|
Post by eyesoflove on Sept 22, 2005 21:01:42 GMT -5
My dad purchased it tonight and really loves it. I haven't heard it, but he did send me the song that Alison does and it's certainly different like that article said from a few weeks back. It's got almost like a "Sting" type sound to the song...like his upbeat pop tunes...and she hits a few low notes as opposed to high ones like she usually does. It's got a little bit of attitude, a little bit of funk, a little bit of soul, too, and is very contemporary. I think you guys will like it. Dad's really impressed with the other songs as well. I can't wait to hear them.
Stacy
ETA*** Dad informed me that her song is a remake of a Hall and Oats song called, "Back In Love Again". I'd never heard of it so it wasn't familiar to me. He also let me hear a few clips here and there over the phone and I think it sounds like a really creative and interesting CD. The John Fogerty song sounds like it will be great. His vocals haven't changed since the '70's! And Jerry does some lap steel on that song that gave me chills just over the phone. The only other clip I heard was one where Jerry was using a talk box and it sounded so great and different!
|
|
|
Post by fiddlechick21 on Sept 23, 2005 13:37:36 GMT -5
Argh I can not wait to get this CD! Had it all pre-ordered (since August 8th, to be exact...) at amazon, but then last week I had to cancel my credit card on account of fraud. Well, without a credit card to charge, obviously they couldn't ship it, and my new card didn't come til just a few days ago. The CD has been shipped but isn't scheduled for delivery til Monday. I'm like the biggest Jerry Douglas fan in the world and this waiting is KILLING me!
|
|
|
Post by eyesoflove on Sept 23, 2005 17:23:55 GMT -5
LOL It'll be worth the wait from what I've heard so far . Stacy
|
|
|
Post by BonnevilleMariner on Sept 26, 2005 10:42:19 GMT -5
Ok, I hesitated to post my review of this album for fear of violent retaliation. But my feelings must be made known, so I'm ready for the potential lynching.
I did not buy the album in its entirety. Instead I bought several tracks off of iTunes. That's usually what I do when I try out a new artist. If I like what I buy from itunes I'll go and buy the actual album from a store. I know Jerry isn't a 'new' artist, per se, because I know and enjoy his work with AKUS. But I wasn't at all familiar with his solo stuff.
I did really like the tracks I bought...with the very noteable exception of 'Back in Love' featuring Alison. And here's where I might piss some people off. The song may technically be great- both instrumentally and vocally. I mean you have two of the best at their trade, so I can't criticize the quality of the instrumental or vocal performances.
But man does that song suck! Horrible. Absolutely horrendous. I knew from preview articles that this was a different track for both of them. Different is usually ok, but I'm not sure how they came out the studio from this one with a straight face.
The best analogy I can make to listening to this song would be like cracking open a cold Coke can and putting it to your lips-- only to discover it's really milk. It's like eating chocolate chip chicken. You really love chocolate and chicken is a lovely white meat- but together in that particular context it's repulsive.
The intro to the song is awesome. But then the song itself kicks in, leaving you with bitter beer face as Alison does her best Dolly Parton imitation- as much a fish out of water as I've ever heard. It sounds like something that should have been on the Napoleon Dynamite soundtrack, with it's awkward blur of 70's muck and contemporary blah.
The first few listens I tried to stay open-minded. I mean this was Alison Krauss, my favorite artist of all time. Two members of the band that has provided the soundtrack of my life for several years. But after the denial wore off, I had to be honest with myself. This song simply sucks.
Now, to further offend, I have a few thoughts about Jerry Douglas as a solo artist and a member of AKUS. One review I read summed it up really good: "Jerry Douglas lives up to his billing as the world's greatest dobro player. That's like being touted as the NFL's best long snapper - it ensures a long career in a supporting role, but doesn't mean you should be the quarterback."
I like Jerry. I don't dispute that he is the best darn dobro player on earth. I think he is a perfect part of AKUS. And that's what I love about AKUS- they're perfectly rounded out. They each add something brilliant that fits right in with what the others bring to the table. I listen to earlier pre-Jerry AKUS stuff and it just isn't the same. Jerry definately has his place in the band.
That said, I'm not digging this AKUS 'Featuring Jerry Douglas' thing. What, is his dobro what makes the band? Is his contribution somehow separate or on some higher plain than those of Ron, Barry, and Dan? Granted, I'm sure the other guys aren't 'technically' the undisputed masters of their respective instruments. But I don't like how Jerry maintains this higher-up status. Think of AKUS without Tyminski's harmonies or Ron and Barry.
I may be overstepping my bounds, but it seems to me that Jerry is slightly arrogant. I get this impression from reading about him and seeing him in concert. Dan Tyminski recently said in an interview that he has put off working on a solo album because he wants to focus on his role in AKUS now. Apparently Jerry has the time. I know he's the king of dobro, but really how much weight should that let you carry. It's not U2 featuring Edge, Lonestar featuring Dean Samms. If I'm the best bagger at my local grocery store do I get my name plastered onto the end of the store's title? Seriously what is up with that?
