I really enjoyed your Acoustic Potluck CD.  
You've got some great tunes and great playing.  
All the tunes have got something, but I
particularly liked Noodler's Harnpipe (great title),
Boiled Okra and Gravely Harmonic.  The slow
ones - Garden Walk and Three String Waltz
sound like they always existed.  

I'm sure Joe (Scurfield) would have been very
happy with your version of "Balls to Hall".  It's
come to you slightly changed...but the heart is
still there.

Pete Challoner (Old Rope String Band)
I've listened to the CD 3 times already, and I really
enjoy it!
The coolest thing about the Tune Book, is that in
the back of it there are paired songs, same as the
medleys on the CD, so an instrumentalist can
play along to the tunes. Excellent idea, and it
gives a bit of Kansas here in California.. .

Peace
Matt
Hi 'Three Bean Salad'

Many thanks for the great cd and also
for doing a lovely job on my tune.  It
sits nicely with the tune after it also.  

Well done and keep up the good work

Best wishes

J Marsh
Acoustic Potluck review from Italian website The Long Journey


Seconda prova discografica per questo trio del Kansas composto da Mike Black al mandolino, da lui stesso autocostruito, Dayle
Dryer Black al fiddle e Mike Yoder alla chitarra. La band solitamente si esibisce alle locali barn dance ed ai farmer’s market,
situazioni di festa dove lo scopo principale è la parte godereccia legata alla cucina e la danza, in coppia o di gruppo, a seguire. Le
melodie quindi proposte sono tutte basate su arie di origine irlandese che dall’isola oltre Manica sono giunte nel nuovo mondo
durante il periodo dell’immigrazione dall’Europa alla terra americana. I tre si sono impadroniti così a fondo di questa tradizione che
quasi tutti i 18 brani strumentali proposti, di cui 9 in formato medley, sono di composizione della coppia Black. Alla traccia 14
compare anche un pianoforte dato che Dayle è pianista di estrazione classica prima di dedicarsi al violino. Le tracce scorrono tra
reels, jigs, tunes, power tunes, dance sets e walzer. Il violino fa da guida al suono del trio in accoppiata al mandolino che lavora
anch’esso all’interno della melodia talvolta con qualche seconda voce, lasciando alla sola chitarra tutta la parte ritmica. Tra le note
in stile tradizionale di tanto in tanto c’è qualche guizzo di inventiva fantasiosa fuori dagli schemi che apre in soluzioni armoniche
differenti dall’incedere dell’album. Album gradevole, senza troppi scossoni, musica strumentale adatta, appunto, alla danza.
Consigliato a chi desidera immergersi per un oretta circa nell’Irish sound.
I have to tell you that I play your CD
almost every day.  I know that sounds
strange and it is because I never listen
to any CD that much.  I love the entire
thing!!!  I'm not just sucking up either,
it is awesome.  I want to learn Four
Mile Post and Red Crow really really
bad.  They are in my mind constantly.  
You guys BETTER be working on CD
number 2, don't know if I could handle
another one and share playing time
with this one, but it would be cool.

Debbie Mullins
Got both of your cds and WOW.....
love 'em. Your selection of the old  
tunes and celtic stuff is pretty scary as
most are my faves and your  
new tunes are wonderful.
Both cds are part of my road selections
and I have had opportunity to listen
to them a number of times. Your
arrangements are super. Love the solid
punch of the guitar playing.  
Fiddle and Mando.... what can I say.

Ed Lehner
Three Words About Your CD...

FAN TAS TIC!

Mark Foster
Random Reviews and Comments
I have enjoyed listening to your CD. It is fun to
follow along with the book ,and try to see if you are
following what is written…most of the time, as far
as I can tell. I can picture you guys playing together

Dave Firestine
Hey Mike and Dayle,
Thanks so much for sending me three
bean salad..it's totally eclectically cool.
Excellent job on the tune writing (like
the waltzes and Old Dog especially)...
and thanks for the recipe to boot.

Best wishes,
Rodney Miller
Hi Mike and Dayle,
"I love your music" What a GREAT sound!!  
Your Three Bean Salad- Acoustic Potluck CD
is getting a real workout.  I picked up your
CD & Book while at Ashokan and have
about wore them out.  I bought a lot of
things, but haven't enjoyed them nearly as
much as I have your CD.  It's just Wonderful!

P.D. Midgett III
I've been playing mandolin on and off for 4 years.  I hadn't
been motivated to practice until I heard your Problem
Solved/Biscuits & Gravy - I knew I had to play this music.  We
don't seem to have the traditional dance culture here that you
enjoy in Kansas and therefore we don't have this kind of music.
 I think your sound is terrific.

Dan Smith