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New Favorite by Alison Krauss & Union StationAlison Kraus & Union Station: Alison Krauss (vocals, fiddle, viola); Ron Block (vocals, guitar, banjo); Dan Tyminski (vocals, guitar,...
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Alison Kraus & Union Station: Alison Krauss (vocals, fiddle, viola); Ron Block (vocals, guitar, banjo); Dan Tyminski (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Barry Bales (vocals, bass); Jerry Douglas (dobro). Additional personnel includes: Larry Atamanuik (drums, percussion). Recorded at Seventeen Grand Recording, Nashville, Tennessee. NEW FAVORITE won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. "The Lucky One" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by A Duo Or Group With Vocal and for Best Country Song. This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players. Personnel: Alison Krauss (vocals, fiddle, viola); Ron Block (vocals, guitar, banjo); Dan Tyminski (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Barry Bales (acoustic & electric basses, background vocals); Larry Atamanuik (drums, percussion). Principally recorded at Seventeen Grand Studios, Nashville, Tennessee. NEW FAVORITE won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. "The Lucky One" won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Countr...
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11 Reviews from Epinions.com
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New Favorite by Alison Krauss & Union Station
I don't think I'll ever forget the day I discovered Alison Krauss and Union Station. I'd heard about Alison Krauss for years, but never bothered to listen to anything by her. I had a clue that she was talented, based on a duet I'd heard her do with Lyle Lovett. Then one day, I purchased a couple of her albums on a whim. 2001's New Favorite was one of those albums. It was love at first listen.
Alison Krauss and Union Station are a talented group of musicians who happen to lean heavily toward the bluegrass genre. I say they "lean heavily", because starting in the late 1990s, this band started to experiment with different sounds that are less like classic bluegrass and more like contemporary pop, rock, and country. Some folks have taken to calling this new sound "newgrass". Whatever you want to call it, I happen to really like it. I like classic bluegrass every once in awhile, but I find that the newgrass phenomenon is a little more aurally palatable for me. After all, my ears cut their teeth on rock and country!
Alison Krauss is, of course, this band's leader. She sings lead on a good portion of the songs on New Favorite and she also plays the fiddle. But while Alison Krauss's name headlines, she never acts like the star. That's one thing I love about Union Station. Every single band member can play extremely well and every single band members gets the opportunity to demonstrate their talents. It's such a pleasure to listen to such talented people play together.
New Favorite consists of thirteen songs and runs for 45 minutes. Printed lyrics are not included in the liner notes, but there is a complete listing of personnel. There are also quite a few nice pictures included.
The album begins with the very sensual song, Let Me Touch You For Awhile. Whenever I listen to Alison Krauss sing this song, I am struck by quietly sensual her voice is. The lyrics, written by Robert Lee Castleman, are intimate, passionate, and evocative. The music is at once both sexy and mysterious. This song sounds like bluegrass, with it's gently thumping bassline and prominent dobro work by Jerry Douglas, but it also has a pop sensibility that makes it accessible to new fans.
My husband Bill loves the next song, The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn. Though this song is traditional, I had never heard it before. The incarnation that appears on New Favorite was arranged by Alison Krauss and Union Station and Patrick Brayer. It really kicks some serious @ss. Beginning with a slow, gritty dobro solo by Jerry Douglas and haunting vocals by Dan Tyminski, the song explodes into a blistering jam that really rocks. Listening to the band jam together is a pleasure, but the words are also extremely cool, conveying a supernatural tale about a lazy farmer who wouldn't hoe his corn. Ron Block's percolating banjo is also a standout here.
I love The Lucky One, another song that was written by Robert Lee Castleman. I once heard Alison Krauss say that this track was originally written for a man, but she totally revamped it so that it sounds natural coming from a woman. I love this song's gentle but sad melody and Alison Krauss's very skilled delivery.
Choctaw Hayride, written by Jerry Douglas, is a wild instrumental that never fails to inspire me to tap my toes. What I love about the instrumentals is that they are really great showcases for talent and skill. Everyone in Union Station gets a chance to solo and it's a lot of fun to listen to. This piece has kind of a frantic pace that makes me think of racing.
Next is the pensive song, Crazy Faith. Alison Krauss sings lead. The song has a melody that sounds a little like a medieval folk tune. But the style is all contemporary, with Alison's voice as soft as feathers.
Dan Tyminski sings lead on Momma Cried, a song that has kind of a plodding beat. When I listen to this track, I'm really struck by Ron Block's banjo playing, which maintains a melodic undercurrent that reminds me of a rolling boil just under the surface. It's also nice to hear Dan Tyminski singing lead. He has a very pleasing voice.
I'm Gone is one of those tearjerking ballads that Alison Krauss sings so well, augmented by Dan Tyminski's baritone. Her voice is extremely well suited for sad songs. Ron Block contributes a beautiful acoustic guitar solo that is simple, but elegant. This song was written by well known songwriter Wendy Waldaman and Eric Kaz.
