Dawg '90

AMG Review of Dawg '90

Ken Dryden
All Music Guide

This CD marked the beginning of mandolin master David Grisman's own label, giving him the complete freedom he had sought so long to record as he wished. His continuously fascinating blend of elements of jazz, gypsy music, and luegrass with additional influences help all ten compositions remain fresh after numerous hearings. The campy "Learned Pigs" and the delightful "Hot Club Swing" (with the obvious flavor of Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli) are among the many strong tracks. The supporting cast includes guitarist John Carlini, fiddlers Mark O'Connor and Matt Glaser, and a trio of incredible musicians who continued to make a number of great recordings with Grisman after this gem: flutist Matt Eakle, bassist Jim Kerwin, and the unbelievably talented Joe Craven, who is not only the perfect percussionist for Grisman's "Dawg" music, but is also an outstanding fiddler as well. Anyone who enjoys masterful music should forget about trying to pigeonhole Grisman into any preconceived category and just go out and buy this incredible release.