Picking up where they left off with 1995's duet recording Tone Poems II, mandolin master David Grisman and guitar great Martin Taylor blithely saunter through a dozen jazz staples. Taylor's playing boasts a blues-soaked intensity and insouciant fire that isn't normally associated with the willowy and refined soloist, while Grisman showcases a wide variety of adventurous ideas, but at no time do the issues seem forced. The sympathetic and delicate rhythmic support of bassist Jim Kerwin and drummer George Marsh contributes to the air of easygoing delight. Taylor even picks up the mandolin himself on a hidden "keepsake".

In celebration of the late Jerry Garcia's 70th birthday, David Grisman unveils a new collection of nine previously unreleased Garcia/Grisman alternate takes in the new high-definition format. This HD release affords listeners an opportunity to enjoy "Grateful Dawg" music in a sonically superior format with different versions of "The Thrill Is Gone," "Friend of the Devil", "Russian Lullaby", "Arabia" and five others, providing insight into how these two legendary American musicians approached this material.