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commercial success that they had hoped for. “Our big shot kinda came and went,” Jimmy said.
Last summer though, Richard Bennett heard from J. D. Crowe about a European tour that he did not want to do. The opportunity was passed to Bennett, who enlisted Jimmy Gaudreau and Mike Auldridge, and thus Auldridge, Bennett & Gaudreau was created. Before the tour, the three got together to practice and record, and Rebel Records just released their CD, “This Old Ibwn.” The European tour was more than successful—two and a half weeks, seven countries, twelv6 shows—and it gave them an opportunity to further develop their “new bluegrass sound.”
Charlie Tompkins said that “back in the Forties, bluegrass and country had a life of their own—now they seem to be getting back together.” But it’s not only the fusion of bluegrass and country that is characteristic of their play. It’s the precision of picking, whether Jimmy on mandolin, Mike on Dobro, or Richard on guitar, even the neophyte bluegrass listener can hear the flawlessness. No matter how complex or rapidly played, each note and chord is presented by these musicians as though in solo.
It’s the removal of the “edges”— perhaps I stayed away from too much' bluegrass because I found it easy to overdose on what I might have called “coarseness or musical angst.” But that does not show up in the AB&G tunes. The edges are softer, the sounds more sublime—there’s a heavy Sixties folk influence that overlays and amends, and that permits three great voices to be showcased within the frame of their strings.
Jimmy made reference to Richard’s abilities when he said that “you’re not supposed to be able to play guitar like that and make it sound so good.” Charlie added that “it’s even more true on Dobro ‘cause you gotta hit the ‘sweet spot’.” I say that these boys hit the sweet spot alright.
See for yourself at the Rappahannock High School on Feb. 12 at 7:30. This event is sponsored by RAAC, and information can be obtained and reservations made by calling 540-675-3193.
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