AKUS Show Review

I was fortunate enough to see Alison Krauss & Union Station at the Ryman last night, courtesy of their Tech. A perfect marriage of band and venue, this was one of the best shows...if not THE best show...I've ever seen. For artists/musicians/singers in the audience, it was a master class. Put on any of their superbly made records and, if you see them live, this is pretty much what you will hear.

Despite mastery of their instruments (Alison's primary one being her voice), they did not rely solely upon their ability to make beautiful sounds. They kept it fluid throughout the night, with various band members coming on and off stage, instrumental solos as well as full band instrumental numbers, swapping out lead vocal duties between AK, Dan Tyminski, and Ron Block. The set list included new songs from "Paper Airplane" as well as old favorites including a couple of abbreviated versions of songs from the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack and one song from "Raising Sand," AK's multi-Grammy winning project with Robert Plant. The only complaint was from my husband regarding their omission of his favorite song, "New Favorite." That's always HUGELY disappointing, seeing a show and having your favorite song left off the set list. So I sympathize! That was my experience seeing Shelby Lynne the first time (also at the Ryman) when she did NOTHING from "I Am Shelby Lynne." I was mad at her for a couple years, until she totally redeemed herself at AMA last year. I stood on the side of the stage at Mercy Lounge and had all my Shelby Lynne dreams fulfilled. But I digress.

But actually, I do not. Digress, that is. Both shows had a similar impact on me in that my heart was barely able to hold the music coming from the artists and musicians on stage. And that describes my experience last night. And it's hard to even put into words the beauty of what I heard. Music was made last night. And I'm sure they are used to making music night after night, year after year (they've been together 20+ years), but it is all too rare an occurrence in so called "Music City." But AKUS make music that rests somewhere up in rarified air, no matter in which city they perform it.

The encore was a quiet, almost reverent, stripped down set gathered around one microphone. They exited the stage amidst yet another enthusiastic standing ovation. Got to chat with Jerry Douglas before the show and Dan Block both before and after. Nice, nice people.

Nothing last forever, folks. Glad I got to say I have seen these amazing musicians perform live - together. I am convinced you will find no better gathering of talent on one stage in our time and, perhaps, for years to come. Jerry Douglas put it best when he said "this group of people makes a sound I've never heard before." Me neither, Jerry.

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