David Grier's new CD Hootenanny finds flatpicking's premier practitioner in a more informal setting. The trio consists of Grier on guitar, the superb multi-instrumentalist Tim O'Brien on fiddle, mandolin, vocals, and bouzouki (Greek work meaning out of tune); and cajun/old-time country wunderkind Dirk Powell on banjo, fiddle, accordian, and acoustic bass.

Grier's playing is as daring as always, yet the relaxed feel shows he and the boys very much at home with this collection of eight traditional old-time tunes and three originals.

Highlights include: David dropping to an open-D tuning for "Little Rabbit", then matching Dirk's galloping banjo stride for stride. O'Brien chimes in with: "Little rabbit where's your mammy? . . . She's off with George and Tammy, somewhere in Miami."

A slower funky treatment is given to "Ragtime Annie." Homer Dillard's "High Dad In the Morning" is given a cajun flavor as Powell's accordian melds with O'Brien's fiddle.

"Lonnie & Maybelle" is a Grier original that ruminates on the imaginary meeting of two giants of the acoustic guitar (Lonnie Johnson and Maybelle Carter). The slow lazy blues groove they achieve allows Grier to really stretch out. The mandolin style of the ever chameleon-like O'Brien here is reminiscent of the late bluesman Yank Rachell.

With the gorgeous reading of "Red Haired Boy" Grier breathes new life into an old standard by stretching the timing. Supported again by Powell's accordian and O'Brien's bouzouki, Grier takes the "Red Haired Boy" on a melodic journey to places he's never been.

"Have You Ever Seen the Devil Uncle Joe" ("Miss McLeod's Reel") is a classic example of Grier's talent for taking a traditional fiddle tune and really working it. After playing some superb back up for Powell's fiddle and O'Brien's bouzouki, Grier tears into the tune. Using the entire fingerboard to weave wonderful melodic phrases through the chord changes, yet always keeping the melody at the fore.

The great sustain that Grier achieves on the beautiful original "Cascade" brings to mind the playing of Norman Blake. Playing the melody out of the chord positions, he milks every last drop of tone from his 1955 Martin D-18.

"Clinch Mountain Backstep," "Old Joe Clark," and "Lonesome Road Blues" are all familiar tunes that are taken through their paces.

The challenge of using such a sparse trio format for this CD reveals the rhythmic strength of these three modern masters of traditional acoustic music. The arrangements are imaginative without ever being gimmicky, and the playful interplay among them is worth the price of the CD.

When discussing the abilities of David Grier, I'm often reminded of a quote from Frank Sinatra. When asked in an interview to assess the talent of the great Nat "King" Cole, Sinatra replied: "A talent like this only comes along once in a generation. Why did it have to be mine?"

Song List:

• Little Rabbit
• Ragtime Annie
• Have You Ever Been To England
• High Dad In The Morning
• Lonnie And Maybelle
• Red Haired Boy
• Clinch Mountain Backstep
• Have You Ever Seen The Devil Uncle Joe
• Cascade
• Old Joe Clark
• Lonesome Road Blues.

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