Alison Krauss – Now That I’ve Found You – A Collection
This bluegrass/country LP, originally released in 1995, is a retrospective of early songs. The LP went platinum/silver & gold, so I guess it was a success. Maybe we should keep an eye on this Illinois-native Alison Krauss (vocals/fiddle/viola). She might become a star someday. (If they only knew).
There are 12 tunes to the reissue of Now That I’ve Found You – A Collection (Drops July 25/Rounder/Craft Records/Concord). 3 were previously unissued & the balance pulled from Alison’s solo LPs with Union Station.
Her first album was released in 1987 when she was 16 & her first with Union Station in 1989. Since then, Alison has released 14 albums & won multiple nominations & wins at the Grammy Awards.
Previously unreleased songs were a 1994 cover of the Foundations ’67 hit “Baby Now That I’ve Found You.” Then “Oh, Atlanta,” & “Broadway.” I was surprised at Alison covering the old pop hit, but it was a likely pairing. Her version is so charming & subtle. It proved how wonderful a song can be as a chameleon. From a soulful pop hit to a bluegrass classic.
What made Alison unique was her vocal authenticity. She knew what she had to do to conjure ears. How to pull those little ear lobes her way. The lead singer, Suzanne Cox of the Cox Family, has that charm, too. I heard it when I saw her perform during “Down From the Mountain” – the documentary/soundtrack to the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Alison miraculously took a genre-specific music – bluegrass & gospel. She made it her own by allowing it to safely cruise into mainstream. Even if she didn’t write every song, she knew what ingredients to add. She does it with “Every Time You Say Goodbye & The Beatles’ “I Will.” It’s not country music; it’s bluegrass with dark chocolate syrup poured over it. Not to sweeten it, but to allow it to taste so delicious. Bill Monroe would be proud.
Alison Krauss’ diaphanous beauty can be heard in her vocals & her playing – close your eyes & listen. Listen & delightfully shiver with emotion to “When You Say Nothing At All.”
You won’t need any reviews. Not even mine.
Highlights – “Baby Now That I’ve Found You,” “Every Time You Say Goodbye,” “Tonight I’ll be Lonely Too,” “Sleep On,” “When God Dips His Pen of Love In My Heart,” (with The Cox Family), “I Will,” I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby,” In the Palm of Your Hand,” & “When You Say Nothing At All.”
Musicians – Ron Block (vocals/acoustic & electric guitars/banjo), Barry Bales (bass), Russ Barenberg, Mike Marshall, Scott Nygaard & Tim Stafford (guitars), Dan Tyminski (guitar/mandolin), Jerry Douglas (guitars/dobro), Sam Bush & Brent Truitt (mandolin), Stuart Duncan (fiddle/harmonica/cymbals), Adam Steffey (mandolin/mandola) & Pete Wasner (piano).
Color image courtesy of her Bandcamp site. CD cover image courtesy of High Five Productions 1994 – Photographer William Campbell. CD @ Amazon + Apple & Bandcamp + https://craftrecordings.com/products/now-that-i-ve-found-you-a-collection-limited-edition-vintage-red-lp & https://alisonkrauss.com/
