Customer Reviews

David Grisman Rounder Album

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In the early '70's, David Grisman was part of a troop of musicans that included guitar wiz Tony Rice, fiddler emeritus Vassar Clemmens, and melodic banjo pioneer Bill Keith - all featured here, all raised on the so-called traditions of bluegrass (Clemmens and Keith both having done time with Bill Monroe; Rice with probably the best version of J.D. Crowe's New South)and all anxious to push the envelope. This particular combination shows up on a number of different recordings during this time period. What makes this session unique is the first hint of Grisman's unique musical brew that came to be known as "Dawg Music" - check out the minor-keyed explorations "Waiting on Vassar" and "Opus 38", and you'll understand. Still, this was a Rounder effort from the early '70's, and Dawg keeps a lot of it somewhat traditional - but with Rice and Ricky Scaggs around for vocals, you know it's great stuff. Also, see if you can figure out which tune contains Tony Trishka's "Mystery Banjo Part"(Trishka wound up using the musicians from this recording on Side 2 of his album titled "Banjoland"). If you like this, also check out Bill Keith's "Something Old, Something Newgrass." Tony Rice also released a recording with essentially the same outfit, but the name of it escapes me.

This is one great album. A nice introduction to Grisman's music for a new listener, but also an important moment in the development of bluegrass. Great music, well played with attention and affection by top players of the "newgrass" movement. Faaaaar ahead of its time--a funny thing to say about music with such deep roots, but true.