Bob Bralove and Patti Weiss have a lot to say on Acoustic Conversations. 

The instrumental LP from the former Grateful Dead sound tech (acoustic piano) and violinist Patti Weiss (no relation) jumps genres across eight original compositions, covers of Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower” and Bill Evans’ “Peace Piece” and an on-the-fly number titled “Improvisation on a Theme.” 

Bralove works the left channel, his left hand dominating as he remains tethered mostly to blues and, occasionally, jazz and classical stylings. His partner Weiss is on the right, drifting to and fro between classical violin and bluegrass fiddle. Unorthodox to be sure; also utterly intriguing and almost wholly captivating. 

The duo reach their apex on “Devil’s Bar Blues,” which is essentially “Spoonful” transplanted from Chicago to Louisiana via Bralove’s boogie-woogie stylings. This may be the high point; however, there is no antithetical nadir on this delightful sonic surprise.