By Ted "Silverstrings" Silverman  

Since its inception back in 1990, David Grisman’s Acoustic Disc label out of Mill Valley, California has put out some incredibly well produced CD’s. Since his first self-release, Dawg ‘90, he has consistently showcased the stylistic variety and pure virtuosity of his formidable talents and those of his cohorts in The David Grisman Quintet. Along the way his signature “Dawg” style has graced albums featuring a variety of stylistic approaches, collaborator’s and concepts.

Released Aug 1997, Acoustic Disc no. 25, Doc & Doc, becomes the latest in a solid repertoire of high-quality acoustic music by this masterful multi-disciplined impresario. Recorded at a number of after dinner sessions in Grisman’s Northern California home studio, with a living legend of bluegrass and old timey guitar, the wonderful Arthel “Doc” Watson, Doc & Dawg showcases the harmonically rich interplay between these two masters.

These two have been collaborating since as far back as 1961 when Doc invited Grisman to sit in on In The Pines at Folk City in New York’s Greenwich Village. Grisman credits Doc Watson for helping to launch his career with this formative event. Since that time they have had numerous occasions to perform together culminating in this terrific recording.

David Grisman & Doc Watson

As one would surmise, their combined talent for swinging through the changes of a given tune is as good as it gets coming from such longtime masters of traditional music. From the first cut, the eponymously titled Doc & Dawg, these tracks shine with brilliant exchanges of melody, great warmth and a firm feeling for the material. Grisman shows strong songwriting skills with this song, composed to honor their lengthy musical friendship. Both pickers display an uncanny capacity to support each other with solid backing rhythms and varied melodic approaches.

The second track, All About You shows off Doc’s gentle charm and positive feel for a traditional love song. Here Doc gets support from Jack Laurence, his musical partner of the last decade. Towards the end of the song Doc utters “Tell ’em about her, Jack” as an invitation for Jack to peel off a sweet break to wrap up the tune. The informality of the recording sessions becomes obvious as Doc’s utterances pepper the recording with homespun humor. Jack Laurence performs on half of the CD’s 14 tracks and his contributions are solid throughout.

Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Stomp is a lighthearted take on the classic tune with Grisman and Watson warmly dueting through the changes. More of a study in legato picking then a true stomp these two perform the song with a laid back approach providing a lot of space for melodic invention over the course of several 32 bar exchanges.

Gershwin’s Summertime, a longtime gem in Doc Watson’s repertoire, is given a poignant feel with the addition of thoughtful mandolin accompaniment. This track is a terrific example of the Acoustic Disc’s skill with microphone placement and masterful production capabilities as the sound quality is pristine.

The swing classic Sweet Georgia Brown is given a new twist, starting at a relaxed pace and building speed with three smoothly transitioned tempo changes culminating in a breakdown paced finish and more informal vocal banter between the players who comment humorously on the speed changes. The traditional Frankie and Johnny shines with Doc’s warmhearted vocal approach and dexterous melodic breaks flowing between the verses. And Soldier’s Joy is performed with enviable touch, taste and speed, by the duet.

Charlie Monroe’s What is Home Without Love provides guest Curley Sechler with an opportunity to ply his tenor vocal harmonies in a duet with Doc Watson, augmented with Grisman’s trilling melodic fills.

The balance of the tracks includes a Fiddle Tune Medley, Bill Monroe’s Kentucky Waltz, A pair of Jimmy Rodgers’ tunes: In My Dear Old Southern Home and the yodeling classic, Blue as I Can Be as well as the old standard Florida Blues each display a taught grasp on the stylistic variety of traditional music approached with skill and earnestness.

The final track, Watson Blues, another Bill Monroe penned chestnut was allegedly written when the Big Mon overheard Doc Watson noodling the now classic signature riff of the tune and composed a series of pleasant changes to go along with the Doc’s guitar figure. This version adds some spice to the mix with guest appearances by the great Stuart Duncan on Fiddle, Alan O’Bryant taking a turn on Banjo and Grisman’s longtime Bassist, James Kerwin providing solid foundational support. The CD ends on a sublime note with a smoothly executed finish.

But wait! There’s more to the story. David Grisman’s studio trickery is displayed here for the more astute CD purchaser or the truly lazy listener who allows the disc to play through to it’s last track. A minute or so after the Watson’s Blues comes to an end we are treated to an unlisted version of Bye Bye Blues to bring the album to it’s more logical conclusion. This is both a great added bonus and a more appropriate ending to the album as a whole. Kudos go to those who may be aware of unlisted tracks on other Acoustic Disc releases or of any other Bluegrass artist’s catalog. It’s a treat to be surprised by such a calculated production trick and with this Grisman succeeds in satisfying the consumer with both quality and quantity.

Doc & Dawg is a great product on several counts. It serves as a terrific primer to the acoustic musician by providing a tutorial of musicianship and dynamic vocal and instrumental interplay. It is a record intended to be enjoyed by all, not just bluegrass aficionados, and it is a true audophile recording mastered with High Definition Digital technology infusing this product with a warm acoustic feel. I would confidently play this CD for anyone who enjoys Bluegrass music or acoustic roots music in general, as it contains an easily digestable quality that crosses musical genres and will appeal to people of all walks of life.

By Ted Silverman, San Francisco, CA, USA
Ted is the Mandolinist in the San Francisco "Roadhouse Swing" band
The Chazz Cats and in the SF Bluegrass Band Belle Monroe and Her Brewglass Boys
Write to Ted

Doc & Doc and the entire Acoustic Disc Catalog is available Mail order from Acoustic Disc, Box 4143, San Rafael, California 94913, or via the internet at http://www.dawgnet.com.
The CD is available from Frets Old & New, Liverpool, UK.

Updated 23rd Jan 1999