Songs with Alison Krauss

[tom37211]

This discussion was started at the CMT site. I thought I would carry it over here as this is now the only true AKUS Forum. ;D

This thread is to create "The" gold standard list that has everything ever recorded by our girl.

Foggy and I posted a bunch of stuff on the CMT site that she has recorded. I am in the process of putting all of that info into some kind of order and I will post it soon. (I pray you don't mind Foggy)

Tom

[tom37211]

This is a list of songs with Alison Krauss that are off the beaten path. Songs that are not on AKUS, Cox Family, Oh Bro etc. CDs. I also excluded songs like “WL” and How’s The World Treating You”, because everyone should be at least familiar with them. This post is merely my opinion on what I think are quality Alison Krauss songs that are under the main stream radar. Perhaps you will find a couple of hidden gems that will make you at least as happy I was when I first enjoyed them.

The following songs at least feature Alison Krauss’s voice prominently. I don’t know about the rest of you, but it was kind of challenging to try to figure out if one little snippet of a back ground harmony was her. A bit of a chore actually. With a few exceptions, the songs I included either has just her singing, her singing with others doing backup or her in a duet type composition. Hope this helps.

1 - AKUS
Tribute to tradition
“The Three Bells”
(AK with backup)
An incredible performance of this song. This is a cover of the song released by The Browns in 1959. It is all Alison and could easily have blended seamlessly into any AKUS release. I have no idea why this is not part of any of their performance set lists. This one of the absolute best side projects she has done and I would highly recommend purchasing this CD just for this song. It was well worth the investment in my opinion.

2 - Alison Krauss
Crossing Jordan (TV show Soundtrack)
“Can’t Find My Way Home”
(Just AK)
Yes, this is a cover of Steve Winwood’s original song from his Traffic days. I always enjoyed the original, but with Alison singing it, it sounds like it was written for her. A very soulful rendition. Another I would recommend purchasing just for one song.

3 - AKUS
The Songs Of Jimmy Rodgers A Tribute
“Any Old Time”
(Just AK)
This is another beautiful performance by our girl. Her voice is just so clear. Upbeat tempo. Almost, (but not quite) a belt-it-out performance like “Oh Atlanta.”

4 - Yo-Yo Ma
Classic Yo Yo
“Simple Gifts”
(Just AK)
Yo-Yo Ma’s cello performance is mesmerizing and forlorn. Coupled with Alison’s voice, it is sheer beauty. The tempo of this song reminds me somewhat of “You Will Be My Ain True Love” I am happy I purchased this CD.

5 - Yo-Yo Ma
Appalachian Journey
“Slumber My Darling”
(Just AK)
Another beautiful harmony between the cello and the voice. It is a lullaby song. It is soothing and gentle. A perfect example of how special her voice is. Another purchase I have not regretted.

6 - Cheryl Wheeler
Driving Home
“Don’t Forget The Guns”
(Backup Harmony)
Alison Krause has the harmony and is not featured prominently. But she is in a lot of this song and it is very distinctive. It also happens to be a really good, funny song.

7 - Alison Krauss
Just Because I’m A Woman: The Songs Of Dolly Parton
“9 To 5”
(AK with backup)
An interesting cover of this song. A bit of a lower tempo than the original. Still, our girl can sing it.

8 - The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 3
“Catfish John”
(AK with Back up)
A great song. It has a down home, folksy/country tune. Appears to have some great violin work as well.

9 - Gary Chapman.
This Gift.
“Part Of Heaven”.
(Duet).
A wonderful duet with a fine singer I honestly never heard before. A mellow, gospel song. Very soothing.

10 - Tony Trischka.
World Turning.
“World Turning”.
(Duet).
A toe tapping, banjo picking, high tempo song. A nice bluegrass song. Great vocals as usual.

11 - AK and Tony Furtado.
Bluegrass Goes To Town.
“I Will”.
(AK with backup).
A very pretty, mellow song. Crystal clear vocals. A love song. A good, slow dance, wedding song.

12 - Tommy Shaw.
The Seven Deadly Zens.
“Half A Mind”.
(Duet).
Sultry voiced Alison is involved in an interesting pairing with Tommy Shaw, formerly of Styx. An OK pop song. Still, It’s our girl.

13 - Phish.
Hoist.
“If I Could”.
(Backup vocals).
Alison seems to almost whisper her way into this song. But it is really her. This is likely the first time I noticed her distinctive voice. (I am a Phish fan from way back) While this is not her greatest song, and really should not be on this list, oh well. It’s my list. LOL I just love the fact that she recorded with Phish and it’s a great song as well.

14 - Lyle Lovett.
Live (Don’t know which CD. Boot leg perhaps?).
“Bury Me Beneath The Weeping Willow”.
(Duet).
I think this might be a boot leg of a concert performance. I can’t find it on any release. (Who didn’t have Napster before the lawsuit happy recording industry covered all the internet down loading world in darkness?) Regardless, it is a beautiful song and worth the effort in trying to find it. Very soulful and peaceful.

