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Post by Candice on Dec 9, 2004 19:01:01 GMT -5
I did look at the selling table and they didn't have anything new. I guess they had a couple of things from Jerry Douglas, that could have been new...I really don't know. But as for the AKUS stuff the only t-shirt they had was the one that Alison's mom made and that was about it. They didn't even have any new photos. Maybe as the tour gets more into gear they will have some new things.
Candi
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Post by tom37211 on Dec 20, 2004 3:11:10 GMT -5
I had the awesome pleasure of seeing AKUS at the Palace a couple of weeks ago. It was just wonderful. The Palace in Louisville is just a sight to behold. Seriously, it would be worth going there to see a second grade tap dance recital just to check out that theater. Their stage was its usual, sparsely appointed set. White drapes hanging at various heights which serves its purpose to set a mood and allows the focus to be rightly directed on the performance. They also do a great job of catching the lights used in their performance. I went there with the full intent of writing down the songs and taking lots of pictures. But when I got to my seat, it just did not seem right with the setting and the crowd so I sat back and just enjoyed the music and the performers. They were, as usual, breath taking in sound and musicianship. I loved every minute of it. During the first song, my best friend Donna who had never seen her before remarked at how she just could not believe how much better she sounds live than recorded. (Ashley Simpson eat your heart out!) That is something I have always noticed as well, one of the reasons that was the 7th time I have seen them live in the last year and a half! (God do I LOVE living in Nashville!!!) They essentially played their entire new album, along with some of their other hits as well. “Unionhouse Branch” was just a consummate performance from a group of gifted and talented musicians. “Poor Old Heart”, my favorite song on LRBW, was thrilling to hear live and did not disappoint at all. (Can a song ever sound bad when it is opened with a dobra and a banjo? The song, “Take Me For Longing” is another one like that.) My second favorite song, “If I Didn't Know Any Better” sounded just great. She nailed the low notes exactly. There are not a lot of songs where she sings an octave lower. Jerry Douglas did a solo set which was just electrifying. It is just amazing to me how one man and one instrument can captivate a crowd the way he did. She belted out “Oh Atlanta” Martina McBride style. They closed with “My Ain True Love” a cappella with Dan Tyminski, “Down To The River To Pray” and “A Living Prayer”, perhaps the prettiest song I have ever heard. Alison sang her heart out without ever appearing to try. What a remarkable gift that woman has. I feel sorry for her son Sam in a way because he will be ruined for the rest of his life when it comes to hearing other people sing. Imagine growing up listening to Alison Krauss singing Christmas carols, happy birthday songs and lullabies your whole young life. How is one to find appreciation for any other singing voice after that? Oh well. I should be so fortunate. Hell, I envy who ever sits in front of her at her church for that matter. Alison was her usual funny self as well, especially with her introductions of her band mates. She does seem to enjoy playfully picking on Barry Bales penchant for huntin. She told a story about staying in a fancy hotel in Louisville where she smuggled in her small dog who pooped on the carpet in the lobby and she kicked it, (the poop that is), under a sofa. That reminded her of another time when she was staying at the Opryland Hotel when Sam was a baby and who also had an accident, only that time it was in one of the indoor gardens. She fertilized the plants with that one. The crowd was laughing and the boys behind her were shaking their heads a little bit. To answer some questions in this string, it was a sold out crowd. They sang for about 2 and a half hours. To me, the song that got the biggest reaction was “Bright Sunny South”, (I think because of the war in Iraq.) I saw no video cameras. I have no idea what was being sold as expensive concert souvenirs are just not my thing. I also have tickets for the shows in Huntsville and in Pompano. I would like to go to the Knoxville and Chattanooga shows as well but I don’t wish to go alone. If anyone would like to go with me, let me know and I will eBay the tickets and we can split the cost. Anyway, sorry I have not posted in a while. I have been very busy and things have happened which have pulled me in a lot of different directions. But I am back now. I will look forward to contributing more. Pictures will be posted later as I find the time. Take care all! Tom (Ilene, I sent you a package I REALLY think you will enjoy! I hope you do not mind.  ) |
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Post by Kimberly on Dec 21, 2004 0:37:02 GMT -5
Tom, what an amazing review! Thanks so much for posting that!
