Customer Reviews

So What

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

 

 

While this cd is good (with moments of greatness) and may well re-ignite the jazz fires of fairweather jazz fans, I find that it loses something with repeated listenings. I bought it shortly after it was released a couple years ago so I have now listened to it many times and while Grisman (and Kerwin and Craven from his quintet) himself is great on this, Jerry's playing seems to be less interesting with each listen.

Being more of a "jazz fan" than the average Deadhead is, I am less inclined to just automatically think that a piece of music is fantastic just because Jerry is a part of it. For anyone who has ever heard David Grisman play these tunes with his other part-time guitar buddy, MARTIN TAYLOR, the versions on this cd may seem rather lackluster I suspect (from a guitar standpoint). The arrangements here are great, and Kerwin and Grisman in-particular give wonderful performances but if Grisman and Martin Taylor ever take this exact same setlist into the studio it will result in a better album than this.

I do recommend buying it, it certainly has it's moments and I don't regret purchasing it in any way. I just think that if you only have money for one or two cd's and you're looking to buy some Grisman-related "string swing" or "acoustic stringed-jazz" that you'll be better off purchasing TONE POEMS 2 or I'M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT. Or the 2-disk OSCAR ALEMAN set that Grisman's ACOUSTIC DISC label released. If you have the money for several cd's, purchase all of the above, SO WHAT included.

And as is the ACOUSTIC DISC way, this cd is a sonically perfect recording... warm, rich tones are captured from all the instruments.

I am no scholar of Grisman / Garcia collaborations. I am a collector of bop jazz and like my music of the straight ahead no compromises variety. Given that , I really get into this CD. There is something on this recording that any jazz person will like. Dead heads may complain they have heard better , but it is to my taste. Cool music.

This is A Great CD. Garcia Grisman and company are improvising effertlessly. If you are a Jazz fan than is is a must have. Improvising at its very, very best. There are some repeats but the songs are so great that it is a bonus. Garcia's solos while not mind blowing are steady and inventive. Grisman is all over the place. The bass playing in excellent as are the percussion intruments. The Grisman original 16/16 fits right in with the Miles Davis and Milt Jackson songs. This Cd would make those two Jazz giants smile no question about it.

Having loved the Miles Davis CD KIND OF BLUE for years, I ordered this CD after reading that "So What" was covered (three times to be exact). Even though Jerry and David's versions are weak in comparison, the whole CD has a nice feel about it. My favorite song covered is "Milestones" (another Miles Davis tune).
For people who appreciate excellent, smooth jazz, this will be a delight; others expecting this to sound like the Grateful Dead will be dissapointed. I enjoy hearing this on a Sunday morning when I am trying to wake up and plan my day (or similar setting).

This is an enjoyable CD, but nothing phenomenal. The So What covers leave me saying, "So What?"? This is nice to listen to late at night, but I thought Shady Grove was such a great CD that this was a real let-down. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I listen to this, but not that much. It just pales in comparison to other stuff.

Upbeat. Fun. Beautiful acoustic instumental music (i.e., jamming). Naturally, the launching point is Miles Davis's "So What". Listened to it countless times (I play it in my dental office, too, to perk everybody up) and I enjoy it every time.

I bought this album at a David Grisman concert in Austin on May 1, 1999. Grisman's quintet was in fine form, and it was one of the best live shows I've seen. This CD features the same group but with Jerry stepping in on guitar. These jazz standards sound great in this arrangement, mellow and energizing at the same time. Grisman's work is especially outstanding.

This album certainly rounded out my dead collection. If you know what you're getting into i.e. improvisational mandolin and acoustic guitar with jazz arrangement; then you will be more that satisfied. It's no Barton Hall but worth buying.

This is very exciting stuff. First, it's great fun to be reminded of Jerry Garcia's exceptional musicianship; his riffs are quite wonderful and he seems extremely comfortable with the idiom which makes me wish that there was more of his jazz work available. Second, it's a terrific reminder of Miles Davis' gifts, and made me go back and listen to some of his original versions. The few times I was able to see Davis, in a club, and, incredibly, "opening" for Herbie Hancock, I was so annoyed by his tardiness and "fuck you" attitude that it made me stop listening to him. In a sense he is is "rediscovered" by these musicians' appreciation. Quite wonderful!

This compilation of some sessions recorded in 1991 and 1992 by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, among others, is a remarkable CD, one which I can strongly recommend. Be warned: there are three versions of the same Miles Davis tune (guess what) but it's a jazz record and the emphasis here is spontaneous improvisation in a very relaxed but highly energetic environment. These guys must have had a lot of fun playing these tunes. Jerry proves here he can hold his own with jazz standards and David Grisman fans will be delighted with the way he challenges Garcia and the one original composition on the CD is his, and it's good. There's some interesting flute, bass and percussion stuff, all the musicians have something to say. The tasteful artwork on the cover is Garcia's.