I absolutely adore Daylight, an energetic song written by Bob Lucas. I like this song because of its mystical melody and Alison Krauss's whimsical singing. When I listen to this song, I always envision bright, powerful sunshine, nature, and discovery. Alison Krauss plays fiddle and violas, which, coupled by the awesome background singing from Dan Tyminski and Ron Block, give this song a lush texture. I'm surprised this song isn't more popular than it is.
Bright Sunny South is another song with Dan Tyminski taking the lead. This is a traditional war song and when I listen to it, I'm reminded that Union Station is a bluegrass band. Dan Tyminski plays a fierce acoustic guitar solo that makes me wish I had learned how to play. Dan Tyminski is convincing when he sings the words:
Said my kind-hearted father, as he took my hand
"As you go in defense of our dear native land,
Son, be brave, but show mercy whenever you can.
Our hearts will be with you till you return again."
As the wife of a Soldier who deployed to Iraq last year, these lyrics take on a deeper meaning.
Dan Fogelberg fans may recognize Stars, a song he wrote and recorded for his 1972 album Home Free. To be honest, I'm not familiar with the original version of this song, but I do like Alison Krauss's quiet, pensive version. This song also features bass player Barry Bales singing low tenor. I definitely hear Dan Fogelberg's influence, but this version is also very much Alison Krauss's.
Ron Block is featured as the singer and songwriter of It All Comes Down To You. I love Ron Block, but I often joke with Bill that he tends to either do beautiful spiritual songs or angry, accusatory songs. "It All Comes Down To You" is of the angry persuasion, with a tough sounding melody and lyrics that make him sound exasperated.
Take Me For Longing features Alison Krauss singing lead again, this time on a banjo laced, uptempo number that recalls Celtic folk music. I like this song, but it's not my favorite on this album. Still, I wouldn't call it filler. Once again, Union Station presents stellar musicianship and precise timing on a song that seems rhythmically challenging. And Jerry Douglas plays a wonderful intricate dobro solo.
New Favorite ends with the awe inspiring title track, New Favorite. This song, written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, has a steady, pulsating beat that reminds me of a heartbeat. The lyrics are somber, about a woman who's been replaced. Alison Krauss's vocals are soft as a pillow, but they pack a heavy emotional punch as she confronts her adulterous lover. This song, perhaps more than any other on this album, demonstrates that Alison Krauss is much more than a bluegrass singer. She really has the potential to transcend many different genres.
I'm sure you can tell that I love New Favorite. It is the album that introduced me to Alison Krauss and Union Station. That introduction led me to discover a host of other very talented but less famous bluegrass artists. I would recommend this album to anyone who is interested in an easy introduction to bluegrass music and doesn't want to start off with the hardcore stuff. I would also highly recommend it to anyone who just enjoys music that is well played and well sung.
Alison Krauss and Union Station's Web site: www.alisonkrauss.com
When Alison Krauss and Union Station became my "new favorites"
| Author's Rating: |
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Pros: Fabulous music that transcends bluegrass. Well played, well sung.
Cons: None.
The Bottom Line:
New Favorite will always have a special place in my heart because it introduced me to bluegrass.
I don't think I'll ever forget the day I discovered Alison Krauss and Union Station. I'd heard about Alison Krauss for years, but never bothered to listen to anything by her. I had a clue that she was talented, based on a duet I'd heard her do with Lyle Lovett. Then one day, I purchased a couple of her albums on a whim. 2001's New Favorite was one of those albums. It was love at first listen.
Alison Krauss and Union Station are a talented group of musicians who happen to lean heavily toward the bluegrass genre. I say they "lean heavily", because starting in the late 1990s, this band started to experiment with different sounds that are less like classic bluegrass and more like contemporary pop, rock, and country. Some folks have taken to calling this new sound "newgrass". Whatever you want to call it, I happen to really like it. I like classic bluegrass every once in awhile, but I find that the newgrass phenomenon is a little more aurally palatable for me. After all, my ears cut their teeth on rock and country!
Alison Krauss is, of course, this band's leader. She sings lead on a good portion of the songs on New Favorite and she also plays the fiddle. But while Alison Krauss's name headlines, she never acts like the star. That's one thing I love about Union Station. Every single band member can play extremely well and every single band members gets the opportunity to demonstrate their talents. It's such a pleasure to listen to such talented people play together.
New Favorite consists of thirteen songs and runs for 45 minutes. Printed lyrics are not included in the liner notes, but there is a complete listing of personnel. There are also quite a few nice pictures included.
The album begins with the very sensual song, Let Me Touch You For Awhile. Whenever I listen to Alison Krauss sing this song, I am struck by quietly sensual her voice is. The lyrics, written by Robert Lee Castleman, are intimate, passionate, and evocative. The music is at once both sexy and mysterious. This song sounds like bluegrass, with it's gently thumping bassline and prominent dobro work by Jerry Douglas, but it also has a pop sensibility that makes it accessible to new fans.
