Mark O'Connor -New Stuff from an Old Hand

Ok so 42 is not old. In fact it is only a few weeks older than me but Mark O'Connor has been playing so long he is one certainly an old hand at this music stuff we all seem to love. I personally have been a fan for about 20 of Mark's 30 year career to date. He is quite simply one of the best musicians, composers and all round good guys there is and pretty much personifies Great American music.

To celebrate his time served in the business his 30 year retrospective featuring Bryan Sutton, Byron House and Nickel Creek's Chris Thile hits the stores on November 11th . In the world of music milestones this is an important release. It is a double CD which runs for a glorious 2 and ½ hours and will be available at all good music stores and online at outlest like Amazon. It is rare that I will take a press release and print it as is but this one is written by Mark and I think there is no-one better to tell you about the vision he had for this album.

From Mark's press release:

“I started recording at such an early age that I find myself celebrating
my 30th year as a solo recording artist by the age of 42! For this
occasion, I wanted to do something a little different. I decided to seek
out some of the young talent coming up behind me, and celebrate with
them some of my best music over the years. The same music that in turn
helped to inspire these young musician's careers as well. The result is
my unique musical journey performed by myself and a trio of virtuoso
bluegrass musicians and improvisers gathered together for these live
recordings. From my early Texas fiddle tunes to Appalachia Waltz music,
from Newgrass and Bluegrass to Hot Swing, and with the New Nashville
Cats and Strength In Numbers thrown in between, it was inconceivable for
me to imagine that this performance could happen from one band of
musicians even a decade ago. To be able to have been at the forefront of
creating new styles of acoustic music through these 30 years, and then
celebrate those efforts in this way, brings me full circle. Or maybe
half circle, because I would love to put in another 30 years before it
is over! Thanks to Chris Thile, Bryan Sutton and Byron House for their
magnificent performance. And thanks to all of my fans who have listened
and enjoyed this music over the years. I can't wait for you to have this
one!”

I could not have said it better and I trust every word the man says. He has certainly never steered me wrong musically over the years and I for one can't wait to get my hands on this album.

For more info on this recording and up and coming shows hit Mark's website at;

http://www.markoconnor.com