Dave Holland bluegrass dates

[slide_advantage_redoux]

I came across a real surprise find awhile back. It is on a small label (HDS, distributed by Flying Fish), recorded in '74. There is no clear name of this LP, apart from a listing of the personnel involved. Overall, a nice production, and well recorded.

Playing amongt some heavy hitters in the Blugrass field (incl. Norman Blake, Jethro Burns, Sam Bush, Vassar Clements et al) is Dave Holland.

What a surprise. I wonder if he took the date solely for the bread, the musicianship of the record mates or does he have a secret love for mountain music?

I grew up listening to shit like this, and it is good. Nothing particularly sets this one session apart from other recordings I have heard, but with these cats, it is definitely the real shit.

I have heard rumors that there were possibly other bluegrass dates with some of the same players (with Holland as well)

Edited May 22, 2005 by slide_advantage_redoux

[BFrank]

I think I have that album in a box somewhere. I'll have to dig it out and listen to it again.

[Joe G]

I grew up listening to those guys, too. It would seem like Dave must have liked that music, otherwise how would he even end up in that company?

[alankin]

I know Holland did some studio work in the early 1970s -- he's on Bonnie Raitt's second album "Give It Up" (1972, produced by Michael Cuscuna!) and on Maria Muldaur's self-titled debut from 1974.

But he also has some connection to the bluegrass/folk players you mentioned.

Holland plays on John Hartford's "Morning Bugle" from 1972, which also featured guitarist Norman Blake and was produced by John Simon (who produced The Band's first two albums).

And Holland also plays on "Vassar Clements/John Hartford/Dave Holland" (1988) and on Vassar Clements's "Once in a While" (along w/ John Abercrombie & Jimmy Cobb!).

Edited May 22, 2005 by alankin

[Joe G]

I never knew!