Grant Dermody
Crossing That River
© 2003 Grant Dermody (634479042478)
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Grant's soulful harmonica and voice move seamlessly through country blues, old-time, folk, and jazz-flavored instrumentals.
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notes
"Grant dedicates his newest CD, Crossing That River, to Piedmont blues legend, John Jackson who passed away in 2002. Grant calls John a "loving presence." The existence of this "loving presence" continues in Grant Dermody - in his song selections, in his musical execution, in his passion. Every ounce of his being is transformed into an immediate connection, a sound offering - to the listener, to the fine collection of players, and to the spirit. Grant describes John as having passion, power, honesty and depth of character. I find these same traits in Grant - and in his music."
~ Gaye Adegbalola, Alligator recording artist and founding member of Safire, the Uppity Blues Women
Grant Dermody is a harmonica player known for his deep, rich tone, his tasteful solos, and solid rhythmic playing. Grant moves through a variety of musical styles while maintaining his own distinctive sound.
Grant started out as a Chicago style blues player. He later concentrated more on Delta and Piedmont blues and branched out to other forms of acoustic music including old-time, folk, and alt-country. Grant was twice featured with Orchestra Seattle playing the harmonica part in Huntley Beyer's Symphony, Romantic Lines.
A sought after accompanist, Grant has appeared on several of Jim Page's recordings, plays on Dan Crary's new album, Renaissance of the Steel String Guitar; and has also recorded with Robin Dale Ford, Scott Law, Michael Grey (of Pearl Django) and Michael Gettel. Grant has performed with Cephas & Wiggins, John Miller and Orville Johnson, Antion, Big Joe Duskin, John Dee Holeman, Robert Lowrey, and Honeyboy Edwards. He is a member of the blues influenced old-time band, The Improbabillies, whose self-titled CD on the Yodel-A-Hee label is a fine example of Grant's innovative playing.
On Crossing that River, his first solo CD, Grant has captured many of the varied musical relationships he has fostered over the last eighteen years. Grant wrote three of the tunes, three were written by friends and guest artists, and the rest are songs he has always loved. There are harmonica duets with Phil Wiggins and Joe Filisko; blues duets with John Cephas, John Miller and Orville Johnson; a jazz flavored composition with (and by) Julian Priester; and small ensemble folk, old-time, country, and blues pieces with Jim Page, Richie Stearns, Scott Law, Forrest Gibson and Dale Fanning, to name a few. Grant's soulful vocals and harmonica playing tie it all together.
Grant teaches harmonica at the annual Port Townsend Country Blues Festival and at The Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia.
reviews
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An illustration of the harmonica played with purpose and passion!
author: Rob ThomasGrant excells in communicating his passion through his playing and vocals. The variety of styles reveals a man who crosses many rivers. The only thing that might surpass his playing is his heart for teaching others how to find their own musical passion in playing the harp.
Harp players dream CD
author: Ross macdonaldOne of the best... no, the best CD I've purchased this year. Bought it for the harmonica playing... love it for the music. Grant Dermody has great chops - I can't stop listening to this CD!
Magical artistry
author: Carin WardThere is amazing artistic flow between styles and genres. Quickly becoming a hit in Charlottesville, VA!
excellent!
author: Edwardan excellent collection of styles, all done with style and musianship including side musicians on fiddle, banjo, harp, dobro. guitar plus bass. drums, voice and yes trombone in various combinations. it works very well and a joy to keep in my car. nice jobs all
What do you call "bluegrass blues" fusion?
author: George PelhamGreat CD, keep up the good work.
Still water runs deep
author: Eric GravesGrant is an old friend of mine and we've played together infrequently for some time now. Before I recieved this CD I had an admitted preconcieved idea of what it would contain and and I was pretty surprised by what I've heard. It is deep and eclectic and is a sublime representation of Grants musicianship.
This is a "must have."
author: Victory ReviewWhile the covers are outstanding-passionate, reverent, exuberent-Dermody's own songs are masterful, with stirring imagery and startling revelations.
top rate first solo album
author: Blues in Britain magazineThis is a top rate first solo album from a mature musician who really loves what he is doing, and in a world where there is a great deal of competition, this guy can certainly hold his own.
What a GOOD harmonica player!
author: Judith GennettWhat a pleasant album for sitting beside the wading pool with a margarita without enraging the neighbors....diverse skillful musicians and originally diverse stytles on various tracks happily merging, and contrasting, rather than clashing. And best of all, what a GOOD harmonica player!
He not only renews an acoustic legacy, but extends it.
author: No Depression MagazineWith many rivers to cross, Dermody makes an expansive musical landscape sound like an artistic birthright.
I loved it
author: Antion formerly known as Vic Briggs, lead guitarist for Eric BurA fine example of Grant's virtuosity and eclecticism, each style of music treated exquisitely. A great supporting group of musicians add to the quality of the album. I loved it
what a great CD
author: John Cephas of Cephas and WigginsMy friend Grant Dermody recently released his CD. Since I received my copy I have just about worn it out. As a music lover I recommend this CD to all who love music. I know you will not be disappointed (what a great CD).