2001
“Baby Gramps has created a highly developed and completely original concoction that is easily the most intriguing synthesis to come out of the roots revival of the late 20th century,” says Glenn Howard of the American Musical Heritage Foundation. Drawing on Delta blues, old-time country, novelty Klezmer, early Hollywood, Tuvan throat singing, and contemporary improvisation, Gramps evokes Uncle Dave Macon, Blind Blake, Ornette Coleman, Captain Beefheart, and Popeye, all in one breath. With Tuvan-influenced vocals, he scats the blues three notes at a time, and suspends conventional notions of timing, timbre, tempo, and pitch with his inimitable scribbling technique on his National steel guitar. Gramps had refused record deals since the 1960s, opting to wait until 78 rpms make a comeback. Last year, finally convinced that CDs would spin on a turntable at the desired speed, Gramps released his debut album, Same Ol’ Timeously.