Customer Reviews

I've Got the House to Myself

5 star:		(12)
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There are several ways to approach this extraordinary album. One is to frame it as a bluegrass guitar extravaganza from a guy with chops out the yin yang. The other is to imagine what John Fahey or Bela Bartok or Philip Glass might do if they were dreadnought bearing bluegrass guitarists. The music goes beyond the realm of incredible soloing into flights of improvisational (sounding) fancy where country melodies spin out and rise like gorgeous plumes of notes. (Sorry, that was my phone ringing: looks like I have to get back to Earth.) Seriously, if there just isn't enough Clarence White (may his soul be forever blessed) or Tony Rice work available for you, and even if there is, David Grier is a treat to be savored.

As other reviewers have mentioned; many cuts on this album are one solo flatpicked guitar. Some have some accompaniment or harmony overdubs (so far, I've only noticed this on the title track). All tracks are played by Mr. Grier with his Nashville Guitar College acoustic guitar. The tone of this guitar, when played by Grier, is wonderful.
The arrangements are wonderful. Tasteful, interesting, and marvellously executed. This is one of the very best, if not THE best, flatpicked guitar albums I've ever heard. (And I've heard a great many.)

I don't mean to quibble or diminish what Grier has served up, but it should be said for potential buyers: many tracks on this album are not just a single guitar (I didn't realize it myself until I listened with headphones). Some tunes include subtle rhythm chords and occasional unison and octave doublings that create an almost twelve-string feel. I don't think there's any intent to deceive here, the music is wonderful and ultimately who cares how its constructed. In my younger "guitar freak" phase I was more into the idealistic "one person, one guitar" purity thing and this record would have bugged me a bit (which shows where I was at). Just in case there's anyone out there who feels that way.

Even though Grier's coming out of the White/Rice school in terms of touch and phrasing, this record put me in mind of Blake's "Whiskey Before Breakfast", another great "solo guitar" recording that's a got more going on.

If you have ever heard David live and solo, you know there is much more that he can show you then what is on this album. This album is an excellent starting point for hearing what Grier can do with one flatop guitar and a pick. This album is MUST HEAR!!! but also catch him live when he comes to your town. He is the most amazing flatpicker EVER!!!

Fans of metal shredding can keep their Vinnie Moores, Tony MacAlpines etc. David Grier can summon up more musicality in one bar than neo-classical shredders can in entire albums. Not that he cant 'shred' when he needs to. Speed is no problem. The beauty about all Grier's stuff is it's not predictable. Unlike many bluegrass flatpickers he doesnt stay within the genre but incorporates other styles such as jazz and folk. Even though this albums if just one man and his guitar, you can listen to it from start to finish without getting bored. Essential for all aspiring flatpickers.

Building on the highly syncopated picking of the late Clarence White, Grier breathes new life into old war horses such as Bill Cheathum, Sally Gooden, and Arkansas Traveller. His technique emphasizes taste and tone over speed, but he is perfectly capable of putting the pedal to the metal such as in the middle of John Henry. The recording quality is excellent...very warm and intimate. This one can be listened to over and over again.

How can one guy and a guitar sound so good? A total mystery to those of us who can't even strum a G chord...but all I can say is I'm glad someone can do it.
The songs on this cd are mostly familiar tunes, along with some originals. My favorite? Hard to decide--either the title track (written by Grier) or his take on Bill Cheatum. You won't hear flatpicking like this anywhere. This is music of the highest quality--can't seem to take this one off repeat. I -never- get tired of this one.

This album is solid, non-stop solo flat picking guitar. Like John Fahey, only bluegrass style and flat picked, not finger picked. Beautiful and, at times, downright amazing

Grier is a wonderful guitarist. A must have for anyone who enjoys bluegrass or country guitar.

I have this feeling that this Album was an attempt to respond to what other flatpickers were doing at the time, mainly Kenny Smith. Don't get me wrong Grier's technique is flawless, unique, improvisational and a go anywhere style. However, in my opinion, his previous albums and play had lacked feeling. Despite his originality and unparalleled play, his music was sort of matter of fact and flat when it came to the emotional/feel good component- the likes of Me and My Farmall by Smith. In this album, Grier changes this perception. His play on tracks Cheathum, I've got the house, Sally Goodin are remarkable and full of what had been lacking in previous albums. He makes it clear that he is one of the top if not clear cut frontrunner in today's bluegrass scene.