The David Grisman Quintet

Amazon.com
A string band pilgrim who had already soldiered through bluegrass, folk, and rock, mandolinist David Grisman helped jump start a new chapter in instrumental music with the release of this 1977 album, carving out a jubilant acoustic style borrowing equally from Bill Monroe's bluegrass legacy and Django Reinhardt's '30s swing as immortalized by his Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Grisman's band, including violinist Darol Anger and multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall, bring jaunty lyricism to a set that introduces this hybrid fully- formed. Grisman would continue to explore its boundaries with various lineups (including collaborations with the peerless Stephane Grappelli, violinist for the original Hot Club), but he would never improve on the music here. --Sam Sutherland

The David Grisman Quintet,David Grisman,Rhino / Wea,Bluegrass,Country & Western,Jazz,Mandolin,New Acoustic,Pop,Progressive Bluegrass

Average customer rating: Fantastic The best Original Dawg The Original Dawg Album Simply put, the finest bluegrass album ever!!!

The David Grisman Quintet David Grisman Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Hot Dawg Stephane Grappelli and David Grisman Live Tone Poems Grisman & Garcia DGBX ASIN: B00000333S Release Date: 1993-09-28

Tracks:

1. E.M.D.
2. Swing 51
3. Opus 57
4. Blue Midnite
5. Pneumonia
6. Minor Swing
7. Fish Scale
8. 16-16
9. Richochet
10. Dawg's Rag

Amazon.com

A string band pilgrim who had already soldiered through bluegrass, folk, and rock, mandolinist David Grisman helped jump start a new chapter in instrumental music with the release of this 1977 album, carving out a jubilant acoustic style borrowing equally from Bill Monroe's bluegrass legacy and Django Reinhardt's '30s swing as immortalized by his Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Grisman's band, including violinist Darol Anger and multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall, bring jaunty lyricism to a set that introduces this hybrid fully- formed. Grisman would continue to explore its boundaries with various lineups (including collaborations with the peerless Stephane Grappelli, violinist for the original Hot Club), but he would never improve on the music here. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-03-16

This man needs to be shared with more people. I just wish more albums were produced with his music

The best.......2007-02-12

As a bluegrass, newgrass and Tony Rice fan - this is simply the best. I needed the CD to replace my vinyl copy that I've had since the early 80's

Original Dawg.......2006-02-02

This is the original Dawg. Before the Latin beat, the South American guitarist, the flutes and the African drum. It is still beyond bluegrass, with jazzy and Latin overtones in parts, just a little closer to a "roots" sound than the albums after Hot Dawg.

The Original Dawg Album.......2004-04-20

This is the album that started it all - the whole Dawg Music phenomenon. As a result artists like Mark O'Connor, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, and Bela Fleck were later able to launch similar careers further expanding the boundaries of music. Stephane Grappelli gained widespread exposure in the US by touring and recording with the DGQ in 1979. Jerry Garcia later joined in the fun by recording numerous dawg tunes.

EMD (as Grisman explains, it was written for a bad movie about hot rods entitled Eat My Dust ... he was embarrassed to be a part of such a juvenile project so he named it with the initials) is one hot tune offering ample opportunity for fast pickin and fiddlin. Minor Swing is a Django Reinhardt/Stephane Grappelli tune done dawggy style. 16/16 is named after the time signature which is rarely used in mandolin compositions. Ricochet is a great little tune featuring 3 mandolins playing melody and harmony throughout.

I would consider this album the Seargent Pepper of dawg music. This album more than any other opened the door to new ideas about acoustic music, making it okay for bluegrass musicians to play jazz, funk, or maybe even dabble a bit in classical. Likewise many classical and jazz musicians have discovered the pure joy of playing more traditional forms of music upon discovering the genius of some of these artists. Highly recommended.

Simply put, the finest bluegrass album ever!!!.......2002-11-04

This album, that started off the David Grissman Quintets career is a masterpiece. Those looking for vocal-less bluegrass that focuses on outstanding changes and climaxing soloing, this is it. A thousand listens later, this cd still sends tingles down my spine, this album is full of grissman classics that make up the bulk of his live shows today. Buy this album, you won't be sorry.

