HOMEGROWN MUSIC . . . AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENT!

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A FEW "TASTY" DISKS

The blues — which are an integral part of Grossman's own musical background — provide the focal point of Kicking Mule's catalog . . . and that section is highlighted by two albums of George Gritzbach, who just happens to be another Gary Davis protege. George, who resides out on Cape Cod and makes his living playing blues in that area, has produced two records of lively party music, as well as some soulful songs penned by the artist himself. (And, I might add, his original tunes stand right proud next to the classics by Gary Davis, Robert Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, and Papa John Miller!)

The first album—entitled Had Your Gritz Today?—is an intimate work, with most cuts featuring just the singer and his guitar in the country blues idiom. Gritzbach's second effort, called Sweep er, builds on the first with some fuller arrangements and more of the fast goodtime blues that seem to be George's strongest suit. Guitar tablature songbooks are available for both of these albums, and I highly recommend them to all fans of country blues.

I first met Bob Brozman at the 1980 Festival of the Saws in Santa Cruz, California, where he was playing Hawaiian lap-style guitar in a jam session featuring his group (the Cheap Suit Serenaders) and Jerry and the Lei Makers, an island folk ensemble. In the course of that encounter, I heard three players on National Triolian tri-cone resonator guitars . . . one on dobro . . . another on tub bass . . . one on washboard . . . a couple of ukulele players . . . and, of course, a few sawyers. As a result of that memorable experience, I waited eagerly to hear Bob's first solo album, and it's now out on the Kicking Mule label.

BlueHula Stomp (as it's called) includes a number of traditional Hawaiian tunes, some old-time ditties, and a lot of native-flavored blues . . . all performed in a style formerly found only on obscure 7-RPM records. The album focuses on Bob's slide—guitar work . . . and several cuts (thanks to the magic of modern multitrack recording equipment) feature him as his own accompanist on rhythm and duet guitars, ukulele, saxophone, and vocals. If you've never heard the early style of Hawaiian slide guitar—a precursor both to the musical saw in dance bands of the 1920's and to the electric steel guitar found in more modern music—you ought to check this one out.

THE PICK OF THE PICKINGS

Folks whose musical tastes run more toward Mississippi Delta-style slide guitar or ragtime blues will also find a lot to like in the Kicking Mule lineup. In particular, the recently released Sparkling Ragtimeand Hardbitten Blues might be right up your alley. This albuma collection of guitar instrumentals and vocal numbers from a variety of traditional molds—features guitarists Nick Katzman and Ray Goldstein, as well as vocalist Ruby Green. (This same trio produced an earlier KMR disk—offered with an instruction book—called How to Play Delta Blues Guitar. ) A tablature book for the new release is on the way, too.

Of course, many down-home music fans prefer flatpicked guitar above all other styles . . . and those individuals should give a listen to Flatpicking Guitar, an album featuring Dan Crary, Dick Fegy, Eric Thompson, Barry Solomon, and Steve Kaufman. Performing both in solo arrangements and as backup for each other, the musicians cover almost all the bases in this genre, from a Woody Guthrie song to jigs and reels, fiddle tunes, and a little swing. There's also a tab book to accompany the album, in case you're inspired to try a bit of flatpicking on your own.

Old-time jazz, arranged for finger Picked guitar, is popular with many people, too . . . and that's the specialty of Duck Baker, on his Kicking Mule releases. The King of Bongo Bong is an especially delightful album on which swing is definitely king! Some tunes offer the violin of Mike Piggott, while a couple of others include Stefan Grossman on lead guitar. Two of Duck's earlier KMR albums— Something for Everyone and When You Wore a Tulip -are sold with tab books for those who'd like to practice this fingering style.

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