Alison Krauss & Union Station

Live

Possibly the best live album ever

Review Score:

(10/10)
I never really followed AKUS, although I'm a fan of bluegrass, and just bought this album because it looked like a good introduction. After listening to it once, I was blown away. Once I was able to tear myself away from hearing "Baby, Now That I've Found You" I went out and bought all the original AKUS albums I could find.

Every single track on this album is better than the original version. The band is on fire. Krauss' vocals are breathtaking. You can hear the crowd is having a great time, but they get out of the way and let you hear the songs. It's the best of both worlds -- an outstanding "Greatest Hits" album for the band as well as the feeling of being at one of their concerts. And it avoids the cold, somber, somewhat over-produced and awkward feeling of the band's studio albums.

I can't imagine anyone hearing the versions of "Choctaw Hayride," or "Oh Atlanta," or "Maybe," or "Take Me For Longing," or "We Hide And Seek," on this album and not becoming an instant fan of this band. Plus, the beautiful "Baby, Now That I've Found You," and of course "Man of Constant Sorrow" and "Down to the River to Pray" from the O Brother soundtrack are included too.

And if you become as big a fan of this record as I have, check out the Live DVD, which gives you the whole concert as well as interviews with Krauss & the rest of the band. It's really light-hearted and gives you the feeling that no matter how hopeless and depressing the themes of the songs are, the band's just out there to have fun.

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