Average customer rating: Light breezy air and cheerfulness

Dawg's Groove David Grisman Quintet Manufacturer: Acoustic Disc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: DGBX Classic Dawg Quartet New Words (Novas Palavras) Hot Dawg ASIN: B000HKDE7O Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

1. Limestones
2. La Grande Guignole
3. Ella McDonnell
4. Waltz For Lucy
5. Zambola
6. Tracy's Tune
7. Dawg's Groove
8. Cinderella's Fella
9. My Friend Dawg
10. Blues for Vassar

Customer Reviews:

Light breezy air and cheerfulness.......2006-12-25

Playing Time - 65:39 -- Isn't it amazing that the original David Grisman Quintet formed three decades ago! Just like turning 30 is a milestone in one's life, a visionary band of that vintage has certainly solidified its musical maturity. Besides David Grisman, the other charter members were Todd Phillips, Darol Anger, Tony Rice and the late Joe Carroll. The list of alumni from the group reads like a who's who of bluegrass and acoustic innovators. The current band has bassist Jim Kerwin (with the group since 1985), flutist Matt Eakle (since 1989), guitarist Enrique Coria (1994) and drummer George Marsh (1985 for several years, then rejoining in 2005). It was Jerry Garcia who gave David Grisman the nickname of "Dawg" based on the initials in his full name. And, of course, his "groove" is the pleasurable and harmonious musical experience they create together.

Grisman's history as a musician goes back much further than just 30 years. Originally from Hackensack, N.Y., he began his professional career in bluegrass in the mid-1960s with Red Allen and the Kentuckians, Even Dozen Jug Band, and New York Ramblers. In 1967, he moved west to California to pursue other kinds of musical endeavors including Earth Opera, Great American Music Band, and Old and in the Way. He keeps pretty darn good company. And Grisman has probably done as much, if not more, for the mandolin in jazz than Bill Monroe did for the little 8-stringed instrument in bluegrass.

The David Grisman Quintet has always played their instrumental music with such extemporaneous buoyancy that we can't help but grin like a cheshire cat at its light breezy air and cheerfulness. This set is all new originals and is not a compilation that rests on the laurels of tunes previously released. For a warm sound, all of these tunes (5-7 minutes apiece) were recorded live to 2-track analog by David Dennison.

Dawg's ditties begin with "Limestones," that seems to establish some of his multi-genre building blocks that form the foundation of his free-flowing jazz music. Suspense, sensation and romance characterize "La Grande Guignole," a tribute to an obscure French passion for theatrical melodrama. The emotional appeal of Grisman's music is its very je ne sais quoi. I hear contentment, sympathy, and love for nature. Jim Kerwin wrote "Ella McDonnell," a graceful 7-minute planxty for his Irish grandmother, a survivor of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The improvisational interplay of mandolin and flute bring the offering to its conclusion. George Marsh's slow "Waltz for Lucy" is a very loving tribute to his 15-year-old daughter who passed away from cystic fibrosis in 1998.

Latin sensibilities characterize a samba ("Zambola") and bossa ("Tracy's Tune"), the latter for Tracy Bigelow, the wonderful woman in Grisman's life who penned the pleasing title track, "Dawg's Groove." The Latin pieces allow amble opportunity for Coria to really shine on his guitar, while the dreamy groove gives everyone a chance to be inventive and strut their stuff. The latter third of the album begins with David's "Cinderella's Fella," inspired by some wonderful plants he knew. If it weren't for having to maintain his embouchure, I can imagine Matt Eakle's big smile at the band's rendition of his fun and playful composition, "My Friend Dawg." As you can see, many of the tunes pay tribute to people or things. A mutual admiration and respect among these friends are a strong element of their continued achievement. Closing with "Blues for Vassar," the band acknowledges musical philosopher Vassar Clements who used to "play his thoughts" on fiddle. Wouldn't it have been nice to invite a guest violinist into the mix of that one? (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Average customer rating: And let's not forget the engineering on this one.... Dawanova is DGQ's Perfection Absolutely beautiful What fun!

Dawganova David Grisman Quintet Manufacturer: Acoustic Disc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dawgnation Dawg '90 Hot Dawg The David Grisman Quintet Stephane Grappelli and David Grisman Live ASIN: B00000391D Release Date: 1995-08-22

Tracks:

1. Dawganova
2. Manha De Carnaval
3. Barkley's Bug
4. Nature Boy
5. El Cumbanchero
6. Brazilian Breeze
7. Tico Tico
8. April's Wedding Bossa
9. Caliente

Customer Reviews:

And let's not forget the engineering on this one...........2005-09-17

I like the music just as much as the other reviewers, but I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the superb sound quality of this recording. If you have a stereo capable of doing the disc justice, you'll be stunned at its realism and depth. And the balance is far more natural than that on most of the stuff coming from the major labels--Grisman is not boosting the treble to give the sound artificial sizzle. Kudos!

