A Hundred Miles Or More... A Collection [CD]

Alison Krauss has a habit of making fantastic albums. I once read a review somewhere that said 'she could sing the phone book and it would sound beautiful.' Despite this ability to sing anything well, Alison's choice of songs is always of the highest standard.

This album is a compilation of tracks, previously released for movie soundtracks and where she has featured on other artists albums. Fans will find it is similar to her mid nineties release 'Now That I Found You.'

Tracks include songs from movies such as 'O' Brother,' 'Cold Mountain,' and 'Prince of Egypt,' all of which I was aware she has recorded.

Then there is a whole heap of tracks that I was unaware she had recorded, including a superb duet with John Waite covering the song 'Missing You.' A pop standard that proves the phone book theory.

For me though the stand out tracks are Alison's interpretation of a Don Williams classic I'm Just A Country Boy, where Alison changes the perspective to You're just a... Like Lyle Lovett's interpretation of the Tammy Wynette classic 'Stand By Your Man,' it works really well. My other favourite has to be yet another Don Williams classic (both originally sung and wrote by the man) 'Lay Down Beside Me,' where she duets again with John Waite. Their voice working so well together.

This is a solid album full of strong tracks that even as a compilation outshines many new releases today.

An absolute essential for any Alison Krauss fan and a recommended for any one who wants to be.

This is a lovely album, though quite different from what we normally get from Alison Krauss. Do not expect a bluegrass album, though one or more members of the superb Union Station appear on 10 of the 16 tracks. The lively hoedown 'Sawing on The Strings' is the nearest we get to a bluegrass song, with twin fiddles from Alison and Stuart Duncan. The brilliant Jerry Douglas appears on 6 of the tracks, and I was particularly taken by his lap steel sound on tracks 2 and 16. None of the songs here have appeared on any of Alison's own albums. Some will be familiar to many, however, particularly 'Down To The Valley To Pray' from 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?', sung a cappella with a choir of mostly well-known names billed as the First Baptist Church Choir Of White House, Tennessee. There's also 'Molly Ban (Bawn)' from The Chieftains' album 'Down The Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions', the atmospheric 'The Scarlet Tide' and 'You Will Be My Ain True Love' from the film 'Cold Mountain', and 'How's The World Treating You', a duet with James Taylor I first heard on a tribute album to the Louvin Brothers. Also perhaps familiar to some will be Alison's duet with Brad Paisley on 'Whiskey Lullaby', a country hit for Jon Randall, who co-wrote the song with veteran legendary songwriter Bill Anderson. This is one of those typical stone country songs that seem rather maudlin to my UK ears. It has a strong melody and is here sung sincerely and without irony. There are 5 new songs, tracks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 16, all extremely good, which to me make an otherwise very good album into an essential one for any fan of Alison's music. The album starts and ends with 2 songs associated with Don Williams, here given a beautiful, slower reading. Alison's distinctive, expressive voice makes them sound as if they are brand new. The latter, 'Lay Down Beside Me', is the second of 2 duets with John Waite, which work very well. With this song, and the duet with JT you'll be able to sing the harmony lines, as they are so distinctive. In addition to the Don Williams covers, my own favourite track is the wonderful 'Get Me Through December' with some lovely fiddle playing from Natalie MacMaster. A real treat. The accompanying 16-page booklet is very informative and gives all track details.
A worthy collection, in my view, which though quite varied, hangs together well. With 16 tracks totalling over 67 minutes, it's very good value too.

"Alison Krauss's voice is a technical, emotive marvel. She has won more Grammy Awards than any female singer in popular music history. She fronts what many people consider to be the single finest band in folk, bluegrass or country. Every album she has released in the past twelve years has been certified gold (500,000 copies) or platinum (1 million copies)." Stephen Erlewine Thomas.

This is a CD that draws you in and like my best friend uttered in reverence, "I get shivers listening to this CD". The CD is a compliation of collaborations with other singers, songs from soundtracks and award shows and five new songs. There are traditional sounding songs and songs that are difficult to classify, but they are all connected. "There's alot of dying, said Alison. "I think with really sad songs, sometimes they make people feel better. If the story is that bad, there was something really spectacular there before the bad thing happened. There was something good to lose."

There are sixteen songs on this CD, and they are all beautifully poignant, mastered, and sung.

'You're Just A Country Boy'- a new song, melodic, lovely tune, "All you can afford is a loving heart, the only one you own'.

'Simple Love'- simple,country, bluegrass tune- previously unrecorded.

"Always giving, never asking back, I wish I had a simple love like that".

'Jacob's Dream- "In the Spring of 1856, two children, lost, cold and forlorn in the mountains." A song passed down by one of the writer's grandmother's from generation to generation. But, there is inherent hope. Hope and comfort. The song that brings 'shivers' everytime it is heard. My absolute favorite song, sung by Alison Krauss.

'Away Down the River'-"Crossing over Jordan to the other shore- a way down the river a hundred miles or more" An unreleased song- a message of comfort from someone who has died.

'Sawing On The Strings"-a bluegrass favorite from an awards show which featured Tony Rice, a long admired virtuoso guitarist who sings and plays non tradtional tunes.

'Down To The River To Pray'-acapella rendition from the movie "Oh Brother Where Art Though". 'Good Lord show me the way, Oh sister let's go down "

'Baby Mine'-from Walt Disney's "Dumbo"- lovely nursery song, 'Baby Of Mine'.

Molly Ban-a collaboration with The Chieftains from one of their CD's.

'How's The World Treating You'-sung with James Taylor for a tribute album 'Livin', Lovin', Losin' The Louvin Brorhers. Beautifully arranged and sung.

'The Scarlett Tide'- from the movie "Cold Mountain'-softly sung with emotion.

'Whiskey Lullaby'-duet with Brad Paisley- "She broke his heart, he spent his whole life tryin' to forget" Sad song of memories and death.

'You Will Be My Ain True Love'- Oscar nominated song from Cold Mountain.

'I Give You To His Heart'-'The Prince Of Egypt' soundtrack. Death and love. "Wish life didn't always end this way".

'Get Me Through December'- Natalie McMaster's CD- "A Wild Winter's Day- My heart has grown cold"

'Missing You'- duet with John Waite and a favorite. "Everytime I think of you, I always catch my breath"

'Lay Down Beside Me'-unreleased duet with John Waite- " I spent my life lookin' for you- findin' my way wasn't easy to do".

"The path for Alison Krauss has led her in several directions. The path has led her to a place of great acceptance and popularity, and Krauss has remained a musician other musicians admire." The Tennessean

Alison Krauss blends country, bluegrass and folk. She is not afraid to veer from a path of traditional music, and she has found great beauty to share with us. Her voice is a gift that belies her own shy exterior. She is a treasure. I have listened to this CD many times, and as my best friend has said, "It won't leave my turntable'. It has found a place in my heart. Heartily Recommended. prisrob 4-8-07

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Alison Krauss & Union Station - Live CD

Alison Krauss & Union Station Live DVD