These parts had me laughing so hard:
LOL!!! ;D
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Post by jonraz on Jan 18, 2005 18:06:03 GMT -5
So I'm back at work today after an unforgettable evening here in Baltimore. First off let me say that I didn't think I would even be able to go to the concert because of how fast it sold out. The Meyerhoff theatre she played at only seats 3,000. I had actually given up on finding tickets and considered it a lost cause. I saw an add online for tix that someone was selling. I called the day after it was posted and made arrangements to buy a pair for $200. It was worth every penny though. The man I got the tickets from traveled down from New York City with his wife. They both were blown away. I told the guy when we met that I had been waiting 4 years for her to come here. Our seats were in the first row of the Grand Tier, which is basically the first level balcony. It was hard to see their faces and being a musician myself, I would have liked to be closer to see their hands closer, but the sound was still superb, as my friend kept saying. They started off with "Restless". Every single song she did, she nailed every single note perfectly. The harmony was soo tight. I think the next song she did was "This Sad Song". I do know the 3rd one was "Unionhouse Branch" and I was just floored when I heard it. They did it faster than on the album if you can even imagine that. My jaw fell down to the ground for the entire song  . It was just amazing. I'm going to attempt to remember all of the songs they did. So, here it goes in no particular order. Restless This Sad Song Unionhouse Branch Rain Please Go Away It Don't Matter Now Gravity Goodbye Is All We Have Wouldn't Be So Sad Pastures of Plenty Man of Constant Sorrow Forget About It Doesn't Have to Be this Way If I Didn't Know Any Better Jerry Douglas instrumental (A tribute to Peador O'Donnell w/ another song that I think was a Hendrix cover or a piece of it) 2 songs that I had never heard from earlier albums I think. Lucky One When You Say Nothing At All Everytime You Say Goodbye We Hide and Seek Baby, Now That I've Found You In The Morning Light (Ron Block) My Poor Old Heart Bright Sunny South and closed w/ Oh Atlanta Encore: My Ain True Love Down to the River to Pray A Living Prayer Alison made her usual comments about Barry's hunting, Dan being in O Brother, and she was just absolutely hilarious the entire evening. The Meyerhoff is usually a Symphony Hall, so the acoustics are fantastic. The crowd was excellent too. No annoying offbeat clappers. They gave a thunderous ovation at the end of each song, but while she was speaking or they were performing, you could hear a pindrop. The highlight of the evening came after the show. I bought a tour t-shirt (it was only $15, so I figured why not) and 2 copies of their newest CD. One was for my friend who was with me and the other was for my friend who also would've loved to go to the concert, but is nearly bed ridden from his cancer. When we were leaving the venue, I convinced my friend to go to where the tour buses were and see if she would come out. Larry came out and I talked with him for about 5 min and got his autograph. Then he went inside because it was 15 degrees outside, minus 0 w/ the windchill. 30 min later Alison came out escorted by 3 security guards and a personal assistant. The assistant said "Sorry no autographs", but Alison piped up and said, "But there's only 3 of them". She was referring to my friend and I and this other guy that was with us. So the assistant brought us down to her and said "One item per person". I had my Cd case and my other friend took the other CD for my other friend Josh, the one w/ cancer. I went up to her and handed the CD cover to New Favorite and as she was signing it I told her, "I've waited 4 years to see you in concert". She replied, "Aww you're so sweet!". I could have died right there and been a happy person. Alison Krauss called me sweet!!!! Then, my friend handed the other cover of their newest CD and I said, "This is for our friend who has cancer". She said, "What's his name". So I told her and she personalized the autograph. I couldn't believe what a night I had!!! Probably one of the greatest concert experiences ever!! I can't wait until she comes by again. Sorry this is so long everyone, but I just couldn't keep it inside. |
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Post by tom37211 on Jan 19, 2005 0:29:48 GMT -5
WOW Jonraz!!! What a great night you had. That is awesome! It sounds like you had a wonderful experience. I have to agree with you about "Unionhouse Branch". It does seem quicker in concert. My impressions as I recall watching them do that piece was, first, what an incredibely great song it is and second, the effortless ease in which is was presented. Truely a class effort by masters of their respective instruments.
Thanks for sharing!
