Windy City - Alison Krauss (17th February 2017)

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Windy City - Alison Krauss

Capitol Records

Produced by Buddy Cannon

Released 17th February 2017

A1 Losing You    
A2 It's Goodbye And So Long To You    
A3 Windy City    
A4 I Never Cared For You    
A5 River In The Rain    
B1 Dream Of Me    
B2 Gentle On My Mind    
B3 All Alone Am I    
B4 Poison Love    
B5 You Don't Know Me

Bonus Tracks on Deluxe and on Download Card with the Vinyl Edition
11 Windy City (Live)    
12 River In The Rain (Live)    
13 Losing You (Live)*    
14 I Never Cared For You (Live)

*Included on the Playlist above 

 

*****************

Before someone says, "Mr Watson, you are a man of great musical contradiction!" let me say that if there is one thing I have come to learn down through my many years of enjoying music is that it is way better to approach music with an open mind rather than a narrow focus. Maybe it upsets some that on this blog that there is such a diversity of sound but I really feel no need to make apologies for that. There is music that appeals to me for all sorts of moods and situations and then there is the absolute joy of just hearing a voice so beautiful that you cannot pass by easily and just have to give some moments to allow the sound to wash over your soul.

That's exactly how I come to the voice and sound of Alison Krauss! There is such a smoothness and beauty to her vocal that it just stops me in my tracks and forces me to down tools and just listen in absolute wonder.

Windy City is the first album for her new label Capitol Records after years of being on Rounder Records. It is also the first Solo outing since Forget About It (1999) and a decade since her outstanding collaboration with Robert Plant on Raising Sand (2007) and the first new project since Paper Airplane with her long time band Union Station in 2011.

All the songs are cover versions. Here are the original versions of the songs:

A1 Losing You - Brenda Lee    
A2 It's Goodbye And So Long To You - The Osborne Brothers with MacWiseman   
A3 Windy City - The Osborne Brothers   
A4 I Never Cared For You - Willie Nelson   
A5 River In The Rain - Roger Miller    
B1 Dream Of Me - Vern Gosdin   
B2 Gentle On My Mind - Glen Campbell    
B3 All Alone Am I - Brenda Lee   
B4 Poison Love - Bill Monroe  
B5 You Don't Know Me - Eddy Arnold 

Interview with Alison Krauss - NY Times 17th February 2017.

Consequence of Sound Review of Windy City.

As is usual with Alison Krauss there is a carefulness in choosing the right song and she really does have an ear for a good one and also the ability to make it so fresh that you would never guess (if you didn't know the original) that it was actually an old song she was singing, such is the beautiful stamp she seems to place on every song she touches.

This seems like one of those albums that just seems suited to a Sunday morning. From start to finish it's wonderfully put together with some absolutely gorgeous moments musically. Members of Union Station, including banjo player Ron Block and bassist Barry Bales, play alongside Nashville country-rock legends like guitarist Richard Bennett and drummer Chad Cromwell. Krauss, who finds her peace in the perfect vocal blend, invited an all-star cast to harmonize with her on these tracks: honky-tonk heroes Hank Williams Jr., and Jamey Johnson, bluegrass standard-bearers Sidney & Suzanne Cox, her longtime collaborator Dan Tyminski, Cannon's daughter Melonie. "The feel of these tracks is highly professional but loose: pros romping through their repertoire, with Krauss making each song charmingly personal" (Ann Powers - NPR: Check out Ann Powers' piece on Alison and the interview over at NPR).

Alison Krauss Overcomes Dysphonia To Release First Solo Album in 18 Years! - USA Today 13th February 2017.

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 126 - Alison Krauss + Union Station

Like most Musical Genres Country has many related to it and one of them is Bluegrass. Probably the best ambassadors of Bluegrass are Alison Krauss + Union Station (though they are not necessarily confined to the genre).