My husband Bill loves the next song, The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn. Though this song is traditional, I had never heard it before. The incarnation that appears on New Favorite was arranged by Alison Krauss and Union Station and Patrick Brayer. It really kicks some serious @ss. Beginning with a slow, gritty dobro solo by Jerry Douglas and haunting vocals by Dan Tyminski, the song explodes into a blistering jam that really rocks. Listening to the band jam together is a pleasure, but the words are also extremely cool, conveying a supernatural tale about a lazy farmer who wouldn't hoe his corn. Ron Block's percolating banjo is also a standout here.
I love The Lucky One, another song that was written by Robert Lee Castleman. I once heard Alison Krauss say that this track was originally written for a man, but she totally revamped it so that it sounds natural coming from a woman. I love this song's gentle but sad melody and Alison Krauss's very skilled delivery.
Choctaw Hayride, written by Jerry Douglas, is a wild instrumental that never fails to inspire me to tap my toes. What I love about the instrumentals is that they are really great showcases for talent and skill. Everyone in Union Station gets a chance to solo and it's a lot of fun to listen to. This piece has kind of a frantic pace that makes me think of racing.
Next is the pensive song, Crazy Faith. Alison Krauss sings lead. The song has a melody that sounds a little like a medieval folk tune. But the style is all contemporary, with Alison's voice as soft as feathers.
Dan Tyminski sings lead on Momma Cried, a song that has kind of a plodding beat. When I listen to this track, I'm really struck by Ron Block's banjo playing, which maintains a melodic undercurrent that reminds me of a rolling boil just under the surface. It's also nice to hear Dan Tyminski singing lead. He has a very pleasing voice.
I'm Gone is one of those tearjerking ballads that Alison Krauss sings so well, augmented by Dan Tyminski's baritone. Her voice is extremely well suited for sad songs. Ron Block contributes a beautiful acoustic guitar solo that is simple, but elegant. This song was written by well known songwriter Wendy Waldaman and Eric Kaz.
I absolutely adore Daylight, an energetic song written by Bob Lucas. I like this song because of its mystical melody and Alison Krauss's whimsical singing. When I listen to this song, I always envision bright, powerful sunshine, nature, and discovery. Alison Krauss plays fiddle and violas, which, coupled by the awesome background singing from Dan Tyminski and Ron Block, give this song a lush texture. I'm surprised this song isn't more popular than it is.
Bright Sunny South is another song with Dan Tyminski taking the lead. This is a traditional war song and when I listen to it, I'm reminded that Union Station is a bluegrass band. Dan Tyminski plays a fierce acoustic guitar solo that makes me wish I had learned how to play. Dan Tyminski is convincing when he sings the words:
Said my kind-hearted father, as he took my hand
"As you go in defense of our dear native land,
Son, be brave, but show mercy whenever you can.
Our hearts will be with you till you return again."
As the wife of a Soldier who deployed to Iraq last year, these lyrics take on a deeper meaning.
Dan Fogelberg fans may recognize Stars, a song he wrote and recorded for his 1972 album Home Free. To be honest, I'm not familiar with the original version of this song, but I do like Alison Krauss's quiet, pensive version. This song also features bass player Barry Bales singing low tenor. I definitely hear Dan Fogelberg's influence, but this version is also very much Alison Krauss's.
Ron Block is featured as the singer and songwriter of It All Comes Down To You. I love Ron Block, but I often joke with Bill that he tends to either do beautiful spiritual songs or angry, accusatory songs. "It All Comes Down To You" is of the angry persuasion, with a tough sounding melody and lyrics that make him sound exasperated.
Take Me For Longing features Alison Krauss singing lead again, this time on a banjo laced, uptempo number that recalls Celtic folk music. I like this song, but it's not my favorite on this album. Still, I wouldn't call it filler. Once again, Union Station presents stellar musicianship and precise timing on a song that seems rhythmically challenging. And Jerry Douglas plays a wonderful intricate dobro solo.
New Favorite ends with the awe inspiring title track, New Favorite. This song, written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, has a steady, pulsating beat that reminds me of a heartbeat. The lyrics are somber, about a woman who's been replaced. Alison Krauss's vocals are soft as a pillow, but they pack a heavy emotional punch as she confronts her adulterous lover. This song, perhaps more than any other on this album, demonstrates that Alison Krauss is much more than a bluegrass singer. She really has the potential to transcend many different genres.
I'm sure you can tell that I love New Favorite. It is the album that introduced me to Alison Krauss and Union Station. That introduction led me to discover a host of other very talented but less famous bluegrass artists. I would recommend this album to anyone who is interested in an easy introduction to bluegrass music and doesn't want to start off with the hardcore stuff. I would also highly recommend it to anyone who just enjoys music that is well played and well sung.
Alison Krauss and Union Station's Web site: www.alisonkrauss.com
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