The Story Of Bubbalon
“Bubbalon by Bass” was an ongoing project of my husband’s since the early 90’s when he would take every opportunity to coerce visiting luminaries into the recording studio. The most common scenario would be for Dave to invite performers home to spend the night after their gigs in Charlottesville, Va. and while they were under his charm, shuttle them to the studio the next morning. And if he was on tour, he still often found the occasion to entice folks into joining him in recording a tune. Most times there was no predetermined song and certainly no practice. And amazingly, much of what was recorded was done in one take. Dave talked about being in the rhythm section of life, as well as in his bands, and he always drove these sessions with his eclectic and highly syncopated bass playing. In the playful spirit of creating imaginative music and stretching the boundaries, he brought in chain saws, drywall buckets, trash can lids and bagpipes. Often he would stuff the string instruments with foam padding to augment their percussive quality. The resulting sound, to Dave’s delight, was a resounding “thud”. Long ago, Dave stepped out of his Southern Old Time music roots to explore the boundless possibilities in merging different music styles, incorporating various world beat rhythms and using nontraditional instrumentation. Dave was all about invention and spontaneity and it shows in the melding of this diverse group of players and their creative renderings of tunes from all styles of music: from Marley to Dylan to Zappa to the Clash. It all works; “Bubbalon” is the result of his creative foresight and infectious charisma.
Dave in studio with Bill Kirchen
The title of this CD reflects Dave’s outlook. It’s a playful parody of Bob Marley’s “Babylon By Bus”, Marley being Dave’s primo music hero. But instead of the metaphor of a bus, transportation of the plebeian, taking the listener on a journey to a decadent, but vanished, destination, the bass, in Dave’s record, drives you to a place of listening pleasure that is unpretentious and accessible. The “Bubba” conjures a whole lifestyle. But to Dave it implied simply “be happy”, “be humble”, “have fun”.
Dave’s death in March 2002 was very sudden and tragic. He was 46. At that time, he had completed the mixing of 7 of the tunes (tracks #1,2,4,5,6,9 & 10) in Bobby Read’s studio. From the volumes of material Dave recorded, Bobby selected the tunes that were the closest to completion and went on to finish the CD.
Dave Matthews is the most notable guest performer on “Bubbalon”. Sometime in the late ‘90’s, I remember my husband coming home elated with the notion that he would ask hometown star, Dave Matthews, to sing a particular song that a friend, Vince Farsetta, had written. “Honey, Dave Matthews’ voice is perfect for “Mama Boulet”!” “Yes, Dear. Why don’t you just call him and ask? I’m sure he’ll say yes.” After Dave’s death, that’s just what we did. And, with my total gratitude and to my amazement, Dave Matthews did say “yes”. “Mama Boulet” begins with Dave Grant’s long, cool introduction. Bobby Read built the tune around the original banjo and accordion and Dave’s bass playing. Dave Matthews sang the lead and indeed, his voice is perfect for that song.
Dave at home with David Nelson, Bill Laymon, Mookie Siegel, Darlene and Ryan
Many other nationally known musicians play on Dave’s record. Peter Rowan, along with his brothers, Lorin and Chris, enjoyed Dave’s hospitality and found time to record with him. Tim O’Brien sings lead on one number and plays on others. Robin and Linda Williams add their rich harmonies to a tune. David Nelson, Bill Kirchen, Tony Trischka, Michael Doucet, Matt Glaser and Barry Mitterhoff all perform on “Bubbalon”. James Leva and Dirk Powell were band mates of Dave’s in the 90’s band “The Freewill Savages” and appear throughout the recording. And in Dave’s generous and all inclusive way, many more talented, though not so famous, folks joined together to make this record an energized and unique experience; highly danceable in the style of rock solid reggae.
Great music just seemed to happen whenever Dave was involved. A close friend and drummer, Spencer Lathrop, beautifully sums up what he believes to be true of Dave and his music. “Dave was one of the best musicians I ever knew, confident, adventurous, open to the world. And it shows on this record. The groove is down and dirty. The melodies are wild and happy. Everybody caught a piece of Dave Grant’s spirit in the making of this record, and we are all better off for it.”
