Weekly Wire

by Michael Henningsen

 

Panorama

To simply say that David Grier is a flatpicker of enormous talent would be a travesty- an understatement of catastrophic proportion. For musicians like Grier, the instrument of choice (in this case a 1955 Martin D-18) is quite literally an extension of themselves. To be able to transpose mental music and execute it exactly in the physical and audible realm is a fantastic gift, one that Grier inherited from his father, Lamar, who played with Bill Monroe’s band. But even the extremely talented and instinctive players are faced with many and varied problems the instruments themselves present. The guitar, for instance, isn’t comfortable to manipulate, possesses less than perfect intonation and requires as much musical knowledge to master as it does motor skills. And to actually master the instrument is quite different from learning to play it, which just about anybody with enough determination can do. David Grier has conquered the guitar, become its respectful master and rules his kingdom with passion, precision, grace and humility. “Panorama”, aptly titled to reflect the broad range of styles it encompasses, is a startling work both from a technical standpoint and a spiritual perspective. Grier’s calculated passages and transitions sound effortless here, despite their technical intricacy and complexity. Grier moves as he pleases within the confines of the bluegrass tradition, making opportunities of boundaries while immersing himself in deep exploration of the genre. Featuring a handful of Grier’s original compositions interspersed with traditional tunes and some fine examples or bluegrass standards courtesy of Doc Watson and Norman Blake, “Panorama” is much more than a vehicle for Grier’s stunning virtuosity. Some of the finest bluegrass players of the day join him here for a remarkable exercise in ensemble playing. In fact, what is most refreshing about Grier’s latest release is that it’s alive with personality, humor, joy and conviction. Grier’s voice as a guitarist is marked by a fluidity and texture that most players only dream about. The relaxed, playful feel that Grier and company have achieved on “Panorama” speaks volumes about what the listening experience is meant to be with respect to any genre. And Grier, as is apparent here, is truly a champion of that cause.

-Michael Henningsen, December 1, 1997