Old & In the Way

Last updated
Old & In the Way
Origin San Francisco, United States
Genres Bluegrass
Years active1973–1974
LabelsRound Records
Acoustic Disc
Acoustic Oasis
Past members Jerry Garcia
Peter Rowan
David Grisman
John Kahn
Richard Greene
Vassar Clements
John Hartford

Old & In the Way was a bluegrass group formed in 1973. It was composed of Peter Rowan (guitar, vocals), Vassar Clements (fiddle), Jerry Garcia (banjo, vocals), David Grisman (mandolin, vocals), and John Kahn (string bass). When the group was forming, it was intended that John Hartford would be the fiddle player. Based on Hartford's engagements, and Clements' reputational stature in the bluegrass community, Clements became the group's fiddler.

Contents

The group performed traditional tunes such as "Pig in a Pen" as well as bluegrass-flavored versions of the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" and Peter Rowan's "Panama Red". [1] [2] The group had a short existence playing a total of approximately 50 live shows through much of 1973 then briefly reconvening for one bluegrass festival in 1974. All the official Old & In The Way releases consist of live recordings made in San Francisco in October 1973. [3]

Old & in the Way's self-titled debut album, which was released in 1975, went on to become one of the best selling bluegrass albums of all time. [4] [5] The group, without Jerry Garcia and John Kahn, released a reunion album in 2002, called Old & In the Gray . [6]

On July 31, 2015, Peter Rowan and David Grisman (the last two surviving members of Old and in the Way) performed a set with the String Cheese Incident, Chris Pandolfi (banjo) and Blaine Sprouse (fiddle) at the 20th annual Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They performed many Old & in the Way songs in addition to other covers and original compositions. [7]

Personnel

Old & In the Way

2002 reunion: Old & In the Gray

Discography

Year RecordedYear ReleasedAlbumChart PositionsLabel
US US Bluegrass US Country
19731975 Old & In the Way 99[ citation needed ]Round Records
19731996 That High Lonesome Sound Acoustic Disc
19731997 Breakdown
20022002 Old & In the Gray 9[ citation needed ]72[ citation needed ]
19732008 Live at the Boarding House 3[ citation needed ]Acoustic Oasis
19732013 Live at the Boarding House: The Complete Shows Acoustic Oasis

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References

  1. Old & In the Way at AllMusic Old & In the Way biography
  2. "Grateful Dead Family Discography: Old & In The Way Discography". deaddisc.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  3. "Grateful Dead Family Discography: Old & In The Way Discography". www.deaddisc.com. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  4. "Vassar Clements – Biography". vassarclements.com. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  5. "Grateful Dead Hour no. 301 | Grateful Dead". dead.net. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  6. "Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions". Answers.com.
  7. "David Grisman and Peter Rowan Joined String Cheese At Vibes | L4LM". liveforlivemusic.com. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 2016-06-15.