Stefan Grossman – The Gramercy Park Sheik

Stefan Grossman – The Gramercy Park Sheik

The Gramercy Park Sheik is a superb showcase for the intricate acoustic guitar playing of Stefan Grossman, one of the most influential figures in the revival and preservation of traditional American blues. Drawing heavily on country blues, ragtime guitar and early folk traditions, the album demonstrates Grossman's remarkable fingerpicking technique and deep understanding of the music's roots.

Grossman emerged from the 1960s American folk and blues revival, becoming fascinated with the recordings of early blues guitarists and eventually studying directly with some of the musicians whose work he admired. His playing combines intricate alternating bass lines, syncopated rhythms, slide-influenced phrasing and delicate fingerstyle melodies, making his recordings particularly appealing to guitar enthusiasts.

The album's title reflects Grossman's connection with the Gramercy Park area of New York, where he was part of the vibrant folk and blues community that helped introduce traditional acoustic music to a new generation of listeners. Rather than attempting to modernise the material, Grossman approaches these pieces with enormous respect for the techniques and styles of the early blues masters.

Side A opens with Yola Blues, followed by the beautifully fingerpicked Not You Or I, My Dear and Mississippi Blues Number Two. Cross-Eyed Blues showcases Grossman's rhythmic precision, while Irene's Sleepy Lullaby provides a more delicate and intimate change of pace. The side closes with You'd Best Be Gentle, another fine example of his sophisticated acoustic playing.

Side B begins with Little Rock Blues Number Two, before moving through Lena Anne, Hans Fried and Grow Black Squall. The atmospheric Gentle Joys, Gentle Sorrows demonstrates the more reflective side of Grossman's playing, while Requiem For Patrick Kilroy provides a suitably understated conclusion.

What makes The Gramercy Park Sheik particularly rewarding is its emphasis on guitar technique and traditional blues vocabulary. Grossman's playing is intricate without becoming overly showy, allowing the character of the compositions and the warmth of the acoustic guitar to remain at the centre of each performance.

Grossman was not only a performer but also a hugely important blues archivist, teacher and publisher. Through his recordings, books and instructional work, he helped introduce countless guitarists to the playing styles of musicians such as Mississippi John Hurt, Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Blake and Robert Johnson.

For collectors of Stefan Grossman vinyl, acoustic blues, country blues and fingerstyle guitar, this is an excellent addition to a roots-music collection. Guitar players in particular will appreciate the intricate picking, unusual tunings and rhythmic sophistication that run throughout the album.

Fans of Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Blake, Reverend Gary Davis, John Fahey and Leo Kottke should find plenty to enjoy here. The Gramercy Park Sheik is a beautifully played document of the acoustic blues tradition and an excellent example of Stefan Grossman's role in keeping this remarkable musical heritage alive.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Yola Blues
2. Not You Or I, My Dear
3. Mississippi Blues Number Two
4. Cross-Eyed Blues
5. Irene's Sleepy Lullaby
6. You'd Best Be Gentle

Side B

1. Little Rock Blues Number Two
2. Lena Anne
3. Hans Fried
4. Grow Black Squall
5. Gentle Joys, Gentle Sorrows
6. Requiem For Patrick Kilroy