From the September 2003 issue of Bluegrass Now Magazine (unedited)

David Grisman

Life of Sorrow

(Acoustic Disc ACD 53) 60:14

Universally respected as a musician, producer, and record company impresario, many listeners, while recognizing his right to perform any type of music he desires- fusion, Dawg, Italian folk songs- are left a bit confused because David Grisman does not place himself inside the neat box labeled, 'Bluegrass Mandolinist.'

Like many, I most enjoy Grisman's bluegrass music, whether as in his Old & In The Gray project of early this year, or his new release, Life of Sorrow, a collection of cuts recorded over the last 30 years with some of bluegrass and acoustic music's premier names.

Featuring only the big five instruments, save a singular appearance of autoharp, the core of this album is unabashedly traditional in focus. With a handful of trio numbers, including "All the Good Times Are Past and Gone" with Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, and "Unwanted Love" with the Del McCoury Band, vocal treatments are powerful and richly embellished.

Unlike other discs that combine performances spanning the years, this volume as a whole exceeds any singular included performance. In these times of, arguably, generic, over-produced country-bluegrass hybrids, Life of Sorrow features bluegrass and old-time duo music extolling the virtues of music and friendship, free from overt commercial considerations.

While many have tired of renditions of "Man of Constant Sorrow," two fresh interpretations are offered here- the variant title track with the Nashville Bluegrass Band circa 1987 and a Stanley/Grisman vocal duo augmented by Herb Pedersen, Laurie Lewis, and Jim Kerwin- both of which are simple stunning.

Ralph Rinzler, John Hartford, Bryan Bowers, John Nagy, Alan O'Bryant, and Artie and Harriet Rose also make appearances.

Grisman's reputation as archivist and accompanist can only be enhanced by these 16 numbers (when one includes the hidden track, "Keep On The Sunny Side" with Mac Wiseman.) Sonically more appealing than the O Brother soundtrack, Life of Sorrow presents an overview of Americana music focused on the instrumental virtuosity and tight harmonies of bluegrass.

Grisman is the tie that binds this collection; the songs and his guests are the stars. www.acousticdisc.com