Concert Review: Alison Krauss + Union Station

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Reviewed by Mike A.

No strobe lights, or dance-hall-style crystal balls. No smoke, bubbles or snow. No revolving stage or flashy entrance. Alison Krauss and Union Station didn't use any of that when they came to Huntsville Sunday night. They just came, walked to the center of the stage and delivered a 2-hour set of pure country music to the delight of their fans.

The crowd was older, and more reserved than I am used to seeing, but when the music started they were taping their toes and clapping their hands like nothing I've seen. AKUS performed their biggest hits, such as "Let Me Touch You For A While," "Lucky One," and "New Favorite." All met with great applause and rapt attention. My personal favorite was Alison's classic version of the Keith Whitley hit "When You Say Nothing At All." which is the song that first brought her music to my attention.

Much more than other artists do these days, Alison spent a lot of time talking to the audience, sharing stories about each member of the band, and joking about her own career, such as when she spoke of how even though she loved the song "Let Me Touch You For A While" she almost didn't record it, because she knew she couldn't look at the guys in the band and tell them she wanted to play "Let Me Touch You For A While" with them. Another story focused on Bass player Barry Bales' love of hunting, and the time Alison had caught him on the bus watching an instructional video and practicing his turkey calls. Krauss was quite funny, comedy being a talent this writer was not aware she had in addition to music, but more importantly; it made for a very intimate show with her taking so much time to share with the audience, talking to us like friends - not customers.

Although the entire show was great, the biggest treat given to the audience was Dan Tyminski - the real voice of George Clooney in O Brother! - giving a spectacular rendition of "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" backed by the rest of the band, which earned them their first standing ovation of the night. Followed closely by a wonder instrumental set by Jerry Douglass, master of the dobro.

After a short break, the band returned to the stage, together, and stood quietly at a single microphone. Alison spoke first, telling a very sad story about a family who had been in a terrible car wreck days before - on their way to one of their shows. Asking the audience to join them in a prayer, Alison stepped aside and Ron led us all in a prayer for healing for the victims, and peace for their family. I found it quite moving and genuine that they did this in Huntsville. Many artists would have said that prayer in the city the accident occurred in, but few would be so moved by the story to keep the prayers coming for days. I give me best to the family, and my thanks to Alison Krauss and Union Station for being so honest and caring about their fans. This was followed by moving performances of "Down To The River to Pray" and "There is a Reason."

The concert sold out in a day, and stayed sold out (No charge-backs, unused promo tickets or held-back seats.) Seats sold for a fair price of $37.50, and you were lucky to get one! There are a lot of big names on tour right now who are playing to half-empty houses, so it is a great testament to these very talented artists that they sold-out so quickly, and is further proof that great music wins over glitz and gimmicks any day. If Alison Krauss and Union Station come near you, don't miss it! And if they don't, pick up a copy of the Live DVD, for they put on a show that should not be missed.