antiMusic.com: The Infamous Stringdusters

The Infamous Stringdusters - Ladies & Gentlemen

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They've consistently wowed fans and critics alike over the past eight-years or so, releasing five well-received albums that have made them one of the most respected and in-demand bluegrass/Americana bands on the scene today. So there's no doubting the talent and musicianship of the five-piece, but fans may not have been aware until now that these guys are really quite the ladies men too. Well, realistically the band probably didn't have to do too much sweet-talking to get the dozen female performers who guest here into the studio. Ladies & Gentlemen features a set of new songs written by the band, all but one of which features a guest vocalist. It's almost rude to pick favorites here since each gal turns in a stellar performance, but among the many highlights are the gentle "I Believe" with Lee Ann Womack, the sensuous performance turned in by Joss Stone on "Have a Little Faith" and the banjo-driven cautionary tale of "Old Whiskey Bottle" featuring Celia Woodsmith. Mary Chapin Carpenter charms on the slinky "Coming Back to You" and Crooked Still's Aoife O'Donovan is absolutely irresistible on the lively but ominous "Run to Heaven." Joan Osborne, Sarah Jarosz, Sara Watkins, Nicki Bluhm, Claire Lynch and Abigail Washburn also get a turn behind the microphone; trumpet player Jennifer Hartswick gets a chance to romp and add a bit of South-of-the-border flavor to the non-vocal bonus track "Hazosphere."

The Infamous Stringdusters - Ladies & Gentlemen
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