[Birdbrain]

Tommy has a new guitar, and he was happy to tell us about it last night in Ft. Collins. It's made by Pre War, on a challenge to replicate and "beat" David Grisman's 1934 Martin 00-28, if I remember correctly. He played it purely acoustic, sitting down at a mike, so there was one of that piezo quack that others have noted from his Matons.

That was part of what made the night special, but the real magic happened between these two virtuosos. There must be a hundred years of daily practice invested on their combined 20 fingers, and it added up to a masterful performance. The material was largely "Dawg's greatest hits," following "Pickin'," their recent duet album. Emmanuel's boundless energy stoked Grisman to greater heights than I've witnessed in a long while. But David still stayed in his pocket, playing slow, and bluesy with a rich, dark tone that sets him apart from Thiele, Bush and other speedsters.

If this duet set comes anywhere near you, check it out- you won't be sorry!