Jerry's contribution to AKUS is no more important than that of any other member of the band. And while I really like most of what I've heard of the new album, that number with Alison left me with a sour taste in my mouth, wondering if maybe Jerry takes himself a bit too seriously. He seems like a genuinely nice, down-to-earth guy. Perhaps he should be content just being the dobro player in Union Station.
|
|
Leah
Junior Member
...just like the sky the road never ends...
Posts: 59
|
Post by Leah on Sept 26, 2005 13:14:13 GMT -5
Interesting! I haven't heard the new CD yet, just clips on Amazon. I love Alison's voice but I know what you mean, it's a totally different genre for her to sing & I think I'll always prefer AKUS as opposed to JD's solo albums. Just 1 thing tho, you say he seems 'slightly arrogant' yet at the end you write 'He seems like a genuinely nice, down-to-earth guy.' Do you mean both?
|
|
|
Post by BonnevilleMariner on Sept 26, 2005 13:53:56 GMT -5
Yeah I do. There's no doubt he's nice and down to earth. My favorite quote from him was from some CMT show where they played live for an audience. They had audience questions and the host gave them 10 seconds to respond. The question for Jerry was "your favorite bond" (i.e., which James Bond actor is your favorite). Jerry quickly answered "Gold Bond" (the medicated talcum powder).
But yes, he is both nice and conceded-- which I think is possible because his arrogance centers around his music. He might shop at Wal-Mart like a regular joe, but he's the king of dobro and he knows it. At concerts he plays with a haughty air. I'm a people watcher. I'll sit thru a concert and analize somebody the whole night. You can get to know somebody better by simply watching them interact with people for an hour than you ever could by chatting with them for an hour.
He is the king of dobro, but he thinks he's the god of music. And as such, his contribution to the band is more important- so much so that it merits changing the name of the band to reflect him personally. While guys like Dan and Ron put their own solo careers off in order to devote 100% of their effort to AKUS, Jerry seems to think he can have both a stellar role in AKUS and a major solo career at the same time. And whereas I think Barry, Ron, and Dan would stick with AKUS through thick and thin, I think Jerry would cut and run if the (blue)grass was greener somewhere else or if there was the slightest hint that AKUS was heading for a slump.
So yeah, I mean both.
|
|
Mandy
Full Member
Posts: 88
|
Post by Mandy on Sept 26, 2005 14:53:04 GMT -5
I just bought Jerry's new album, I like it very much..now, I know that my taste in music runs a little more varied than some people's.....in reading your post, I understand that we have a different way of looking at the artist and the music....some of the things that you mentioned, had really never crossed my mind....I'm of the opinion that Jerry gets the Featured billing because he is a solo artist in his own right...that's what I always understood it to mean....I really don't know a lot about how the music industry works, so I may be wrong about why they use that word.....as a solo artist, Jerry has lots of fans, a large following, and his own band.... The song that Alison sings to me is just terrific...I like it when she steps out of her comfort zone..to me , that is what adds to the depth and richness of an artists performance......I know that everyone doesn't feel as I do about the music , but I just wanted to say I am really enjoying Jerry's new cd........
|
|
|
Post by eyesoflove on Sept 26, 2005 19:54:28 GMT -5
I agree that they probably attached Jerry's name to the band in hopes of gaining a bigger following since he already brings a following of his own to the table. Other than that, it may have also been in his contract that it had to be that way. If I'm not mistaken, he's not signed with Rounder Records. His record company may have said, "Okay, join the band, but your name will have to be included in the band name." It's not as easy as an artist wanting to do something and just doing it. Years ago, when the Grinch came out, Mariah Carey co-wrote the theme song, "Where Are You Christmas?" and it was intended that she would sing it for the movie. Unfortunately, the movie was put out under Universal and she was signed with Sony at the time and her label wouldn't let her put out a single under another label. It's all political, really. About not liking the CD or the song...that's all opinion. I really liked it, but, like Mandy, I was brought up on a very diverse array of music and so I try to not go into something with an expected sound. I just take it song by song, note by note.
Stacy
|
|
|
Post by BonnevilleMariner on Sept 27, 2005 8:42:55 GMT -5
Mandy and Stacy- you both make good points about the contract stuff. And I agree, liking or not liking a song is all about opinion. But I take issue with both your inferences that the most likely reason I don't like that song is that I wasn't raised with diverse musical influences like you were. Perhaps if I had an more open mind and was more diverse, I might see the true beauty of that song, right?
I was raised with classic rock and have had experience in Sacred Harp singing. My favorite genre happens to be Jawaiian. Concerts I've been to the last couple years include AKUS, U2, Jack Johnson, Kalai, G. Love and Special Sauce, Sara Evans, Xavier Rudd, and Thurl Bailey. Right now on my iPod are Johnny Horton, Dario G., Moby, and those few tracks from Jerry Douglas' new CD- most of which are awesome.
