BACK ROADS MANDOLIN VOLUME TWO

BACK ROADS MANDOLIN VOLUME TWO
BY BUDDY MERRIAM.
(Buddy Merriam, P.O. Box 862, Sound Beach, NY 11789, www.buddymerriam.com.)

Buddy Merriam is a mandolin player from New York who has over 500 mandolin compositions to his credit. He’s spent 35 years leading his group Buddy Merriam & Back Roads and for 25 years has been the host of the radio program Blue Grass Time on WUSB in Long Island, N.Y. In this second volume, Merriam offers 32 more original compositions for instructional purposes.

Written in both standard notation and tablature, it’s not for the beginner, but more directed to a player who can read either style of notation. The introductory page is written by mandolinist Lou Martin, who explains that unlike Volume One, this volume contains Merriam’s more traditional bluegrass work and may be a little easier than those found in Volume One. Songs include “Avery Annes Reel,” “Blue Grass Time,” “Friar Tuch,” “Laurie’s Waltz,” “New Exhota,” and “Spirit Of Rose.” Also included are pictures of Buddy with Bill Monroe, Frank Wakefield, and pictures of some of his mandolins. There is also an accompanying CD with the melodies for each selection.BF