By Paul T. Mueller — Houston guitar fans got a rare treat this week when super sideman-turned-bandleader David Grissom came to town for a show at the Under the Volcano club. The near-capacity crowd – maybe 200 or so, most of them standing – was treated to a 13-song set featuring highlights from various phases of Grissom’s fine career, plus a few surprises.
Originally from Kentucky and now living in Austin, Grissom made his name as a brilliant lead guitarist for the likes of Joe Ely, John Mellencamp and the Dixie Chicks, as well as being a founding member of the late Texas supergroup Storyville. More recently he’s branched out into songwriting and singing, and to date has released three solo albums, beginning with 2007’s Loud Music. Way Down Deep, a six-track EP, came out last year. Most of Grissom’s gigs with his own band have been in Austin, but such is his reputation with guitar fans that even a relatively low-key club show in Houston drew an enthusiastic crowd.
Grissom’s style combines lead and rhythm playing and features an amazing mastery of tone, all produced with guitars that are works of visual art in addition to their musical virtues. Backed by bassist Scott Nelson, drummer Bryan Austin and keyboardist Stefano Intelisano, Grissom ripped through a set that was seemingly intense and relaxed at the same time. Most of the six songs on Way Down Deep were showcased, a mix of instrumentals (“Skimming the Surface,” “Belly of the Beast”) and vocal songs (“Runnin’ on Fumes,” “Way Down Deep”). Older material included “Loud Music,” a boogie number featuring an extended jam between Grissom’s guitar and Intelisano’s piano, and “Nothin’ Makes a Man Go Crazy,” with a nice bass solo by Nelson (the other band members got solos at various times as well).
“Good Day for the Blues,” maybe the best-known song by the much-missed Storyville, drew a big response, with Grissom doing an admirable job on the vocals that once belonged to his former band’s soulful lead singer, Malford Milligan. Another high point came late in the set – a lively rendition of the Allman Brothers Band’s “Jessica,” presumably a souvenir from Grissom’s stint with that legendary outfit. Grissom echoed Dickey Betts’ playing on the iconic tune in nearly note-perfect fashion, while Intelisano put his own stamp on the piano part made famous by Chuck Leavell.
The main set ended with “What Passes for Love,” a midtempo rocker that had several patrons dancing next to the stage. After a brief break, Grissom and the band launched into an encore featuring the jazzy instrumental “Flim Flam” and a stomping rendition of “Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings,” originally by hometown heroes ZZ Top.
Given his lofty status among six-string aficionados, David Grissom could probably have gotten away with pulling a diva-esque disappearing act after the show. On this night, he chose instead to stick around and sign CDs, pose for pictures with fans, and just generally act like a nice guy. It made for a classy end to an enjoyable evening.
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