I'm extra fired up about Dennis Gruenling at the moment thanks to Grey Owl's recent post. I supported his Indiegogo campaign for his forthcoming album and am really looking forward to its release, but in the mean time, I'd like to get more immersed in his recordings. Sadly, I don't own any and am only familiar with what is available on YouTube. Thankfully, that is a lot of material right there, BUT if I were to buy one of his albums (or an album he is featured on) I'm curious which one your opinions would point me towards as being most essential.
---------- Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars.
Last Edited by TBird on Feb 10, 2016 1:54 PM
TBird Don't know if you saw this, but a Rabbi asked Hillary to muse on the signature quote you use, - or something pretty close to it. http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/197451/watch-hillary-clintons-revealing-answer-to-a-rabbis-question-about-humility
A couple of ideas for Dennis Gruenling required listening:
* I Just Keep Lovin’ Him: Little Walter tribute album, also features Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin, and Steve Guyger
* Rockin' All Day: Dennis' most recent album; check out the last track on this disc, and awesome 3rd position instrumental called "Hotso"
Also, Dennis plays on several Doug Deming albums, and I suggest "What's It Gonna Take". Also again, Dennis will be releasing a new album within the next couple of months.
Finally, as good as his recordings are, there's no substitute for seeing and hearing Dennis do his thing live - he really gets into the groove and pushes the edge of the envelope on every tune.
Yeah all those recording already mentioned are worth owning. I'd say of them all "Up All Night" is probably the one I listen to the most. Especially the shuffle which is track 3 called "You Got it". Just can't get enough of that number. Nor of "Person to Person on his "That's Right" album with Jump Time. A truly superb slow blues number.
Really anything by Dennis Gruenling is pretty damned good. Get them all I say.
Last Edited by Kingley on Feb 13, 2016 7:23 AM
Let's be honest. That is probably the advice I'll eventually end up taking... :)
I'm glad LSB got me to look into the recordings Dennis did with Richard Sleigh. I was pumped to discover that they have a version of "People Get Ready" on that album. I love that song but have never heard a particularly outstanding version that features harmonica... until now!
---------- Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars.
Last Edited by TBird on Feb 15, 2016 10:31 AM
I love to listen to Dennis play. Probably my favorite all-around harp player. Probably the most versatile player I've heard. He taught me how to TB and how to approach and think about the harmonica.
But, lets give some credit to Richard Sleigh here. The acoustic harp on that recording was his ( I assume. It sounded like him). That was some fine playing! And actually fit the song a lot better than the amplified harp at the end. Richard is a great player.