Tom
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Post by Kimberly on Jan 19, 2005 15:51:07 GMT -5
Jonraz, that's awesome that she signed autographs since there was only 3 of you! At my show, there was only Candi and me, and this other guy for a while, but we couldn't even get close to where the busses were, she had no idea we were standing there in the cold.  |
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Post by Candice on Jan 19, 2005 16:40:26 GMT -5
Kimberly,
Not only was it cold, its was misty and kind of sleety... or did it just seem like that because we were standing there for so long and we didn't accomplish anything? LOL
Candi
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Post by Kimberly on Jan 19, 2005 21:09:11 GMT -5
Kimberly, Not only was it cold, its was misty and kind of sleety... or did it just seem like that because we were standing there for so long and we didn't accomplish anything? LOL Candi haha you're right, it was definitely misting. And freezing cold! Oh, and I have yet to get pics developed because my mom has the camera. We took 2 cameras, and the ones that aren't on the digital, I need to see! lol. We used the plain camera to take pics of the stage, and they're probably all extremely dark and AKUS is probably tiny on there, but it sure would be nice to see them! lol |
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Post by fogcitygal on Jan 20, 2005 22:34:49 GMT -5
So I'm back at work today after an unforgettable evening here in Baltimore... When we were leaving the venue, I convinced my friend to go to where the tour buses were and see if she would come out. Larry came out and I talked with him for about 5 min and got his autograph. Then he went inside because it was 15 degrees outside, minus 0 w/ the windchill. 30 min later Alison came out escorted by 3 security guards and a personal assistant. The assistant said "Sorry no autographs", but Alison piped up and said, "But there's only 3 of them". She was referring to my friend and I and this other guy that was with us. So the assistant brought us down to her and said "One item per person". I had my Cd case and my other friend took the other CD for my other friend Josh, the one w/ cancer. I went up to her and handed the CD cover to New Favorite and as she was signing it I told her, "I've waited 4 years to see you in concert". She replied, "Aww you're so sweet!". I could have died right there and been a happy person. Alison Krauss called me sweet!!!! Then, my friend handed the other cover of their newest CD and I said, "This is for our friend who has cancer". She said, "What's his name". So I told her and she personalized the autograph. I couldn't believe what a night I had!!! Probably one of the greatest concert experiences ever!! I can't wait until she comes by again. Sorry this is so long everyone, but I just couldn't keep it inside. What a fabulous experience Jonraz! I'm sure you'll cherish those autographs forever. Thanks for sharing your evening with us.  |
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Post by fogcitygal on Jan 21, 2005 2:32:00 GMT -5
From the Knoxville News:
Krauss gives Tennessee Theatre proper christening
By WAYNE BLEDSOE, bledsoe@knews.com
January 21, 2005
The opening concert at the Tennessee Theatre on Thursday night was a joy both for the music and to be sitting in the restored and renovated Tennessee.
Alison Krauss and Union Station were an excellent choice to break in the theater for concerts. The Tennessee's actual first post-renovation show was a multi-performer gala held last week.
Thursday's show (as well as tonight's) sold out within hours of going on sale. Most of those tickets undoubtedly went to fans who had seen Krauss and the band before.
It's impossible to review the show without reviewing the Tennessee Theatre as well. What was once one of the city's dusty treasures is now a sparkling jewel. It's the sort of thing you show off to friends from out of town and feel true pride in having as part of your city and heritage. It's filled with memories, but none so vivid and bright as the theater in its present form.
And, if Krauss' show is a good indicator, the theater's acoustics are now terrific - even sounding good in and under the balcony.
Still, the overall quality of Krauss and Union Station will be hard to beat. While the act can still pump out some fine bluegrass, Krauss and company are not so much a bluegrass band as something that deserves its own category.
With guitarist Dan Tyminski and banjoist/guitarist Ron Block sharing vocals with Krauss, Jerry Douglas being the most innovative virtuoso to master the dobro and Barry Bales being one of the most rock-solid and dependable bassists in acoustic music (along with longtime ace Larry Atamanuik on drums), Union Station is nearly an embarrassment of talent.
Yet, rather than ever vying for top position, each band member works as part of a team - occasionally stepping out for a spotlighted role. On Thursday, Douglas' solo number was a knockout, and Tyminski's delivery of his "O Brother Where Art Thou?" track "Man of Constant Sorrow" couldn't help but be one of the highlights.
Krauss' voice has never wavered. It is pure, sweet and delicate, but sturdy and reliable at the same time. Age has actually improved her voice giving it a deeper resonance.
