The recordings on this CD are among the last made by
Jethro Burns prior to his death.
Don Stiernberg, who studied with
Burns, plays rhythm guitar accompanying his teacher's brilliant mandolin as they sail effortlessly through a mixture of
standards ("Bye Bye Blues," "Idaho," and "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby") and forgotten chestnuts ("Tuck Me to Sleep [In My Old 'Tucky Home]" and "Jeanine, I Dream of Lilac Time"), delving into
jazz as well with a tantalizing take of
Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo."
Burns, who is best remembered as a member of the musical
comedy duo
Homer & Jethro, is recognized by mandolin players as one of the greats; as he explains in an interview with
Stiernberg (which is excerpted in the liner notes), he actually changed his approach to his instrument from single string to chord melody style following
Homer's death.
Burns' consistently inventive improvisations and
Stiernberg's solid accompaniment make this swinging CD one that fans of string
jazz (à la guitarist
Django Reinhardt) will want to pick up; it is available directly from the label at www.dawgnet.com. ~ Ken Drydenwww.dawgnet.com. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
