Search - Stefan Grossman, John Renbourn :: Under the Volcano

Two Diverse Backgrounds, One Terrific Album

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 12/02/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On the surface this may appear to be an odd coupling: John Renbourn, the British folk guitar player, and Stefan Grossman, the American who plays blues and ragtime. On this, their 1979 follow-up to their debut outing, they continue their partnership on seven of the album's nine cuts. They each also have one solo. John's is the spririted "Water Gypsy." Stefan's is the medley of "Sheebeg and Sheemor," played in a quiet English style, coupled with "Drunken Wagoner," where the pace picks up with a more aggressive style. The album represents a merging of the two players' distinct styles. On the title track, it is Stefan playing the slide guitar part. On the medley of fiddle tunes "Bonaparte's Retreat/Billy in the Lowground," John fingerpicks the lead on the first song, where Stefan flatpicks the lead on the second. Whether its traditional fare like the lively "Swedish Jig," or the American blues of "Mississippi Blues No. 3" or original material like the haunting "All Things Parallel Must Converge," these two master guitar players complement each other nicely. All told, this is an excellent introduction into the music of both of these musicians. RECOMMENDED"