Tricopolis Records-CD Reviews

Bill Cheatum
Turkey in the Straw
John Henry
Sally Gooden
I’ve Got the House to Myself
Evening Prayer Blues
Arkansas Traveler
Ookpic Waltz
Choices We’ve Made
Black Mountain Rag
Whistling Rufus
The Gal I Left Behind Me
Sally Gooden

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David Grier’s been a giant of the bluegrass guitar for a good while now....and a lot of folks out there will tell you with good reason. One of Acoustic Guitar magazine’s Artists of the Decade, David takes a big step here with an album completely and exquisitely performed on solo guitar.

Obviously, recording beginning to end on solo guitar and making it interesting can be a real challenge. David does all that and a lot more on a Baker’s Dozen fine tunes; 10 traditional bluegrass numbers, two David Grier originals, and another, a haunting backwoods blues number written by Deford Bailey.

David “...breaks free with unfettered explosive invention,” says Tim O’Brien, calling David’s technique “staggering.” Hi praise from someone of Tim’s stature, and well-deserved. David takes divine liberties with old favorites like the opener, “Bill Cheatum,” introducing some wonderfully creative mood changes throughout this one’s four minutes, and, at the same time, introducing the listener to the wonderful things to come.

There’s a wonderful arrangement, featuring some gorgeous chord changes, of one of my personal favorites, “The Gal I Left Behind Me.” And two versions of “Sally Goodin” which may sound remarkably alike. However, there’s a wonderfully mind-blowing surprise for anyone who patiently lets the CD run to its end.

At times, David will come at you with some powerful single string runs to blow you away; then again he’ll come back with a gentle chordal or cross-picking movement that leaves you breathless in its beauty.

This is a fine recording from the standpoint of engineering as well. There’s a real feel of a “live performance” here, complete with the subtle effect from time to time as David moves his fingers across the wound strings. And, with all the challenges inherent in recording a solo effort like this one, there’s a real advantage. Close your eyes and you can almost picture David sitting on the living room couch in front of you, rocking back and forth as he spins his musical magic. Whether you’ve heard David before or not, this CD is a real treat. David Grier is one fine guitarist!

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