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Buy it NOW this is a must have for anyone with ears. I say this having owned it in virtually every format it has been released in, since the original LP (within weeks of it's first release). Here the honestly do not suffice. The level of sympathetic listening and commitment to accompanying the given moments soloist, is as joyful to hear, as it must have been to participate in. As the Amazon reviewer correctly stated above, Grisman has never outdone this. That is saying something, as anyone can attest who is familiar with his now, quite vast, catalogue. This recording is on par with the likes of Kind of Blue, or The Brubeck Quintet's, "Time Out". Listening today it is a riveting, exciting ride, full of twists and unexpected turns, beautifully played, written and arranged.
Fresh at every replay, as few recordings in my extensive collection are. If you have not heard it. Rarely are 5 stars really deserved. It remains as much an iconic standard in the world of acoustic music, as those do in the world of Jazz. This was truly jaw dropping when released in the 70's.
That's how far ahead of its time it was. Not that the effects were immediately felt. That doesn't mean you'll like it. To say simply that this is a great album, or a great bluegrass album, almost misses the point. However, if you care about acoustic music, whether it's folk, bluegrass, classical or jazz, and you are looking for a challenge, it is required listening. It could be argued that the influence of this album is more profound today, over 30 years later, than it was on the music made immediately after it.
It is challenging, sometimes pretty, but always dynamic and striving. The definition of "classic" in Webster's on-line dictionary is, "serving as a standard of excellence". It is a node in the History of Music that changed the way other influential musicians thought, composed and played. It is the point of impact made by a visionary musician and composer, David Griman, on generations of musicians to follow him and musicians yet to be.
This man needs to be shared with more people. I just wish more albums were produced with his music
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
Before the Latin beat, the South American guitarist, the flutes and the African drum. This is the original Dawg. 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.
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