Customer Reviews

Been All Around This World

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the age when some record companies release EVERYTHING in full cds or as "bonus tracks." Much of this music should have stayed in the can. This is not the case with this cd. In some ways this is a better "soundtrack" than on the great film "Grateful Dawg." You have two friends, in a relaxed atmosphere, playing tunes for the pure enjoyment. Don't let this make you think this is a cd of sloppy playing, with a few moments of brillance making the purchase "worth it." These are two master musicians who on a "bad day" could outplay their peers, and on their "best days" could outplay a few legends!
This album should be brought because it is a great album, period. Lay back, put your feet up and enjoy!

If it seemed like Jerry Garcia got better with age, then this CD is proof. His vocals on the first cut "Been All Around This World" sound as good or better than most Grateful Dead tunes. This is an excellent cut, perhaps the best on the CD; a song I've heard The Dead cover before it landed on this CD. Overall, I'd rate this at about 3.5 stars, and I'll round it up to 4 stars for the amazon review. Some of the tunes are great, others are just OK. Other highlights are 'Take Me', a very nice, slow arrangement and 'The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest' Most of the tunes contain very tasty guitar leads from Garcia and the usual excellent work by the Master of the Mando, David Grisman. If you're a fan of the Grateful Dead and/or the Dawg, then this is a must-have.

If this release is indeed the bottom of Dawg's barrel, I hope he scrapes a little more off for us. I don't have much to add, but I did want to defend the version of "The Ballad of Frankie Lee & Judas Priest." I loved Jerry's delivery of it; his storytelling tone of voice makes the ballad come to life in a way that equals Dylan's original. Jerry 'got' Bob in a way most who cover Dylan songs don't. This one might not be as truly great as the first Garcia/Grisman or "Shady Grove," but it's still a great listen. Thanks, Dawg!

Another collection of nice, relaxed, acoustic duets, culled from the many hours of informal jam sessions that these two shaggy roots music old-timers held over the years. Jerry croons country oldies like the George Jones classic, "Take Me" and Merle Travis's "Dark As A Dungeon" and "Nine Pound Hammer," reggae tunes like "Sitting Here In Limbo" and several traditional songs, which help anchor the album's old-timey sound. The sedate, laid-back version of Bob Dylan's epic "Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest" is a highlight, though, honestly, there's no weak link to be heard on this album. These performances are understated and sincere, and though Grisman may have mined his archives several times for similar material, he is certainly not scraping the bottom of the barrel here... Not at all!

I've been to about 30 Dead shows in my time..., I still never get enough Jerry..., my all time favorite guitar player shows his acoustic stuff off nicely in this album..., Drink Up & Go Home..., GREAT TUNE!

As a long time Dead fan who mostly listens to old timey country, blues, folk and bluegrass nowadays this eclectic batch of Gracia and Grisman offerings was a tasty treat. The playing is excellent throughout and I like the rough, worn tone of Gracia's voice at this stage in his career. Highlights for me included "I'm Troubled", "Sittin' Here In Limbo" and "Drink Up And Go Home".

But it's on "Dark As A Dungeon" that I felt the strongest dose of Dead style musical magic. Somehow Garcia's vocals make this a song not just about a coal miner but about all of us as we trudge through the work-a-day world, feeling trapped and hoping for something better. I would also encourage listeners to seek out the originals by great traditional artists such as Jimmie Rodgers and Merle Travis. But here Jerry and the Dawg serve it up their way and it's a pleasure to listen to.

I hate to admit it but I never was a dead head. This CD was recommended to me when I bought my son a mandolin. I can't believe I didn't hear it before now. Grisman and Garcia are awesome. The tunes are traditional bluegrass but lively and fun. Garcia's singing is all Jerry. And you just want to get up and dance. I highly recommend it.

If you likes The Grateful Dead and if you like bluegrass, then this is something you have to have

This is very simple the best Garcia & Grisman release to date. If your at all a fan of these two, buy this, you won't be disappointed! Disregard the naysayer, he obvious has horrible taste since he gave only 3 stars to Doc Watson's "Southbound" cd and 5 to "Untold Treasure's". Enough said, buy this, David saved the best for last! Greg

amazing cd. I particularly like the james brown tune and the dylan cover. The tone of his voice in later years is very deep.