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Double review with David Grisman Quintet's "Dawgnation"
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Washington Post, Double review with David Grisman Quintet's "Dawgnation" >>
If you're going to improvise on string-band instruments, you eventually reach a point where you have to leave the standard chord changes and choppy rhythms of bluegrass behind and leap into the world of jazz or else start repeating yourself. Mandolinist David Grisman made that leap earlier and more gracefully than anyone, landing on his feet because he acquired such a sure command of swing and harmonic substitution. He passed that knowledge on to his many band mates, who range from Tony Rice to Mark O'Connor. Grisman's current quintet has been together longer than any other edition, and their hard-earned rapport is obvious on Grisman's new, all-instrumental album, "Dawgnation."
The title track, for example, begins as a happy-go-lucky pop melody but gradually drifts into stranger and stranger harmonic variations. Yet the five musicians move so smoothly from simple to difficult that the piece never loses its easygoing attitude. "Bluegrass at the Beach," despite its name, has a strong Brazilian flavor, indicative of Grisman's growing fascination with Latin and Mideastern music. The mandolinist not only leads eight full-ensemble pieces but also plays an unaccompanied duet with each of his band mates -- acoustic guitarist Enrique Coria, flutist Matt Eakle, bassist Jim Kerwin and multi-instrumentalist Joe Craven.
Argentine native Coria has been Grisman's guitarist for nine years now and has greatly bolstered the Latin content in the quintet's music. With the quintet and on his solo albums, Coria has proven himself not only technically proficient but also warmly romantic. That latter quality is emphasized on "Intimo," his new duo album with Mexican American singer Yolanda Aranda.
Performing without accompaniment, Coria and Aranda tackle 15 love songs from Mexico, Argentina, Peru and Spain. The lean, clean results have little to do with Grisman's freewheeling improvisation and everything to do with an old-fashioned, cafe approach to Latin romance. The 24-page booklet provides notes and bilingual lyrics for each song.
-- Geoffrey Himes
Appearing Tuesday at the Birchmere. • To hear a free Sound Bite from the David Grisman Quintet, call Post-Haste at 202-334-9000 and press 8127. For a free Sound Bite from Yolanda Aranda & Enrique Coria, press 8128. (Prince William residents, call 703-690-4110.) 09/20/02 >> go there
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