The Debut Album, Different Strokes by Alison Krauss in 1985 was strictly a Traditional Bluegrass album that featured her brother Viktor on Bass Guitar. In 1986 she signed to Rounder Records and in 1987 released the album Too Late To Cry with Union Station as her back up band. Jerry Douglas was the only member of the current Union Station band featured on the album. Two Highways (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) followed in 1989 and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.

I've Got That Old Feeling (1991) was the first album of theirs to chart reaching #61. At the 33rd Grammy Awards they won The Best Bluegrass Recording category. Everytime You Say Goodbye (1992) was the first to feature Ron Block on Banjo and Vocals and Barry Bales on Bass and Vocals. Dan Tyminski got a writing credit for Another Day Another Dollar. 1994's I Know Who Holds Tomorrow was credited to Alison Krauss and The Cox Family but did feature both Block and Bales.

A sort of best followed in 1995 called Now That I've Found You: A Collection. It did contain a couple of new songs: When You Say Nothing At All (which had been released on the album Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album and as a single reaching #3 on the US Country Charts and #91 in the UK) and a cover of the old song by The Foundations, Baby, Now That I've Found You (#49 US Country and #121 in the UK). The album did well and even made the main US Chart peaking at #13 and #123 in the UK.

So Long So Wrong (1997) became the first Studio album to reach the US Billboard 200, peaking at #45. This was the first album to feature Dan Tyminski on guitar and vocals. Forget About It (1999) followed that and then in 2001New Favourite, The Lucky One, Let Me Touch You For Awhile and New Favourite were all released as singles.

Live was the 11th album by Alison Krauss, and first all live album released by Alison Krauss + Union Station (though it was actually only the fifth one released under the banner of Alison Krauss + Union Station). Her contract with Rounder Records required her to alternate between releasing a solo album and an album with Union Station.

The Live album was filmed and recorded over the course of two nights at The Louisville Palace April 29–30, 2002.

Live - Alison Krauss + Union Station

Rounder

Produced by Alison Krauss + Union Station

Released November 2002

US Bluegrass Chart #1

US Country Chart #9

US Album Chart #36

Released as CD and DVD

CD Tracklist

Disc one
    01."Let Me Touch You for Awhile" - (Robert Lee Castleman) – 3:45
    02. "Choctaw Hayride" (Jerry Douglas) – 3:25
    03. "The Lucky One" (Castleman) – 3:40
    04. "Baby, Now That I've Found You" (Tony Macaulay, John MacLeod) – 5:02 (first performed by The Foundations)
    05. "Bright Sunny South" (Traditional) – 3:07
    06. "Every Time You Say Goodbye" (John Pennell) – 3:04
    07. "Tiny Broken Heart" (Charlie Louvin, Ira Louvin) – 3:08
    08. "Cluck Old Hen" (Traditional) – 2:47
    09. "Stay" (Larry Byrom, Allyson Taylor) – 3:16
    10. "Broadway" (Sidney & Suzanne Cox) – 3:57
    11. "Ghost in This House" (Hugh Prestwood) – 4:29
    12. "Forget About It" (Castleman) – 3:18 (from Krauss' album Forget About It)
    13. "Faraway Land" - (Ron Block) – 3:21

Disc two
    01. "A Tribute to Peador O'Donnell/Monkey Let the Hogs Out" (Douglas) – 4:58
    02. "The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn" (Traditional) – 5:58
    03. "Take Me for Longing" (Mark Simos) – 2:47
    04. "I Am a Man Of Constant Sorrow" (unknown) – 4:12
    05. "Maybe" (Gordon Kennedy, Phil Madeira) – 4:25
    06. "We Hide & Seek" (Douglas) – 5:41
    07. "But You Know I Love You" (Mike Settle) – 3:39 (first performed by The First Edition)
    08. "When You Say Nothing at All" (Paul Overstreet, Don Schlitz) – 4:21
    09. "New Favorite" (David Rawlings, Gillian Welch) – 4:00 (from Krauss' album New Favorite)
    10. "Oh, Atlanta" (Mick Ralphs) – 6:47
    11. "Down to the River to Pray" (Traditional) – 2:10*
    12. "There Is a Reason" (Block) – 5:13*

*Not included in the DVD performance but are included on the Bonus DVD. Down To The River To Pray was recorded at Austin City Limits. The Link for There is A Reason is not the version that appears on the album but an alternative Live Version..