15 - Natalie MacMaster.
In My Hands.
“Get Me Through December”.
(Just AK).
This is truly an incredible song. One of her masterpieces. Pure beauty from start to finish. I purchased this CD without knowing about this song. It is now one of my all time favorites. It is mellow, flowing and her voice is flawless. The violin only enhances this piece.

16 - Alison Krauss.
Bluegrass class of 1990.
“Foolish Heart”.
(AK with backup).
This is one of her earliest recordings and it is wonderful. Her voice sounds so young and pure. (Her voice has matured like fine wine hasn’t it?) Great fiddle playing. An excellent bluegrass song

17 - Alison Krauss.
Country Goes Raffi.
“Blessed Be”.
(AK with backup).
A beautiful, mellow, calming song. It is a lullaby that celebrates the arrival of a child into a family. This song is a ‘must get’ as far as I am concerned.

18 - Alison Krauss.
The Best Of Country Sings The Best Of Disney.
“Baby Mine”.
(All AK).
Yet another charming, relaxing, soothing lullaby. Another song to put on the list.

19 - Ralph Stanley.
Saturday Night & Sunday Morning.
“Heaven’s Bright Shore”.
(Back up vocals and harmony).
If you love bluegrass, you have to love Ralph Stanley. His soulful, folksy voice is almost mesmerizing. Alison’s voice is quite prominent. Her delightful tenor give so much body and spirit to this mellow, gospel track.

20 - Ron Block.
Far Away land.
(Nearly all the songs.).
There is no single on this CD that is all Alison Krauss. However, her presence is very obvious throughout nearly the entire recording. If you like a nice blend of Christian and bluegrass music, it is a darn good CD.

That’s all I have to offer for now. Have fun with it.

Take care and have a GREAT DAY all!!!

Tom

[Atlanta Fan]

I'd like to pick up a few of these. Can you put these in some sort of order? What 2-3 should I consider first?
Thanks,
AF

[Natalie]

Alison is on a lot of Rhonda Vincent's older CDs... Rhonda and Alison have worked together for years.

Timeless & True Love [1991]
- Articifial Tears
- Lucinda

Trouble Free [1996]
- Somebody

One Step Ahead [2003]
- One Step Ahead Of The Blues

Those are just off the top of my head... you can buy them off Rhonda's website [www.rhondavincent.com] and "Trouble Free" [which is out of print] on Amazon. Rhonda has a magnificent voice and is a real sweet gal, I can highly recommend all of those CDs. ;D

[Iloveakus]

I've heard almost everyone of those songs!!


3 - AKUS
The Songs Of Jimmy Rodgers A Tribute
“Any Old Time" <<< I LOOOOOOVE this song!!! One of my favorites!

14 - Lyle Lovett.
Live (Don’t know which CD. Boot leg perhaps?).
“Bury Me Beneath The Weeping Willow”.
(Duet). <<< I also have this and I think someone recorded it at a concert but its AWESOME!

Its always nice to hear Alison with other people. She's done backup for Dolly alot too.

[Natalie]

Don't even want to START listing all the times she's worked with Dolly...

LOL, I love "Angel From Montgomery" that she performed with Dolly and Bonnie Rait on "Women Of Rock". That has to be one of my favorite songs of ALL TIME.

[Iloveakus]

"Angel From Montgomery" is very nice

[prinpowr]

I was glad to see "Baby Mine" on the list -- such a beautiful rendition. I have a couple songs I would add:

"This Time The Dream's On Me" from the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil soundtrack

"Moments Like This" from the Twister soundtrack

Great topic!
Brittany

[fiddler494]

Here is an updated report on an AKUS discography of well known projects completed at Rounder Records.

I have listed the UPC - and there are two missing UPC codes. If someone has the missing UPC due to the album being in their collection, let me know by email with the respective info and I'll update the database.

This is not all inclusive. But the more info I have, I'll update in the same format if anyone can provide the information in the format as shown in this copy of the PDF file on my web site

www.netshare400.com/~GMILLER/AKUSDSC.pdf

It is also accessible from

www.netshare400.com/~GMILLER/akus.html

[fiddler494]

And if you want a set list that won't use up all the color ink in your inkjet printer ...

The Great High Mountain Tour Set List at:

www.netshare400.com/~GMILLER/GHMTSET.pdf

[Natalie]

Oooh, that is great.

Thanks you!

[fogcitygal]

I came across another album that features Alison that somehow fell through the cracks. It's Dar William's 2003 CD "The Beauty of Rain" featuring guest performers Alison Krauss, Bella Fleck, John Popper and Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band).

[Marnie]

I have alway's really enjoyed the music Alison has done for different soundtrack's...Midnight in the graden of good and evil was mentioned...I think she did "What'll I do" for the Mona Lisa soundtrack this past year. And her voice in the Cold Mountain movie is huanting...very touching for the places she is heard in this film.

An Absolute Talent!