Doc & Dawg
Since a young David Grisman joined a newly discovered Doc Watson on the stage of Gerde's Folk City in 1962, the two have made indelible marks in the realm of acoustic music. Watson has attached his ripe vocals and fleet flatpicked guitar to traditional, old-time, and bluegrass; Grisman has blended a variety of traditional styles to form a progressive one. This cozy, comfortable record culls 14 songs recorded at an assortment of relaxed, informal, after-dinner sessions at Grisman's studio. As it moves from Jimmie Rodgers to Bill Monroe to jazz standards to traditional blues to rippling fiddle tunes, the record beautifully illustrates where the common ground lies. Most of all, the album exudes a passion and respect for the songs at hand; the superb picking (whether brisk or leisurely) is merely gravy.--Marc Greilsamer