Alison Krauss: Forget About It (Rounder)
On the evidence of this eagerly-awaited collection there is no doubt that Krauss and her wonderful band, Union Station, are straying from the relatively closed world of bluegrass, moving into more accessible - if, arguably, blander - musical territory. Justly feted by critics, adored by fans, the prodigiously talented Krauss has resisted the lure of the mighty major label dollar but now clearly wishes to spread her wings. She produced this 11-track collection of sensitive and thoughtful contemporary folk songs with a sure hand, balancing the old with the new. Her voice is simply immaculate - expressive, affecting and pure of tone - and her fiddle playing, and the playing generally, is effortless mastery. In particular her touch on Maybe, Ghost In This House and the classic Dreaming My Dreams With You is faultless.
Joe Breen
Joji Hirota: The Gate (Realworld)
The music of Japan has left few imprints on Western taste. Elaborate drumming patterns, lilting flutes and jangling bells come to mind. But Joji Hirota's first album for Peter Gabriel's Realworld label displays movingly and memorably just how sensitive and uplifting it can be. Hirota, a classically-trained taiko drummer and shaku- hachi (bamboo flute) player, has lived in Britain for the past 27 years, but his inspiration still springs from his native land. For these nine mostly traditional pieces, he is joined by a string quintet, creating a plaintive sound that lingers long in the senses. No doubt purists will wince, but Hirota's music is both beautiful and evocative; listen to the delicate lullaby Komora Uta, featuring the voice of eight-year-old Eimi Mori, for convincing evidence.
Joe Breen
