While Krauss's last album 'Forget About It' was a restrained and polished collection, she is better known for her more traditional bluegrass recordings. This new disc takes the best elements from both styles, mixing bluegrass with more contemporary singer/songwriter material - this creates a really diverse range of songs, and results in an album that is a perfect example of a modern crossover disc.
Krauss may be the headliner, but this is an album where every member is essential to the whole. Alison provides most of the vocals, but Dan Tyminksi takes the lead vocal on four of the tracks, most notably on the superb 'Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn'. Brilliant banjo, guitar and bass is supplied by Ron Block, Jerry Douglas and Barry Bales, add to this Alison's own fiddle work and you have one of the strongest collections of musicians around. The only instrumental 'Choctaw Hayride' demonstrates the skill and dexterity of the whole band, it's a belting, up-tempo trad bluegrass number with some brilliant melodic touches. There are many highlights on the disc but the quality of Alison's vocals on the opening track sets the pace and standard for the rest of the disc, and this standard is kept up throughout the 13 songs.
This is a really accessible album, Alison's voice is as beautiful as ever, and the contrast with Tyminksi's vocals creates variety and interest. Add to this the overall quality of the musicians and production, and 'New Favourite' is a very attractive package - an excellent album with broad appeal.

£13.49