David Grisman has released a new project featuring tracks he recorded with The Del McCoury Band in the 1990s.
Del and Dawg – Hardcore Bluegrass in the Dawg House includes 16 tracks, 11 of which are previously unreleased. The album is offered as a digital download exclusively through Grisman’s Acoustic Oasis site.
These two iconic figures have shared a musical and personal friendship for years, after becoming acquainted while McCoury was working with Bill Monroe in the 1960s. They performed together many times back in the day, well before either had become a household name.
During successive McCoury west coast trips in 1992 and 1999, David recorded jams with Del and his crew at the Grisman studio. Some tracks are Del and Dawg duets, with others including the full band (Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, Rob McCoury on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Mike Bub on bass).
The songs are all traditional and bluegrass favorites:
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Several of these recordings had appeared on Life of Sorrow (Acoustic Disc) and Happy Birthday Bill Monroe – Dawg Plays Big Mon (Acoustic Oasis). Here are a couple of samples from the unreleased remainder.
John Henry: [http://traffic.libsyn.com/thegrasscast/john_henry.mp3]
I’m Waiting to Hear You Call Me Darling: [http://traffic.libsyn.com/thegrasscast/waiting_to_hear.mp3]
Grisman was effusive in his praise for the McCourys…
“The Del McCoury Band is arguably the best traditional bluegrass band in America, and I’m honored to have been able to share the stage with Del and the boys on various occasions over the last four decades.”
Downloads are available online for $8.95.