Dawanova is DGQ's Perfection.......2002-07-07

All the David Grisman Quintet's C.D.s are good and enjoyable, but with this one, they finally achieved perfection. Every song is one you want to listen to again and again and each time you do, you hear a note or a run that you never heard before. The addition of Matt Eakle and his flute was one of the best things David Grisman did for his music. Eakle gives the exactly right sound for blend and offset of the stringed instruments. Whoever you are and whatever kind of music you like, you cannot listen to this C.D. and not thoroughly enjoy it.

Absolutely beautiful.......2000-09-08

My favorite David Grisman CD (so far). It stayed in my cd player for at least 2 weeks upon purchase, and is still a frequent listen. Every song is beautiful arranged and perfectly played. All of the musicians are just amazing. You can listen to this at any time of day or night and its just as good. Less bluegrass than his other works. Really the DGQ playing straight up latin jazz. Lots of flute and mandolin unison melodies. Crazy percussion. Blindingly fast solos. Just Awesome. Even people that don't like jazz or acoustic music like this one.

What fun!.......1998-08-28

This is a delightful collection of latin/jazz. Even those who normally tire of latin music will love this entire CD. The instrumentation and arrangements are a joy.

Average customer rating: Dawgwood Blooms wheres the mistakes? Excellent More Jazz oriented than his other work

Dawgwood David Grisman Quintet Manufacturer: Acoustic Disc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dawgnation Dawg '90 The David Grisman Quintet Dawganova Hot Dawg ASIN: B000003910 Release Date: 1993-02-16

Tracks:

1. Dawgwood
2. Dawgmatism
3. Jazzin' (With Joe-Bob)
4. Sea Of Cortez
5. Steppin' With Stephane
6. Bolero De Django
7. Assanhado
8. New Dawg's Rag

Customer Reviews:

Dawgwood Blooms.......2002-12-20

Again, the DGQ has given us a C.D. of "dawg music" that combines the best of jazz, classical, and mountain string music. The entire C.D. can be enjoyed as "background" music, but it is difficult to listen to it without being distracted to it because of all the intricate solos and complicated duets, trios, etc. There is not a "bad" track on the entire C.D. and each song is uplifting to the spirit much as the Dogwood blooming in Spring.

wheres the mistakes?.......2000-09-16

Tight, pretty, emotive and sound. This quintet revv-up only seems to lack the rough violence of acoustic instruments live, especially these guys live.

Rick M sounds more fluidly elusive than Davids usual accompanyists, and with Joe Craven on percussion,(what instrument doesn't Joe play?)it makes the music very cross appealing to non-Dawg fans alike.

Highly recommended to Jazz appetites.

first time review for me so be nice...

Excellent More Jazz oriented than his other work.......1999-06-16

I liked what I heard. It is much like his older recordings but not as spontaneous as the first album.

Average customer rating: All except the middle years Master of the Mandolin Awesome Brilliantly Samples Grisman's Career.... So Far.... Theme from CarTalk

DGQ-20 David Grisman Quintet Manufacturer: Acoustic Disc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Box Sets | Stores | Music General | Country | Box Sets | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Box Sets | Stores | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The David Grisman Quintet Stephane Grappelli and David Grisman Live Dawganova Dawg '90 Dawgnation ASIN: B00000391I Release Date: 1996-07-16

Tracks:

1. Introductions
2. Cedar Hill
3. Theme From Capone
4. Dawg Patch
5. Spain
6. Shasta Bull
7. Tipsy Gipsy
8. Waiting On Vassar
9. Key Signator
10. Dawgma
11. Swing '39
12. Ricochet
13. Pickin' In The Wind
14. Because
15. Flatbush Waltz/Opus 57
16. Albuquerque Turkey
17. Mondo Mando

Tracks:

1. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
2. Dawg Funk
3. Dawggy Mountain Breakdown
4. Free Dawg Night
5. Syeeda's Song Flute
6. Lonesome Moonlight Waltz
7. Steppin' With Stephane
8. Newmonia
9. Prelude In C Minor
10. Latin Lover
11. Sativa

Tracks:

