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[Short Reviews]

GRATEFUL DAWG

This loving little (80 minutes) documentary explores the relationship and collaboration between guitarist Jerry Garcia and mandolinist Dave "Dawg" Grisman. Produced by Grisman’s daughter Gillian, the film features previously unseen concert footage (from Sweetwater in Mill Valley), a quarter-century’s worth of unreleased audio tracks, and footage of basement, er, living-room sessions (the "Pizza Tapes") that took place in Grisman’s home. Jerry is portrayed as the quintessential freewheelin’ hippie who, according to Grisman, was consistently informal in his approach to the music. And bluegrass maestro Grisman looks like nothing so much as a Falstaffian rabbi, his playing belying his fleshy fingers. For all Grateful Dawg’s weaknesses (its disjointedness; the precious kudos to Jerry after his death), the music holds it together. This is a jovial and no-bullshit glimpse into intimate, intense musicmaking.

BY PEG ALOI

Issue Date: October 25 - November 1, 2001