Alison Krauss Album: “Too Late to Cry”

Description :

Personnel: Alison Krauss (vocals, fiddle); Russ Barenberg, Lonnie Meeker (guitar); Sam Bush (mandolin); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Tony Trischka, John Schmaltz (banjo); Roy Huskey (bass); Dave Denman, John Cowan (background vocals). <p>Recorded at Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa, Nashville, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Tony Trischka. <p>Alison Kraus is one of the most notable figures on the bluegrass and acoustic music scenes. She's managed to bring her folk-influenced style of bluegrass to a wider (read: outside of bluegrass) audience without commercializing or compromising her music (or herself) one bit. Kraus has adapted songs from such unlikely sources as The Beatles and Bad Company to her style. TOO LATE is from earlier in her career (1987), and concentrates on the bluegrass and country scene for the songs. <p>Krauss' voice and fiddle (she won the Illinois State Fiddle Championship when she was 12 years old!) is center-stage. Her voice balances the qualities of innocence, soulfulness and worldly strength. The playing (by such heavy-hitters as Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and banjo master Tony Trischka) is subdued and superb. A great album for fans of Kraus and traditional bluegrass--newcomers should check out the wonderful collection NOW THAT I"VE FOUND YOU or the beautiful SO LONG, SO WRONG.

This CD showcases Alison Krauss's amazing voice in songs that show it to its best advantage. The producers of her more recent CDs have chosen songs and arrangements that lack energy and cause her singing to be breathy. In 1987, these folks hadn't gotten their hands on her, and she's in full voice on the slower songs as well as the faster ones.

Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, and Tony Trischka are the "name" musicians accompanying her; the lesser-known musicians play just as well, though, and Alison's fiddling is impeccable.

This CD has it all - good songs (good in their own right and good choices for Alison to sing), good picking, and good singing.

This record is one of my two top bluegrass records, (the other one is Emmylou Harris & the Nash Ramblers) I didn't know that she was 15 at the time and that does add to the experience for me of listening to a truly remarkable voice. Hardcore Bluegrass fans may not like it as much as a casual listener, but this record is as good as it gets. Ms. Krauss has almost knocked Bonnie Raitt off the top of my list of female vocalists. The fact that she could get Sam Bush & Jerry Douglass to play w/ her speaks not only to her vocal ability, but her great fiddle palying as well. Buy this record!