The Stringdusters

Within the last 2 weeks I've bought 4 CD's.  Aubrey Ghent, "What a Time", lap steel in the style of Sacred Steel, Jerry Douglas, "Glide", Rob Ickes DVD, "Contemporary Dobro Artistry", and The Infamous Stringdusters.

I've also listed them in order of my preference. 

Aubrey Ghent, "What a Time", $17 shipped, www.aubreyghent.com Aubrey is a proponent of Sacred Steel the style of steel playing that Robert Randolph came out of.  In fact, Aubrey is touring with Robert Randolph and the Family Band for the next 3 to 4 months.  If you like Sacred Steel or lap steel jam bands you cannot go wrong with this offering.

**The intent of this column is to aid in learning a particular segment of a referenced piece of music. All media in this and all posts in this series are strictly for educational use. Do not duplicate this material in any way.**

Perhaps the most requested break for this column is Andy Hall's break on 'Dream You Back' with The Infamous Stringdusters. This break is a great example of Andy's fluid style and his mastery of driving rolls and syncopated rhythm.

The tune is rather briskly in the key of B (capo on the fourth) and is in 4/4 time. Here's the break...

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and again @ 75%...

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Here's how the break sounds to me:

& @ 75.. err a... 50% ;) ...

Here's the tab (standard disclaimers - maybe Andy will chime in here if corrections are needed):

The intro sets the mood for the entire piece. Andy can integrate a reverse roll very seamlessly, and with razor sharp timing it fills any downtime with plenty of push.

Sorry it's been so long since our last break... up next will be Randy Kohrs!

Enjoy.

The Infamous Stringdusters, featuring monster resoist and reso-nation member Andy Hall received two very deserved awards at this years IBMA awards ceremony in Nashville, TN.

The 'Dusters  pulled in 'Song of The Year' with the title track to their Sugar Hill debut Fork In The Road.  I highly reccommend this project for bluegrass enthusiasts in general and reso enthusiasts in particular.

Joining the likes of some of the biggest bands in bluegrass, the 'Dusters also received the nod for 'Emerging Artist of The Year.'  Former winners include The Grascals, King Wilkie, Nickel Creek, Mountain Heart and Blue Highway.

We're really proud to see Andy and the boys earn recognition for their work.  I'm sure this is the first of many IBMA trophys for the 'Dusters mantle.

By the way, seeing Andy Hall's name in the 'Dobro Player of The Year' nominee list would have been entirely appropriate.