Published on Oct 9, 2001
Alison Krauss and Union Station should be declared a national
treasure.
There we go. Let’s start the review off with a nice strong
statement so you know where I stand. Bluntly, I think that Krauss
is one of our greatest living vocalists, that Union Station is a
truly great band, and that they’ve recorded very little if anything
at all that’s bad. More than just a bluegrass band or a country
band, Union Station is a sound all its own, a rich tapestry of
American musical heritage that should be savored, enjoyed,
experienced. Their latest CD,
New Favorite, is no exception.
A strong contender for the year’s top ten,
New Favorite shows the continued maturation of vocalist and
fiddler Alison Krauss, as well as Union Station’s second voice, Dan
Tyminski. Tyminski has suddenly received a bit of mainstream
notice, as he provided George Clooney’s vocals in the recent movie
O Brother, Where Art Thou? His voice is clear, strong, and
powerful with talent all its own, and the one-two punch of Krauss
and Tyminski make Union Station as good as they are. The masterful
playing of guitar and dobro maven Jerry Douglas and the additional
strings of Ron Block and Barry Bales make Union Station perhaps the
best bluegrass band out there.
There are no bad tracks on
New Favorite. From the sensual swing of “Let Me Touch You
For A While” to Tyminski’s ominous vocals on “The Boy Who Wouldn’t
Hoe Corn” to “Stars”, this album is solid all the way through.
Special note, though, has to go to “Crazy Faith” and “I’m Gone”,
both of which showcase Krauss flirting with an almost torch sound,
reminiscent of some of k.d. lang’s work. “Crazy Faith” is one of
the best female vocal performances I’ve heard this year. If there
was any justice, some large award ceremony would notice. Of course,
they won’t…
New Favorite isn’t just for bluegrass fans. It’s for anyone
who appreciates superior acoustic musicianship, great songwriting,
and brilliant vocals. This album is a can’t-miss.