Search - Stefan Grossman :: Black Melodies on a Clear Afternoon

A Loving Tribute to Early Black Composers and Musicians

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 03/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stefan Grossman is an amazing fingerstyle guitarist as these 34 solo guitar instrumentals make clear. All of these tracks were culled from five Kicking Mule albums originally released between 1972 and 1975. As Grossman explains in his liner notes, all the tunes selected were either composed by or greatly influenced by Black musicians. Many of these songs were originaly written for the piano--like "Atlanta Rag" and Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer"--which take on a new dimension when played on the guitar. Whether Grossman is paying tribute with Bessie Smith's "Nobody's Business," Mississippi John Hurt's "See See Rider" or The Rev. Gary Davis's "Little Boy, Little Boy, Who Made Your Britches," he acknowledges the continued influence of the Black composers and musicians of the turn of the century. This is a very enjoyable album. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

A Must for Fingerpicking Guitarists!

zenkat | Mobile, Alabama United States | 06/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most blues fans may have never heard of Blind Blake or the Rev. Gary Davis, but they were among the most superlative of blues guitar players. This album keeps their beautiful and intricate styles alive with over 30 entertaining toe-tappers ranging from the sublime to the mind-bogglingly complex. You will be amazed at how the guitar can rival the piano as a "complete" instrument under Grossman's virtuoso touch. You may appreciate this disk more if you are guitar player, but it is certainly not a necessity; many of the Ragtime melodies are instantly recognizable, and the rest will become so in any other context. The only downside of this record is the cover art, which will never win any awards for political correctness. It also sharpens the irony that such a beautiful artform, originally created by blacks, should be appreciated and preserved today mostly by white people."

A beautiful gift...

John N. Fulmore | Payette, Idaho | 10/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album contains a comprehensive selection of early country blues, roots music and ragtime, played with love and respect. A few high points - Silver Swan is a ragtime piece that is driven by harmonics and they are often butchered...not here. The artist's gentleness shines through this performance. And then there is St. Louis Tickle - possibly my favorite ragtime (cakewalk) of all time, made famous by Dave Van Ronk and here performed with simple, clear grace and a hint of sadness. If you are a fan of Mississippi John Hurt, Mr. Grossman renders "East Colorado Blues" (Spike Driver's Blues) as an instrumental - without putting too fine a point on it, it's beautiful.



As a guitar player, all I want to do is play like this. As an individual who loves this unique music, this album feels like a gift.



This is wonderful music, well played and highly recommended. If you love this style of music don't deprive yourself...



Idaho John

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