An Eclectic Collection from Alison's Storied Career

Original Release Date: April 3, 2007
Genre: Various
Label: Rounder /UMGD Records
Number of Discs: (1)

A lithe voice; that is the trademark of Alison Krauss, the face of this country’s Blue Grass genre of music. But with that voice and the blonde locks comes an undeniable charm and genuine cadence that is hard to resist; hence her success, mostly with her band Union Station. But in 1999 Alison once again released an album with just her name on the header the self produced Forget About It, her fourth solo effort. And that was her last until she released the much anticipated A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection, earlier this year, which I eagerly snapped up virtual sound unheard as it were. And while no one song stands up and begs to be noticed, the CD is well worth the wait and expense.

A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection, which contains a total of 16 tracks, is not your usual release. The CD contains a scarcity of new tracks, nor is it a "Greatest Hits" compilation. The album is instead a collection of tracks that highlight Ms. Krauss's prolific musical career outside of the traditional halls of pure Bluegrass and separate from her releases with longtime bluegrass band Union Station, though some of their musical handiwork is featured throughout the album.

A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection features Krauss's notable collaboration with folk singer James Taylor on track No. 9 How’s the World Treating You, and with C&W star Brad Paisley on track No. 11 Whiskey Lullaby a 2003 hit. And finally two collaborations with the indefinable John Waite; on the single Missing You (track No. 15) as well as Lay Down Beside Me (track No. 16).

Here too are Ms. Krauss's contributions to numerous film soundtracks, including the Oscar-nominated songs from the motion picture Cold Mountain: The Scarlet Tide (track No. 10) and You Will Be My Ain True Love (track No. 12). From the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? She sings a cappella version of Down to the River to Pray (track No. 6) that is quite compelling. And finally there is there the touching I Give You To His Heart (track No. 13) from Disney’s 1998 movie The Prince Of Egypt.

A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection does feature five new Alison Krauss produced songs: track No. 1 You're Just a Country Boy, track No. 2 Simple Love, track No. 3 Jacob's Dream, track No. 4 Away Down the River, and the aforementioned previously unreleased duet with Tom Waite Lay Down Beside Me, track No. 16.

Though the songs contained on this CD are an eclectic blend, there is a common thread running throughout that binds them together: the abiding notes of bluegrass that touches each. And then there is Ms. Krauss’s voice, though slight and lacking in range, always seems to rise above the musical chatter, so to speak. For the most part the duets with various artists turned out surprisingly well considering Ms. Krauss’s (limited) vocal range. She and James Taylor make a good musical fit, while her voice does get lost within Brad Paisley’s deep tenor in places in their duet. The duet(s) with John Waite are also a good fit and their rendition of Missing You is heretofore the only release from this CD thus far…

Track Listing

1. You’re Just a Country Boy
2. Simple Love
3. Jacob’s Dream
4. Away Down the River
5. Sawing on the Strings
6. Down By The Rive to Pray
7. Baby Mine
8. Molly Ban
9. How's the World Treating You (Duet with James Taylor)
10. The Scarlet Tide
11. Whiskey Lullaby (duet with Brad Paisley)
12. You Will Be My Ain True Love
13. I Give You to His Heart
14. Get Me Through December
15. Missing You (duet with John Waite)
16. Lay Down Beside Me (previously unreleased duet with John Waite)