She is an amazing artist – produces for all kinds of genres. But she steadfastly includes some beautiful songs of faith in most of her work. She’s one of those people I think would be fascinating to have at a quiet dinner with friends….
I’ve only seen her in concert once, but that was quite a treat. Her voice is truly a gift that she acknowledges to come from one greater than herself. I’ve occassionally joked that some years from now in our greater glory I expect the angel choirs to be asking this gifted artist how she does it.
John, at the church I served in Pittsburgh for field education during seminary, the recessional hymn for my first service was “I’ll Fly Away.” It can happen!
John Wilkins,
It was certainly beautiful, and there are Episcopal Churches in which acoustic music of this nature is heard. One thing that truly sets this apart, however, is the level of musicianship. This wasn’t just Allison Kraus, it was Ak with Ron Block, Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, and two other very good musicians, playing simply and sweetly. When I was still in seminary, I applied as an assistant to a parish in NYC named All Angels. They attracted, at that time, quite a few good young musicians, and the settings for the service music they wrote and performed (I believe it was lent at the time, but this was 15 years or so ago) were profound and beautiful. I haven’t heard anything like it since. It can happen, but the availability of such high caliber musicians, who also happen to be Episcopalian, is not at all typical.
John,
Yes, when I sang it, accompanying myself on guitar, at our 8am service one morning.
The guy who wrote the song is part of the band Alison tours with, Union Station His name is Ron Block. His website page which includes some background notes on the song, plus his guitar tuning and chords for the song (and how the live version is played) [url=http://www.ronblock.com/site.php?em2643=145169_-1__0_~0_-1_3_2009_0_0&content=writings&em2642;=]is here.[/url].
musicnotes.com has a downloadable sheetmusic.
Ron Block is the guy playing guitar on Alison’s left, our right, and the guy in the frame for the first 47 seconds. Dan Tyminski, on her right, is playing the basic guitar chords while Ron does some upper neck aggiorniamento. The world famous Jerry Douglas is playing his dobro in the background. Barry Bales plays the bass fiddle.
[url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Ron_Block_From_Alison_Krauss_sideman_to_critically_acclaimed_songsmith/28649/p1/]A great background article[/url] including Ron’s struggle with perfectionism as a performer (Dove award for Living Prayer, 13 Grammy’s over his career) is a witness to God’s transformation of his life. A bonus for Anglicans around the world, the article describes Ron’s appreciation for the muse found in C.S.Lewis and George MacDonald.
Thanks, Kendall. That was really lovely. And, wow, what’s she doing doing on Jay Leno? That’s pretty radical for him.
She has a better Christian song on the Raising Sand Album with Robert Plant. “Your Long Journey”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3fQbmQ_FDU.
Fantastic.
She is an amazing artist – produces for all kinds of genres. But she steadfastly includes some beautiful songs of faith in most of her work. She’s one of those people I think would be fascinating to have at a quiet dinner with friends….
Fascinating choice of song for the Leno show, too.
I’ve only seen her in concert once, but that was quite a treat. Her voice is truly a gift that she acknowledges to come from one greater than herself. I’ve occassionally joked that some years from now in our greater glory I expect the angel choirs to be asking this gifted artist how she does it.
Peace,
-miserable sinner
Would we ever see this in an Episcopal church?
John, at the church I served in Pittsburgh for field education during seminary, the recessional hymn for my first service was “I’ll Fly Away.” It can happen!
John Wilkins,
It was certainly beautiful, and there are Episcopal Churches in which acoustic music of this nature is heard. One thing that truly sets this apart, however, is the level of musicianship. This wasn’t just Allison Kraus, it was Ak with Ron Block, Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, and two other very good musicians, playing simply and sweetly. When I was still in seminary, I applied as an assistant to a parish in NYC named All Angels. They attracted, at that time, quite a few good young musicians, and the settings for the service music they wrote and performed (I believe it was lent at the time, but this was 15 years or so ago) were profound and beautiful. I haven’t heard anything like it since. It can happen, but the availability of such high caliber musicians, who also happen to be Episcopalian, is not at all typical.
John,
Yes, when I sang it, accompanying myself on guitar, at our 8am service one morning.
The guy who wrote the song is part of the band Alison tours with, Union Station His name is Ron Block. His website page which includes some background notes on the song, plus his guitar tuning and chords for the song (and how the live version is played) [url=http://www.ronblock.com/site.php?em2643=145169_-1__0_~0_-1_3_2009_0_0&content=writings&em2642;=]is here.[/url].
musicnotes.com has a downloadable sheetmusic.
Ron Block is the guy playing guitar on Alison’s left, our right, and the guy in the frame for the first 47 seconds. Dan Tyminski, on her right, is playing the basic guitar chords while Ron does some upper neck aggiorniamento. The world famous Jerry Douglas is playing his dobro in the background. Barry Bales plays the bass fiddle.
[url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Ron_Block_From_Alison_Krauss_sideman_to_critically_acclaimed_songsmith/28649/p1/]A great background article[/url] including Ron’s struggle with perfectionism as a performer (Dove award for Living Prayer, 13 Grammy’s over his career) is a witness to God’s transformation of his life. A bonus for Anglicans around the world, the article describes Ron’s appreciation for the muse found in C.S.Lewis and George MacDonald.