Wake Up Call - 8/15

I mentioned Bob Brozman in my post on Hawaiian music. He's featured on this week's wake up music selection, along with fellow virtuosi Mike Auldridge and David Grisman. These artists have put together an album dedicated to the sound of the great steel and resophonic instruments - Brozman is best known for his work on the classic National Steel guitars, Auldridge for his mastery of slide styles (particularly on Dobro), and Grisman for his command of the mandolin. The set consists of traditional and original material all designed to show off the sounds of a collection of magnificent looking and sounding guitars, ukes, and mandolins; most are steel-bodied or have steel resonators or amplifying cones built in. Selections range from "Honolulu Nights" and the "Kohala March" to steel versions of "St. Louis Blues", "Great Speckled Bird" and "It Happened in Monterey". No matter which cut plays, it's a joy to wake up to. The name of the CD is Tone Poems III, and it includes a gorgeous booklet that documents the specific instruments used on each cut.