives great control over the ornamentation. Oh well, in his hands at least; those who saw him swear he has more than 10 fingers, but they move too fast to count. Joseph also plays guitar, mostly in open tunings. Other instruments are played by guest musicians John Williams, Laurence Nugent, Brendan McKinney and Paddy League. For a preview: Citterns on Ice vol II features a track from this album. Ordering: PO Box 70684, ETSU email:JDSobol@aol.com Johnson City, TN 37614-1182 USA Send a check or MO of $17 ($18 to Europe, $19 to Asia or Australia)
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Artist: Lunny, Donal Title: Coolfin
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 12 Playing time: 52:39
Player: Donal Lunny Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: ? Tracks: all?
Record label: Metro Blue Catalog Nr: 7243 4 93542 27 Year: 1998 ID of this entry: 7
Remarks: Laid back and jazzy. Donal does not want to attract all attention. Never main melody on bouzouki, but inventive backup. Highlight of the album IMHO is the singing of the sisters NiDomhnaill on tracks 7 and 11.
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Artist: McNeill, Brian Title: Monksgate
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 12 Playing time: 41:20
Player: Brian McNeill Instrument: cittern Tuning: (D)ADAd(a) ? Not mentioned on the sleeve Tracks: 1,3,4,6,8,10
Player2: Jamie McMenemy Instrument2: Guitarra Portuguesa Tuning2: ? Tracks2: 2
Record label: FMS Fenn Music Service Catalog Nr: FMS2045 Year: 1977 (for Free Reed) ID of this entry: 4
Remarks: Lots of good melody playing on the cittern. I especially like tracks 4 and 10. Good music in general. Brian explained to me that he used to tune his 6-course Sobell DGDAEA, but later changed to DADADA. The bouzouki is and was ADAD.
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Artist: McNeill, Brian and McDonagh, Tom Title: Horses for Courses
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 12 Playing time: 49:00
Player: Brian McNeill Instrument: bouzouki and mandocello Tuning: ADad and DADAda Tracks: 2 and 10
Player2: Tom McDonagh Instrument2: Bouzouki Tuning2: ? Tracks2: 1,3,6,7,8,10,12
Record label: Greentrax Catalog Nr: CDTRAX071 Year: 1993 ID of this entry: 5
Remarks: Very good music. Not as much cittern as might be expected. Track 10 has melody playing by Brian. Tom plays backup on bouzouki, but very tasteful.
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Artist: Orion Title: Restless Home
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 14 Playing time: 62:46
Player: Jamie McMenemy Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: Adad Tracks: 1,2,3,5,6,8,11,13,14
Player2: Donal Lunny Instrument2: bouzouki Tuning2: ? Tracks2: 4,7,8,10,12
Record label: Keltia Musique Catalog Nr: RSCD224 M312 Year: 1998 ID of this entry: 10
Remarks: Mainly backup bouzouki, but tasteful. The accompaniment of Jamie for his own singing, in 7/8 time on track 2 is great. What I like most on the album is the playing of Raquel Gigot on various accordions.
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Artist: Patrick Street Title: Patrick Street
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 10 Playing time: 44:17
Player: Andy Irvine Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: GDAD Tracks: most
Record label: Green Linnet Inc. Catalog Nr: GLCD1071 Year: 1988 ID of this entry: 2
Remarks: First record by Patrick Street, with Arty McGlynn on guitar.
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Artist: Patrick Street Title: Made in Cork
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 12 Playing time: 45:29
Player: Andy Irvine Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: GDAD Tracks: most
Record label: Green Linnet Catalog Nr: GLCD1184 Year: 1997 ID of this entry: 3
Remarks: Ged Foley replaced Arty McGlynn
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Artist: Planxty Title: Cold Blow and the Rainy Night
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 11 Playing time: 45:51
Player: Johnny Moynihan Instrument: bouzouki Tuning: ? Tracks: ?
Player2: Andy Irvine Instrument2: mandola Tuning2: ? Tracks2: ?
Record label: Shanachie Catalog Nr: 79011 Year: 1989 (CD) 1974 (LP) ID of this entry: 11
Remarks: In the liner notes Donal Lunny is thanked for playing bouzouki. Good melody playing in tracks 2 (polka set), and 7 (Mominsko Horo). Nice melodic accompaniment of songs, good interplay between bouzouki and mandolin/mandola.
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Artist: Telynor Title: Telynor 2
Author: A. de Waal/John Peekstok Medium: CD, cassette Number of tracks: 10 Playing time: 43:56
Player: John Peekstok Instrument: cittern Tuning: EAEAE Tracks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Player2: Anna Peekstok Instrument2: octave mandolin Tuning2: GDAE Tracks2: 6
Record label: Telynor Catalog Nr: TCD2, TCS2 Year: 1990 ID of this entry: 15
Remarks: Now this is a record I *do* have, directly from Telynor, and I really love it. John Peekstok plays cittern on most of the tracks. He is very good at it, too. I didn't get a real chance to figure out what he's doing, because the music is so good I am distracted from the citterning all the time. Anna Peekstok's vocals are great, the hurdy-gurdy is even better. Sound samples, reviews, and ordering information at www.telynor.com
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Artist: Telynor Title: Off the Beaten Track
Author: A. de Waal/John Peekstok Medium: CD Number of tracks: 11 Playing time: 42:10
Player: John Peekstok Instrument: cittern Tuning: EAEAE Tracks: 5, 9
Player2: Anna Peekstok Instrument2: octave mandolin Tuning2: GDAD, GDAE Tracks2: 3, 6
Record label: Telynor Catalog Nr: TCD3 Year: 1992 ID of this entry: 16
Remarks: This is an album of traditional Christmas music from Britain, France, and Appalachia. Sound samples, reviews, and ordering information at www.telynor.com
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Artist: Telynor Title: Sprig of Thyme
Author: A. de Waal/John Peekstok Medium: CD Number of tracks: 11 Playing time: 51:17
Player: John Peekstok Instrument: cittern Tuning: EAEAE Tracks: 1, 4, 11
Player2: Anna Peekstok Instrument2: octave mandolin Tuning2: GDAE Tracks2: 1
Record label: Telynor Catalog Nr: TCD4 Year: 1998 ID of this entry: 17
Remarks: A. de Waal: I do not own this record (yet) but have heard a track because it is on COI 2, and I find it one of the highlights. Anna Peekstok has a lovely voice. John wrote: Other instruments include hurdy-gurdy, nyckelharpa, mountain dulcimer, Celtic harp, didjeridu. Sound samples, reviews, and ordering information at www.telynor.com
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Artist: Trimble, Gerald Title: First Flight
Author: A. de Waal Medium: CD Number of tracks: 11 Playing time: 43:04
Player: Gerald Trimble Instrument: cittern Tuning: GDAda (when capoed V) Tracks: ?
Record label: Green Linnet Records Catalog Nr: GLCD1043 Year: 1983 ID of this entry: 1
Remarks: First record of Gerald Trimble. Cittern is melody instrument on every track. If you can only take one CD to an uninhabited island, this should be it. His later two recordings are nice, but are less cittern-oriented.
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