Potpourri of Bluegrass Jam

Muleskinner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 20, 1995)
• Original Release Date: 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sierra
• ASIN: B00008FR8M
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,919 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mule Skinner Blues

2. Blue and Lonesome

3. Footprints in the Snow

4. Dark Hollow

5. White House Blues

6. Opus 57 in G Minor

7. Gunways of the Moon

8. Roanoke

9. Rain and Snow

10. Soldier's Joy

11. Blue Mule

Editorial Reviews

Muleskinner could be considered the world's first bluegrass supergroup. Originally formed as a way to honor Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys on public television, legends David Grisman, Clarence White, Peter Rowan, Richard Greene and Bill Keith created an indelible, elastic bluegrass album. Combining elements of folk and rock, Muleskinner's A Potpourri of Bluegrass Jam is an essential addition to any collection. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bluegrass Supergroup, March 2, 2004

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Potpourri of Bluegrass Jam (Audio CD)

To my knowledge this marks the third release of this landmark recording. It was first released by Warner Bros. in 1973. Then after it went out of print, the indie label Ridge Runner rereleased it in 1978. And now we have this new edition. There are no bonus tracts, no demos or previously unreleased material, just the original eleven songs.

In 1972 when recording for this album began, the five core members of the group had just recently left their previous bands. Clarence White (lead guitar), of course, had just left the Byrds. Richard Greene (fiddle) and Peter Rowan (guitar, vocals) had parted ways with Seatrain. Bill Keith (banjo) had left Kweskin's Jug Band. And David Grisman (mandolin)had split from Earth Opera. They were joined by bassist John Kahn and drummer John Guerin, transforming themselves into the first bluegrass supergroup.

The album kicks off with a rollicking version of "Mule Skinner Blues" that has White's Telecaster crackling and popping and Greene's fiddle propelling this classic along at lightning speed.

Several songs are taken from Bill Monroe's repertoire. (Not surprising since both Rowan and Greene played with the master in the mid-Sixties.) These include "Blue and Lonesome," "Footprints in the Snow" and the instrumental "Roanoke," which Keith ignites with his stellar banjo playing leaving the rest of the band to hang on for dear life.

On the other instrumental, the classic fiddle tune "Soldier's Joy," White, Grisman, Keith and Rowan display their skills on their respective instruments as they share lead breaks.

Of the handful of originals, the Grisman-penned "Opus 57 in G Minor" showcases what he would later dub "Dawg" music as he fuses bluegrass and jazz. The other two originals were written by Peter Rowan: "Runways of the Moon" (co-written with fellow Seatrain alum Jim Roberts) is very reminiscent of late-era Byrds, and the album closer "Blue Mule," offers Peter's eye-witness account of what "really" happened that day at the racetrack between Molly and Tenbrooks.

This would be Muleskinner's lone release (Clarence White was killed by a drunk driver months after the album's release), but it's a classic. Any serious fan of bluegrass needs to add this to his collection. ESSENTIAL

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Landmark Album!!, August 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Potpourri of Bluegrass Jam (Audio CD)

It's so good to see this record available on CD!!! Muleskinner was perhaps bluegrass' one and only supergroup, featuring mandolinist David Grisman (well known for his solo work and pairings with Jerry Garcia), guitarist and former Byrd Clarence White, banjo master David Keith (Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys & Jim Kweskin's Jug Band), and folkster Peter Rowan (also a Monroe alumnus). This band, augmented by a drummer and bass player, do some fine versions of many chestnuts including "Muleskinner Blues" (an early sixties hit for the Fendermen). I heartily recommend this fine reissue!!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ur-new grass, February 21, 2006

By 

R. Wiecki (Madison, Wis.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Potpourri of Bluegrass Jam (Audio CD)

This fine disc is an early link in the chain between the Byrds and what eventually became progressive bluegrass. Well worth knowing.