Alison Krauss + Union Station
    Alison Krauss - Vocals, fiddle
    Jerry Douglas - Resonator guitar, vocals
    Dan Tyminski - Guitar, mandolin, vocals
    Ron Block - Guitar, banjo, vocals
    Barry Bales - Bass, vocals
    Larry Atamanuik - Drums

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!

Revisiting Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (2007)

Every now and again an album comes along that just throws you for a loop because you imagine there is absolutely no way on earth that it's ever going to work. Bringing together two artists from what would seem diametrically opposed genres, sticking them in a studio to record together and expecting that it is going to bring forth a record that could be labelled a masterpiece could be seen as vainly hopeful. So the pairing of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on paper looked like it would never work but, under the supervision of T-Bone Burnett it more than worked out!

"Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)" won Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 50th Grammy Awards.

On February 8, 2009, the album won all five awards for which it was nominated at the 51st Grammy Awards: Album of the Year; Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album; Record of the Year (for "Please Read the Letter"); Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (for "Rich Woman"); and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (for "Killing the Blues").

There were rumours of a follow-up but Robert Plant has said that recording attempts in 2009 had not proved successful. In a way I'm glad there wasn't as I think it would have maybe lessened the affection I have for Raising Sand.

Hard to believe this was released 8 years ago, it doesn't seem like that at all!

There's loads of links below of Promo Videos, Interviews and Live Performances by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Click on them and enjoy.

 Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Rounder

Produced by T-Bone Burnett

Released 23rd October 2007

UK Chart #2

US Chart #2

Personel
    Robert Plant – vocals
    Alison Krauss – vocals, fiddle

Additional musicians
    Riley Baugus – banjo
    Jay Bellerose – drums
    Norman Blake – acoustic guitar
    T-Bone Burnett – acoustic and electric guitar, six-string bass guitar
    Dennis Crouch – acoustic bass
    Greg Leisz – pedal steel guitar
    Marc Ribot – acoustic guitar, banjo, dobro, electric guitar
    Mike Seeger – autoharp
    Patrick Warren – Keyboards, pump organ, toy piano

Singles From Raising Sand

Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On).

Please Read The Letter.

Rich Woman. (Link is the Later with Jools Holland Live Version).

Live Videos + Others

Please Read The Letter.

Black Dog.

Killing The Blues.

BBC Breakfast Time Interview 31/20/07.

When The Levee Breaks.

Preview of the album with Plant and Krauss.

Battle of Evermore.

Trampled Rose.

Nothin.

Down To The River.

Stick With Me Baby.

One Woman Man.

Fortune Teller.

Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us.

In The Mood.

Your Long Journey.

Black Country Woman.

MSG 2008 Pt1.

MSG 2008 Pt2.

Live at Wembley May 2008.

Part One.

Part Two.

Part Three.

Part Four.

Part Five.

Alphabet Beats #076: K is for....Alison Krauss and Union Station

K is for....

The last of the K's today and what a great collection of music we have had for this letter! We are not finished yet, there's loads of links to some fine music on today's Alphabet Beats. Enjoy.

Alison Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer-songwriter and musician. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in 1987. She was invited to join the band with which she still performs, Alison Krauss and Union Station (AKUS), and later released her first album with them as a group in 1989.

She has released fourteen albums, appeared on numerous soundtracks, and helped renew interest in bluegrass music in the United States and around the world. Her soundtrack performances have led to further popularity, including the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, an album also credited with raising American interest in bluegrass, and the Cold Mountain soundtrack, which led to her performance at the 2004 Academy Awards (she performed two songs 'Scarlet Tide' and 'You Will Be My Ain True Love').

As of 2012, she has won 27 Grammy Awards from 41 nominations, tying her with Quincy Jones as the most awarded living recipient, second only to the late classical conductor Sir Georg Solti who holds the record for most wins of all time with 31. She is the most awarded singer and the most awarded female artist in Grammy history. At the time of her first, the 1991 Grammy Awards, she was the second youngest winner (currently tied as the ninth youngest). 

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One of the things I love about Union Station is that they are all very accomplished musicians and songwriters and outside of performing with Alison, pretty much all of them have either released solo albums and are in-demand session musicians. Ron Block has released a number of albums, here's a link to his fantastic album 'Farway Land'. Jerry Douglas has also released quite a few albums of his own, here's a link to his album 'The Best Kept Secret'. Dan Tyminski has released two albums and here's the latest one (it was a while back now, about time for a new one Dan!) 'Wheels'. He was also the voice of the singing George Clooney in O Brother Where Art Thou? Barry Bale has recorded and performed with artists like Reba McEntire, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard and Vince Gill to name but a few.

Alison of course has appeared on a number of soundtracks, collaborations and has even tried her hand at producing (her first project was the fantastic debut album by Nickel Creek).

Back Row: Jerry Douglas - Dobro, Ron Block - Guitar, Banjo and Vocals, Dan Tyminski - Guitar, Mandolin and Vocals.

Front Row: Alison Krauss - Lead Vocals, Piano, and Fiddle, Barry Bales - Bass and Vocals.

Albums Released as Alison Krauss and Union Station.
1989: Two Highways.

Pt1.

Pt2.

Pt3.

 1992: Every Time You Say Goodbye.

 1997: So Long So Wrong.

2001: New Favorite.
    2002: Live.
    2004: Lonely Runs Both Ways.

  2011: Paper Airplane.

Albums Released as Alison Krauss (and others).

* Incomplete 

 
    1985: Different Strokes.*
    1987: Too Late to Cry.
    1990: I've Got That Old Feeling.
     1994: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow (with The Cox Family).
    1995: Now That I've Found You: A Collection.
    1999: Forget About It.
     2007: A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection.
    2007: Raising Sand (with Robert Plant).
    2009: Essential Alison Krauss. 

A Selection of Singles and Promo Videos and TV Performances.

I've Got That Old Feeling.

  Steel Rails.

 Every Time You Say Goodbye.

When You Say Nothing At All.

Baby, Now That I Found You.

Let Me Touch You For A While.

New Favourite.

Restless.

Goodbye is all We Have.

Living Prayer.

If I Didn't Know Any Better.

Paper Airplane.

Gone Gone Gone (with Robert Plant).

Whiskey Lullaby (with Brad Paisley).

Please Read The Letter (with Robert Plant).

Happy Birthday Alison Krauss (2014)

This is updated from a post made a year ago.

Click on the links to enjoy the music.

Born on this day 1971 in Decatur, Illinois. Alison Maria Krauss got her recording debut alongside her brother Viktor, appearing on the 1985 independent album 'Different Strokes'.

Grey Eagle and Nick's Noodle 

from 'Different Strokes'.

In 1985 she also signed to Rounder Records and would release her debut album, 'Too Late To Cry' in 1987. Listen to 'Foolish Heart' Here. Union Station were her back-up band.

Her first band, 'Two Highways' album with Union Station credited on the cover followed in 1989. The album earned them their first of many Grammy Nominations (41 up until 2012) for Best Bluegrass Recording despite not charting.

Teardrops Will Kiss the Morning Dew.

Two Highways.

Apparently the deal with Rounder Records meant that she would alternate between solo album and band album and so her 1990 release, 'I've Got That Old Feeling' finally broke the charts and stalled at #61. The title track was also the first song that she ever filmed a video for. She also received the first of her 27 Grammy's as the album was nominated and won Best Bluegrass Recording.

