While I was buying CDs for Adam and Megon, I treated myself to Tone Poems III: The Sounds of the Great Slide & Resophonic Instruments. I'm a fan of National metal body guitars and dobros. This also has David Grisman, master of Dawg Music, on it. It was a bigger treat than expected.

This is also a release on David Grisman's Acoustic Disc label.

After tracing the development of flat top steel string guitars, acoustic arch-top jazz guitars, and American style carved mandolins in Tone Poems I and II, Tone Poems III enters into the fascinating world of slide and "resophonic" instruments. This special project features the combined talents of dobro player extraordinaire Mike Auldridge, National guitar wizard Bob Brozman, and mandolin ace David Grisman. Together they delve into 21 tunes, playing over 50 instruments, detailing the development of these unusual hybrid instruments which formed the "missing link" between acoustic and electric.

Where to begin? Well—you could start with the 48 page book. I didn't know there were so many slides and resophonics. There is a history of the instruments in this book starting from the hollow neck Hawaiian guitars through the National and Dobro guitars, mandolins, and tenors to some new new resophonics. Each instrument is a different visual and sonic treat. Each song is played on a different set of instruments by three masters.

The songs are wonderful! Early Hawaiian, blues, country, and bluegrass.

These three masters take us on a delightful musical journey across 20th century Americana demonstrating their virtuosity, love and respect for the music and instruments they play here.

Three masters, indeed! The playing is superb. It's a very high-level string trio playing together and off of each other. Their love for the music and the instruments just pours out of the speakers.