David Grisman’s “Tone Poets”
THE CD: “Tone Poets”
PERFORMER: various artists
David Grisman’s latest project is another labor of love. The mandolinist/producer/record label owner has gathered 20 of today’s top acoustic players for this two-CD set. But this is more than a super session. The musicians take turns playing two matchless instruments: a 1922 Gibson F-5 mandolin (which bears the signature of designer Lloyd Loar) and a 1933 Martin OM-45. Only 40 of this model of Martin were ever made, and Loar mandolins fetch upwards of $50,000 these days.
Disc one is solo tracks featuring either instrument; disc two is duos, pairing the Martin and Gibson. Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Chris Thile, Mike Compton, Mike Seeger and Grisman are among the featured mandolinists. Guitarists are David Bromberg, Bob Brozman, Jerry Douglass, Del McCoury and Tony Rice, to name a few.
On the “F-5 Riddle Blues,” It is amazing how Seeger manages to make the F-5 sound like a $9 Sears catalog mandolin (and that is a compliment!) Leslie Riddle was a black man who was A.P. Carter’s field-collecting guide back in the 1920s. Riddle taught it to Seeger.
Mexicali-flavored
Speaking of the Carter Family, Tim O’Brien offers “You Are My Flower.” Bryan Sutton backs him up on the Martin, and supplies his own tasteful take on the Mexicali-flavored tune. These are two supple instruments in the hands of amazing players. And regarding that classic Martin, Bob Brozman brings a world of influences to “Ananas Africain.” Then IBMA champion guitarist Jim Hurst unleashes a fiery “Reuben’s Train.”
The differences in tone and touch are something to hear. It is all in the fingers, folks. There are 31 selections, and musical is the operative word. This is a genre-spanning blend, tastefully thought out and arranged, and certain to please any music lover.
WHERE: Available on the Web at www.acousticdisc.com, or at P.O. Box 4143 San Rafael, Ca. 94913.