And, despite Krauss' love of hopelessly sad and serious songs, she is like a charmingly goofy kid sister with her between-song patter. Thursday (sometimes to excess) she fixated on Spanish names and a Spanish accent, Bales' hometown (Kingsport) and odd movies.
Krauss and company loaded the first half of the set with recent material, including several songs from the new album "Lonely Runs Both Ways," and saved the strongest songs, including the great remake of "Baby, Now That I Found You," for the latter half of the show. But the most riveting numbers were the encores "You Will Be My Ain True Love" (from the movie "Cold Mountain"), "River to Pray" (from "O Brother") and Block's hymn "A Living Prayer." The blending of voices into one or two microphones was absolutely gorgeous and was a wonderful demonstration of how good the performers and the Tennessee Theatre could sound together.
Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444.
Copyright 2005, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Click for permission to reprint
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Post by tom37211 on Jan 24, 2005 3:29:43 GMT -5
Thanks Foggy so very much for finding that review and sharing it. (Personally, I can't wait to read your personal review of the West Coast leg. ) During the typical 2 hour and 20 minute show that AKUS does, probably a good 20 minutes are of Alison just talking about what ever. As a semi frequent flyer to their shows, some of the commentary is a bit redundant from show to show. But it also seems that she does throw in anecdotes as they come to her mind at the particular venue she is performing in. While she is in no way a polished, stand up comedian, her off-the-cuff observations and obviously unrehearsed comments may seem drawn out at times, and a bit uncomfortable, but they absolutely come across as honest observations from a clearly humble person. There are 2 schools of thought about this. Her and her band could get up on stage and perform lights out for a solid 2 hours. Or she can do what she does and extend the show, regardless of the impact on the overall performance. For me, the attempt at making a connection with the audience more than makes up for an occasional appearance of a lack of polish to the act over all. It makes her look real. It makes her look human. It makes her look like an average, everyday person. To me, I wish to see her in no other light. An average, everyday person with an extraordinarily gifted voice. But a "real" person none the less. To put it another way, I have seen her at least 10 times now. Never once have I ever heard anyone boo her. Some reviewers may not like what she does, but her appeal to her fans is doing exactly what she does. When the typical fan goes to her show, they will listen in rapturous delight to her voice and to the music, and they will also honestly appreciate and enjoy what ever else she may say. (To excess or not!) I count myself as one among them who do. Tom |
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Post by Doug on Jan 24, 2005 12:23:39 GMT -5
Here is the play list from last Saturday's (Jan 22) concert in Columbia, SC
I think that it is accurate. Like everyone else, you get so involved at the concert and its dark so its difficult to write notes and then figure our after what all those notes meant.
Restless
This Sad Song
Unionhouse Branch
Wouldn’t Be So Bad
Goodby is All We Have
Rain Please Go Away
Every Time You Say Goodbye
Bright Sunny South
Carroll County Blues
It Don’t Matter Now
Forget About It
Gravity
In the Morning Light (Ron Block)
Oliviatown (Jerry Douglas for his daughter Olivia)
Little Row Row (Jerry Douglas)
Pastures of Plenty
Poor Old Heart
Man of Constant Sorrow
Dark Skies
We Hide and Seek
Doesn’t Have to Be This Way
Lucky One
Baby, Now That I’ve Found You
When You Say Nothing At All
If I Didn’t Know Any Better
Oh Atlanta
Encore:
My Ain True Love
Down To The River to Pray
A Living Prayer
By my count the were 3 LRBW songs not in the concert:
Borderline
Doesn’t Have to Be This Way
Crazy As Me
It was a sell out with 3200 people attending and I don't think anyone went home dissappointed. The theater was old and I am suprised they don't look for a nicer venue. They had the new t shirts out. The area they were being sold in was small and hard to get to to see them close up, but they are black with it looks like a listing of the songs on the album on the back, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I was more concerned with finding my seat rather than fighting my way up to see the t-shirts.
Alison was her amusing self, like always adding to the enjoyment of the concert.
