Search - David Grisman :: David Grisman's Acoustic Christmas

A Classic !

Rod Saunders | Tulsa, Ok | 05/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a true Grisman classic. Who else could put together such a distinct Christmas album? WHAT CHILD IS THIS is done in the old english style with mandolin accompanied by a band of minstrels playing recorders. SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN is done bluegrass style with virtuoso Bela Fleck on banjo. Respighi's ANCIENT AIRES AND DANCES is a beautiful rendering of this classical composition done with mandonlin, mandola, and mandocello. THE CHRISTMAS SONG is a soft, jazzy, acoustic version of Mel Torme's classic. GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN is done as an acoustic jazz tune in 6/8 time. WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS offers a touch of comic relief with Grisman's mandolin accompanying a Donald Duck impersonator. WHITE CHRISTMAS presents jazz guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor and John Stafford on tenor sax. THE FLOWER CAROL is another old english style number done with an accompanying hurdy-gurdy, crumhorns, and recorders. WINTER WONDERLAND is done in a swing style reminiscent of the Hot Club Quintet with Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. SILENT NIGHT is done in a bossa nova (?) style with accompnying vocal percussion and vocal trumpet. AULD LANG SYNE also presents Bela Fleck on banjo with a slower beginning tempo which kicks into bluegrass overdrive upon the key modulation. With former DGQ members Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, and Rob Wasserman providing the rhythm section this album reflects what I believe to have been the glory days of the Grisman legacy. Displaying Grisman's unique musical diversity, ingenius arrangements, and mandolin virtuosity with this all-star lineup, ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS is a Christmas album in a class of its own. It actually makes a musical statement apart from the context of it being a holiday album. This is a must buy for fans of Grisman, jazz, bluegrass, or Christmas music in general."

My favorite X-Mas album bar none

Daly Mavorneen | 07/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great album, x-mas or not. Non-sentimental and wonderful to listen to"

Thirstyhersh is right!

Daly Mavorneen | Los Angeles, CA | 06/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like the reviewer gal from Kalamazoo, MI, my copy of Grisman's masterpiece doesn't come out of the mix in my 5-disc CD player from Thanksgiving to New Years, either! It's damn near impossible to create a unique Christmas cd from the millions out there. From song selections (obscure or chestnut?) to arrangements (experimental or traditional?), how does one come up with a mix that will satisfy? Well, Grisman's done it! With mandolins, stand-up basses, flutes and a flurry of other instruments, he creates a spectacular mix of traditional and genre-bending arrangements! His steel-drum treatment of "Silent Night" as an island celebration is nothing short of mind-blowing! And being Scotch-irish, "Auld Lang Syne" is a sacred ballad to me; but once you've heard Grisman's banjo-jangly-"Deliverance" version that removes the maudalin from the song, you may never go back!!"