ALISONS ANTIDEPRESSASNTS PART2
Please see my review about the 3LP box set of the live concert for my very positive feedback about the Mobile Fidelity Gain2 system and how it brings out new dimensions in Alison's voice. The same feelings apply here but I also have a couple of criticisms which need mentioning. First I have to fault Mobile Fidelity for choosing this album to bring out along side the live recording. While I agree that this is one of AKUS best albums musically, the fidelity of the original studio recording is VASTLY inferior to her most recent two albums "LONELY RUNS BOTH WAYS"
and especially the most recent "100 MILES or MORE. I don't mean to be too much of an "audiophile snob" (as my girlfriend calls me). It seems to me that the issue of spending $40-65 dollars on these products when the same music can be had on a used disc for 5 dollars (or 50 cents in someones yard sell) is an issue for us audiophile snobs-an issue of format and vinyl vs. digital comparison. The live album is about as good a recording as concert hall recordings get but still nothing like a top notch studio recording. Neither of these LP's show the full potential what this system could really due for Alison's voice which would probably be beyond Hubble telescope range with 100 MILES or MORE-as good a studio recording as it gets. As much as I am cherishing these LP's and consider them worthy of the title of the reviews-I can't help moping a little about that. The problems I mentioned with recording level in the other review are even more severe here. There seems to also be excessive fade between the soft and loud parts of the song on "DEEPER THAN CRYING' one of my favorites-in particular.Maybe they were working out the bugs on this new mastering system.

Just Hits Me Wrong
Alison Krause has the voice of an angel but for some reason this CD has not rang true since I first received it over 8 years ago. I can not put a finger on it but outside of the title track I continually skip through the songs. I got it out last week after listening to New Favorite to give it another try and same results. Most people seem to love it but I just do not care for the album and would never recommend it. I rated it 3 stars and not lower because it is Alison Krause and Union Station otherwise I probably would have rated it 2 stars.

One of the greatest albums
I am a longstanding fan of Irish Traditional Music and so, when I was standing in a Birmingham record store quite a few years back and my ear caught the sound of "Happiness", I immediately asked the assistant the name of the band. I couldn't believe my ears at the clear and clean perfection of the sound. I've known this CD for a number of years and yet it always sounds virtually as fresh as the first time I heard it, very unusual for music which can be easily remembered - at least for me!

One of the clever things about this CD is the way the softer songs are interspersed with the more boisterous numbers. The first song `So Long So wrong' is a kind of compromise, but the lively songs, complete with Ron Block's fast banjo picking and (mostly) Adam Steffey's mandolin, are `No Place to Hide' (Adam Steffey vocals), `The Road Is a Lover', `I'll Remember You Love in My Prayers' and `Blue Trail of Sorrow' (Dan Tyminski vocals), Little Liza Jane (a short speed-record breaking instrumental), and `Pain of a Troubled Life' (Ron Block vocals). All the others are softer Alison Krauss vocals. The last song, written by Ron Block, is a Gospel song, `There Is a Reason', a very moving close to this collection.

This is the last AKUS album to include Adam Steffey, whose mandolin playing is extraordinary. Playing at phenomenal speed, every note is pure and clean. I've never heard anything like it from any other mandolin player of repute. Out of this world!

I have four AKUS albums, all of them of the highest quality and some with songs which, individually, surpass some of the songs on this album. Yet, in spite of this, I still find `So Long So Wrong' the best AKUS album overall and the one which can be played most without tiring. This is probably a good reason why I thought to review it now after so long.

Two Sides
Generally speaking, you could say that there two sides to Alison Krauss and Union Station. The softer melodic side is usually with Alison vocally in front, and the faster bluegrass/country side which often has one of the band members on lead vocals.

Though I usually prefer the Alison songs, this two-sides concept gives a fine variation and the fast bluegrass tracks demonstrate what great musicians the Union Station are.

Among Alison's songs, which are all great, for me the beautiful pop ballad "Happiness" stand out, which also has great harmony vocals by banjoplayer Ron Block.

With at least a handful other great pop/country ballads written by various songwriters like Michael McDonald and Mark Simos this is one of my favourite albums by the group.

Sorrow and the mandolin
Before Jerry Douglas and the Dobro, there Adam Steffey was and his mandolin. I don't know why the band changed the lineup in this way, but it changed the style. With the mandolin, I noticed a lot more traditional sounding tunes, like Little Liza Jane and The Road is a Lover. With the mandolin, the album seems to have a bit more of the banjo.

Alison Krauss's singing is still as ethereal as ever. You can't help but sit and listen. The lead vocal chores are shared throughout the album as Adam, Dan, Ron, and Allison all chime in.

Aside from the traditional tunes, the theme of the album seems to be about sorrow as well as the paths we choose. This is pure storytelling. It is worth the time to read through the lyrics while listening to the songs. It definitely adds to the enjoyment.

Unless you are a fan of traditional country and bluegrass, this may not be for you. However, I would recommend giving this album a listen.