Review of Sierra Hull's Ron Block produced album

[eyesoflove]

Bob_Cherry wrote: on Feb. 21, 2008:
Every once and a while, a bluegrass prodigy comes along that just stands above the rest. Ricky Skaggs was one. Alison Krauss was another. We've watched as Chris Thile perfected his music. These are the young artists that keep the music alive for at least another generation. Their music is just a notch above the norm - sometimes many notches. Such is the case with 16-year old Sierra Hull who, along with Union Station's Ron Block, have produced Secrets on Rounder Records. I've been listening to the music on this debut release for a couple of days now and, well, it is sincerely amazing.


Sierra is getting a big boost from Alison Krauss and her band, Union Station. Most of the musicians on the album are Union Station members. Ron Block even co-produced the album. But, the artists on the album are not limited to just Union Station. You'll also find Tony Rice, Stuart Duncan, Jim VanCleve, Rob Ickes, Chris Jones, Jason Moore and 17-year old banjoist Cory Walker who, by the way, is also in Hull's own Highway 111 band. With all this outstanding talent, you would expect an outstanding album. It's no secret that this group of artists are some of the best.

One thing that young artists seem to lack is mature vocals. This young lady is beyond her years in vocal quality. It's smooth, on target, emotional and strong. Once again, this album surprised me. I haven't heard vocal maturity from a younger artist since early Alison Krauss when she was also 16 years old. Again, the secret is out. This young lady can sing and sing well!

OK, lets pick the album apart a bit more. Instrumentation. Bluegrass is an art form that doesn't leave any room for inexperience in a quality release. If you want to leave your mark and mark it well, your playing has to be alive, perfectly timed and carry some soul throughout an entire piece. Hull's mandolin work does just that. It too is right on target. Smooth, articulate and bright. It's no secret either since, Hull has been playing for many years already. Five years ago, on her Grand Ole Opry debut, she performed mandolin with Alison Krauss and Union Station! (see video below.) No secret there. Here's another little secret...She plays guitar too and some of her guitar playing is also featured on this album.

So are there any other surprises with this album? Many. Most debut albums give you the stock 10 tracks to show off what an artist can do. Not here. This album features 13 wonderful tracks of instrumentation, vocals, harmonies, and some Hull original songwriting all wrapped up in a most amazing collection. We will all be hearing a lot more of her songs and her playing in the future. This young lady has talent and a lot of it too! The song "Hullarious" was written by Hull and "Two Winding Rails" was written by Stacy and Sierra Hull.

So, what about the music? It's wonderful. If you didn't know Sierra was only 16, you certainly would not guess it by the maturity and sincerity of the sound of this album. Hull's presentation has soul and emotion. The range is strong anywhere she puts her voice. The music is tight and bright. The selection of music is broad with a great appeal range. Her production of this album is top-notch. Professional all the way!

While the album doesn't officially come out until early May, keep your ears tuned to the radio. This is one secret that is going to get out early. People will talk about this new artist and her latest release, Secrets

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I'm anxious to hear this CD, especially after reading what this critic says about her vocal. While I'm a fan of Sierrra's and in absolute AWE of her mando and guitar work, I've always felt like her vocal was just kind of good enough to get her by.

[fogcitygal]

I'm a fan of Sierra's too and very curious about the CD. While I know Sierra to be an incredibly talented musician, I don't think of her as a singer. Where did you find the review? Do you know anything about the reviewer? Hopefully we'll be able to sample some of this music before it's May release.

[eyesoflove]

Sierra posted the review as a blog on her My Space profile. She credits the review as being taken from cybergrass.com, so I would assume that the writer is affiliated with that.

I'm definitely with you on the opinion of her being a phenomenally talented musician, but not really identifying with her as a singer. But I've never heard a recorded vocal performance of hers...meaning, every time I've heard her sing, it was from video taken live. Some people record better than they sound live for various reasons. It seems to me that much of what hurts her live vocal performance is just good old fashioned nerves. But even so, I've just always felt like, even at her best, she would still only be a mediocre singer. Of course, I also have to remind myself that she's just a kid and even video footage from as early as a few months ago may not reflect how she may have been able to improve from then to now, especially if she's been working with folks to guide her along the way. Her tone, in my opinion and based on what I've heard, has never struck me as particularly pleasing, though. Things like control can definitely be worked on and learning to control her breath more would impact her tone (which is what I've always felt like was weak in her vocal...her tone isn't particularly pleasing, IMO), so all in all, I'm anxious to hear it. It's not uncommon for bluegrassers to not be judged as harshly on vocal because...honestly...there aren't *that* many stellar singers out there. Bluegrass artists tend to shine most in their musicianship and focus less on cultivating a good vocal. Naturally that's not true of the more successful bluegrass groups, but if you follow bluegrass in general, you quickly learn that lead vocals just aren't a huge priority.

Anyway, none of that is to take away from Sierra's God-given talent as she is truly someone to admire with her guitar and mando work.

[tal]

What she says!

[fogcitygal]

Tal said:

What she says!

foggy asks: Huh?

[tal]

Meaning I fully agree with Eyesoflove's comment

[fogcitygal]

Thanks for the clarification Tal.

[Kimberly]

I agree that bluegrass is more about the instrumentation and less about vocals. That's why when you get someone (like Alison!) who can do both, it's literally amazing.