Stefan Grossman - Thunder on the Run - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

On their duet records, John Renbourn and Stefan Grossman meet on the common turf of American blues and Celtic fiddle tunes and airs. Under The Volcano is collection of seven duets, including an extended four-part work for which the album is named, and one solo by each of the players, the album has what has come to be the characteristic sound of the duo. Reflecting what Stefan quite accurately describes as Inchan interweaving of styles,Inch it is quite difficult, and somewhat pointless, to tell which of the two is playing the lead in most parts of the album. The original compositions are at once down-home and high-flown, brimming with contrapuntal funkiness, and the music manages to sound both loose and precise. Grossman and Renbourn contribute equally to the composition and arrangement of the traditional material. They aren't uptight about overdubbing or using the occasional electric guitar texture, either. But the lingering impression is one of crisp, snapping strings and air being moved by wooden-boxed guitars. InchThe material is a mix of traditional and original, the playing superb. Grossman and Renbourn combine their talents and mix of styles here to produce appealing instrumental music of rare beauty and taste.Inch - AllMusic

This album presents Stefan playing a variety of country blues and original tunes played solo as well as with friends, i.e. Steve Katz, Danny Kalb, Duck Baker and Tokio Uchida. This is an enhanced CD. a PDF tab/music booklet is included that includes most of the arrangements.

Stefan Grossman lived in Europe for twenty years from 1967-1987. He left Amer & shy;ica as a student of country blues and ragtime guitar. When he arrived in London his books on historical blues guitar styles and techniques were being studied in America, Europe, Japan and Australia. Before even touching the stage for the first time as a Inchprofessional musicianInch at Les Cousins in London in June, 1967, his musical visions had influenced many guitarists from pop stars to folk singers. Stefan is hard to classify. He is a teacher with scores of guitar books to his credit. He is also an entertainer who can charm an audience with his musical skills (very much like his legendary teacher (Rev. Gary Davis), and yet he is also a guitarist constantly exploring and expanding his musical horizons. InchWhat Stefan achieved with the blues is a musical ideal that other folk musi & shy;cians, working in different fields, might have followed if they'd had the skill or the imagination. From his base in Rome, he spends part of his time writing books on the early blues and guitar technique, part of his time touring, and part of his time writing. His songs are 'totally blues influenced' he insists, 'though some may not sound like it. Some may sound like jazz or Bach, but it 'blues influenced' because that's my base, that's where I learned about music.' - Robin Denselow/The Guardian