“This album is an overall amazing achievement.
I find Eliot’s playing highly intellectual in this first instance,
with an emphasis on subtlety and fine-woven structures.”
- An Piobaire
“Grasso achieves a startling depth, consistency and clarity of tone...”
- The Irish Times
“...playing is remarkably compact and precise, tastefully embellished
with a restrained creativity and inventiveness...includes a number of his own
compositions, which fit seamlessly within the more traditional sets...instantly
attractive, and is sure to find its way into the wider repertoire.”
- Journal of Music in Ireland
“...chanterwork is fleet and fiery...executed with
exceptional cleanness and control...”
- Irish Echo
Seattle Pipers’ Club Interviews Eliot Grasso
- Iris na bPíobairí
"...his all-instrumental solo debut album already
marks him as a dazzlingly agile and lyrical piper."
- Baltimore Magazine
“Grasso plays with great maturity and a startling understanding
not only of his chosen instrument, but also of Irish music in general.”
- Irish Edition
“ ...displays not only a continuity of style and technique,
but a further maturing of musicianship.”
- An Focal Review
“...here is a piper...who has applied himself assiduously to the
far-from-easy task of mastering the pipes and in the process has
found a unique and compelling musical voice.”
- Pay the Reckoning
“...the playing is so effortless that it’s purely a sign of youthful enthusiasm.”
- Irish Music Magazine
- Goucher Quarterly
“The overall impression from listening to Standing Room Only is one of
superb technical ability, a remarkable display of good taste, and the
ease and relaxation of the expert player.”
- Green Man Review
“...there’s no real distraction from the brilliant and compelling piping which
Eliot exhibits throughout Standing Room Only.”
- Living Tradition Review
“With Eliot’s signature sound driven by his squeaky clean technique,
there is never a difficult sounding passage, nor wrinkle in the tempo;
and Dave Cory is right there with him at every twist and turn.”
- Iris na bPíobairí
“Eliot is an awesome teacher, an inspiration to work hard...”
- Rocky Mountain Tionol Report
“In his first solo album release, Goucher College junior Eliot Grasso
dazzles listeners with masterful technique on par with the
best in modern Irish music... As far as technical aspects are concerned,
the album once again bears a high standard.”
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-- Goucher College Quindecim
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“Eliot Grasso, from a new breed of pipers, with a superb sense of the music and sure to
continue the tradition. Great choice of tunes and brilliant playing.”
- Irish Ways Radio Programme
- Geoffrey Himes
“...the final complement to the musical prowess extant in Baltimore these days became
evident as the mic was turned over to the next generation...
Eliot Grasso on uilleann pipes...it is very clear that with
young talent like this on the rise in Baltimore,
the flame will burn for a good while yet...”
- “Historic Gathering in Baltimore” by Paul Keating
