Beppe Gambetta, Carlo Aonzo, David Grisman

Traversata: Italian Music in America

(Acoustic Disc)

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ARCHIVES . Articles

February 7–14, 2002

cd reviews|folk/world

Beppe Gambetta, Carlo Aonzo, David Grisman

Traversata: Italian Music in America

(Acoustic Disc)

The mandolin is the core of this collection, as the presence of David Grisman suggests. Italian mandolin music suggests melody carried with a warbly tremolo, operas and gondolas. Traversata shows those ideas are just the beginning, and goes on to teach much of the plectrum orchestra history, in exquisite scaled down recreations of those old arrangements. Each track gets its own page in the booklet, with copious facts on composers, when the pieces were written and the instruments used. Grisman, long known as a bluegrass mandolinist, adds a taste of Bill Monroe to the mix. Guitarist Beppe Gambetta, who first became known for what he describes as "spaghetti bluegrass," is an Italian kid who taught himself from recordings, and well enough to be a partner to bluegrass guitar hero Dan Crary. Gambetta’s love for Italian music led him to have a remarkable harp guitar recreated. The instrument has disappeared today but was essential to the plectrum orchestra sound. Once heard it is clear no other instrument could truly substitute for its low yet ringing tones. Aonzo has worked with opera companies in his native Italy and runs a major mandolin festival there. These three combine a passion for the genre and the technique to convert others. From taratellas to early jazz, the tunes are irresistible.

—Mary Armstrong