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Alison Krauss is one of the artists who helped break down the barriers between bluegrass and mainstream country music, but even though country radio was willing to make room for her, Krauss never seemed to be interested in courting their favor. Krauss has always followed her own creative path and let the audience come to her with her mature and adventurous approach to acoustic music. Thirty years into her recording career, Krauss has made her most specifically "country" album to date, though it's a musical left turn into a very specific time and place in country's history. Released in 2017, Windy City is a polished and carefully crafted tribute to the countrypolitan sounds of the '50s and '60s, music that fused the emotional honesty and personal storytelling of country with smooth, sophisticated production dominated by pianos and strings, and the set list draws from old standards rather than contemporary compositions. Producer Buddy Cannon has designed Windy City as a showcase for Alison Krauss the vocalist, with her stellar fiddle work appearing on only one track. While pale shadows of contemporary country can be heard in these performances, numbers like "Losing You," "You Don't Know Me," and the title track owe far more to Patsy Cline's classic "Nashville sound" sides than anything that's come out of Music City in the past decade. Even when the music takes on a twangier approach on "Poison Love" and "It's Goodbye and So Long to You," Cannon's production and arrangements are steeped in the sounds of the past; while Krauss's bluegrass music always sounded fresh and contemporary in its approach, Windy City is the sound of her moving forward into the past. If this is a very different Alison Krauss album, it's also a good one; the accompaniment is slick, but it's brilliantly executed, and Cannon favors the clarity and emotional range of Krauss's voice. She meets the demands of the material beautifully, and she brings a warmth and subtle passion to songs like "Gentle on My Mind" and "You Don't Know Me" that makes you briefly forget the definitive recordings of these classics. It remains to be seen if Windy City is a brief creative detour for Alison Krauss or the first salvo of a new creative direction. But if Krauss wants to be the new voice of retro countrypolitan music, Windy City leaves no doubt that she has the talent and the intelligence to make it work, and this album is a richly satisfying experience.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
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John Hobbs, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Bennett, Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kristin Wilkinson, String Arranger, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID DAVIDSON, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - David Angell, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Carl Sigman, ComposerLyricist - JEAN RENARD, ComposerLyricist - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Anthony LaMarchina, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Monisa Angell, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Karen Winkelmann, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Carole Rabinowitz, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - CONNI ELLISOR, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Grosjean, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Sari Reist, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Janet Darnall, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Seanad Chang, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Tanner, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Pierre Havet, ComposerLyricist - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wei Tsun Chang, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Jasper LaMaster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ali Hoffman, Strings, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
John Hobbs, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Bennett, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Terry, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Rose, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Hank Williams Jr., Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, Fiddle, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Tyminski, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Finnegan, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Harold Breau, ComposerLyricist - Zachary Pancoast, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Raymond Couture, ComposerLyricist - Scott Ducaj, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
John Hobbs, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Bennett, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kristin Wilkinson, String Arranger, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID DAVIDSON, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - David Angell, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Anthony LaMarchina, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Monisa Angell, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Carole Rabinowitz, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - CONNI ELLISOR, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Grosjean, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Sari Reist, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Justin Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Janet Darnall, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Seanad Chang, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Finnegan, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Julia Tanner, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Suzanne Cox, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jamey Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bobby Osborne, ComposerLyricist - Peter Goble, ComposerLyricist - Wei Tsun Chang, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Zachary Casebolt, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Katelyn Westergood, Strings, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
John Hobbs, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Bennett, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Willie Nelson, ComposerLyricist - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Kenny Malone, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JEFF TAYLOR, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Finnegan, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sidney Cox, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Suzanne Cox, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jasper LaMaster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
