Dawgnation

David Grisman

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 25, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Acoustic Disc
• ASIN: B000066SFS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #118,441 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

David Grisman has been blending jazz, bluegrass, klezmer, Gypsy, classical, and Latin music since 1975, when he formed the David Grisman Quintet expressly to play the fusion of styles he dubbed Dawg music. The Quintet has gone through numerous lineup changes over the years, but the version that performs on Dawgnation has been together on and off for seven years, and it's perhaps the most cohesive yet. Grisman and his bandmates--guitarist Enrique Coria, fiddler-percussionist Joe Craven, flautist Matt Eakle, and bassist Jim Kerwin--have no trouble shifting from the Gypsy-flavored melody of "Vivace" to the swaying Latin rhythms of "Mellow Mang," and then moving on to the double-mandolin-driven "Twin Town." All of the band members play a duet with Grisman, which allows them to showcase their individual abilities and gives a glimpse into their contributions to the overall sound. The 13 Grisman originals on Dawgnation may lack the propulsive drive of some of his earlier efforts, but the Quintet's inspired ensemble playing and inventive solos more than make up for the lack of speed. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dawgnation is Top Dog, July 2, 2002

By	marilyn kreienkamp (Dittmer, Mo) - See all my reviews

"Dawganova" was one of the best C.D.s ever recorded; however the David Grisman Quintet has surpassed their own superiority with "Dawgnation". Each musician's growth, versatility and mastery of his instrument is showcased in each of the songs. Any one who enjoys beautiful music will love this C.D. And any one who has ever played a musical instrument will appreciate the perfection with which each song is interpreted and presented. The addition of whistling, dog barking, and rhythym singing would seem to be "hokey", but again their genius proves that -hand made music - can be the best. No full symphony orchestra ever sounded better and most not as good. Buy this C.D. for yourself and 1 more for someone you love.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A DGQ Renaissance!, July 9, 2002

By	Pharoah S. Wail (Inner Space) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

If you are like me and you are usually interested in the various other Acoustic Disc projects more than the David Grisman Quintet studio albums then this is the DGQ cd for you!

This cd is excellent and is easily the best of all the Acoustic Disc DGQ studio albums. For starters, this version of Dawgnation (the tune) is vastly superior to the Garcia/Grisman version on the 3-disc box set, DGQ-20 (a box set completely worth owning). This performance of this tune is, in my opinion, one of the highlights of the entire recorded career of the David Grisman Quintet (of any incarnation).

Aside from the highlights of the DGQ-25 band's 1 concert performance in 2001 I have always sorta felt that the best DGQ stuff happened in the '70s and early '80s but with this new album all those thoughts were erased. It's been a while since I heard this incarnation "live" and this album has proven to me that it's time for me to check them out again.

This definitely stands near the top of the DGQ studio output. If it weren't for the whistling in one tune (there should just never be whistling in a song) and the fact that I don't really like the tune for the Eakle-Grisman duet I'd give this cd 5 stars.

I almost didn't buy this one, thinking "Nah I don't need to hear another new DGQ album" but I am so glad I did! This is one of my favorite cd's of the year so far.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Irresistibly infectious musical energy, November 11, 2002

By	J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Hot dawg! Dawgnation is simply dawg deluxe, smothered with all the musical trimmings. Grisman and company really know how to cook. It's especially nice to hear the virtuostic interplay on the four duets: "Mr. Coolberg" (mando/flute), Why Did the Mouse Marry the Elephant? (mando/bass), Desert Dawg (mando/percussion or violin), and Argentine Trio (mando/guitar). The all-original songs are arranged in such a way as to always keep you guessing what surprises are around the next measure of melody. Dawgnation has its share of travelling tunes, with their large dosages of irresistibly infectious energy. You can hear many genre influences in Dawg's music, from Gypsy to Swing, Middle Eastern to Latin, Bluegrass to Big Band. Collar this DAWG, and add it to your collection! -- Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now