Alison Krauss + Union Station

Russell Moore Joins AKUS

Unless you are bluegrass fan that has been living under a rock the past few years, you well know that Alison Krauss and Union Station have released its first album in 14 years, Arcadia, and will be touring to support to album, the band’s first tour in over 10 years.

Most of the AKUS member are returning to the fold, including Jerry Douglas on dobro, Barry Bales on bass, and Ron Block on banjo along with Krauss. One big piece of the missing puzzle is guitarist/vocalist Dan Tyminski. After having a solo side project for a number of years, Tyminski has decided to bow out and concentrate on The Dan Tyminski Band full time.

So who could replace Tyminski? After all, it was his voice that made the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack so successful with his two unique renditions of the bluegrass classic “Man of Constant Sorrow.” For years afterwards, it was mandatory that AKUS perform that song in concert and on numerous television appearances. The song became a staple with bluegrass jam circles, and helped AKUS gain an even larger following of fans not necessarily into bluegrass music.

When I first found out that AKUS was releasing another album and touring, I saw a photo of the band as it is today, and noticed that the one guy did not look like Tyminski. In fact, he looked a lot more like Russell Moore, the guitarist/vocalist for the bluegrass band IIIrd Tyme Out. Reading the accompanying article, I was correct in my thought.

For anyone who is not familiar with Russell Moore, he has been a stalwart in the bluegrass field for decades. He first came onto the notable scene as a member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. He then formed IIIrd Tyme Out in 1991 with former Quicksilver members Ray Deaton and Mike Hartgrove. Since then, the band has earned seven IBMA Vocal Group of the Year Awards, and Moore has won the IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Award six times. In 2007, as sole remaining original member and long-time head of the band, the name for the group was updated to Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. If you want to know how good this band is, get one of its live albums, Live at the Mac or Back to the Mac.

So with the opportunity to snag just about any great bluegrass guitarist/vocalist in the format, and there are plenty, why would AKUS choose Moore. My response would be, “Why not?”. Moore is an amazing bluegrass singer, who could easily float between baritone and tenor when needed. While he sang lead exclusively with IIIrd Tyme Out, he also is a genius at harmonizing, learned from his work with Doyle Lawson. He has never really showcased his lead guitar abilities with his band, but from seeing him live (I have, four or five times) he can throw in some tasty licks when required. Mot importantly, as both a band leader and sideman, Moore knows exactly what is needed to make the band sound the best that it can be. He is a workhorse when it comes to personal discipline, and every recording he has been on, as well as every live appearance, he gives it his all.

Will Dan Tyminski be missed? Of course, but all bands in every genre at every level experience personnel changes. AKUS made a wise decision to ask Moore to join the fold. They have already mutually agreed that he will be able to continue work with IIIrd Tyme Out as well. The AKUS tour will continue through early autumn, so while it means intensive touring for the next six months, it also means that all of the AKUS members, including Moore, can bet back to solo projects before the year’s end.

I look forward to seeing AKUS in September when it arrives on the Detroit area. I alo look forward to hear how Moore’s soulful voice will fit in with the band. I am sure that it will sound fantastic as usual.

Chew on it and comment.

Alison Krauss Inducted into Bluegrass HOF

The International Bluegrass Music Association has made its announcement for this year’s Hall of Fame induction. The three inductees are definitely worthy. The Stoneman Family should have been inducted years ago, given the fact that they had been playing bluegrass music for years, especially Pops Stoneman. Lynn Morris was at her peak of popularity in bluegrass when health concerns forced her to step away from the stage about a decade or so back.

Then there is Alison Krauss. For some music fans who dabble in bluegrass, she is the first thing that comes to their minds, even before the thought of Bill Monroe or Flatt & Scruggs. She developed a style that put bluegrass music close to soft rock or easy-listening pop. Traditionalists frown upon her sound, but one has to admit, her music was extremely popular, and did bring a lot of interest into bluegrass as a whole.

Alison was a child fiddle prodigy, winning numerous contests before signing with Rounder Records at the age of 17. She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry at 22, and has won 27 Grammy Awards during her career. Her voice is definitely not high lonesome, but that is what attracts many to her. It has carried her into many other music formats, including the award-winning work with legendary rock vocalist Robert Plant and country music star Brad Paisley.

Her band Union Station provides an amazing canvas for her, yet she does not look at them as backup musicians. Members have shared lead vocals with her, and have gone on to great recognition as well. The live shows of AKUS have always been powerful. One of my favorite live albums of all time is the band’s album from 2004. Every song is spot-on! It sounds as fresh today as it did 17 years ago.

Yes, the past 15 years or so has seen very little bluegrass output from Alison. But unlike s many others, she never let bluegrass be a barrier to her. That remarkable voice was meant to sing different genres. It is so recognizable that you can tell it is hers from the first note. Moreover, the role of the female in bluegrass today owes so much to Alison. Not only was her voice different, but she made it possible for a woman to lead a bluegrass band, play an instrument with amazing skill, and be taken seriously. Take a look at a list of today’s bluegrass bands, and one can see that at least 10 percent of them have a lineup that parallels what AKUS has been doing since the 1990s.

Alison’s work changed the face of bluegrass music. Not for better or worse, but for exposure. She helped keep it in the spotlight during her early years as well as was a major part of the success of O Brother, Where Art Thou?, especially her vocal performance of “Down to the River to Pray.” Through it all, she has kept up a humble and warm personality. People love her, and she is very appreciative of that. There is a reason that she received the National Medal of the Arts form President Trump in 2019!

So congratulations, Alison. I am happy for all of the success that you have had, and my one hope is that you put out another straight-ahead bluegrass fiddle album in the future.

Chew on it and comment.