John Hobbs, Piano, Hammond B3, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Bennett, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Kristin Wilkinson, String Arranger, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID DAVIDSON, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - David Angell, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Miller, ComposerLyricist - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Anthony LaMarchina, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Monisa Angell, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Karen Winkelmann, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Carole Rabinowitz, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - CONNI ELLISOR, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Grosjean, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Sari Reist, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Janet Darnall, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Seanad Chang, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Finnegan, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Julia Tanner, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wei Tsun Chang, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Jasper LaMaster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ali Hoffman, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Joseph Paul Murphy, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jimmy Darrell, ComposerLyricist - MATT ROLLINGS, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - BUDDY CANNON, Producer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - RON BLOCK, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shannon Finnegan, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Melonie Cannon, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy White, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Raleigh Squires, ComposerLyricist - Jasper LaMaster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
John Hobbs, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Bennett, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Kenny Malone, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Hartford, ComposerLyricist - TEDDY GENTRY, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Finnegan, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Suzanne Cox, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jasper LaMaster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
Kristin Wilkinson, String Arranger, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Arthur Altman, ComposerLyricist - DAVID DAVIDSON, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - David Angell, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Anthony LaMarchina, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Monisa Angell, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Karen Winkelmann, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Carole Rabinowitz, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - CONNI ELLISOR, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Grosjean, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Sari Reist, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Janet Darnall, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Manos Hadjidakis, ComposerLyricist - Seanad Chang, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Tanner, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wei Tsun Chang, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Jasper LaMaster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ali Hoffman, Strings, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
John Hobbs, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Bennett, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Kenny Malone, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dan Tyminski, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Shannon Finnegan, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jamey Johnson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elmer Laird, ComposerLyricist - Jasper LaMaster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
John Hobbs, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Richard Bennett, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Garcia, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brent Mason, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chad Cromwell, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Wilkinson, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - BUDDY CANNON, Producer - Mike Johnson, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Krauss, MainArtist - Cindy Walker, ComposerLyricist - Neal Cappellino, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eddy Arnold, ComposerLyricist - Shannon Finnegan, Production Coordinator, StudioPersonnel - Tony Castle, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Bales, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Paczosa, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Derek Parnell, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jasper LaMaster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
Album review
Alison Krauss is one of the artists who helped break down the barriers between bluegrass and mainstream country music, but even though country radio was willing to make room for her, Krauss never seemed to be interested in courting their favor. Krauss has always followed her own creative path and let the audience come to her with her mature and adventurous approach to acoustic music. Thirty years into her recording career, Krauss has made her most specifically "country" album to date, though it's a musical left turn into a very specific time and place in country's history. Released in 2017, Windy City is a polished and carefully crafted tribute to the countrypolitan sounds of the '50s and '60s, music that fused the emotional honesty and personal storytelling of country with smooth, sophisticated production dominated by pianos and strings, and the set list draws from old standards rather than contemporary compositions. Producer Buddy Cannon has designed Windy City as a showcase for Alison Krauss the vocalist, with her stellar fiddle work appearing on only one track. While pale shadows of contemporary country can be heard in these performances, numbers like "Losing You," "You Don't Know Me," and the title track owe far more to Patsy Cline's classic "Nashville sound" sides than anything that's come out of Music City in the past decade. Even when the music takes on a twangier approach on "Poison Love" and "It's Goodbye and So Long to You," Cannon's production and arrangements are steeped in the sounds of the past; while Krauss's bluegrass music always sounded fresh and contemporary in its approach, Windy City is the sound of her moving forward into the past. If this is a very different Alison Krauss album, it's also a good one; the accompaniment is slick, but it's brilliantly executed, and Cannon favors the clarity and emotional range of Krauss's voice. She meets the demands of the material beautifully, and she brings a warmth and subtle passion to songs like "Gentle on My Mind" and "You Don't Know Me" that makes you briefly forget the definitive recordings of these classics. It remains to be seen if Windy City is a brief creative detour for Alison Krauss or the first salvo of a new creative direction. But if Krauss wants to be the new voice of retro countrypolitan music, Windy City leaves no doubt that she has the talent and the intelligence to make it work, and this album is a richly satisfying experience.
© Mark Deming /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:34:19
- Main artists: Alison Krauss
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Capitol Records (US1A)
- Genre: Country
© 2017 Hokker, Inc. ℗ 2017 Hokker, Inc.
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