"I got this album years ago, and I keep coming back for more. As your tastes evolve, different cuts speak to you in different ways. A couple of years ago, Gator Strut, the title cut, was the cool cut. This year, the Bach just does me in. Mike Marshall is a one-of-a-kind, and all his work just gets better on repeat listening. Thanks, Mike!"
WONDERFUL !
Stefano Santangelo | PADOVA Italy | 11/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The best Cd of New Acoustic Music. The ROUND MIDNIGHT Mike's version is great like the original of "Master" T.Monk. All songs of this Cd are full of passion with the "cream" of acoustic musicians. I love it ! I have this one on Lp from many years and now I've this one on Cd. For me, I'm a mandolinist, this Cd is a "bible" . Very very super goooood !"
Entertaining, varied, masterful collection
Kim A Miller | Windsor, CT United States | 03/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I worked my way backward to this recording via Chris Thile. I'm thinking this guy Marshall is good (Live Duets). I wonder what he was like 20 years ago? So I got in the way back machine and went back 25 years.
This recording is the bomb. Piano, mandolin, mandocello, standard bluegrass instruments doing dawg music, swing, swamp music, a pinch of bluegrass. Marshall absolutely blows the doors off, but also plays with cat style and feeling. Amazing, must have album!"
A Mandolin Masterpiece
Seth Giddings | Across the Universe... | 09/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Featuring several of the world's leading acoustic musicians, Gator Strut is a landmark album featuring guest appearances by Béla Fleck on banjo, David Grisman on mandolin and Tony Rice on guitar among other notables. Gator Strut features innovative and inspired interpretations of diverse repertoire ranging from classical favorites such as Ravel's "Bolero", and Bach's Partita in E to pop masterpieces like Lennon and McCartney's "Because", and even jazz standards like Theolonius Monk's "Round Midnight" and John Coltrane's "Giant Hornpipe". Not content to merely showcase his overwhelming instrumental prowess, Marshall also contributes his own amazing compositions to this masterpiece including the title cut "Gator Strut", "Scotch & Swing", "Wake Up", and "We Three" among others. Gator Strut is essential listening for discerning blue grass fans, adventurous jazz heads and general acoustic enthusiasts alike."