#sam grisman

[krispyweiss]

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

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Sam Grisman, Vince Herman and Max Flansburg - “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” (Live, Jan. 23, 2025)

Slower and bluer than Bob Dylan’s studio version - acoustic to boot - Sam Grisman, Vince Herman and Max Flansburg’s interpretation of “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” is a masterwork of respectful reimagining.

Recorded Jan. 23 in New York state and just released on professional video, it finds Grisman on vocals and lead and rhythm double bass. To the viewer’s left is Flansburg, playing the blues and adding sympathetic and emphatic support to Grisman’s own solos. On the right is the economical Herman, giving a bit of melodic color from his six-string acoustic guitar and a touch of harmony at the mic, but mostly not intruding on the magic Grisman and Flansburg evoke.

It’s no wonder the audience is pin-drop quiet as the temporary trio does its thing. It’s also no wonder they’re really loud when that thing ends.

Grade card: Sam Grisman, Vince Herman and Max Flansburg - “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” (Live 1/23/25) - A+

1/20/25

[krispyweiss]

Fighting COVID-19, Phil Lesh Pulls out of Sunday Daydream Vol. 4

- “I’m doing great,” former Grateful Dead bassist says

Phil Lesh has COVID-19 and will sit out Sunday Daydream Vol. 4.

“While I’m doing great and resting at home, I’ll miss seeing all your beautiful faces,” the 84-year-old former Grateful Dead bassist said in a statement.

The show will go on with Sam Grisman joining Lesh’s Friends for their Aug. 16 headlining set at the daylong festival in California. Grisman will play Lesh’s Big Brown bass.

“He’s an incredible bass player who I’m proud to have fill my shoes,” Lesh said of Grisman.

8/14/24

[19ravens]

Chad Manning on fiddle, David Grisman on mandolin, Keith Little on banjo, Jim Nunally on guitar, and Sam Grisman on bass

Performing at the Tower Theatre in Bend Oregon