Can't be too sure where these guys are from, but all indications support that the Grand Poo-Bah Beaner Band was from Salina, Kansas, as they seemed to be playing shows there in the late-70's per the Salina Journal. However, they may have just had a following in Salina and could just as easily be from KC or nearby. The album was recorded in Independence, Missouri, at Shapple Wood studios, a studio that would become Chapman and engineers had ties to the now legendary Cavern Studios.
Regardless of where the Grand Poo-Bah Beaner Band is from, this is a fantastic piece of local bluegrass. Fast-paced and tons of energy. It fits alongside other Missouri artists such as the Dillards and John Hartford. Unlike those artists, however, the Grand Poo-Bah Bearner Band wasn't much for original songs as only one song by the guitarist is found on the album. It appears the group was just doing this for the joy of playing, not concerned with taking outside of their locale.
That said, it's a solid selection of traditional songs and progressive covers. They bluegrass up "Friend of the Devil" by the Grateful Dead which may seem surprising at first, but considering Jerry Garcia was heavily involved in traditional music isn't that much of a stretch. They do a Dillard's tune and a solid cover of Dylan's "I Shall Be Released." They even cover the New Grass Revival with "Cold Sailor". They go to the roots with the Carter Family's "Foggy Mountaintop" and Bill Monroe's "Fire On the Mountain." They stay traditional with other covers like "House of the Rising Sun" and "Reuben's Ridge."
All the covers won't make this a collector's album by any means...nevermind, no one cares about bluegrass. But overall, it's worth a listen due to the quality and musicianship.
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