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Product Description
Review
There are some people round these parts who would laugh at the title of this new compilation. Why? Because just about everything the bluegrass sensation has done in the last ten years has been essential. Let's face it, you don't win 26 Grammys in as many years by being average. Alison Krauss, for those of you living in not-so-blissful ignorance, is one of those rare things. A person who can restore your faith in music. Let us list the ways...
Eleven albums into a performing career that began at the age of ten, Krauss is probably best known for her contributions to the soundtrack for O Brother Where Art Thou?. But since 1987 (with her band Union Station) she's been pushing back the boundaries of what bluegrass means in the States while opening up the genre to new audiences with a combination of angelic singing, fiery fiddle playing and, not least, working with some of the greatest musicians in the business.
Essential pulls together a generous helping of her choicest moments from the last decade. This includes work from her most successful Union Station albums such as New Favorite and Lonely Runs Both Ways as well as solo material. Primarily a superb interpreter of other people's material, she can often take a poppy swerve that, on paper, seems odd but works beautifully. For a prime example listen to her take on the Foundations' Baby Now That I've Found You or When You Say Nothing At All, which somehow avoids schmaltz.
And to top it all there's material from her recent collaboration with Robert Plant (Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us). The T Bone Burnett-produced album Raising Sand showed the world that, just when we thought she was most at home when backed by Dan Tyminski's guitar or Jerry Douglas' Dobro, she could also summon swampy blues or reinvent the Everly Brothers. Yes, she's very, very talented.
If you've never heard Krauss in action this is a fine place to begin. But as we said, it's all essential. Do yourself a favour... --Chris Jones
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Product Description
1-Somple Love 2-Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us 3-Let Me Touch You For Awhile 4-The Lucky One 5-So Long, So Wrong 6-Empty Hearts 7-Every Time You Say Goodbye 8-Wish I Still Had You 9-Broadway 10-Baby, Now That I've Found You 11-Sawing On The Strings 12-Restless 13-When You Say Nothing At All 14-A Living Prayer (2009/Rounder) 14 tracks (51:04) enhanced CD - A beautiful collection from the winner of 26 Grammmys. nice price offer - while stock last! (2009/Rounder) 14 tracks (51:04) enhanced CD - A beautiful collection from the winner of 26 Grammmys. nice price offer - while stock last!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This compilation of Alison Krauss's music samples 7 original albums, a live album, and 2 previous collections, so Rounder Records are certainly cashing in on her current, if well-earned and deserved popularity. Most tracks feature the stellar Union Station, with Jerry Douglas, so the musicianship is flawless throughout. Added to that, Alison and the people she works with have an unerring knack of finding (or writing) great songs, from Sarah Siskind's lovely opener Simple Love, to Ron Block's A Living Prayer, and including a couple from the Cox Family.
It may be useful to indicate where the tracks here were first released, so here we go.
1. Simple Love - from: A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection (2007)
2. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us (with Robert Plant) - from: Raising Sand (2007)
3. Let Me Touch You For Awhile - from: New Favourite (2001)
4. The Lucky One - from: New Favourite (2001)
5. So Long, So Wrong - from: So Long, So Wrong (1997)
6. Empty Hearts - Forget About It (1999)
7. Every Time You Say Goodbye - from: Every Time You Say Goodbye (1992)
8. Wish I Still Had You - from: I've Got That Old Feeling (1990)
9. Broadway - from: Now That I've Found You: A Collection (1995)
10. Baby, Now That I've Found You - from: Live (2002)
11. Sawing On The Strings - from: A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection (2007)
12. Restless - from: Lonely Runs Both Ways (2004)
13. When You Say Nothing At All - from: Live (2002) - and also on: Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album (1994)
14. A Living Prayer - from: Lonely Runs Both Ways (2004)
The enhanced version of this CD also includes a short bonus video
As can be seen, the tracks cover a development period of 17 years, from 1990's I've Got That Old Feeling, recorded when Alison was just 19, to her seemingly unlikely but critically and commercially successful pairing with Robert Plant in 2007 (though they had worked together previously).
This collection should serve as a great introduction to and overview of Alison's (and Union Station's) music, or maybe fill in a few gaps. The music is always 5-star, but as there's nothing new here (unlike the A Hundred Miles Or More collection) an overall 4 stars from me.
It may be useful to indicate where the tracks here were first released, so here we go.
