Alison Krauss

Few mine the depths of melancholy these days like bluegrass queen Alison Krauss. An impressive collection, A Hundred Miles or More—which includes her contributions to the films Cold Mountain and O Brother, Where Art Thou?—sees Krauss at her ethereal best.

On "Molly Ban," a Celtic classic, she explores a love lost to a gun accident, her buoyant lilt bridging bluegrass back to its Irish/Scotch roots. Equally haunting is "Jacob's Dream," the best of five new songs presented. Here, Krauss' range reaches new heights over the forlorn chorus of two lost children singing from the grave: "Oh, mommy and daddy, look past the tears you cry. We're both up in Heaven now, God is by our side." With "Sawing on the Strings," Krauss kicks melancholy to the curb with some true-blue(grass) fiddle and upbeat lyrics.

On the collection's duets with James Taylor, Brad Paisley, and Sting, the clarity of Krauss' voice soars above her partners' while simultaneously melding well with them. On the two duets with John Waite, however, including the lead single/remake, "Missing You," her powerful range is swallowed by his elevated true-to-the-'80s pitch. Although a few banjo licks have been added in an attempt to integrate this song, it's still out of keeping with the tenor of the album. Nonetheless, A Hundred Miles or More remains a vital and moving collection of the work Krauss has done without Union Station.

- Marni Ayers
04.20.07

The title of Rounder's Alison Krauss compilation A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection is a bit misleading. While it does contain previously recorded material, it is not to be taken as a greatest-hits package; rather, the 16 tracks are compiled from Krauss' numerous collaborations, soundtrack appearances, and other non-Union Station gigs. That said, it's as solid a set of material as one could want from the multi-talented Krauss. As a voice for hire, there are few singers with her emotional range, a gift she lends easily to the Elvis Costello-penned "Scarlet Tide" from the Cold Mountain soundtrack. Award-winning duets with Brad Paisley ("Whiskey Lullaby") and James Taylor ("How's the World Treating You") -- the latter a Louvin Brothers cover -- as well as collaborations with the Chieftains ("Molly Bán") from the legendary Irish group's Down the Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions) and Sting ("You Will Be My Ain True Love") make this anthology of oddities far from superfluous. A Hundred Miles or More also boasts five new cuts, including "You're Just a Country Boy," "Simple Love," the gorgeous "Jacob's Dream," "Away Down the River," and "Sawing on the Strings," the latter of which harkens back to early, more bluegrass-oriented Krauss. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide