That's something that so many bands from all genres could benefit from. Mixing their band just through dynamics and playing. That's how they did it in the old days, sure orchestral instruments are designed to be a certain volume and fill a frequency space, but the principle remains. Even something like a metal band or a punk band, the way to have a great sounding live mix, is to mix it through your playing. Accenting certain phrases when you need to and playing at a different volume per hit. If you just hit the snare drum at 80% power every hit, your playing isn't going to have any size to it. It has to be able to grow and contract in order to have a great blended sound within the band and the song. Accent when you need to and sit back leaving space for others when you need to, or sort of doing a half-accent just to firm up support for something. Learning how to do this will give a band a better "mix" than any soundman could ever do.
She has the casual grace of a pure talent. No bombast, no showing off, just an artist confident enough to serve the song, rather than use it for cheap vanity.
The 1st time I saw her was at a bluegrass festival...she was around 15 or 16 & visually I thought, poor thing she needs help with her look. She was wearing a plaid button down shirt with pants & belt that looked like she borrowed them from her daddy...lol She was frumpy & her hair was a mess...but then she played & sang & I knew instantly that she would have her stylist & to say the least, time has been good to her. You're absolutely correct, she's a beautiful lady, humble with grace & a remarkable talent!
I agree , look at them beautiful eyes!! Her voice is angelic. She can rip up a fiddle also! She also does multiple types of music. Once on CMT just after the HUGE success of her band Union Station's album "Lucky One" , she was asked by the host of the show what cd she had in her cd player at that time. She said " AC/DC" he said " WHAT REALLY??" lol. She said " I love all kids of music.
A delightful display of artistry. She could sing the phone book and people would love it. Alison has that timeless quality, and she makes it look effortless. A natural. Great analysis as always.
As of 2019, she has won 27 Grammy Awards from 42 nominations, ranking her third behind Quincy Jones and classical conductor Georg Solti for most Grammy Award wins. She is the most awarded singer and the most awarded female artist in Grammy history.
Jerry Douglas is arguably the very best dobro player ever. Just listen to him in the background of any song he supports. He weaves beautifully tasty runs into every composition. When he's asked to provide a solo, he is unmatched. I should also mention that Alison has a voice that is positively magical.
I got to see Jerry and Tommy Emmanuel in concert. Both masters of their instruments. Arguably the best at their individual instruments. Jerry is the reason I am trying to learn how to play dobro.
This is one of my all-time favorite groups. Allison is wonderful, Jerry is at the top of his field with that Dobro, but don't leave the others out. Dan Timinski, Ron Block and Barry Bales were the foundation of the Soggy Bottom Boys in O Brother Where Art Thou, with Dan providing the lead vocal for their portion of the music. Ron Block is an outstanding songwriter and has provided several of the band's hits. He is also regarded as one of the top bluegrass finger style guitarists now working. Allison has also stated that in her opinion, Barry is the best bass player in bluegrass, and it's probably true since he's played on so many bluegrass albums in the business. So you have a band made up of some of the best individual players in the bluegrass business - and they live up to their reputation. Thanks for sharing. Now I'm off to once again watch their live performance in Kentucky, one of my very favorite DVD's.
Soggy Bottom Boys. "Mountain" wouldn't make sense because when rain and snow fall in the Appalachian s or anywhere hilly, the lower level areas remain Soggy far longer than the Mountain areas. Also, it's a humorous reference to a wet diaper or pants.
@@spaert Thanks for the update and the Edit to change "Mountain" to "Bottom." The movie was both set and filmed in Mississippi, which "has generally low topographic elevations and extensive tracts of marshy land" per Wikipedia, so certainly has plenty of soggy bottom areas. The movie's time period of 1937 predates "Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys" formation in 1938-39 and larger fame in the 1940s; however, the fictional name seems inspired by this most famous of bluegrass groups. "RCA Victor signed the Monroe Brothers to a recording contract in 1936. They scored an immediate hit single with the gospel song "What Would You Give in Exchange For Your Soul?" and ultimately recorded 60 tracks for Victor's Bluebird label between 1936 and 1938." (per Wikipedia.)
AK’s natural gift is her PERFECT relative pitch. Always hits the very center of a note. Sometimes so haunting it’s creepy. It’s expressed in violin and singing. Remarkable.
Brother you got lots of class. It’s refreshing. Honest talent and wisdom. Thank you for educating us and being versatile with different content. That’s original
Fil's analytical commentary is so awesome! He points out so many things I've never thought about as I enjoyed these performances over and over again through the years. Fil is a captivating presenter of musical information. So knowledgeable and excited to present what he knows that his commentary is like one long run-on sentence! Fil--- take a breath every once in awhile, won't ya? :)
Angelic voice, award winning 🏆 fiddle player.27 Grammies , 🎤 sings technically perfect pitch. No Auto Tune! And a great gracious personality. My favorite singer ❤
Fil, you’re an absolute encyclopedia of music knowledge. You have the ability to explain to me why it is that I like the song I just listened to. BTW, when my time comes to actually hear angels singing I’ve always believed they’ll sound like Allison Krause.
I hope she is as good a singer as Alison Krauss. Though by all accounts she wasn't known for her singing by the time she got shot on campus by the Ohio National Guard.
I hope my brother (who loved AKUS, and who died of COVID on 1/23/21) is hearing the angelic voice of Alison now. I'll meet you in heaven, brother, as soon as I can get there. I can't wait for your smile, your dry humor, and especially your bear hugs.
Alison Maria Krauss (b. 7/23/71) was Illinois state fiddle champ at 12, national fiddle champ at 13, and signed to Rounder Records at 15, where Jerry Douglas (15 years older) was assigned to produce her first record. Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry at 21 (youngest at that time), all-time Grammy-winning female artist (27) by age 40 in 2012.
Alison is an angel behind a microphone, once-in-a-generation for sure, and Union Station have a total mind-meld as instrumentalists, like a country & bluegrass chamber ensemble. 💯🙌🙌🙌🙌
So happy to see you talk about Alison and Union Station. There’s a reason she has 27 Grammy’s. In the 90’s my extensive CD collection contained all classic rock, blues, and one bluegrass band. I’ve seen her and the band live three times. It’s like hearing an angel from heaven, nothing but perfection.
She always has that mellow smooth voice that blends in with all the other instruments.That all acoustic sound is what helps to bring out her vocals.She doesn't need to sing very loud over the instruments.Her style of singing plus everyone else working together makes it work because overall,it all sounds in unison.Jerry Douglas has been the top dobro player in bluegrass for the last 35 plus years.Whether session work or invited here to play with the best bluegrass groups live,Jerry is always in demand.Another great one Fil! You ought to check out another lady of bluegrass.Rhonda Vincent and her band The Rage.
I've loved Alison since I learned about her around 1995. This song doesn't show her shredding it on fiddle as so many of her more bluegrass-ish tracks do. I love her voice, and her playing. And Union Station had earlier wonderful players who no longer are in the band. So I give a shout out to the great mandolin player Adam Steffey and guitarist Tim Stafford. The entire 1992 album Every Time You Say Goodbye" should be required listening for anyone who likes bluegrass music.
Ron Block, Dan Tyminsky and Alison...just immaculate talent. Jerry Douglas is a national treasure on dobro. Really enjoyed his Transatlantic Sessions segments.
One of my favorite bands, and Alison Krauss has been great since she was 16 years old (when I first heard her). Love to watch Phil enjoying these artists....this guy gives props to anyone who deserves them... Thanks Phil...
Absolute musical perfection. The talent level on that stage is mind boggling. Allison sings like an angel and Jerry Douglas has to be from another planet. His absolute mastery of the Dobro is in a class by itself.
oh boy oh boy!!! All the complexity you described makes it even more impressive that they are known as a "One Take Band" when recording. Personally, I like music that slaps my face and THEN some that soothes it. Thanks for this one.
Oscar Peterson told me that the notes you don't play are just as important as the ones you do. That advice has stuck with me my whole life. The best musicians are not the best players....they're the best listeners.
I had the pleasure of seeing Alison and her original band Silver Rail at a live broadcast performance for WGLT-FM in 1983, when she was twelve. She charmed everyone as an humble, precocious preteen girl who had already won international fiddle awards. She hadn't yet developed her signature breathy singing style--her voice was huge, and it seemed impossible that it was coming from the shyly awkward kid on stage. But already she had the magic in her voice. I especially remember them performing the bluegrass standard A Good Woman's Love--everyone in attendance had tears in their eyes at the beauty of her voice. I taped the show to cassette when it was rebroadcast a few weeks later. Somewhere I still have the tape, and when I find it I'm going to have it ripped to digital so I can share.
Fil, thinking about Alison's early performance reminded me of how influential the band New Grass Revival was in the eighties. This would be a great video for you to feature sometime. The band dynamics are phenomenal--listen to how John Cowan leads the band on bass, and how Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, and Pat Flynn swap solos seamlessly. Cowan's vocals are sublime. ua-cam.com/video/11iXj_Mo_GA/v-deo.html
Alison and Dan..2 voices that are recognized immediately...takes me home every time I listen to them. A tight band of extremely gifted musicians whom I've never heard make a mistake playing live. Take Me For Longing and When You Say Nothing At All are my favorite songs. Love Dan in The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn!! The instrumentals in that...yes sir. Great info as usual sir, ty!! By the way, I love listening to a National wood body single cone resonator😁.
@@HowRJ Thank you for that info, Howard. I was just tellin Fil I love listenin' to Nationals...havent heard too many Scheerhorns, and heard that they had merged with National. But, Jerry's a beast on guitar...he deserves to be playing on one of Mr. Scheerhorn's masterpieces, huh?! Sounds beautiful..dang thing's prob mahogany!
I didn't think anything could add to my enjoyment of this incredible piece by Union Station. I was wrong. Thank you for helping me understand what a great piece of artistry this is.
Fil, like most guitarists, what you don't mention enough is that the most important time-keeper is not the drummer, but the bass player -- in this case Barry Bales, the unsung hero. That's true in all genres of music. Also, all music is built upon the bass line.
People like to say that but it's not true. When there are both drums and bass, drums cut through more and define the pulse more. Ideally, of course, they're in sync and it's not an issue. But if the drummer wants one tempo and the bassist wants another, the band will generally follow the drummer.
I think everyone should have to take a course at your Music University. Your passion for music really shows. I'm in my '50s and know music pretty well. However I learn something from every show you put out. Your channel is one of a very few that I expect everyday. I just wanted to thank you for all you do. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Rock of a New Year.
@@loripond1839 Yes, grew up in Champaign, graduated HS from there and moved to Nashville after having been signed to Rounder at 15. Jerry Douglas produced her first record.
Fil, your love of music is evident in the various genres you review. Allison and Union Station is one of my favorite groups. Every player here is a human metronome. While she and and band aren't really playing bluegrass here, it is one of the most engaging musical forms. There is something magical about a performance like this. For me as a musician and music producer, there are only 2 types of music. It's either good or bad. Thanks for another great analysis.
Union Station is always excellent and worth listening to, and Alison has so much beauty in her voice, in her heart, in her look. People use words like "angelic" to describe her and its hard to capture what it is that makes her so great and so enchanting
Master Fil, you are the best. You take us to school every time you do a review. Amazing.! I think Jerry's Dobro leads Alison where to go some times and sometimes she leads him . It's like the Dobro is another voice singing the same notes she is. Probably sounds silly to you but I've been to they're concerts six times and kept up with them since she came on the radio first time. I have always thought her and the Dobro go so well together.
I first saw Alison Krauss on TV when she was 19 and I thought "That girl is going places". Well, has she ever! 26 grammies, last I knew. Saw them live in a small venue like the one in this video. It was the best live show I've ever seen. Pure musicality on display. BTW, Alison is also quite humorous in between songs.
Unlike most other reactors or in your case analysts, I really appreciate that you read and acknowledge the comments you get. That means a lot Fil. Love ya. You're a good guy!
Thanks again Fil! Dan Tyminski is one of my heroes. He plays multiple instruments and sings lead and harmony wonderfully. Also, he is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. And Jerry Douglass may be the greatest Dobro player ever... Great vid!
I saw them on this tour in Gilford NH. What really enhanced their masterful performance was how they genuinely came across as a tight knit family. It was one of those shows where the afterglow stuck with you for a few weeks.
The instrumentals are so beautiful and her voice makes one listening feel restful. Loved the whole performance and of course, your analysis. Please give us more history of Alison Krause in the future. Thanks Fil.
All i hear is beautiful acoustic guitar playing, and a beautiful female singing voice, all melodically making a beautiful composition, loved this folk lore, nothing like it today... So mellow.... A beautiful analysis from Filip...
Man I tell you, having these guys is an inspiration, imagine the hours put in to be on this level!!! Unbelievable! Alison, wow, I love this era of her work, she is so humble, and completely angelic in her voice, unmatched in her perfection, literally again, an angel on earth! And the fiddle! She must be tops, and she isn't even foot slapping blue grass, which she can get down to as well. They are all spot on!!!! Really the tops of their field maybe ever,
Phil, you should check out Alison Krause and Union Station hook up with Vince Gill and Cross Country, the bands together are mind blowing. To me Alison is an angel, voice, looks and heart. I just love her.
Couldn't click on this one fast enough! Thanks, Fil for your piece on one of my all-time favourite artists. As an old-time Rock fan, I was astounded that when I divorced around the late Nineties, I found solace in a "Country" CD billed as just by Alison Krauss. That was "Forget About It", an apposite title for the circumstance. That led me to a still on-going interest in Bluegrass, the rootsier the better, but I have continued to follow this particular band for their wonderful musicianship.
Alison Krauss has the voice that I would love to sing to sleep every night. She is one of those artists that so many people love to work with. Including a whole album with Robert Plant
Thank you Fil, I love the fact that you acknowledged the fact that music is the universal human language. Some are indeed able to "speak" it, yet all are able to understand it. Wonderful, thanks!
No analysis needed, Fil. The recipe is take one extremely goddess, add some very talented other musicians to stand along side her and let her do her thing. The result is simply MAGIC.
Fil, you have made my day. Alison is SOOO talented and her voice just carries a person away from this world and into a slice of heaven. Have been a fan of hers since the early 90's and her voice just gets richer and smoother with every passing year. Seeing her live is definitely on my bucket list. Another must listen of hers is her collaboration with The Chieftains and especially them doing "Molly Ban"... hauntingly beautiful doesn't even begin to describe it!
Great analysis. Allison took this to top 10 on the country charts. "Appalachian Journey" with Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Mark O'Connor and vocals from Allison reached Number 1 on the Classical Albums Chart. That is an amazing crossover. I think singers like Allison, Keith Whitley (he did this song first), and Vince Gill who came out of bluegrass into mainstream tend to be more precise because their formative and performing lives emphasized harmony before they did solo work.
I saw them live a few years ago - they're performance was PERFECT - even better than studio sound. They still had Adam Steffey back then on mandolin. Jerry Douglas is the best in the world on Dobro but I think they sounded better with Adam's mandolin IMO.
One of my favorite singers ever. Americana music is so rich. Check out Chris Thiele , genius mandolinist, sometime! And of course Gillian Welch! Alison’s album with Robert Plant, “ Raising Sand” is full of wonders.
I must admit, I was never a bluegrass fan when I was younger, but I have since developed an appreciation for it.....I have always liked folk music and it is apparent that both bluegrass and folk evolved from roots music. Alison’s vibrato vocals are amazing and all the instrumentalists are brilliant, and together they make magic. Thanks for sharing this great tune with us,
I’ve loved Alison for years. There’s nowhere to hide in Bluegrass and she and Union Station are our modern masters. I used to think how lucky her man must be to be able to ask her to sing him to sleep. Lol. Great intelligent analysis as always Fil. That’s why I keep coming back 👍
I love seeing his sincere and unplanned smiles during the performance. It is obvious that the musicality is delighting him and that is a testimony to the beautiful grace of Alison and Union Station
I love music of many different genres but years ago a friend in Germany suggested Alison Krauss and Union Station. I love Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz, Blue Grass, etc., but oddly enough it was someone in Germany that led me to them. I'm from the states you'd think I would have known. Their music is pure.
Thanks for this selection. Their live DVD of 2003 is a stunning piece of work. Acoustically, vocally, instrumentally, tightness, even mixing. Reasonably familiar with most all the top and mid level rock/pop/country acts since the 50’s. But at least at that point, Alison Krauss and Union Station had achieved stringed-instrument, vocal perfection. I’m not sure, in any genre, I have ever heard a better combination of 5 stringed instruments, and 5 vocals, particularly hers of course. It was worthy of note, still is..... Just a little bit of all time greatness bled into this band in that era. Thanks.
One of the reasons I watch this channel is it introduces me to artists I’ve overlooked, AK is incredible. I remember when country music was all master craftsmen like these musicians, now it’s pop with a little twang thrown in
Allison Krauss is one of my absolute favorite female artists of any genre. Her voice is just heavenly. Another female vocalist I thoroughly enjoy is former Celtic Woman - one of their youngest ever - Chloe Agnew. I'd love to hear your thoughts on her as a vocalist.
I love AKUS so much. When you see them in person (and I saw this particular tour), it is like a religious experience. I think it was just miraculous, or fate, that they found each other. They all just mesh so well. They sound straight from the studio even when they are live. Definitely some of the most perfect musicians on Earth.
Alison Krauss's RIDICULOUSLY pure voice is rightfully legend, AK+US are one of the best groups ever to play music. I've seen them live in concert (with Willie Nelson), and what they did for our concert is they left Jerry Douglas on-stage and let him give a 15-minute dobro solo while the rest of the band took a break. And HOLY CHRIST. He was amazing alone. None of the crowd took a bathroom break. He can turn the dobro into a whole different thing, it's amazing. There's no argument he's the best there ever was at his instrument. Salute to Alison's stunning, stunningly pure voice, but salute also to the band because Union Station is one of the best backing bands ever.
That voice has always given me goosebumps and chills up and down my spine. What an angel. What a band. Thank you Fil. What a blessed way to start off a Sunday
She is one of country's virtuosic talent that has, and will, endure the test of time. I love her collaborations with Robert Plant. I wonder who envisioned pairing them.
I remember this CD when it came out. A friend who performed liked it so much he played it in his shows. She has such a pretty voice; I feel she’s in a class of her own. Thanks for covering this.
Alison has been one of my favorites for a long time. I was "Lucky One" to have seen Alison (with Alison Brown) and Union Station in a bar in Nashville before they were widely known. It was breathtaking.
You’ll notice that her voice, her violin, the guitars and bass do not overpower each other. The way they blend their music together is unbelievable.
That's something that so many bands from all genres could benefit from. Mixing their band just through dynamics and playing. That's how they did it in the old days, sure orchestral instruments are designed to be a certain volume and fill a frequency space, but the principle remains. Even something like a metal band or a punk band, the way to have a great sounding live mix, is to mix it through your playing. Accenting certain phrases when you need to and playing at a different volume per hit. If you just hit the snare drum at 80% power every hit, your playing isn't going to have any size to it. It has to be able to grow and contract in order to have a great blended sound within the band and the song. Accent when you need to and sit back leaving space for others when you need to, or sort of doing a half-accent just to firm up support for something. Learning how to do this will give a band a better "mix" than any soundman could ever do.
Is that the American chick that married that British guy named Elvis?
@@jimmorrison4163 Nope. You're thinking of Diana Krall, the jazz pianist/vocalist, who is Canadian.
There is only one Alison Krauss, The perfect vocalist...and the most beautiful. Thank you, Fil!
She has the casual grace of a pure talent. No bombast, no showing off, just an artist confident enough to serve the song, rather than use it for cheap vanity.
💯 very well said - that's who she is down the line
Such a beautiful sound.
Allison is not even 50 years old, and she has won 27 Grammys for 44 nominations. An amazing talent, and absolutely beautiful woman.
Amen. The woman is an awesome talent with the voice of an angel.
The 1st time I saw her was at a bluegrass festival...she was around 15 or 16 & visually I thought, poor thing she needs help with her look. She was wearing a plaid button down shirt with pants & belt that looked like she borrowed them from her daddy...lol She was frumpy & her hair was a mess...but then she played & sang & I knew instantly that she would have her stylist & to say the least, time has been good to her. You're absolutely correct, she's a beautiful lady, humble with grace & a remarkable talent!
I agree , look at them beautiful eyes!! Her voice is angelic. She can rip up a fiddle also! She also does multiple types of music. Once on CMT just after the HUGE success of her band Union Station's album "Lucky One" , she was asked by the host of the show what cd she had in her cd player at that time. She said " AC/DC" he said " WHAT REALLY??" lol. She said " I love all kids of music.
She barely opens her mouth when she sings. It’s incredible to me and goes against everything I’ve been taught. Clearly, she’s a master at her craft.
If the angels in heaven do not sound like Alison Krauss, I will be disappointed. She is amazing
Well said, I could not agree more
A delightful display of artistry. She could sing the phone book and people would love it. Alison has that timeless quality, and she makes it look effortless. A natural. Great analysis as always.
I was going to say the same thing - this above exactly.
Me too... verbatim.
As of 2019, she has won 27 Grammy Awards from 42 nominations, ranking her third behind Quincy Jones and classical conductor Georg Solti for most Grammy Award wins. She is the most awarded singer and the most awarded female artist in Grammy history.
I could watch her and be dead and still enjoy the song.
What he said...
The entire group have mastered everything about their music. It's perfect.
I love the fact that you appreciate all types of music.
Jerry Douglas is arguably the very best dobro player ever. Just listen to him in the background of any song he supports. He weaves beautifully tasty runs into every composition. When he's asked to provide a solo, he is unmatched. I should also mention that Alison has a voice that is positively magical.
I got to see Jerry and Tommy Emmanuel in concert. Both masters of their instruments. Arguably the best at their individual instruments. Jerry is the reason I am trying to learn how to play dobro.
Just about any country record with a dobro in the 90s? Check the credits and you'll usually find his name.
Wayne, I agree with every word here, save one.
Arguably.
It isn't open to debate. Jerry is in a class by himself.
This is one of my all-time favorite groups. Allison is wonderful, Jerry is at the top of his field with that Dobro, but don't leave the others out. Dan Timinski, Ron Block and Barry Bales were the foundation of the Soggy Bottom Boys in O Brother Where Art Thou, with Dan providing the lead vocal for their portion of the music. Ron Block is an outstanding songwriter and has provided several of the band's hits. He is also regarded as one of the top bluegrass finger style guitarists now working. Allison has also stated that in her opinion, Barry is the best bass player in bluegrass, and it's probably true since he's played on so many bluegrass albums in the business. So you have a band made up of some of the best individual players in the bluegrass business - and they live up to their reputation. Thanks for sharing. Now I'm off to once again watch their live performance in Kentucky, one of my very favorite DVD's.
Just about hit the nail on the head!
Soggy Bottom Boys. "Mountain" wouldn't make sense because when rain and snow fall in the Appalachian s or anywhere hilly, the lower level areas remain Soggy far longer than the Mountain areas. Also, it's a humorous reference to a wet diaper or pants.
That live album is my favorite album of all time. It's perfection.
@@Allen2 You are so right. Corrected.
@@spaert Thanks for the update and the Edit to change "Mountain" to "Bottom." The movie was both set and filmed in Mississippi, which "has generally low topographic elevations and extensive tracts of marshy land" per Wikipedia, so certainly has plenty of soggy bottom areas. The movie's time period of 1937 predates "Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys" formation in 1938-39 and larger fame in the 1940s; however, the fictional name seems inspired by this most famous of bluegrass groups. "RCA Victor signed the Monroe Brothers to a recording contract in 1936. They scored an immediate hit single with the gospel song "What Would You Give in Exchange For Your Soul?" and ultimately recorded 60 tracks for Victor's Bluebird label between 1936 and 1938." (per Wikipedia.)
AK’s natural gift is her PERFECT relative pitch. Always hits the very center of a note. Sometimes so haunting it’s creepy. It’s expressed in violin and singing. Remarkable.
Brother you got lots of class. It’s refreshing. Honest talent and wisdom. Thank you for educating us and being versatile with different content. That’s original
Well said.
Yes sir! I agree wholeheartedly. Fil is very special.
Alison literally makes my heart swell and my tears well every time I hear her sing. What an angel she is.
Fil's analytical commentary is so awesome! He points out so many things I've never thought about as I enjoyed these performances over and over again through the years. Fil is a captivating presenter of musical information. So knowledgeable and excited to present what he knows that his commentary is like one long run-on sentence! Fil--- take a breath every once in awhile, won't ya? :)
Angelic voice, award winning 🏆 fiddle player.27 Grammies , 🎤 sings technically perfect pitch. No Auto Tune! And a great gracious personality. My favorite singer ❤
Fil, you’re an absolute encyclopedia of music knowledge. You have the ability to explain to me why it is that I like the song I just listened to.
BTW, when my time comes to actually hear angels singing I’ve always believed they’ll sound like Allison Krause.
I hope she is as good a singer as Alison Krauss. Though by all accounts she wasn't known for her singing by the time she got shot on campus by the Ohio National Guard.
I hope my brother (who loved AKUS, and who died of COVID on 1/23/21) is hearing the angelic voice of Alison now. I'll meet you in heaven, brother, as soon as I can get there. I can't wait for your smile, your dry humor, and especially your bear hugs.
@Tonya Harmon Thank you. He was my best friend.
She sings like an angel, my favorite country artist of all. The mix of bluegrass and country is just special with her.
Alison Maria Krauss (b. 7/23/71) was Illinois state fiddle champ at 12, national fiddle champ at 13, and signed to Rounder Records at 15, where Jerry Douglas (15 years older) was assigned to produce her first record. Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry at 21 (youngest at that time), all-time Grammy-winning female artist (27) by age 40 in 2012.
Alison is an angel behind a microphone, once-in-a-generation for sure, and Union Station have a total mind-meld as instrumentalists, like a country & bluegrass chamber ensemble. 💯🙌🙌🙌🙌
She and her band are PURE PERFECTION AND PURE JOY! I am not even a country fan but this transcends everything!
A very talented group of musicians. They can play both bluegrass and mainstream country music.
So happy to see you talk about Alison and Union Station. There’s a reason she has 27 Grammy’s. In the 90’s my extensive CD collection contained all classic rock, blues, and one bluegrass band. I’ve seen her and the band live three times. It’s like hearing an angel from heaven, nothing but perfection.
She always has that mellow smooth voice that blends in with all the other instruments.That all acoustic sound is what helps to bring out her vocals.She doesn't need to sing very loud over the instruments.Her style of singing plus everyone else working together makes it work because overall,it all sounds in unison.Jerry Douglas has been the top dobro player in bluegrass for the last 35 plus years.Whether session work or invited here to play with the best bluegrass groups live,Jerry is always in demand.Another great one Fil! You ought to check out another lady of bluegrass.Rhonda Vincent and her band The Rage.
She’s the best pure-tone singer in the world.
Allison Krauss has a voice of an angel. No If, And or Buts about it.
That's why no singer, male or female, has more Grammy Awards than Alison.
Is that why I felt I was in heaven listening to this journey?
I've loved Alison since I learned about her around 1995. This song doesn't show her shredding it on fiddle as so many of her more bluegrass-ish tracks do.
I love her voice, and her playing. And Union Station had earlier wonderful players who no longer are in the band. So I give a shout out to the great mandolin player Adam Steffey and guitarist Tim Stafford.
The entire 1992 album Every Time You Say Goodbye" should be required listening for anyone who likes bluegrass music.
Ron Block, Dan Tyminsky and Alison...just immaculate talent. Jerry Douglas is a national treasure on dobro. Really enjoyed his Transatlantic Sessions segments.
Transatlantic Sessions is a gift to all of humanity for all time. All 6 sessions are absolutely amazing. Over 18 hours of genius .
One of my favorite bands, and Alison Krauss has been great since she was 16 years old
(when I first heard her). Love to watch Phil enjoying these artists....this guy gives props to anyone who deserves them...
Thanks Phil...
Absolute musical perfection. The talent level on that stage is mind boggling. Allison sings like an angel and Jerry Douglas has to be from another planet. His absolute mastery of the Dobro is in a class by itself.
oh boy oh boy!!! All the complexity you described makes it even more impressive that they are known as a "One Take Band" when recording. Personally, I like music that slaps my face and THEN some that soothes it. Thanks for this one.
A great performance and another great analysis.Thanks Fil
Wow that's funny
A good slap in me face,lm humbled. Credit too the timing of the whole groove,no drummer.lol
Great comment lol
Oscar Peterson told me that the notes you don't play are just as important as the ones you do. That advice has stuck with me my whole life. The best musicians are not the best players....they're the best listeners.
I had the pleasure of seeing Alison and her original band Silver Rail at a live broadcast performance for WGLT-FM in 1983, when she was twelve. She charmed everyone as an humble, precocious preteen girl who had already won international fiddle awards. She hadn't yet developed her signature breathy singing style--her voice was huge, and it seemed impossible that it was coming from the shyly awkward kid on stage. But already she had the magic in her voice. I especially remember them performing the bluegrass standard A Good Woman's Love--everyone in attendance had tears in their eyes at the beauty of her voice. I taped the show to cassette when it was rebroadcast a few weeks later. Somewhere I still have the tape, and when I find it I'm going to have it ripped to digital so I can share.
Fil, thinking about Alison's early performance reminded me of how influential the band New Grass Revival was in the eighties. This would be a great video for you to feature sometime. The band dynamics are phenomenal--listen to how John Cowan leads the band on bass, and how Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, and Pat Flynn swap solos seamlessly. Cowan's vocals are sublime. ua-cam.com/video/11iXj_Mo_GA/v-deo.html
Thanks for telling that story. I enjoyed it and I learned something.
Alison and Dan..2 voices that are recognized immediately...takes me home every time I listen to them. A tight band of extremely gifted musicians whom I've never heard make a mistake playing live. Take Me For Longing and When You Say Nothing At All are my favorite songs. Love Dan in The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn!! The instrumentals in that...yes sir. Great info as usual sir, ty!! By the way, I love listening to a National wood body single cone resonator😁.
Sandra Smith Love Dan, too. Alison is just basically just a perfect singer.
Jerry is playing a Scheerhorn resophonic guitar...…..
@@HowRJ Thank you for that info, Howard. I was just tellin Fil I love listenin' to Nationals...havent heard too many Scheerhorns, and heard that they had merged with National. But, Jerry's a beast on guitar...he deserves to be playing on one of Mr. Scheerhorn's masterpieces, huh?! Sounds beautiful..dang thing's prob mahogany!
I didn't think anything could add to my enjoyment of this incredible piece by Union Station. I was wrong. Thank you for helping me understand what a great piece of artistry this is.
Fil, like most guitarists, what you don't mention enough is that the most important time-keeper is not the drummer, but the bass player -- in this case Barry Bales, the unsung hero. That's true in all genres of music. Also, all music is built upon the bass line.
People like to say that but it's not true. When there are both drums and bass, drums cut through more and define the pulse more. Ideally, of course, they're in sync and it's not an issue. But if the drummer wants one tempo and the bassist wants another, the band will generally follow the drummer.
I think everyone should have to take a course at your Music University. Your passion for music really shows. I'm in my '50s and know music pretty well. However I learn something from every show you put out. Your channel is one of a very few that I expect everyday. I just wanted to thank you for all you do. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Rock of a New Year.
Thanks and you too!
Voice of an angel and A+ musicians! Thanks, Fil❣️
Alison is from the city I have lived in for 30 years, Decatur, Illinois! She is an amazing multi-faceted artist!!....✌❤🤘
How cool...I never knew where she was from!
Didn't know she's from Decatur. Naperville use to be my home. I agree. She's fab!
Wikipedia says she was born in Decatur Illinois and from Champaign Illinois so maybe she grew up in Champaign.
Cool!
@@loripond1839 Yes, grew up in Champaign, graduated HS from there and moved to Nashville after having been signed to Rounder at 15. Jerry Douglas produced her first record.
The perfect band.
Perfect singer.
And the Dobro...!
Fil, your love of music is evident in the various genres you review. Allison and Union Station is one of my favorite groups. Every player here is a human metronome. While she and and band aren't really playing bluegrass here, it is one of the most engaging musical forms. There is something magical about a performance like this. For me as a musician and music producer, there are only 2 types of music. It's either good or bad. Thanks for another great analysis.
Heavenly .😇😇💞💞Played with grace. Yet the lyrics are filled with sarcasm. Brilliant .
Union Station is always excellent and worth listening to, and Alison has so much beauty in her voice, in her heart, in her look. People use words like "angelic" to describe her and its hard to capture what it is that makes her so great and so enchanting
Master Fil, you are the best. You take us to school every time you do a review. Amazing.! I think Jerry's Dobro leads Alison where to go some times and sometimes she leads him . It's like the Dobro is another voice singing the same notes she is. Probably sounds silly to you but I've been to they're concerts six times and kept up with them since she came on the radio first time. I have always thought her and the Dobro go so well together.
Again...I love the fact that you bring attention to the talented musicians that play bluegrass music, they are so often overlooked! Thank you.
I first saw Alison Krauss on TV when she was 19 and I thought "That girl is going places". Well, has she ever! 26 grammies, last I knew. Saw them live in a small venue like the one in this video. It was the best live show I've ever seen. Pure musicality on display. BTW, Alison is also quite humorous in between songs.
Her voice is like an angel singing. I love everything she has done.
Yes Fil, Alison's vibrato is suptle and angelic which sets her apart from all others. Jerry Douglas is one of a kind.
I adore Allison and Union Station. Each one of them is so darned good it blows my mind. Heaven. I could listen to them for hours and have done so.
Unlike most other reactors or in your case analysts, I really appreciate that you read and acknowledge the comments you get. That means a lot Fil. Love ya. You're a good guy!
Thanks again Fil! Dan Tyminski is one of my heroes. He plays multiple instruments and sings lead and harmony wonderfully. Also, he is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. And Jerry Douglass may be the greatest Dobro player ever... Great vid!
The greatest thing about Fil is not just his fabulous analysis, it's how much he loves good music and musicianship.
I saw them on this tour in Gilford NH. What really enhanced their masterful performance was how they genuinely came across as a tight knit family. It was one of those shows where the afterglow stuck with you for a few weeks.
Thanx Fil,..Don't know many people who seems to really understand music the way you do...Great video...
The instrumentals are so beautiful and her voice makes one listening feel restful. Loved the whole performance and of course, your analysis. Please give us more history of Alison Krause in the future. Thanks Fil.
All i hear is beautiful acoustic guitar playing, and a beautiful female singing voice, all melodically making a beautiful composition, loved this folk lore, nothing like it today... So mellow.... A beautiful analysis from Filip...
I just love the sound of a Dobro Guitar...very soothing ..thanks Fil
Man I tell you, having these guys is an inspiration, imagine the hours put in to be on this level!!! Unbelievable! Alison, wow, I love this era of her work, she is so humble, and completely angelic in her voice, unmatched in her perfection, literally again, an angel on earth! And the fiddle! She must be tops, and she isn't even foot slapping blue grass, which she can get down to as well. They are all spot on!!!! Really the tops of their field maybe ever,
Seeing Alison Krauss and Union Station onstage is a real treat, and one of the very best concerts I've ever attended.
Phil, you should check out Alison Krause and Union Station hook up with Vince Gill and Cross Country, the bands together are mind blowing. To me Alison is an angel, voice, looks and heart. I just love her.
Couldn't click on this one fast enough! Thanks, Fil for your piece on one of my all-time favourite artists.
As an old-time Rock fan, I was astounded that when I divorced around the late Nineties, I found solace in a "Country" CD billed as just by Alison Krauss. That was "Forget About It", an apposite title for the circumstance.
That led me to a still on-going interest in Bluegrass, the rootsier the better, but I have continued to follow this particular band for their wonderful musicianship.
Alison Krauss has the voice that I would love to sing to sleep every night. She is one of those artists that so many people love to work with. Including a whole album with Robert Plant
You got your wish. Here she is working with Yo Yo Ma doing Stephen Foster's lullaby Slumber My Darling: ua-cam.com/video/jjYcB60cBmM/v-deo.html
She doesn’t sneak up on any note. Suzy Bogus is of like quality. Just remarkably beautiful! Good review as always.
This is the epidemy of "less is more". No one is trying to over play or sing but yet they produce a powerful performance.
Thank you Fil, I love the fact that you acknowledged the fact that music is the universal human language. Some are indeed able to "speak" it, yet all are able to understand it. Wonderful, thanks!
No analysis needed, Fil. The recipe is take one extremely goddess, add some very talented other musicians to stand along side her and let her do her thing. The result is simply MAGIC.
Fil, you have made my day. Alison is SOOO talented and her voice just carries a person away from this world and into a slice of heaven. Have been a fan of hers since the early 90's and her voice just gets richer and smoother with every passing year. Seeing her live is definitely on my bucket list. Another must listen of hers is her collaboration with The Chieftains and especially them doing "Molly Ban"... hauntingly beautiful doesn't even begin to describe it!
Her voice is so soothing. Makes you feel happy to hear her. She's very talented. I love her.
Great analysis. Allison took this to top 10 on the country charts. "Appalachian Journey" with Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Mark O'Connor and vocals from Allison reached Number 1 on the Classical Albums Chart. That is an amazing crossover. I think singers like Allison, Keith Whitley (he did this song first), and Vince Gill who came out of bluegrass into mainstream tend to be more precise because their formative and performing lives emphasized harmony before they did solo work.
I saw them live a few years ago - they're performance was PERFECT - even better than studio sound. They still had Adam Steffey back then on mandolin. Jerry Douglas is the best in the world on Dobro but I think they sounded better with Adam's mandolin IMO.
*Thank you so much Fil!!* So happy you covered Alison Krauss & US - You're the best 💓❣💓
One of my favorite singers ever. Americana music is so rich. Check out Chris Thiele , genius mandolinist, sometime! And of course Gillian Welch! Alison’s album with Robert Plant, “ Raising Sand” is full of wonders.
I agree on the Robert Plant deal..great.
Raising Sand is a masterpiece.
Love her. A voice of an angel. Thanks, Fil. Great choice for analysis.. Rock! 🤘
I must admit, I was never a bluegrass fan when I was younger, but I have since developed an appreciation for it.....I have always liked folk music and it is apparent that both bluegrass and folk evolved from roots music. Alison’s vibrato vocals are amazing and all the instrumentalists are brilliant, and together they make magic. Thanks for sharing this great tune with us,
Sublime performance. So smooth and effortless. Saw her around this time and every musician was clearly an elite player.
I’ve loved Alison for years. There’s nowhere to hide in Bluegrass and she and Union Station are our modern masters. I used to think how lucky her man must be to be able to ask her to sing him to sleep. Lol. Great intelligent analysis as always Fil. That’s why I keep coming back 👍
I don't know how they do it, but they are great. Their music makes me feel good.
I love seeing his sincere and unplanned smiles during the performance. It is obvious that the musicality is delighting him and that is a testimony to the beautiful grace of Alison and Union Station
I love music of many different genres but years ago a friend in Germany suggested Alison Krauss and Union Station. I love Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz, Blue Grass, etc., but oddly enough it was someone in Germany that led me to them. I'm from the states you'd think I would have known. Their music is pure.
Her voice just melts me, it’s so beautiful and relaxing.
Thanks for this selection. Their live DVD of 2003 is a stunning piece of work. Acoustically, vocally, instrumentally, tightness, even mixing. Reasonably familiar with most all the top and mid level rock/pop/country acts since the 50’s. But at least at that point, Alison Krauss and Union Station had achieved stringed-instrument, vocal perfection. I’m not sure, in any genre, I have ever heard a better combination of 5 stringed instruments, and 5 vocals, particularly hers of course. It was worthy of note, still is..... Just a little bit of all time greatness bled into this band in that era. Thanks.
Thank you Fil......love Allison.....her voice and music is so soothing. Always a great analysis presented with a beautiful smile😊
These guys are incredible artists, Alison Krauss has such a beautiful voice.
Her vocal styling exhibits a tenderness and vulnerability not commonly found. Absolutely beautiful.
I believe, Alison Krauss is the best, living, preforming, singer.
LOVE this girl and have since she was a teenager. Thank you for this Fil.
One of the reasons I watch this channel is it introduces me to artists I’ve overlooked, AK is incredible. I remember when country music was all master craftsmen like these musicians, now it’s pop with a little twang thrown in
Allison Krauss is one of my absolute favorite female artists of any genre. Her voice is just heavenly. Another female vocalist I thoroughly enjoy is former Celtic Woman - one of their youngest ever - Chloe Agnew. I'd love to hear your thoughts on her as a vocalist.
I love AKUS so much. When you see them in person (and I saw this particular tour), it is like a religious experience. I think it was just miraculous, or fate, that they found each other. They all just mesh so well. They sound straight from the studio even when they are live. Definitely some of the most perfect musicians on Earth.
I love your smile during this! This music and Allison are treasures!
Yaay Phil,thanks for this..Vince Gill once said that in his opinion Alison Krauss has the purest voice he has ever heard..I agree
Alison Krauss's RIDICULOUSLY pure voice is rightfully legend, AK+US are one of the best groups ever to play music. I've seen them live in concert (with Willie Nelson), and what they did for our concert is they left Jerry Douglas on-stage and let him give a 15-minute dobro solo while the rest of the band took a break. And HOLY CHRIST. He was amazing alone. None of the crowd took a bathroom break. He can turn the dobro into a whole different thing, it's amazing. There's no argument he's the best there ever was at his instrument. Salute to Alison's stunning, stunningly pure voice, but salute also to the band because Union Station is one of the best backing bands ever.
So grateful for your insight into the artist and the band plus the music.
Went to see her and Robert Plant last week. Have to say it was a side of her I've never seen before. Pure talent.
Alison and Union Station were one the best concerts I ever attended. I am 66 years old and have seen many artists. AKUS is at the top of my list.
Like Karen Carpenter, Alison Krauss has such a beautiful voice . I would have been awesome to hear them in a song together .
That voice has always given me goosebumps and chills up and down my spine. What an angel. What a band. Thank you Fil. What a blessed way to start off a Sunday
She is one of country's virtuosic talent that has, and will, endure the test of time. I love her collaborations with Robert Plant. I wonder who envisioned pairing them.
I remember this CD when it came out. A friend who performed liked it so much he played it in his shows. She has such a pretty voice; I feel she’s in a class of her own. Thanks for covering this.
Alison has been one of my favorites for a long time. I was "Lucky One" to have seen Alison (with Alison Brown) and Union Station in a bar in Nashville before they were widely known. It was breathtaking.
Bless You for choosing this song. Made my day!