Four-star duos!
Pharoah S. Wail | Inner Space | 11/25/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"David Grisman isn't known for playing it safe and standard, but even by his own standards he outdoes himself on this recording. For those who don't know, all tracks on this cd are Grisman and one musical partner. To be exact, it's Grisman in duos with Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Bryan Bowers, Hal Blaine, Mark O'Connor, Bob Brozman, Denny Zeitlin, Mike Seeger, Jim Boggio, Zakir Hussain, Vassar Clements, and Julian Lage.Again, as much as anything else, this cd showcases the incredible (and varied) compositions of Grisman. The number and beauty of original compositions Grisman has created would set him apart from most other mandolinists anyway, even if he wasn't up at the top of the "great mandolinists" list, which he is. MANDO-BASS BOOGIE SONATA is an absolutely perfect vehicle for he and Edgar Meyer to play off of each other. OLD SOULS (Grisman and 11-year-old jazz guitarist extraordinaire Julian Lage) features slow rhythm work by Lage that is a great accompaniment to what is some of Grisman's most beautiful playing on record.This cd is a testament to Grisman's musical diversity and mastery. From the slow, loping, Americana style of what is my now-favorite recorded version of JOHN JOHANNA to the ringing-toned, upbeat and tropical style of his resonator mandolin solo on TRINIDADIAN RAG, it just goes to show how many musical environments he can excell in.At this point it almost goes without saying, but in case any of you are brand new to Grisman's work, (and more to the point, his work on his own ACOUSTIC DISC label), I will mention that no one captures the pure, rich, and full tone of acoustic stringed instruments the way ACOUSTIC DISC does. The only way this stuff could sound better would be if you happened to be sitting 3 feet away from the musicians as they performed and recorded it."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1