1. Svingin' With Svend
2. Opus 38
3. Telluride
4. EMD
5. Blue Midnight
6. Jazzin' With Jazzbeaux
7. Rattlesnake
8. Dawgnation
9. 16/16
10. Dawgology
11. Shalom Aleichem

Amazon.com

If Bill Monroe was to mountain music what Louis Armstrong was to jazz, then David Grisman is the Miles Davis of bluegrass. DGQ-20 is kind of Grisman's 20-year housecleaning. The collection on Grisman's own Acoustic Disc label consists entirely of previously unreleased live and studio recordings featuring the dawged jazz/bluegrass mandolinist working in tandem with the likes of Stephane Grapelli, Vassar Clements, Jerry Garcia, and the Kronos Quartet. Listening to all three discs will leave you dawg tired, but exhilarated. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

All except the middle years.......2000-01-14

As a linear representation of the DAVID GRISMAN QUINTET's musical history this boxed set does a great job of documentation. Musically speaking though, for my tastes, there is a lull during the middle years, or what I negatively call "the Wasserman years & electric years". Musically, as I feel the representation of these years on this box illustrates, these years gave us the least inspired music of David's career. Thankfully those years amount to only a small portion of this set, so they don't weigh it down too much.

The early and late years though are wonderful. From the very first Grisman composition performed at the DGQ's very first show (track 1, disk 1), to the later stuff with the current DGQ members, along with friends such as Jerry Garcia (track 8, disk 3). Oh, and this entire box is made up of previously unreleased music so there are many gems here that can't be found anywhere else.

Master of the Mandolin.......2000-01-02

David Grisman has done for the mandolin, what Bela Fleck has done for the banjo and Tony Rice has done for the guitar--expand the boundaries of their respective instruments beyond the confines of traditional bluegrass to include elements of jazz and swing.

Grisman calls it "dawg" music and over the course of 3 discs and 39 tracks, he takes you on a dizzying musical trip that will make you a believer. It's hard for me to single out any one Grisman album to represent his career (The Rounder Album is a good traditional bluegrass album, Hot Dawg from '79 features some excellent jazz stylings and Tone Poems, a duet with Tony Rice on vintage guitars and mandolins, covers a wide range of styles), so by default the recommendation goes to this 20-year retrospective. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Awesome.......1999-07-29

David Grisman is THE acknowledged master of the mandolin. This is a fitting compilation of his work. Three disks is not too much: in fact, it is barely enough. Most of these are live, or at least alternate takes of Grisman's work over the years. As noted below, Grisman spawned a veritable who's who of "new acoustic" or "newgrass" performers. Tony Rice, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Mark O'Connor and others all cut their teeth with the Dawg. For my money, the best stuff is still the early stuff, mostly the first disk and the first few tracks of the second, featuring the above luminaries. The second disk includes some straight-ahead jazz stuff from the mid-to-late 80s, when Grisman didn't record much, and seemed creatively adrift. The third disk covers his work on his own Acoustic Disk label. It is a special treat to hear many of his early standards, such as EMD & Ricochet, re-recorded by this later-day incarnation of the Quintet, which features Matt Eakle on flute & Joe Craven on percussion & pretty much everything. While I may prefer the original takes on those tunes on the debut album, this disk shows how well they have aged and how Dawg music has evolved over the years. If you have any exposure to Grisman's music, you will want it; if you don't, you will be staggered by the musical brilliance, and want to go out & buy up everything you can (sadly, two of his very best, Mondo Mando & Quintet 80, remain out of print)

Brilliantly Samples Grisman's Career.... So Far...........1999-05-08

David Grisman, according to no less than Stephane Grappelli, is a mandolin deity. He has fused blues, bluegrass, classical, jazz, reggae, salsa, flamenco, rock and nearly every other musical style in the acoustic vein. In his career he has performed with a "who's who" of pretty much all the musical styles listed above. Acclaimed instrumental virtuosos such as Mark O'Connor, Mike Marshall, John Carlini, Darol Anger and Tony Rice rose to prominence in his bands. Acclaimed masters such as Grappelli, Doc Watson, Martin Taylor and Earl Scruggs have recorded with him. This "Dawg-gone Good" collection walks you through the various Grisman bands.... and some blisteringly good music rises from these grooves...

Theme from CarTalk.......1999-01-19

I can't say I've listened to the album, but I know "Dawgy Mountain Breakdown" by heart-- it's NPR's CarTalk theme song. Listen and enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Svingin' with Svend David Grisman Quintet Manufacturer: Zebra/MCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000NWTVIC

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