Bandleader Sam Grisman has finally delivered the studio debut fans have been waiting for with the release of Sam Grisman Project, a 20-track self-titled double album available via David “Dawg” Grisman’s Acoustic Disc. Tracked over just three days in early 2025 at the Tractor Shed in Tennessee, the record is a high-fidelity “sonic snapshot” of Grisman’s esteemed ensemble, featuring virtuosic contributions from the likes of Alex Hargreaves (Billy Strings), John Mailander, and Dominick Leslie. By recording with minimal overdubs, the project preserves the raw, immediate energy of their live shows, weaving together a sophisticated tapestry of Grateful Dead classics, Bob Dylan covers, and sharp original compositions. Whether it’s the Nashville-infused vocals of Logan Ledger on “Ramble on Rose” or the twin-fiddle bluegrass energy of “Went to See the Gypsy” featuring Tim O’Brien, the album functions as a masterclass in modern acoustic music that honors its deep roots while pushing the ensemble’s collective creativity into new territory.
The collection is particularly resonant for those who follow the Garcia/Hunter lineage, with Grisman offering tender, lullaby-esque reinterpretations of tracks like “Lazy River Road”—a song that carries personal significance from his early memories with Garcia himself. Beyond the covers, the record highlights the group’s songwriting prowess through Max Flansburg’s fiery “Long Hard Year” and Nate Leath’s fiddle-driven instrumentals. Recorded just days before their star-studded Ryman Auditorium debut, this double album verifies the Sam Grisman Project as more than just a tribute act; they are a vital, cohesive unit capable of reshaping the American songbook with fresh perspective and immense technical heart. It is a warm, textured journey that feels like an open invitation into Grisman’s musical community, delivering a rich character that only the finest acoustic instruments and deepest friendships can produce.
Sam Grisman Project Tracklist:
- Ramble on Rose (feat. Logan Ledger & Lindsay Lou)
- Went to See the Gypsy (feat. Tim O’Brien)
- Long Hard Year
- Pork Fat Makes My Chicken Tan
- Loser (feat. Logan Ledger)
- When First Unto This Country
- Riley’s Run
- Buckets of Rain
- Wild Bill Jones
- Morning Dew
- Deal (feat. Logan Ledger)
- Rosin on the Ground
- Lazy River Road
- Willow Creek
- Sow ’Em on the Mountain
- Rosin in the Gourd
- (Additional Tracks not listed in source)
- So Many Roads