HOLD ON, WE'RE STRUMMIN'

Sam Bush & David Grisman

The long-awaited collaboration of acoustic music innovators David Grisman and Sam Bush is at hand with this Acoustic Disc release of Hold On, We're Strummin'.

Close friends since 1965 when Grisman placed his Lloyd Loar F-5 mandolin into 13-year old Bush's hands, this most dynamic string duo has created an acoustic tour de force. This historic release features eleven new Sam & David originals, showcasing the psychic interplay and stylistic fluidity that have permeated their stellar careers.

Kicking off this meeting of mandolin minds is "Hartford's Real," a tuneful tip of the hat and heart to their friend, music legend John Hartford. Bush's signature slide mandolin playing leads the way on "Swamp Thing," while Grisman's “dawg” influence is felt in "Sea Breeze" and "Intimo." The spirit of a longtime musical friendship is evident as their styles merge on "Jamgrass 741," "Weeping Mandolin Waltz" and "Crusher & Hoss" (nicknames of their legendary mandolins). Bluegrass aficionados will revel in the Sam & David treatment of "Ralph's Banjo Special" and "Dan'l Boone," while "The Old Time Medley" takes you back to bygone days with Sam on fiddle and Dawg on 5-string banjo. "The Old South" has a gospel tinge filled with mournful grace.

Rounding out the project are Jethro Burns' "'Cept Old Bill," a bit of wry bluegrass humor that lets everyone know who's the boss, and the deliciously funky cover of (the other) Sam and Dave's soul classic "Hold On, I'm Comin'." Guest artists appearing include guitarists Jack Lawrence and Enrique Coria, bassists Jim Kerwin and Sam Grisman, and the legendary drummer Hal Blaine making a cameo appearance on they title track. Hold On, We're Strummin' is already a classic in the world of contemporary acoustic string music.

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