First-ever vinyl reissue of Alison Krauss’ crossover album.
Alison Krauss – Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection – Rounder Records CD 0325 (1995)/Craft Recordings CR00907 [7/25/2025] 180-gram stereo vinyl, 42:31 ****1/2:
(Alison Krauss – vocals, fiddle; Ron Black – banjo, vocals; Barry Bales – acoustic bass; Adam Steffey – mandolin; Tim Stafford – guitar; Jeff White – guitar, vocals; Jerry Douglas – dobro, guitar; Sam Bush – mandolin; Glen Worf – bass; Peter Washer – piano; Martin Parker – drums; Suzanne Cox – vocals; Mike Karman – vocals; Russ Barenberg – guitar; Roy Huskey Jr.- acoustic bass; Suzanne Cox – vocals; Evelyn Cox – vocals; Ron Block – guitar; Victor Krauss – acoustic bass; Tony Furtado – banjo and many others)
In today’s musical landscape, crossovers from Country to Pop are very common. But over the years, not all country artists were able to make the transition. Ray Charles, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash were successful. As the 80’s and 90’s unfolded, there were more crossovers but it was tenuous balancing traditional culture with mass commercialism. Alison Krauss has been able to stretch across country and popular music. A 27-time Grammy recipient , she entered fiddle contests at the age of eight, and recorded as a teenager. When Krauss joined Union Station, her career continued to gain momentum. In 1995, a specialized anthology of songs (Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection) broke through on pop charts.
Craft Recordings has released the first vinyl re-issue of this 1995 album. This consists of solo recordings, Union Station tracks and covers. Side A opens with a bluegrass arrangement of the Foundations’ infectious title song. Krauss’ exquisite soprano voice is hypnotic and grooves. The acoustic instrumentation (guitar, mandolin and violin) is expressive and meshes with the vocals. “Oh Atlanta” (previously unreleased, composed by Bad Company’s Mick Ralphs) is funky country blues which Krauss delivers with a rollicking twang and dancehall swing. There is a consistent laid-back mood surrounding the earnest singing on “Broadway” and the blended vocals and simple guitar/mandolin shading are effective. Krauss is adept at traditional bluegrass on “Every Time You Say Goodbye” with its familiar romantic context and glowing harmonies. Switching gears, “Tonight I’ll Be Lonely Too” and “Teardrops Will Kiss The Morning Dew” are heartfelt ballads in 3/4 time with intricate vocals, violin, dobro and mandolin.
Side B has more of this accessible bluegrass. “Sleep On” is an earnest appeal for faithful love with beautiful harmonies, dobro and mandolin. Alison Krauss is renowned for her contributions to the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. On “When God Dips His Pen Of Love In My Heart”, Krauss exudes gospel elegance with three-part harmony. A sprightly acoustic guitar executes nimble bluesy licks. She covers McCartney’s “I Will “ from the White Album and transforms it into an ethereal country statement (of course with glorious lead vocal and harmony). Small touches like a steel drum add a unique Caribbean texture. A relaxed skipping rhythm on “I Don’t Believe You Met My Baby” is magnetic. Krauss’ considerable fiddle (and viola) skills are front and center on “In The Palm Of Your Hand”. The finale, Keith Whitley’s aspirational love song (originally part of a tribute album), “When You Say Nothing At All” underscores the enormous vocal expertise and feel for modern bluegrass dynamics.
Thirty years later, Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection resonates as a successful country/pop crossover. The sound mix is excellent with detailed clarity of Krauss’ dulcet voice and the acoustic instruments.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Alison Krauss – Now That I’ve Found You
TrackList:
Side A:
Baby, Now That I’ve Found You;
Oh Atlanta;
Every Time You Say Goodbye;
Tonight I’ll Be Lonely Too;
Teardrops Will Kiss The Morning Dew
Side B:
Sleep On;
When God Dips His Pen Of Love In My Heart;
I Will;
I Don’t Believe You Met My Baby;
In The Palm Of Your Hand;
When You Say Nothing At All
