This CD marked the beginning of mandolin master
David Grisman's own label, giving him the complete freedom he had sought so long to record as he wished. His continuously fascinating blend of elements of jazz, gypsy music, and bluegrass with additional influences help all ten compositions remain fresh after numerous hearings. The campy "Learned Pigs" and the delightful "Hot Club Swing" (with the obvious flavor of
Django Reinhardt &
Stephane Grappelli) are among the many strong tracks. The supporting cast includes guitarist
John Carlini, fiddlers
Mark O'Connor and
Matt Glaser, and a trio of incredible musicians who continued to make a number of great recordings with
Grisman after this gem: flutist
Matt Eakle, bassist
Jim Kerwin, and the unbelievably talented
Joe Craven, who is not only the perfect percussionist for
Grisman's "Dawg" music, but is also an outstanding fiddler as well. Anyone who enjoys masterful music should forget about trying to pigeonhole
Grisman into any preconceived category and just go out and buy this incredible release. ~ Ken Dryden