News from the Fairport Convention Web site (http://www.fairportconvention.com/) – a report on their recent USA-Tour included a review of a stop at Mandolin Brothers! Me mber Chris Leslie writes:
“Well, we are almost through our first week here in the USA, and what an action packed week it has been.
We had quite a long drive to Rockville M D – let's rock! Our route took us by Coney Island (cue Simon Nicol singing “Coney Island Washboard” behind the wheel of our trusty vehicle) and across Staten Island, where Joni Mitchell went to buy herself a mandolin from one of the most 'spendingly dangerous' music shops on the planet, namely Mandolin Brothers. A good chance to get my ailing bouzouki fixed; Rob phoned ahead and they kindly agreed to have a look at it straight away.
Once in the shop, one's heart rate quickens, the eyes dart independently like a chameleon, the tongue licks the lips and the legs go all wobbly. Mandolin Brothers is stuffed full of the most gorgeous acoustic instruments: guitars, ukes, mandolins, semi acoustics, electrics. The owner, Stan Jay, has a beautifully relaxed shop with very friendly people working there. I don't think I'm exaggerating to call it a shrine to some of the finest fretted musical instrument making one could see.
While my bouzouki is taken off by Gil to see what is wrong I have time to look around. Simon is immersed with several lovely looking guitars, Ric is among the ukes, and I spot a mandolin by John Monteleone of New York. It looks amazing -- John's own take on the classic F5 Gibson shape. I take it off the wall and try it. WOW! It has such a big sound, warm and fruity with a precise top edge to it as well. Very clear, it is so lovely to play. It is nu mber 33 and signed by him inside through the F-hole. It is on sale for a cool twenty-five thousand dollars! I hang it back up having enjoyed my brief encounter.
Good news from Gil the repairman – he has managed to fix the problem, which turns out to have been in the bridge. I am so very grateful to all at Mandolin Brothers. I always knew Joni had great taste!”