Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Been All Around This World (Deluxe Edition) (2004/2021) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Been All Around This World, culled from over 40 Garcia/Grisman recording sessions, captures some of the finest and most unexpected moments from these influential figures in American music. Saving the best for last, producer Grisman assembled an engaging program that features songs never heard sung by Garcia before.

This Deluxe edition in Hi-Definition sound, includes four previously unissued tracks in an expose of the acoustic side that Jerry Garcia explored with his longtime friend David Grisman, reflecting the many musical idioms that remained deep, common threads of their relationship. Country roots abound in the title track, George Jones’ “Take Me,” Webb Pierce’s “I Ain’t Never,” Jimmy Martin’s “Drink Up And Go Home” and the previously unissued classic “Long Black Veil.” Their mutual love of traditional folk and blues is evident in Merle Travis’ “Dark As A Dungeon,” “Nine Pound Hammer” and “I’m Troubled.” Bob Dylan’s “The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest” is given an endearing treatment with Garcia’s smooth-as-brandy vocals intertwining with Grisman’s light-as-rain mandolin textures. Their passion for soul music is displayed on James Brown’s “I’ll Go Crazy,” an impromptu take that captures the pure spontaneity these two often regaled in.

Accompanying Garcia and Grisman is their rhythm section of Jim Kerwin (bass) and Joe Craven (percussion/fiddle) along with Matt Eakle (flute), all members of the David Grisman Quintet. Other musicians featured are John Kahn, George Marsh and Sally Van Meter on an alternate rendition of Jimmie Rodgers’ “Blue Yodel #9” from Jerry’s last recording session.

Jerry Garcia and David Grisman enjoyed getting together in Grisman’s studio to record informally for their friends, with the mandolinist wisely choosing to share their best efforts with the public by releasing a series of CDs following Garcia’s death. With various members of Grisman’s quintet and a couple of other musicians as well, the two old friends explore a wide range of material, including a bluegrass treatment of James Brown’s “I’ll Go Crazy,” an instrumental of a popular old sea shanty renamed “Handsome Cabin Boy Waltz,” and country legend Jimmie Rodgers’ “Blue Yodel No. 9,” along with fresh interpretations of works by Bob Dylan, Merle Travis, and Mel Tillis. Throughout these undated sessions, Garcia’s brilliant guitar and folksy vocals are beautifully complemented by Grisman’s imaginative mandolin accompaniment. According to Grisman’s liner notes, this may be the final collection of their previously unissued collaborations to be issued; like earlier volumes, it is highly recommended. – Ken Dryden

Tracklist:
01. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Been All Around This World
02. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – I’ll Go Crazy
03. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Take Me
04. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Handsome Cabin Boy (Instrumental)
05. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
06. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – I’m Troubled
07. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Blue Yodel No. 9
08. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Nine Pound Hammer
09. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – I Ain’t Never
10. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Sittin’ Here in Limbo
11. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Dark As a Dungeon
12. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Drink Up and Go Home
13. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Long Black Veil
14. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Sittin’ Here in Limbo alternate
15. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – Frankie Lee and Judas Priest alternate
16. Jerry Garcia & David Grisman – I Ain’t Never alternate