Doug
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jakub
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by jakub on Jan 24, 2005 14:12:20 GMT -5
I went to the Knoxville concert on Friday night and got a t-shirt. They weren't that great, but I still had to get one!! They were black with white lettering. On the front on the left chest, it said AKUS with Alison Krauss and Union Station underneath it. On the back, it said Lonely Runs Both Ways, Alison Krauss and Union Station underneath that, then 2005 Winter Tour underneath, then it had the cities of the tour---Evansville, IN thru Mobile, AL. Jen  |
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Post by Doug on Mar 3, 2005 11:11:31 GMT -5
Here's a review of the St Louis concert Tuesday from www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/reviews.nsf/concert/story/0A67CA6DC57B7BE686256FB8005F4DD6?OpenDocumentIt has some interesting comments regarding Alison's usual sense of humor: Alison Krauss and Union Station By Barry Gilbert Of the Post-Dispatch 03/03/2005 For nearly 2 1/2 hours on Tuesday night, a midweek crowd at the Fox Theatre was charmed by Alison Krauss and Union Station's bluegrass, country and comedy revue. The angel-voiced Krauss, a marvelous fiddle player who has been recording for nearly 20 years and is only 33 years old, and her immensely talented band long ago burst the boundaries of bluegrass and traditional acoustic music. If their songs on the country charts hadn't lifted them above the radar, their contributions to the soundtracks to "O Brother! Where Art Thou" and "Cold Mountain" certainly did. Krauss opened with "Restless," a track from her fine new CD, "Lonely Runs Both Ways," most of which was performed during the show. If anyone doubted that this is a real band, guitarist and mandolinist Dan Tyminski sang lead on the next song and several others, as did guitarist and banjo player Ron Block, the band's strongest writer. Bassist Barry Bales and drummer Larry Atamanuik supplied the foundation, and dobro wizard Jerry Douglas, who gets featured billing after seven years in Union Station, dazzled in support of Krauss and during a midshow solo set, undaunted by a broken string. Douglas and his bandmates play in service of the songs. And even at their showiest, they are never simply showing off. Krauss, her hair swept up and wearing a filmy tunic atop blue jeans, paid tribute to the venerable Fox, "the most amazing theater we've ever seen." "How did they decide on an elephant?" she asked. "Why not a pterodactyl?" Krauss' sense of humor, as dry as her voice is cool, kept things ambling along between songs as players tuned up or grabbed a drink. Seeming to sense a certain antsiness in the audience, she told of her mother asking why the stage went "so dark" between numbers. "Well," Krauss answered, "so we can scratch." But that's not important, as Krauss said after a long, funny account of her recent battle with the flu and enforced TV watching; it's the music that matters. New songs ranged from "Goodbye Is All We Have" to the striking "Gravity," one of several written by R.L. Castleman. "Lonely Runs Both Ways" also includes Woody Guthrie's "Pastures of Plenty." That song, as timely now as when it was written in the '40s, brought an "Amen" from at least one concertgoer after the lines "my land I'll defend with my life if need be/'Cause my pastures of plenty must always be free." Krauss favorites included "Forget About It," "When You Say Nothing At All," "Lucky One," "Now That I've Found You" and Bad Company's great "Oh, Atlanta," on which Krauss practically scats. God bless a woman who can make "Georgia" a four-syllable word. Perhaps it was the venue - the Fox practically demands decorum - or the weather - was everyone cold and wearing gloves? - but the audience seemed to have a hard time warming up. Tyminski's "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow" - he was George Clooney's singing voice in "O Brother" - changed all that and led into a breathtaking three-song encore. The largely a cappella finale began with Krauss and Tyminski delivering a pitch- and time-perfect version of "You Will be My Ain True Love" from "Cold Mountain." That was followed by "O Brother's" "Down to the River to Pray," featuring the gorgeous backing harmonies of Tyminski, Block and, especially, Bales on the rock-bottom bass part. A night of spirited music ended with Krauss and band on Block's spiritual "A Living Prayer." ....... I had forgotten, but quickly remembered after reading the second to last paragraph, about how amazing the harmony of "Down to the River to Pray" is in actual performance and how beautifully Barry's bass part came through. I listened afterwards to the "LIVE" recording of that song and concluded that the recording comes no where close to duplicating how the song sounds in real life even with all the professional mixing and tricks they play to make a recording sound perfect. Barry doesn't do much singing usually and is pretty much known for just playing the bass, but I would guess he is a very talented singer in his own. Doug |
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Post by Kimberly on Mar 3, 2005 13:42:35 GMT -5
I found that review online last night and read it... it's hilarious when AK explained why the stage gets so dark! LOL!
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)
. It was just amazing. I'm going to attempt to remember all of the songs they did. So, here it goes in no particular order.
