As almost everyone who is interested in flatpicking knows by now, David Grier is a phenomenon - a natural genius. He doesn't read standard music notation, and he is rather uncomfortable trying to explain how he does what he does. Considering what it is that he does do, this is no wonder! There is a lot of crosspicking, some Tony Rice-like fluidity, and a refreshing lack of identifiable cliches.

The Lone Soldier CD contains eleven Grier compositions and one, Tarnation, by Don Reno. The Grier material can be New Grassy, like The Meeting; jazzy, like Porkchops & Applesauce; Bluegrassy, like Big Dirt Clod; or stylistically indescribable, like Lone Soldier. To tell the truth, in terms of the high degree of virtuosity demonstrated by Greir on this CD, they are all indescribable.

One thing that is especially impressive about David Grier, in addition to his obvious virtuosity, is how well he works with a full Bluegrass-style band. The texture of the music benefits especially from the beautiful fiddle work of Stuart Duncan, but there are also some great mandolin and banjo moments, as well. Still, none of the fine solos from the other instruments take away from the fact that this is a showcase for David Grier and his guitar.

Additionally, David Grier is offering a complete tab book for this CD, with all of the songs transcribed in standard notation and tabulature.

Song List:

• Smith Chapel
• Eye of the Hurricane
• Tarnation
• The Meeting
• Porkchops & Applesauce
• 'R Somthin'
• Engagement Waltz
• Big Dirt Clod
• That's Just Perfect
• Alphabet Soup
• Lone Soldier
• Lone Soldier, Reprise

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