All My Answers Turned Out to be Questions
On December 8, 2005, in Lakeland Florida, Alison Krauss and Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas demonstrated that the gumbo of Southern Appalachian bluegrass, cross-over country rock, gospel, and pure acoustic instrumental perfection is alive, well, and currently touring America.
The closest thing to an explanation of their gig — right down to the Conway Twitty finger twirl and hip roll the band taught the crowd, and Alison’s reminiscences about homemade yeast biscuits — is offered in an interview buried deep in Martin Scorsese’s film of The Band’s last concert, entitled ‘The Last Waltz’. Drummer, singer, songwriter, and southern music historian Levon Helm explains:
… Near Memphis’ cotton country, rice country the most interesting thing is probably the music. … That’s kinda the middle of the country, you know, back there, so, bluegrass, or country music, you know, if it comes down to that area, and if it mixes there with that rhythm, and if it dances, then you’ve got a combination of those different kinds of music: country, bluegrass, blues music. [Robbie Robertson, off camera, adds, 'A melting pot.'] Scorsese then asks Helm, ‘And what’s it called then?’ Helm answers with assurance, ‘Rock n’ Roll.’
Alison and her train station crew don’t play rock and roll. But their show is an Appalachian stew executed with such grace, and demonstrating so much talent, that they bring converts to all the musical forms in their set list. First timers think they are just going to a concert; but after they listen to these musician’s musicians, they leave the show, just having found that Yahweh cuts us sinners a break now and again.
For me, dobro maestro Jerry Douglas adding Duane Allman’s instrumental composition ‘Little Martha’ to his solo medley was a special treat. He speeded it up, robbing it of some of the nuance Allman gave his recording of the song, but overall the medley was clear evidence that Douglas is unsurpassed on slide guitar. Jerry Douglas, you da man!
Band leader Dan Taminski was the glue that held it all together. Taminski, rather than demonstrating the flat-top guitar pyrotechnics he had demonstrated on Austin City Limits this summer, anchored the ‘guitar/mandolin/bass harmonies’ behind Krauss’ lead vocal. Generally, as a conductor would, Dan pulled all the virtuosos around him together to create musical magic.
Every musician on stage, whether plucking an acoustic string instrument or sparingly hitting a snare drum with a brush, seemed to have one goal: to showcase Alison Krauss’ luminescent voice.
Alison’s voice, my God, Alison’s voice. On three songs in particular on this special night, she demonstrated a gift that’s a blessing to hear. The literal and figurative show stopper of these songs I’ll get to shortly. From the main set, she and the band performing ‘Gravity’ made me cry and God smile. ‘Lucky One’ rang out like a church bell and made the hall and everyone in it glow.
Add it all up, and this could be the finest band’and one completely unaffected in their presentation (no stage antics here) on the road today.
I’ll close with the lyrics of the song they leave the stage with, just before the house lights come up, and we have to go back to out lives ‘A Living Prayer’:
In this world, I walk alone,
With no place to call my home.
But there’s One who holds my hand,
The rugged road through barren lands.The way is dark, the road is steep.
But He’s become my eyes to see.
The strength to climb, my griefs to bear,
The Savior lives inside me there.In Your love I find release,
A haven from my unbelief.
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God, to thee.In these trials of life I find
Another voice inside my mind.
He comforts me and bids me live
Inside the love the Father gives.In Your love I find release,
A haven from my unbelief.
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God, to thee.Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God, to thee…
Nuff said. Amen.
Posted on December 14th, 2005 by Paco Malo
Filed under: General
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From The Sermon on the Mount:
Let’s try that again:
From The Sermon on the Mount:
“…. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his saviour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. ….”
From “The Salt of the Earth” by the Rolling Stones:
“Lets drink to the hard working people
Lets drink to the lowly of birth
Raise your glass to the good and the evil
Lets drink to the salt of the earth. ….”
For the noncommercial, authentic version of Appalachian music, try the Todd General Store in Todd, NC on Tuesday nights. All the local musicians gather for a group pick. I heard songs that the minutemen picked during the Revolution. A magical evening. Todd is north of Boone. Tuesday nights are for the local storytellers, with the biggest whopper getting the most acclaim.
Dear “transplanted southern highlander“,
Thanks for your contribution. It’s all about gettin’ the message out.
Back at you, check out the complilation CD by Sun House of acoustic country blues slide guitar with vocals — country blues at it’s finest and most authentic. As you probably know, Sun House is one of the blues men to play with the legendary Robert Johnson.
There’s a story going around on Earth that Sun House taught Robert Johnson some important guitar licks. That is completely untrue. Everything important that Robert Johnson knew he got from me.
I was walking down a dirt road one day in the Mississippi delta and I met Robert at a rural crossroads. We got to talkin’ and cut a deal: Robert traded me his soul for the licks that became Rock n’ Roll.
And, bye the bye, about this Jesus fellow #$%@X…. [transmission cut off by the FCC].
“You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his flavor( not “saviour”), how shall it be salted?”
If you are going to quote Scripture, please get it right. And quit using that damnable King James version, whose translation makes Jesus sound like some pantywaist nobleman with a powdered wig. He was at home among poor villages that dotted the shoreline of Galilee, not the courts of some English land-thief.
By the way, the lyrics of “A Living Prayer” are extremely beautiful. I will certainly add this album to my collection, for this song alone.
Alison’s performance of”A Living Prayer” has to be heard to be believed. It is amazing. First time I heard it live I got chills.
My apologies for not having a copy of the Dead Sea Scrolls handy.
I must also note that the actual text of the Sermon on the Mount has come down to us through so many languages, translations and sources that quibbling over any English version (even with one word wrong), while entirely missing the pointof The Sermon excerpt placed in the comment location above, is quite disappointing.
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” // Sono benedetti il meek: per erediteranno la terra.
Pax.
As pwyll notes above, the lyrics to “A Living Prayer”, inspired as they are, do not come close to seeing / hearing Alison Krauss perform this song with Union Station.
“A Living Prayer” sung live by Alison brings to one’s soul the same sort of peace that sitting in the Redentore on Guidecca in Venice, Italy does.
Please forgive the rant about Scripture. However, the difference between “flavor” (or some word to that effect) and “Saviour” is considerable, and completely changes the meaning of the text. Changes of this sort (taking the simple, but deep, metaphor that almsot surely was a staple of Jesus’ teaching and turning into “Theology”) is a pet peeve of mine. Forgive the overreaction to an otherwise fine post.
The comment about the King James version stands.
As for the rave reviews of Alison and Union Station, I can only hope we can get them to Carbondale.
Please, also forgive my overreaction. Though contributors here are free to write as they will, the editor and I try to keep to two unwritten rules: 1) Keep it “family friendly”; 2) make the exchanges in the manner of a gentleman (or gentle-lady as the case may be — Trannies are a wildcard.
I stumbled; I apologize.
I finally got a chance to listen to “A Living Prayer”. What a purely angelic voice. I have yet to listen with dry eyes.