A great peek inside the mind of a working musician who happens to be at the top of his game. The piece introduces the serious thought that goes into the making of a lick, the philosophy of a professional sideman who has learned how to allow the star to be the star. The clips of Jerry picking should be a wakeup for those who have not heard this man's work or for those who never stopped to think about where those weird background sounds were coming from. Bluegrass studio star as musical philosopher.
A wonderful picture of how life can work, indeed how it does work, when folks respond to the call to serve, to lift each other up, to have a hand in giving somebody else a chance. Lots of understated grace, little inspiring stories, and a rare opportunity to look down into the corner of a musty church basement and see people working at the good Lord's work. Our narrator's matter-of-fact tone is a sharp contrast to the underlying human interest story that keeps this piece from drifting toward sentimentality.
Comments by Scott Whisler
Comment for "Jerry Douglas: In his own words"
Scott Whisler
Posted on July 09, 2004 at 03:40 AM | Permalink
Review of Jerry Douglas: In his own words
A great peek inside the mind of a working musician who happens to be at the top of his game. The piece introduces the serious thought that goes into the making of a lick, the philosophy of a professional sideman who has learned how to allow the star to be the star. The clips of Jerry picking should be a wakeup for those who have not heard this man's work or for those who never stopped to think about where those weird background sounds were coming from. Bluegrass studio star as musical philosopher.
Comment for "Riverside Church Barber"
Scott Whisler
Posted on July 09, 2004 at 03:10 AM | Permalink
Review of Riverside Church Barber
A wonderful picture of how life can work, indeed how it does work, when folks respond to the call to serve, to lift each other up, to have a hand in giving somebody else a chance. Lots of understated grace, little inspiring stories, and a rare opportunity to look down into the corner of a musty church basement and see people working at the good Lord's work. Our narrator's matter-of-fact tone is a sharp contrast to the underlying human interest story that keeps this piece from drifting toward sentimentality.