Personnel: Alison Krauss (fiddle, vocals); Jeff White (guitar, vocals); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Mike Harman (banjo, background vocals); Brent Truitt (mandolin); John Pennell (bass).
Recorded at Nashville Sound Connection, Nashville, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Tim O'Brien.
The shining star of America's so-called "new wave" of country, Alison Krauss spearheaded the bluegrass and traditional country revival in the late 1980s and early '90s. TWO HIGHWAYS is Krauss's second album, and though she was still a teenager when she recorded it, this record is one of her best. Of course, this isn't too surprising, since Krauss is one of those rare country artists whose discography is consistently excellent.
On TWO HIGHWAYS, we hear Krauss in the company of Union Station, though most of the members of the band departed later. The exception to this is dobro player Jerry Douglas, who has been a longtime unofficial member of the group. Krauss's voice is warm, tender, and surprisingly mature throughout, resembling Dolly Parton at her best. Set against the backdrop of fine bluegrass picking, this album offers listeners a varied taste of country tunes, from instrumental barn-burners to melancholy ballads. Guitarist Jeff White sings lead on a few of these tunes, but it is Krauss who runs the show, particularly on the beautiful "Teardrops Will Kiss the Morning Dew" and the waltz-time vocal duet "As Lovely as You."