Released in 1992, 'Everytime You Say Goodbye' would bring another Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year. A year later Alison would become the youngest member at the time of The Grand Ole Opry and the first Bluegrass artist for almost three decades to join the cast. 

1994 saw her collaborate with The Cox Family on with the album 'I Know Who Holds Tomorrow', and yet another Grammy came her way.

This 1995 Collection would become one of Alison's biggest hits and biggest sellers. The title track, 'Baby, Now That I've Found You', won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and 'When You Say Nothing At All' would win her a CMA Award for Single of the Year.

'So Long So Wrong' would also win a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, though some critics thought it was quite "Untraditional". Two other tracks from the album would win a Grammy, 'Looking in the Eyes of Love' (Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal) and 'Little Liza Jane' (Best Country Instrumental Performance).

The 1999 album 'Forget About It' contained a whole bunch of beautiful songs: the Title Track, 'Stay', and 'Ghost in This House'.

2001 saw the release of the ninth studio album by Alison Krauss and Union Station. Jerry Douglas had joined the band full time after the departure of Adam Steffy in 1998. Douglas had played in the studio with band sice 1987.

'New Favourite' would win a Grammy for Best Bluegrass album and 'The Lucky One' would win two Grammy Awards (Best Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Country Song).

A live CD/DVD would follow in 2002 filmed at Louisville Palace over two nights in April the same year. The show saw them at their best performing a wide range of music from previous releases.

'Let Me Touch You For Awhile'.

'The Boy Who Could Hoe Corn'/'Take Me For The Longing'.

'Lonely Runs Both Ways' released in 2004 is probably my favourite of all the albums released thus far. As per usual it won a truck load of Grammy Awards and the song 'A Living Prayer' got the nod for a CMA Award (Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year). Also checkout 'Restless', 'Goodbye is all We Have', and 'My Poor Old Heart'.

Another collection was released in 2007 that contained Duets with the likes of Sting, Brad Paisley, James Taylor and a cracking single alongside John Waite. 

    'A Hundred Miles or More - Live from the Tracking Room'.

'Missing You' (with John Waite).

Molly Ban (with The Chieftans).

How's the World Treating You (with James Taylor).

Whiskey Lullaby (with Brad Paisley).

Lay Down Beside Me (with John Waite).

2007 also saw one of the most bizzarest collaborations that Alison Krauss has ever been involved with, a team-up with Robert Plant! I can remember thinking when I first heard about this project that there was no way on earth it was ever going to work. After hearing 'Raising Sand' for the first time I had to eat my own words!

'Please Read the Letter', 

'Killing the Blues',

'Gone, Gone, Gone',

 'Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us'.

Some of the live performances were pretty outstanding as well. 

'Black Dog',

 'When the Levee Breaks', 

'Battle of Evermore', 

 'Nothin'.

In the Mood.

CMT's Crossroads Alison Krauss and Robert Plant.

 

In 2009 there was another compilation, 'Essential Alison Krauss' that contained songs hand picked by Alison herself.

Then in 2011 the first Alison Krauss and Union Station album for 7 years!!

'Paper Airplane' (Letterman Show).

'Dust Bowl Children' (Live).

'My Love Follows You Where You Go' (Live).

Lay My Burden Down (Letterman Show).

 

More Alison Krauss

I Believe in You (Bob Dylan Cover) - with Jerry Douglas and Ally Bain for Transatlantic Sessions.

Down to the River to Pray - with Ricky Skaggs at the Country Music Hall of Fame 19/10/13.

Gospel Set with Willie Nelson - St Augustine FL 18/05/14.

Alison Krauss and Union Station Live - Murry, KY 21/05/14.

I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow - Rama, Ontario 15/07/14.

When You Say Nothing At All - Live at The White House.

Goodbye is all We Have - Austin City Limits 2005.

The Boxer - with Shawn Colvin and Jerry Douglas.

Lay My Burden Down (Later with Jools Holland).

