Alison Krauss
For Alison Krauss, musical collaboration has been a way of life. Her own story has been nothing short of amazing: signed to Rounder Records as a 14-year-old fiddler from Champaign, Illinois, she has, over two decades with the label, become the most recognized face in contemporary bluegrass, a critically acclaimed artist who has brought modern sophistication to the genre while respecting its traditions, and stretching beyond bluegrass to embrace pop, country, and rock & roll. She has also sold upwards of 10 million records and garnered 21 Grammy® Awards, the most for any female artist in Grammy® history.
On November 11th, 2008 Rounder released a new DVD, A Hundred Miles or More: Live From The Tracking Room. The DVD features Krauss, one of the purest and most original voices in American music, performing songs from her critically acclaimed solo album A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection with members of her highly-regarded band Union Station and special guest musicians. It also features memorable duets with country superstar Brad Paisley, legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor, British rocker John Waite, and an infectious take on “Sawing on the Strings” with bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice and musicians Sam Bush and Stuart Duncan joining Union Station.
Originally taped as a GAC television special, this DVD is set in a recording studio environment to re-create the making of many of the tracks from A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection. The DVD offers an intimate look at how Krauss works in the studio environment. Featured is the single “Simple Love,” written by Sarah Siskind (who also penned “Goodbye Is All We Have,” recorded by Krauss on her 2004 CD Lonely Runs Both Ways). Guest musicians Gordon Mote (piano) and Abraham Laboriel Sr.(bass) join Krauss for this very special performance. Also included are a soulful slow-dance tempo duet of Don Williams’ “Lay Down Beside Me” with Rounder Records label-mate John Waite, a reprise of the CMA “Vocal Event of the Year”-winning “Whiskey Lullaby,” performed by Krauss and Brad Paisley, an exquisite rendering of the Louvin Brothers’ classic “How’s the World Treating You” with James Taylor, and the newly recorded, previously unreleased, “Shadows” gleaned from Tony Rice’s catalog and featuring him on guitar.
A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection, which was certified Gold in October of 2007, gathered on one elegantly understated disc several previously released collaborations with such artists and friends as Paisley, Waite, Taylor, Natalie MacMaster and The Chieftains, along with songs Krauss cut for the films Cold Mountain, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and an “inspired by” album for the animated The Prince Of Egypt. Krauss also recorded and produced four new tracks for the CD, including “Simple Love” and “Jacob’s Dream.” With 16 songs, A Hundred Miles or More gracefully balances the new with the familiar to form a vivid portrait of this adventurous artist, chronicling the places she’s been and showcasing the hauntingly beautiful solo work Krauss is now making. A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection follows her previous compilation, the multi-Platinum Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection, which remains Rounder’s all time best selling album.
Alison Krauss’ latest album, Raising Sand, released in October 2007, is a collaboration with rock vocalist and songwriter Robert Plant. Produced by T Bone Burnett, Raising Sand uncovers popular music’s elemental roots – blues, country, rockabilly and folk – while sounding effortlessly and breath-takingly modern. Despite hailing from distinctly different backgrounds, Plant and Krauss share a maverick spirit and a willingness to extend the boundaries of their respective genres. Raising Sand finds Plant and Krauss functioning as sympathetic equals: creating a powerful new sound from both their common musical ground and their unrivaled sense of empathy.
Upon release, the immediate and positive reaction from fans and media alike made it clear that Raising Sand proved to be a risk worth taking. The album’s praises were sung in such major publications as Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, the New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, Mojo, No Depression, People, USA Today, and innumerable others, and in its first week Raising Sand was the second best selling album in the US. It was certified Gold by late November, 2007, and was certified Platinum in June 2008. It appeared on numerous year-end Top Ten surveys, and topped lists in USA Today, the San
Francisco Chronicle, and the Sunday Times (UK). Country Music Television (CMT) gave priority rotation to the video of the first single, “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On),” and the song went on to win a Grammy® Award for “Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.” Krauss and Plant have received rave reviews for their live show, which also feature Burnett and musicians from the album, on their extensive tour of the US and Europe throughout 2008.
As the year ends, Raising Sand has garnered 5 nominations for the upcoming 51st annual Grammy® Awards. The album has been nominated for Album of the Year and for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, the single “Please Read the Letter” is up for Record of the Year. “Rich Woman” is nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and “Killing the Blues” for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.
As impressive as her 21 Grammy® Awards and numerous other accolades has been Krauss’s unwavering commitment to being an independent-label artist who has succeeded far beyond the scope of many major-label artists. She has been able to circulate freely within pop, mainstream country, and roots music circles, creating impeccably produced records that appeal to an equally wide-ranging and inquisitive audience. Krauss has continued doing things the old-fashioned way: following her heart and whatever path the music takes her down.
“I’m so glad we didn’t do anything else,” Krauss told USA Today in regard to her and Union Station’s choice to make Rounder their home for so many years, “because I’m so happy with how it’s gone. I never had any big dreams about doing something on a huge scale,” Krauss reflects. “But I have dreamt about liking my records. That’s the kind of stuff I dreamt about.” She may have dreamt small, but as an artist, she’s succeeded very, very big. In her case, modesty has proven to be the best policy. Now, the only question is where her next musical journey might take us.
