Song Review: Sam Grisman with Vince Herman and Max Flansberg - “Althea” (Live, Jan. 23, 2025)
The sound is different, but don’t tell Sound Bites “Althea” ain’t got no heart when Sam Grisman, Vince Herman and Max Flansberg present it in an acoustic-trio format.
Such a presentation was captured Jan. 23, 2025, in New York state and released as a standalone video. This “Althea” is limber and loose - not sloppy, however - as bassist/backgrouder Grisman and guitarist/singer Flansberg alternate rubbery lead and rhythm duties that follow the contours of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter’s Grateful Dead song while just as often going merrily outside the lines.
Herman strums an acoustic guitar, but is essentially a non-factor. Which is no problem as Grisman and Flansberg have it all covered on this cover that proves recreation, which this is decidedly not, is often inferior to reinterpretation, which this totally is.
Grade card: Sam Grisman with Vince Herman and Max Flansberg - “Althea” (Live - 1/23/25) - A-
5/27/25