David Grisman Tone Poems 2 CD

David Grisman doesn't stick exclusively to mandolin on this top-notch duo date with guitarist Martin Taylor, playing mandola, mandocello, tenor guitar, and guitar as well. As on this album's predecessor, the two artists play a different vintage instrument on each track, though the music this time is much more familiar to jazz fans. The interpretations of such classics as "Swanee," "Anything Goes," "Blue Moon," and "Over the Rainbow" are consistently both stunning and fresh. The gems among the jazz compositions include Django Reinhardt's "Tears" and a tour de force arrangement of Chick Corea's "Crystal Silence." Two surprising tracks are the usually trite "Mairzy Doats" (an irritating song that was a huge hit in the '40s) and the very snappy take of the often tedious "Besame Mucho"; when musicians the caliber of Grisman and Taylor can make something out of unpromising songs like these, it demonstrates how gifted they are. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden

Recorded at Dawg Studios, Mill Valley, California in January 1995. Includes liner notes by David Grisman and Dexter Johnson.

Personnel: David Grisman (guitar, mandocello, mandola, mandolin); Martin Taylor (guitar).

Liner Note Authors: David Dennison; David Grisman; Dexter Johnson.

Recording information: Dawg Studios (01/1995).

Photographers: D. Brent Hauseman; Steve Szilagyi; David Yawnick; Ira Landgarten.

Unknown Contributor Role: Dexter Johnson.

Personnel: David Grisman (guitar, tenor guitar, mandolin, mandola, mandocello); Martin Taylor (guitar).

Dirty Linen (6-7/96, p.73) - "...Grisman teamed up with guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor on TONE POEMS II for a new collection of time-honored music..."