Customer Reviews

Slide Rule

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I initially purchased this CD in order to have a recording of Maura O'Connell's beautiful version of "It's a Beautiful Life," which was the theme song of one of my favorite radio shows when I lived in Southern California (the same show mentioned by a previous reviewer). But while that track remains my favorite one on "Slide Rule," I have discovered several other treasures on this album as well. Legendary dobroist Jerry Douglas surrounded himself with a top-notch group of instrumentalists, and then brought in several guest artists for specific numbers. While fiddler Stuart Duncan is the only member of the core band who I was previously familiar with, all of them--Scott Nygaard on guitar, Mark Schatz on bass, Adam Steffey on mandolin and Craig Smith on banjo, along with Duncan and Douglas himself--are superb.

In one highlight number, Alison Krauss sings a very gentle tune called "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby," while on another Alan O'Bryant joins the band for a very appropriate tune for a Jerry Douglas album, "When Papa Played the Dobro." Naturally, there are also several standout instrumental numbers. Several, such as "We Hide & Seek" and "Shenandoah Breakdown," give the entire band chances to take the lead. In another, the "New Day Medley," Douglas shows what a beautiful sound a solo dobro can create.

Any lover of traditional music of any sort will want this album.

Obviously, I am a BIG Jerry Douglas fan and think that his artistry with the dobro is at another level from most other musicians in any musical style you could name. Lately, I've been enjoying his work as featured player with Alison Krauss and Union Station, one of the country's top bluegrass/country bands. I have Cd's by Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Mark O'Connor, Chris Thile and other artists that have Jerry playing his trademark dobro with them.
"Slide Rule" is my favorite of his solo Cd's--it's also his first one. I have to agree with those other reviewers who singled out "It's A Beautiful Life" with Maura O'Connell, "Hide and Seek" (which he performs on the Alison Krauss Live Cd also), and the medley as standouts but the entire Cd is a treasure. Those who want to explore the Douglas dobro sound further, check out the Strength in Numbers Cd, which has Douglas, Fleck, Bush, O'Connor, and bassist Edgar Meyer displaying their virtuouso chops as a group.
Good stuff.

If I say that this CD is AMAZINGLY GOOD and you should OWN IT if you love bluegrass music, that's all you really need to know.

But in case you need to know more: Douglas is one of the greatest dobro players in bluegrass music and one of the finest musicians in all of music, any genre, bar none. He's been at the peak of his skills for many years now, with no sign of slowing down. This CD from 1992 is as fresh as the day it was recorded. It's largely an album of traditional bluegrass music, so the date of issue is irrelevant anyway. I say "largely," because, as always, Douglas likes to mix it up in terms of styles. He brings the bluegrass idiom to non-traditional tunes like "Hey Joe," and treats us to some of his jazz-inflected Newgrass and old-time, folk-based Americana. Bluegrass is a collaborative genre, and some great players are featured in Jerry's band. To spice things up further, he adds vocals by Tim O'Brien, Maura O'Connell, and Alison Krauss, whose young sweet voice is showcased on "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby."

From the first hold-on-to-your-hat cut ("Ride the Wide Turkey") to the last ("Shenandoah Breakdown"), this is a CD I had to stop, sit down, and listen to with my full attention, because I didn't want to miss a single note.

I heard a track from this on Sirius and I had to buy it. I am glad I did. I am an Allison Krauss fan and I had never heard, "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby." It is probably my favorite track.

If you like instrumental bluegrass you will love this CD.

There are simply no weak points to be found. This is a brilliantly devised production from the song selection to the musicianship.

haven't heard the rest of the album, but "It's A Beautiful Life" is absolutely gorgeous! am not a country fan, but KPFK's Heartfelt Music show uses this song as their theme music, and my boyfriend and I wake up at 8 a.m. most Saturdays just to hear this song (and quite often go back to sleep afterward, satisfied). then my boyfriend and I catch each other singing it later... addictive!

The product is what I expected. It arrived on time and in the condition advertised.

I was really disappointed in this. Only played it a few times and went in the garbage. I like Douglas a lot. But I think all of his albums stink. He plays best on OTHER people's albums. Check him out on Tony Rices Bluegrass Guitar Album , WOW, that is Jerry Douglas at his best. this album stunk.