VOA标准英语2013--The Infamous Stringdusters Straddle Genres on 'Silver Sky'

 

The Infamous¹ Stringdusters Straddle Genres² on 'Silver Sky'

“Silver Sky” is CD number five for the Grammy-nominated, Charlottesville, Virginia- based quintet. While some people think of them as a bluegrass band because of their acoustic³ instruments, these days the Stringdusters describe their sound as “high country.”

What is that? I’m not exactly sure, so let’s just say that it’s a mix of all things progressive: bluegrass, rock and country.

While all five members of the band are accomplished⁴ musicians, make no mistake - this is a real group, not just five guys trying to show who can play the fastest or the most notes. The song “Rockets” does a good job of showcasing how the individual sounds weave into one.

The Infamous Stringdusters took a step outside of the box when it came time to find a producer for “Silver Sky.” Instead of going for someone who’s gained notoriety in the bluegrass or Americana books, they turned to hip-hop, choosing to work with Atlanta- based producer Billy Hume.

While Hume’s best known for working with rappers like David Banner, Bonecrusher and Ludacris, his background also includes time spent doing regular singer-songwriter gigs at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville and playing mandolin in a southern rock band. In other words, he was an inspired, and unexpected, choice. Which is also a good description of the Stringdusters distinctly non-bluegrass cover of the Police hit “Walking On The Moon.”

The Stringdusters’ creativity isn’t confined to their choice of songs or producers. They’re now touring with a light show, but still keep their onstage performances loose enough to break away from an arrangement and into a jam when it’s appropriate.

There are two versions of “Silver Sky” available. One is the standard 12-track disc, the other is a double-set that features a previously⁵ unreleased cover of The Grateful Dead’s “He’s Gone.” It also adds a copy of the Stringdusters 2011 live recording⁶ “We’ll Do It Live.” It opens with “Fork In The Road,” the title track of The Infamous Stringdusters’ 2007 debut⁷.

1 infamous   

adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的

参考例句：

• He was infamous for his anti-feminist attitudes.他因反对女性主义而声名狼藉。
• I was shocked by her infamous behaviour.她的无耻行径令我震惊。

2 genres   

（文学、艺术等的）类型，体裁，风格( genre的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Novel and short story are different genres. 长篇小说和短篇小说是不同的类别。
• But confusions over the two genres have a long history. 但是类型的混淆，古已有之。 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译

3 acoustic   

adj.听觉的，声音的；(乐器)原声的

参考例句：

• The hall has a fine acoustic.这个大厅的传音效果很好。
• Animals use a whole rang of acoustic, visual,and chemical signals in their systems of communication.动物利用各种各样的听觉、视觉和化学信号来进行交流。

4 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

5 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

6 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

7 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。