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow/Ghost in this House - Country Music Hall of Fame Fundraiser 2010.

 

Happy Birthday Alison Krauss

Born on this day 1971 in Decatur, Illinois. Alison Maria Krauss got her recording debut alongside her brother Viktor, appearing on the 1985 independent album 'Different Strokes'.

Grey Eagle and Nick's Noodle 

from 'Different Strokes'.

In 1985 she also signed to Rounder Records and would release her debut album, 'Too Late To Cry' in 1987. Listen to 'Foolish Heart' Here. Union Station were her back-up band.

Her first band, 'Two Highways' album with Union Station credited on the cover followed in 1989. The album earned them their first of many Grammy Nominations (41 up until 2012) for Best Bluegrass Recording despite not charting.

Teardrops Will Kiss the Morning Dew.

Apparently the deal with Rounder Records meant that she would alternate between solo album and band album and so her 1990 release, 'I've Got That Old Feeling' finally broke the charts and stalled at #61. The title track was also the first song that she ever filmed a video for. She also received the first of her 27 Grammy's as the album was nominated and won Best Bluegrass Recording.

Released in 1992, 'Everytime You Say Goodbye' would bring another Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year. A year later Alison would become the youngest member at the time of The Grand Ole Opry and the first Bluegrass artist for almost three decades to join the cast. 

1994 saw her collaborate with The Cox Family on with the album 'I Know Who Holds Tomorrow', and yet another Grammy came her way.

This 1995 Collection would become one of Alison's biggest hits and biggest sellers. The title track, 'Baby, Now That I've Found You', won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and 'When You Say Nothing At All' would win her a CMA Award for Single of the Year.

'So Long So Wrong' would also win a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, though some critics thought it was quite "Untraditional". Two other tracks from the album would win a Grammy, 'Looking in the Eyes of Love' (Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal) and 'Little Liza Jane' (Best Country Instrumental Performance).

The 1999 album 'Forget About It' contained a whole bunch of beautiful songs: the Title Track, 'Stay', and 'Ghost in This House'.

2001 saw the release of the ninth studio album by Alison Krauss and Union Station. Jerry Douglas had joined the band full time after the departure of Adam Steffy in 1998. Douglas had played in the studio with band sice 1987.

'New Favourite' would win a Grammy for Best Bluegrass album and 'The Lucky One' would win two Grammy Awards (Best Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Country Song).

A live CD/DVD would follow in 2002 filmed at Louisville Palace over two nights in April the same year. The show saw them at their best performing a wide range of music from previous releases.

'Let Me Touch You For Awhile'.

'The Boy Who Could Hoe Corn'/'Take Me For The Longing'.

'Lonely Runs Both Ways' released in 2004 is probably my favourite of all the albums released thus far. As per usual it won a truck load of Grammy Awards and the song 'A Living Prayer' got the nod for a CMA Award (Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year). Also checkout 'Restless', 'Goodbye is all We Have', and 'My Poor Old Heart'.

Another collection was released in 2007 that contained Duets with the likes of Sting, Brad Paisley, James Taylor and a cracking single alongside John Waite of 'Missing You'.

2007 also so one of the most bizzarest collaborations that Alison Krauss has ever been involved with, a team-up with Robert Plant! I can remember thinking when I first heard about this project that there was no way on earth it was ever going to work. After hearing 'Raising Sand' for the first time I had to eat my own words!

'Please Read the Letter', 

'Killing the Blues',

'Gone, Gone, Gone',

 'Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us'.

Some of the live performances were pretty outstanding as well. 

'Black Dog',

 'When the Levee Breaks', 

'Battle of Evermore', 

 'Nothin'.

In 2009 there was another compilation, 'Essential Alison Krauss' that contained songs hand picked by Alison herself. Then in 2011 the first Alison Krauss and Union Station album for 7 years!!

'Paper Airplane' (Letterman Show).

'Dust Bowl Children' (Live).

'My Love Follows You Where You Go' (Live).