So I'm not so sure my distaste for "Back In Love" is due to my not being musically diverse. Maybe- just maybe- the song simply sucks. So lets get back to opinions. I'd like to wait a couple months and then read Amazon's customer reviews and see what others' opinions of this song are.
I don't mean to be harsh, since we're all friends here and there's no reason to argue. Believe me, I hold you all in the highest regard. And I know there was no offense intended in your posts. It's just that I listened to that song over and over again trying to convince myself that I liked it- for the same reasons y'all are saying that you like it. There is such thing as a bad track- even if it is picked and sung by your favorite artists.
|
|
Mandy
Full Member
Posts: 88
|
Post by Mandy on Sept 27, 2005 13:10:40 GMT -5
I don't think that you were harsh, and I do relate to what you're saying, especially about a particular song..I remember when a new artist...Josh Gracin, I think, had a big hit out...I actually could not listen to the song, for some reason it just grated on my nerves...now, that's nothing against the young man...he's very good...but for some reason my ears just totally rejected it. ha ha. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't have a diverse background in music, I guess I was just meaning that since I've always listened to such different music that it could be why I liked Back In Love.........I think that Country music now has some really amazing talents...I've been so impressed by the new singer-songwriters that have come along in the last few years..I think it's all expanding, and glad for that...We are all going to have different opinions....and we should.
|
|
|
Post by fiddlechick21 on Sept 27, 2005 13:51:32 GMT -5
Well I won't get into the AK+USfJD stuff, or my personal opinions of Jerry, but I'd like to say that this CD rocks my world! I wasn't raised on bluegrass, so unlike people at some other boards I frequent, I don't give a rat's behind that there's scarcely any bluegrass on the album. I really like the rock influences, as opposed to the jazzier sounds of a lot of his previous albums. And I like hearing this different side of Alison...I think Back in Love Again is a fun song! Kinda like hearing Shimmy Down The Chimney or Gentleman's Lady for the first time...not quite expected, but once the shock wears off it's all good. I also love the slower songs, with Snow's First Fall probably being my favorite track on the album.
|
|
|
Post by fogcitygal on Sept 27, 2005 17:46:54 GMT -5
I don't want to get into the 'personal opinion' debate as I believe that if you ask 5 people their opinioins you will probably get 6 or 8 different answers. ;D
As to why Jerry has special billing, I would like to remind everyone about the way AKUS seems to work. When Alison first joined the band she was originally just another member of "Union Station". At some point in time, however, THE BAND decided that Alison should have special billing. I understand she was the sole member to disagree and so the band was renamed "Alison Krauss & Union Station" over her obections. Similarly, I understand THE BAND decided to give Jerry special billing when he agreed to join AKUS and Jerry's 'ego' was not responsible.
|
|
Mandy
Full Member
Posts: 88
|
Post by Mandy on Sept 27, 2005 18:05:55 GMT -5
Hi there Fogcitygal..nice to see you here...and thanks, I think your explanation is right on target..in fact I think you hit the bullseye....I didn't know the background and I appreciate your explanation....hope you're doing well.
|
|
Catdog
New Member
Banjo Picker
Posts: 10
|
Post by Catdog on Sept 27, 2005 19:39:02 GMT -5
Listening to Bonneville Mariner you would think Jerry Douglas is an egotistical maniac. I think the reason they use "Featuring Jerry Douglas" is because his place in the band was not intended to be a permanent thing & may not be a permanent thing. Another reason I'm sure, is the respect all the band members have for Jerry. They grew up listening to him play with all the great bluegrass artists. I'm sure it is a blast for them to get to play with him every night. I know he loves playing them & he considers them to be some of the finest musicians he has played with. Have you met the man? I have & I think he is the one of the most regular guys I've met. Everyone in this band is so humble & thankful. They seem almost embarrassed when you praise them. The thing he & the band takes seriously is the music; not themselves. In his post Bonneville Mariner seems to be of two minds. He says,"I may be overstepping my bounds, but it seems to me that Jerry is slightly arrogant." & "...maybe Jerry takes himself a bit too seriously." But then he contradicts himself & says, "He seems like a genuinely nice, down-to-earth guy." We are all entitled to our own opinions. But when you make contradictory statements about a mans character based on some c_ockeyed observations, you come across as ignorant & ill-informed. It would be nice if people could just enjoy the music, be critical of the music & leave the rest the crap for the tabloids & tawdry talk shows.
|
|
|
Post by eyesoflove on Sept 27, 2005 19:40:00 GMT -5
I wasn't meaning to insult the "electicity" of your musical preference...I was just pointing out mine. I have no idea what you listen to other than AKUS. Maybe - just maybe - I think the song is good regardless of who's singing it. You were offended by the fact that you felt I undermined your wide array of taste, but then assumed I only liked the song because of who is singing it and I don't have the ability to see past the singer and recognize a bad song when it hits me in the face. Again...it's all opinion. I wasn't referring to your musical background at all, but offering a glimpse into mine.
Stacy
|
|