The David Grisman Rounder Album (1976)

David Grisman finds his own way following the success of Old and In the Way.

Kronomyth 1.0: In his own way.

Fresh from the bluegrass supergroup (two words that were never meant to be so close to each other), Old and in the Way, David Grisman released his own album of bluegrass covers and originals with a similar lineup that included a returning Vassar Clements on violin. If you enjoy bluegrass music, Grisman is as good an exponent of it as anyone. He has a simple, likeable voice and gets a lot of music out of a little instrument, the mandolin. I’ve never had an affinity for country music. I’ve also never owned a truck, only attended one NFL football game in my life, and have never worn a belt buckle that has made a statement other than “Look at me, I’m holding this guy’s pants up.” So, you probably don’t want to look to me for advice on which bluegrass albums to buy. That said, you may be a Grateful Dead fan who enjoyed the Old and in the Way interlude and is looking for more of the same, in which case, here we are. Grisman’s first solo album starts with a brief hello, ends with a short goodbye, and in between serves up a pleasant mix of spirituals, instrumentals, and folk songs that passes the time just fine. There’s something refreshing about listening to excellent musicians play their instruments without taking themselves too seriously. Even without Jerry Garcia as the draw, there’s plenty to hold your attention here. Also, I’m a firm believer that forty minutes of bluegrass music is the perfect palliative to our pitiless technocracy.

Original elpee version

A1. Hello (David Grisman) (0:22)
A2. Sawing on the Strings (Lewis Compton) (3:17)
A3. Waiting on Vassar (David Grisman) (5:00)
A4. I Ain’t Broke But I’m Badly Bent (public domain) (1:55)
A5. Op. 38 (David Grisman) (3:15)
A6. Hold to God’s Unchanging Hands (traditional) (3:35)
A7. Boston Boy (traditional) (2:27)
B1. Cheyenne (Bill Monroe) (4:45)
B2. Till the End of the World Rolls ‘Round (Newton Thomas) (2:55)
B3. You’ll Find Her Name Written There (Harold Hensley) (2:55)
B4. On and On (Bill Monroe) (3:43)
B5. Bob’s Brewin’ (David Grisman/Tony Rice/Bruen) (4:57)
B6. So Long (0:18)

Original 8-track version
A1. Hello
A2. Sawing on the Strings (2:41)
A3. Op. 38 (3:37)
A4. Till the End of the World Rolls ‘Round
B1. Waiting on Vassar (6:03)
B2. Cheyenne
C1. Hold to God’s Unchanging Hands (3:35)
C2. Boston Boy (2:27)
C3. On and On
D1. I Ain’t Broke But I’m Badly Bent (1:59)
D2. You’ll Find Her Name Written There
D3. Bob’s Brewin’
D4. So Long

The Players

David Grisman (mandolin, mandola, mando-cello, vocals), Vassar Clements (violin, violectra), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Bill Keith (banjo), Todd Phillips (bass), Tony Rice (guitar, vocals) with Ricky Skaggs (second violin, vocals), Tony Trischka (mystery banjo part), Buck White (second mandolin). Produced and arranged by David Grisman; engineered by Sundance and Dana Thomas; mixed by Sundance and David Grisman.

The Pictures

Cover photo by Todd Phillips. Design by Douglas Parker.

The Plastic

Released on elpee and 8-track in 1976 in the US (Rounder, 0069/ROU-0069).

1. Re-issued on compact disc in 1986 in the US (Rounder, CD 0069) and re-named The David Grisman Compact Disc.