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Culture April 21, 2017
All your questions, answered!
Who is Alison Krauss? What’s the low down on Alison Krauss’s tour 2017? And why does her name keep popping up next to Robert Plant’s? If you’re not already an Alison Krauss fan, these questions might pop up when you first hear her name. What you should really be asking yourself, though, is: “Why haven’t I heard more about this epic singer?”
If you’re not as big of an Alison Krauss expert as you’d like to be, don’t worry – ENTITY is here to help. Here are five things you need to know about this bluegrass singer!
If you watched the 2009 Grammy Awards, this fact shouldn’t be a surprise. Although Robert Plant had previously won only one Grammy, he ended the night with a total of seven – thanks to his collaboration with Alison Krauss. Krauss’s delicate voice and Plant’s rougher vocals joined to form “Raising Sand.” As of 2016, “Raising Sand” is still the one of the only four country-related LPs to win the Album of the Year Grammy.
The two singers reconnected for another collaboration in 2015. Krauss and Plant sang “Light of Christmas Day” in the Christmas movie, “Love the Coppers.” Talk about one heck of a holiday gift for their fans!
During her 30-year career, Krauss has (so far) won 27 Grammys. If the number doesn’t already impress you, this probably will: she’s won the most Grammys for any women and the second most of all time.
However, Krauss doesn’t see her bluegrass music as just means to an end. “It’s a real lifestyle, it’s a mindset, people who love bluegrass and roots music. I think they’re all drawn and connected to the past in a simpler, sweet way of life,” she told CBS. “It’s always about holding on to where you came from and admiring that and the land, family, God and home. The most beautiful girl always lived next door. It’s a very sweet, strong value system.”
When Krauss released her latest album in February of 2017, fans had waited over six years for new music. Why the long time (her longest, in fact) between albums? “This record took so long to finish because I got burnt out,” says Alison Krauss. “I saw a vocal coach and I asked, ‘Why am I not liking anything I’m hearing?’ And he said, ‘Because you’re too distracted. You’ve got too much stuff on our desk. When you get all this stuff done, then go back and sing.’”
Her album, “Windy City,” seems to be worth the wait, however. The 10 songs feature a mix of familiar and obscure tunes, and plenty of guest singers – from three of her bandmates to Jamey Johnson to Suzanne Cox – make an appearance.
Considering their contrasting singing styles – powerhouse Adele and delicate yet alluring Krauss – you’d be forgiven for thinking that these two singers live in different circles. However, as Adele told fans at several concerts: “I’m obsessed by [Alison Krauss]. She’s so passionate, it just drives me insane.”
The feeling is apparently mutual. “We went to see Adele play, here in Nashville, with my parents and my son,” Krauss tells the Daily Mail. “How special to have been the inspiration for someone like that. It is really humbling.” Apparently “fan-girling” is just as common among celebrities as it is among their fans!
How does Alison Krauss choose the songs that she’ll put her own twist on? She has a couple of stipulations, First, for her latest album, she wanted to avoid songs that fit the tradition or obvious country standards. Second, she likes her songs, well, old. “There’s a certain feeling, a mystery about songs that are older than you, and I love that,” she told the NY Times.
She also lives for contradictions. Sometimes, it’s her own – what some people call “angelic” – voice against that of a rougher male singer. Other times, it’s her skill of hinting at emotions without letting them overwhelm the song. “A lot of times, women, their strength has been judged by their ability to hide emotion,” Krauss points out.
True, Alison Krauss might not be the first female singer who comes to your mind or you constantly hear on the radio. However, she’s been making a name – and a recognizable voice – for herself for over thirty years. And it doesn’t seem like Kraus will be slowing down anytime soon.
