Sam Bush/David Grisman - Hold On We're Strummin
Product Information
Track List: Hold On We're Strummin
Click on or song title to hear an audio clip. Windows Media player is required.
- Hartford's Real - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Swamp Thing - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Intimo - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Jamgrass 741 - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Sea Breeze - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Old Time Medley - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Weeping Mandolin Waltz - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Arachnid Stomp - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Crusher And Hoss - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- The Old South - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Mando Space - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Ralph's Banjo Special - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- 'Cept Old Bill - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Rhythm Twins - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Dan'l Boone - Sam BushDownload & Buy
- Hold On, I'm Comin' - Sam BushDownload & Buy
More Sam Bush/David Grisman CDs and Albums
Album Details: Hold On We're Strummin
- Release Date:
- 09/23/2003
- Label:
- Acoustic Disc
- UPC:
- 715949105425
User Reviews: Hold On We're Strummin
-
Mandnificent & full of eclecticism, spirit, groove
, October 4, 2003Reviewer:
Joe Ross - See all Joe Ross's reviews
read all (1) user reviews for Hold On We're Strummin
Pro Reviews: Hold On We're Strummin
| EXPERT RATING: From AMG Reviews One of the first things one notices when popping this Acoustic Disc album into the CD changer is the clean, natural production. A mandolin on the right track, another on the left, and a guitar in the center, all lovingly mixed for clarity and a solid acoustic sound. This same careful approach is obvious from the opening notes of the first piece, "Hartford's Real," on Hold On, We're Strummin'. Bush and Grisman's mandolins tease out a minuteandahalf intro, each note coming forth bright and clean, before guitarist Jack Lawrence and bassist Jim Kerwin join in. This love of a resonant, fullbodied acoustic sound extends to the quality and diversity of the instruments both players choose. On "Swamp Thing," Bush utilizes a National mandolin and Grisman a mandocello; on "Old Time Medley," Bush plays fiddle and Grisman banjo. Of course, the fresh sound and eclecticism would matter little without inspiration, so luckily both pickers seem in their element on Hold On, We're Strummin'. There are fun, freeflowing pieces like "Sea Breeze" and lovely, relaxed ones like "Jamgrass 741," both filled with smooth instrumental interchanges and quiet energy. Several pieces are bolstered by slightly larger arrangements, adding a guitarist and/or bassist for a bigger sound and variety. With inspired performances, a number of original compositions, and an exquisite acoustic sound, Grisman and Bush have created a fine album suitable for new acoustic fans and anyone with discerning taste. - Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., All Music Guide |
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Sam Bush/David Grisman Biography
Sam Bush extended the musical capabilities of the mandolin and the fiddle to incorporate a seamless blend of bluegrass, rock, jazz, and reggae. As the founder and leader of the New Grass Revival, Bush pioneered and guided the evolution of modern hill...Full Sam Bush/David Grisman Biography
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-- ©2008 All Media Guide, LLC
Pros: Good variety, 50% duo & 50% with others, 70-minute length
Cons: Why did they wait so long to do this collaboration?
David Grisman's music has been described as "bluegrass-jazz-Gypsy-rock-Middle Eastern-Hebraic-folk-classical-Grisman." Sam Bush also has very eclectic tastes, and Grisman once said about Bush, "He's got everything: incredibly powerful rhythm, great solos, and he can play in any style. Everything he plays is just there - not just headed there, but fully realized." Then, there was the time that Sam called David one of his "musical heroes." Sure seems kind of surprising that these two outstanding all-purpose pickers and friends since 1965 haven't collaborated on a recording project sooner.
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Of the sixteen tracks comprising over 70 musical minutes, there are eleven new joint Grisman/Bush originals that range from slide mandolin ("Swamp Thing") to a John Hartford tribute ("Hartford's Real"), straight-ahead Dawg ("Intimo" and "Sea Breeze") to graceful gospel ("The Old South"). Less easily categorized are the more improvisational and jazzy collaborations "Jamgrass 741," "Arachnid Stomp," and "Mando Space." A melodic "Weeping Mandolin Waltz" is a showpiece for the mandoduo to feature their simultaneous tremolos in harmony. A strange little half-minute "Rhythm Twins" seems like it could've been further developed to a full length piece. "Crusher and Hoss" was named for their legendary Gibson mandolins. I believe that David's is a 1927 Gibson F-5, while Sam's is a 1930s F-5 that he acquired from Tut Taylor about 1973. Jethro Burns' "'Cept Old Bill" is a tongue-in-cheek piece with vocals (and even a few grunts and groans) that pays respect to each other as well as the Father of Bluegrass. "Ralph's Banjo Special" is probably the closest piece to bluegrass, while there's even an old-timey offering, "Old Time Medley" with the boys sawing fiddle and frailing banjo.
Besides fiddle, Sam plays mandolin, National mandolin, octave mandola, mandocello, banjo and bass guitar on various tracks. Besides mandolin, David picks mandocello, octave mandola, mandola, and banjo-mandolin. With their arsenal of strings, Sam and David cover all the instrumental bases on seven tracks, while nine also feature guest artists including Jack Lawrence (guitar), Enrique Coria (guitar), Jim Kerwin (bass), Hal Blaine (drums), Sam Grisman (bass), Dimitri Vandellos (guitar), and Jim Nunally (guitar).
Back in the sixites, Sam and Dave (the Motown guys, remember?) sang, "when the day comes and you're down, in a river of trouble and about to drown, just hold on, I'm comin'." Now, the other Sam and David and letting their eight strings of fame do the vocalizing. They close this album with an absorbing and entertaining instrumental cover of the famous Motown song, and if you're down and about to drown, you can almost seem to hear those mandolins singing, "Hold on, We're Strummin'!" Grisman and Bush clearly feed off each other, and this project is one that is long overdue as a vehicle to musically illustrate their eclecticism, spirit, energy and groove. It's a mandnificent album. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now) ...