Post by Doug on Jan 20, 2006 8:09:03 GMT -5
I scanned this article and missed the big information near the end. Looks like the plans are for new albums for the band and individually for Ron sometime in 2007. That's some time away, but gives us something to look forward to. See: www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/entertainment/music/13655665.htm?source=rss&channel=ledgerenquirer_music
Perfect Union
Banjo player Ron Block says Krauss and Co. like to put their own spin on bluegrass
BY BRAD BARNES
Staff Writer
With deep pools for eyes, an impish smile and hair that alternates between devil-may-care and devil-made-me-do-it, there's no denying Alison Krauss is a star.
Dan Tyminski, the guitarist in her band Union Station, made a name for himself as singer on the Soggy Bottom Boys' hit "Man of Constant Sorrow" from the soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
And Jerry Douglas, who comes with Krauss' tour to the Columbus Civic Center tonight, is such a fine dobro player that his name is usually on the marquee, just under hers.
So you'll be forgiven for not knowing the name of the banjo player on the stage. He's standing off to the side -- an unobtrusive fellow who doesn't have any flashy showmanship but does have a Ron Howard hairstyle. His plucking is a big part of the Union Station sound.
Ron Block's his name, and he's OK with not being a star.
"My musical philosophy is to do what supports the band. Of necessity, that's going to put me behind the scenes," Block says. "If certain aspects of my psyche don't like that, that's just my problem, you know what I mean?"
He's also one of the biggest fans of bluegrass music -- what we'd call traditional bluegrass music: Flatt & Scruggs, J.D. Crowe & the New South, The Osborne Brothers.
But he doesn't really call it traditional bluegrass.
"Through the years, if you look at all the bands that have been lauded, all those what are now considered classic bluegrass bands were doing something different," Block says. "Every tradition is really an innovation. Bam! There's this incredible new thing.
"And then come the traditionalists who want to do everything exactly like those people."
In case you haven't been listening to Krauss and Co.'s music over the course of the last 20 years (and 17 Grammys), she and her band aren't interested in doing anything exactly like anyone else.
Their latest CD, "Lonely Runs Both Ways," covers the gamut, from good-time pop-country songs to old-timey sounding cuts.
Such varied repertoire gives the band a chance to mix things up on stage.
"I love going between those styles," Block says. "It really helps the pace of the show.
"If you ever saw Flatt & Scruggs in concert, there were times when Earl (Scruggs) would put down the banjo and pick up the guitar. It was a good break," Block says. "And when he'd switch back to banjo, it would hit you again -- how good he was at that."
After this round of touring, their bus is pulling into the station for a bit.
Early next year, Krauss and the band will sidle back up to the studio to record a new record.
Meanwhile, Block is going to record his second solo album. He's a songwriter, penning spiritually themed tunes for himself, for Krauss and for other artists, including Michael W. Smith.
The 34-year-old Krauss seems to have a knack with his songs.
"When Alison does them, I think it's amazing. Then I never want to sing them again," he says.
"It's like, why bother
Perfect Union
Banjo player Ron Block says Krauss and Co. like to put their own spin on bluegrass
BY BRAD BARNES
Staff Writer
With deep pools for eyes, an impish smile and hair that alternates between devil-may-care and devil-made-me-do-it, there's no denying Alison Krauss is a star.
Dan Tyminski, the guitarist in her band Union Station, made a name for himself as singer on the Soggy Bottom Boys' hit "Man of Constant Sorrow" from the soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
And Jerry Douglas, who comes with Krauss' tour to the Columbus Civic Center tonight, is such a fine dobro player that his name is usually on the marquee, just under hers.
So you'll be forgiven for not knowing the name of the banjo player on the stage. He's standing off to the side -- an unobtrusive fellow who doesn't have any flashy showmanship but does have a Ron Howard hairstyle. His plucking is a big part of the Union Station sound.
Ron Block's his name, and he's OK with not being a star.
"My musical philosophy is to do what supports the band. Of necessity, that's going to put me behind the scenes," Block says. "If certain aspects of my psyche don't like that, that's just my problem, you know what I mean?"
He's also one of the biggest fans of bluegrass music -- what we'd call traditional bluegrass music: Flatt & Scruggs, J.D. Crowe & the New South, The Osborne Brothers.
But he doesn't really call it traditional bluegrass.
"Through the years, if you look at all the bands that have been lauded, all those what are now considered classic bluegrass bands were doing something different," Block says. "Every tradition is really an innovation. Bam! There's this incredible new thing.
"And then come the traditionalists who want to do everything exactly like those people."
In case you haven't been listening to Krauss and Co.'s music over the course of the last 20 years (and 17 Grammys), she and her band aren't interested in doing anything exactly like anyone else.
Their latest CD, "Lonely Runs Both Ways," covers the gamut, from good-time pop-country songs to old-timey sounding cuts.
Such varied repertoire gives the band a chance to mix things up on stage.
"I love going between those styles," Block says. "It really helps the pace of the show.
"If you ever saw Flatt & Scruggs in concert, there were times when Earl (Scruggs) would put down the banjo and pick up the guitar. It was a good break," Block says. "And when he'd switch back to banjo, it would hit you again -- how good he was at that."
After this round of touring, their bus is pulling into the station for a bit.
Early next year, Krauss and the band will sidle back up to the studio to record a new record.
Meanwhile, Block is going to record his second solo album. He's a songwriter, penning spiritually themed tunes for himself, for Krauss and for other artists, including Michael W. Smith.
The 34-year-old Krauss seems to have a knack with his songs.
"When Alison does them, I think it's amazing. Then I never want to sing them again," he says.
"It's like, why bother