Mandolin Boogie combines
the Armstrong Twins' first recordings from the late '40s and early '50s with their reunion session recorded specifically for the Arhoolie label in 1979. It's amazing that the brothers' sparkling close harmonies and
Lloyd Armstrong's unique and nimble mandolin runs were sustained almost 30 years after they started making records; the only real difference between the sessions is the recording technology that was used. Tinged with a combination of bluegrass and traditional country, these 17 tracks include
Floyd Armstrong's original compositions "Mandolin Boogie," "Alabama Baby," and "Arkansas Special," as well as Americana standards such as "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine" and "Greenback Dollar" and religious material that includes "Address From Heaven," "Why Not Confess," and "Mother's Only Sleeping." As a side note, the Arhoolie sessions also feature
Zane Beck on Dobro and
Monte Avery on bass.