Alison Krauss and Union Station Copyright Mark Howell

It had been a few years since the princess of bluegrass, Alison Krauss graced the British Isles with her tender, breathy vocal and mournful fiddle.  Then, of course, she was on the arm of a native and rock god, Robert Plant.  Perhaps it was really that intoxicating duo and subsequent critically acclaimed album, Rising Sand that won Alison Krauss a new found following in the UK. 

Now, she is promoting her 2011 release, Paper Airplane, with her long serving and ultra-talented band, Union Station. The premier performance in the UK tour was held at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.

Alison Krauss and Union Station made such a demure entrance and opened with the title track off the new album, Paper Airplane.  This was followed up almost immediately with Dan Tyminski on vocals with Dustbowl Children.  Union Station stay true to the essence of bluegrass with its intense lamenting lyrics, beautiful three (and sometimes four) part harmonies and traditional instruments but yet they are able to put it across in such a commercial, mainstream way.  This approach is particularly evident in its delivery of well-known covers like early-90s country favourite, Ghost in this House, or British soul Baby Now that I Found You to the mega hit and pop remake, When You Say Nothing At All.

The set list was very heavy on songs from the new album which included the haunting, percussive Lie Awake, the sweet surrender of Dimming of the Day to the roots-laden tale of Bonita and Bill Butler. However, there was still plenty of time-honoured instrumental breakdowns especially from legendary lap steel player, Jerry Douglas and older Union Station favourites like The Boy that Couldn’t Hoe Corn, Oh Atlanta, Miles to Go and the ultimate crowd pleaser and movie sensation, Man of Constant Sorrow.

It was a striking performance brought to the UK from Alison Krauss and Union Station which included 30 songs interspersed with quite humorous interludes and an encore that just stripped away the instruments and showcased the band’s stunning harmonies and folk reverence.