David Grisman's self-named "Dawg" music defies traditional categories, as it is such a unique blend of many influences, including bluegrass, jazz, gypsy music, Latin, and so much more. He's joined by flutist
Matt Eakle, percussionist and violinist
Joe Craven, bassist
Jim Kerwin, and guitarist Rick Montgomery. The veteran mandolinist wrote six of the eight songs, starting with the cheerful opener, which features everyone in turn. The intricate waltz "Dawgmatism" adds an exotic flavor with
Craven's violin and
Eakle's haunting flute. "Jazzin' (With Joe-Bob)" is a wild masterpiece (later appearing in slightly different form on his compilation
DGQ-20 with jazz DJ Al "Jazzbeaux" Collins as "Jazzin' With Jazzbeaux"), with
Craven providing percussion on bongos (and vocals with assorted hisses and comments) as well as overdubbing a slashing violin solo. "Steppin' With Stephane" was originally recorded by
Grisman with its honoree, jazz violin great
Stephane Grappelli. This version is lighter but every bit as swinging. "Bolero de Django," composed by
Django Reinhardt, has a definite gypsy air, though
Eakle's alto flute gives the piece a more modern flavor. "New Dawg's Rag" is an updated arrangement of an earlier
Grisman chart; while the instrumentation has been changed, the impact of this brilliant performance is still pure magic. Throughout this release,
Grisman's playing is nothing short of phenomenal. It should come as no surprise that fans of
David Grisman should consider this CD an essential purchase. ~ Ken Dryden