1. Simple Love - from: A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection (2007)
2. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us (with Robert Plant) - from: Raising Sand (2007)
3. Let Me Touch You For Awhile - from: New Favourite (2001)
4. The Lucky One - from: New Favourite (2001)
5. So Long, So Wrong - from: So Long, So Wrong (1997)
6. Empty Hearts - Forget About It (1999)
7. Every Time You Say Goodbye - from: Every Time You Say Goodbye (1992)
8. Wish I Still Had You - from: I've Got That Old Feeling (1990)
9. Broadway - from: Now That I've Found You: A Collection (1995)
10. Baby, Now That I've Found You - from: Live (2002)
11. Sawing On The Strings - from: A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection (2007)
12. Restless - from: Lonely Runs Both Ways (2004)
13. When You Say Nothing At All - from: Live (2002) - and also on: Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album (1994)
14. A Living Prayer - from: Lonely Runs Both Ways (2004)
The enhanced version of this CD also includes a short bonus video
As can be seen, the tracks cover a development period of 17 years, from 1990's I've Got That Old Feeling, recorded when Alison was just 19, to her seemingly unlikely but critically and commercially successful pairing with Robert Plant in 2007 (though they had worked together previously).
This collection should serve as a great introduction to and overview of Alison's (and Union Station's) music, or maybe fill in a few gaps. The music is always 5-star, but as there's nothing new here (unlike the A Hundred Miles Or More collection) an overall 4 stars from me.
68 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm just starting to get into country/bluegrass music a little bit (Nickel Creek, K T Oslin, Dixie Chicks), and this is the first Alison Krauss album I have bought on the strength of having heard some tracks on Ken Bruce's Radio 2 show a couple of weeks ago. Pre-ordered it on Amazon and it arrived today (Saturday 25th July), two days ahead of its release date!
I was already familiar with some of the tracks e.g. "Restless", "The Lucky One", "Baby, now that I've found you", "When you say nothing at all" having heard them on the radio in the past, and those tracks helped me to decide to buy this CD.
Not disappointed with the remaining tracks, and the first track on the album, "Simple Love" is probably already my favourite - moves me to tears.
Alison Krauss has a beautiful voice and I'm sure this CD will inspire me to buy other albums of hers.
I was already familiar with some of the tracks e.g. "Restless", "The Lucky One", "Baby, now that I've found you", "When you say nothing at all" having heard them on the radio in the past, and those tracks helped me to decide to buy this CD.
Not disappointed with the remaining tracks, and the first track on the album, "Simple Love" is probably already my favourite - moves me to tears.
Alison Krauss has a beautiful voice and I'm sure this CD will inspire me to buy other albums of hers.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Ok I am very biased, not remotely impartial, and although I have not listened to this particular album, I don't need to to know it is brilliant as I have all the tracks on other albums, along with everything else she has ever recorded! So I hold my hand up to being a huge fan of all her work, occassionally it can get a bit dull and maybe even a bit repetive, but I don't really care as her singing and her playing as well as that of her backing muscians is always impeccable. So that is why I consider calling this the essential collection to be an impossible task, I could compile three or four others just as good, but you have to start somewhere!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent music
Great selection of Alison's more recent pieces. You won't regret buying this fabulous music. Alison has an amazing voice and she choses lovely songs to sing.
Published 3 months ago by Hemley
Great voice
This CD was brought as a present for a gentleman in his early sixties - it went down very well and is very plesant to listen to.
Published 7 months ago by NMN
Classic easy listening bluegrass
A very well balanced selection of Alison Krauss songs. The perfect introduction to her talents for anyone new to her music. Read more
Published 8 months ago by purse
Classic Kraus
This is the perfect album for someone who has heard an Alisson kraus track and wants to find out more about this grammy winning singers style. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. J. R. W. Curl
Mixed views on Alison Krauss
I bought this CD after hearing Alison Krauss song on the radio Simple Love, but found her voice very high pitched and not easy to listen to. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Theresa311
Stunning
Just one word describes this album, "STUNNING"
Loved alot of her work including the production with THe Cox Family, and her collaboration with Robert Plant, but this is... Read more
Loved alot of her work including the production with THe Cox Family, and her collaboration with Robert Plant, but this is... Read more
Published 21 months ago by SquireJay
disappointed
Bought this Album because Raising Sands was so good. I thought Alison's singing was a bit to Sweet for me.Tracks a bit to alike for my taste
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by W. R. Hall
Essential Alison Krauss
This album has some of my favourite Alison Krauss tracks. I especially like Simple Love and When You Say Nothing At All. Great album.
Published on 29 Jan 2010 by Mr. Robert J. Tamplin
Easy listening.
Have enjoyed this album very much. Likely to buy more of Alison Krauss - she has a beautiful voice
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by S. Lygo
What would anyone expect?
Along with many who have been aware of Alisons gifts for many years I already own all of these tracks on the original CD's - it would be a good introduction but you will do... Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2009 by Robert Chisholm
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