Psychograss

Psychograss was probably one of the most eclectic rings in the annals of American string music. Although rooted in the present day sounds of modern bluegrass, Psychograss integrated from folk, jazz and traditional music to Latin-American rhythms and pop music. A supergroup of top-rated acoustic music artists, Psychograss was conceived by fiddler Darol Anger and mandolin participant Mike Marshall. Previous members from the innovative David Grisman Quintet, Anger and Marshall experienced since collaborated like a duo so when members from the chamber music/folk music group Montreux, alongside pianist Barbara Higbie and bassist Michael Manring. Anger had opted on to type the Turtle Isle String Music group, while Marshall experienced formed the present day Mandolin Quartet. Recruiting string bassist Todd Phillips, a founding person in the Grisman Quintet, Tony Rice’s Bluegrass Recording Music group and Montreux, and current Grisman Quintet percussionist Joe Craven, Anger and Marshall documented Psychograss’ self-titled debut recording in 1993. Furthermore to unique instrumentals by Anger and Marshall, the recording included a folk-pop rendition of Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Color of Pale” offering the business lead vocals of Tim O’Brien, along with a newgrass instrumental by Tony Trischka, “Flanders Rock and roll,” with Trischka playing five-string banjo. Anger and Marshall reunited to record another Psychograss recording, Like Thoughts, in 1996 with Trischka and flatpicking acoustic guitar virtuoso David Grier put into the group. With each music group member contributing a genuine tune, the recording was all originals aside from a bluegrass-inspired interpretation of Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Rock From sunlight.”