GRITS

As The World Grits
CUNEIFORM 55008

Rare Birds
CUNEIFORM 55012

GRITS
As The World Grits CUNEIFORM 55008	Rare Birds CUNEIFORM 55012

During their lifetime (1970-80), Grits were Washington D.C.'s most popular progressive band. They combined classically trained musicianship [guitar/viola, keyboards, bass/violin and drums] with rock and satire. The compositions are well crafted, and there is some very fine singing from all. They were a big influence on the early D.C. progressive scene in general and The Muffins in particular. They were one of my ten favorite bands for years, and I saw them dozens of times. Although several major labels were interested during their existence, nothing ever came of it, and As The World Grits is the first-ever release of any of their music, consisting of excellent sounding studio demos from 1972-76. "One of the best CDs to be released this year"-The Laser's Edge. Rare Birds is over 75' of music recorded live 8/21/76 at a free concert in The Muffins' backyard. This spotlights the band at their pinnacle, featuring long tracks with tons of jamming never recorded in the studio. The sound is excellent and extremely live and vibrant, & this is the definitive release by them. Includes their 25' opus for electric viola & rock band "Rare Birds" & much more. "Grits created a cerebral, jamming sound combined with extremely personal, savagely bitter, & often hilarious lyrics...thoughtful, intricate songs & flawless musicianship...Rare Birds is a rare treat, something previously unheard & untainted by age. What best defines Grits is their unique sound. They sound like no other band of the time, American, British or otherwise" -Gibraltar Encyclopedia Of Progressive Rock.

Memories of the making of Rare Birds

Between 1973-79, I saw Grits dozens of times; whenever I could, really. But of all those times their show August 26th, 1976, the one captured on Rare Birds was probably the best one I ever saw them play.

In 1976-77, The Muffins used to put on free summer concerts in their backyard in what was then very rural Gaithersburg (now a swollen suburban megalapolis). Their large backyard opened up onto a baseball field. Once or twice a weekend we would haul their sound reinforcement equipment (a big ol' funky Peavy power mixer, microphones & speakers) out to the little stage we had built & various invited bands & musicians would play. Usually it was pretty loose & improvised, & the audience was often outnumbered by the performers.

Grits agreed to play for free; quite generous on their part, as they were a working, gigging band. Word must've gotten out that this would be something special, becuase I recall there being at least 80-100 people in the audience.

Grits' long-time roadie & sound man Brian Rapp ran the board & provided the live sound. At the last moment, I asked for & received permission to tape the band. Brian suggested the X-Y miking technique used, & other than setting the levels at the very beginning, my "engineering" of the recording of this concert consisted of little more than hitting the "on" button & flipping the reels. The credit for the excellent sound - exactly what it sounded like in the audience - really rests with Brian. I still vividly remember during the jam after the bass solo of "Inside Straight" him jumping up from the board to the front of the stage & banging on a cowbell, while Ned, their other roadie, played marracas! You can hear it on the CD.

It was a beautiful summer evening, with crickets & cicadas singing, & an appreciative audience. Grits played a powerful set & stretched out & improvised more than any other time I saw them. This was not a typical performance for them, but it was an exlemplary one. After more than 20 years, I'm glad you can hear it too.

- Steven Feigenbaum

**Memories of the making of Rare Birds**
Between 1973-79, I saw Grits dozens of times; whenever I could, really. But of all those times their show August 26th, 1976, the one captured on Rare Birds was probably the best one I ever saw them play. In 1976-77, The Muffins used to put on free summer concerts in their backyard in what was then very rural Gaithersburg (now a swollen suburban megalapolis). Their large backyard opened up onto a baseball field. Once or twice a weekend we would haul their sound reinforcement equipment (a big ol' funky Peavy power mixer, microphones & speakers) out to the little stage we had built & various invited bands & musicians would play. Usually it was pretty loose & improvised, & the audience was often outnumbered by the performers. Grits agreed to play for free; quite generous on their part, as they were a working, gigging band. Word must've gotten out that this would be something special, becuase I recall there being at least 80-100 people in the audience. Grits' long-time roadie & sound man Brian Rapp ran the board & provided the live sound. At the last moment, I asked for & received permission to tape the band. Brian suggested the X-Y miking technique used, & other than setting the levels at the very beginning, my "engineering" of the recording of this concert consisted of little more than hitting the "on" button & flipping the reels. The credit for the excellent sound - exactly what it sounded like in the audience - really rests with Brian. I still vividly remember during the jam after the bass solo of "Inside Straight" him jumping up from the board to the front of the stage & banging on a cowbell, while Ned, their other roadie, played marracas! You can hear it on the CD. It was a beautiful summer evening, with crickets & cicadas singing, & an appreciative audience. Grits played a powerful set & stretched out & improvised more than any other time I saw them. This was not a typical performance for them, but it was an exlemplary one. After more than 20 years, I'm glad you can hear it too. - Steven Feigenbaum

Tom Wright / Bob Sims / Amy Taylor / Rick Barse

GRITS

CUNEIFORM RECORDS