September 13, 2016

Old & In The Way

Round Records RX 103

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Country: US
Released: 01 Jan 1975
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Bluegrass
[Tracklist]
A1 Pig In A Pen
A2 Midnight Moonlight
A3 Old And In The Way
A4 Konckin On Your Door
A5 The Hobo Song
B1 Panama Red
B2 Wild Horses
B3 Kissimmee Kid
B4 White Dove
B5 Land of The Navajo
[Credits]
Jerry Garcia (vocals/banjo) Peter Rowan (vocals/guitar) David Grisman (vocals/mandolin) Vassar Clements (fiddle) John Kahn (bass)
Produced by: David Grisman, Artwork: Greg Irons
[Notes]
The first release from Jerry Garcia's short-lived backcountry bluegrass act was this 1973 recording that also highlighted the amazing skills of mandolin player David Grisman. The quintet actually released only this record, recorded at a series of performances in 1973, but the sound caught on with Grateful Dead fans and the record actually built up the group's legacy long after they disbanded. The songs themselves, mostly penned by guitarist Peter Rowan and Grisman as well as a handful of traditional numbers and even a revamped version of the Rolling Stones' classic "Wild Horses," are delivered with the sincere reverence of true bluegrass fanatics. Soaring multi-part harmonies; fiddle, guitar, banjo, bass, and mandolin lines that seamlessly intertwine with a good-time feel; and exceptionally solid musicianship round out the ten-track effort. Fans of the Grateful Dead's jolly throwback tunes should already have this in their collection, but even those put off by the member's psychedelic resumés will find that Old & in the Way is nothing of the sort. This is the sound of purists re-creating the music they grew up with and it's both enjoyable and inspiring to listen to. Like American Beauty and Workingman's Dead, this record showcases Garcia going back to his roots, and it shows that he and his buddies have more than the chops required to live up to their legend. -- AllMusic Review by Peter J. D'Angelo

No comments: