Search - Sierra Hull :: Secrets

Hull: A "Secret" No More

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 05/14/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: Trust and Obey, Everybody's Somebody's Fool, The Hard Way



Sierra Hull is destined to make bluegrass cool again. Merely only 16 years-old, "Secrets" hits the high water mark in terms of debut CDs with Hull's impeccably pure angelic sound that calls to mind a young Alison Krauss. In fact Krauss presence is felt right through the disc: namely because this debut effort is helmed by Union Station's Ron Block together with Hull. Hopefully with her clout with Rounder Records (also Krauss' recording home), this will stream in the success Hull deserves. An austere line of Who's Who in bluegrass forms the band backup including Jerry Douglas, Dan Tyminski, Stuart Duncan, Ron Ickes AND Mountain Heart's Jim Van Cleve. Unfaultable also is Hull's mandolin licks; while teenagers her age are into the latest hip hop beeps and whistles Hull's constant love is playing her rustic string instruments. And when she plays conterminous with these bluegrass greats, she sounds like a peer.



Most importantly, it is still the songs that shine. While many bluegrass outputs veer on the technical virtuoso of exceptional playing made at the expense at the quality of the songs, this is not the case here. Opener and title cut "Secrets" is a prime example of an introspective glance into "the secret passions" of Hull's heart that s made even more bittersweet with the delicate mandolin lines. Hull has a hand in the composing "Pretend," a paean of unrequited love told with a diary-like frankness. And despite the incessant fiddle licks to mask the pain, Hull's expressive vocals could not hide the influx of feelings of pain. Hull also hammers home a heartfelt rendition of Rivers Rutherford and Gordie Sampson's "The Hard Way," giving Keith Urban (who first covered this song) a run for his money with her bluegrass treatment of this gorgeous uptempo number. Soaring with crystalline purity Hull soars with an affecting elan on the proverbial lilting "Everybody's Somebody's Fool."



Gospel fans get more than their fix with the traditional "Trust and Obey." This is more than just your obligatory hymn that often closes off a bluegrass/county disc. Backed only by Ron Black's guitar, Hull sings with so much conviction she indeed leads the parade as far as soul shattering performances go. Although not as affective, "Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" with its heartwarming lyrics also create some high lonesome splendor. With the album's highlight being Hull's vocals, the two instrumentals ("Hullarious" and "Smashville") done at high sonic speed sounds indistinguishable from copious bluegrass instrumentals out there. Also, the CD could definitely profit from a couple more ballads.



Despite the minor criticisms, "Secrets" is an elegant effort done by a vocalist who sings beyond her years. Hull's uncommon ability to transmit the aches and warms of these songs is nothing short of stellar. With an album this good, Sierra Hull will be a "secret" no more.

"

Watch out Alison!!!

William a Bourne | Fort Wayne, IN United States | 05/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are like me and mourning that Alison Krauss has hooked up with Robert Plant this year (I know it is a multi platinum album/cd) Sierra Hull can help you survive through this period. Whereas, Alison plays the "fiddle" Sierra plays Bill Monroe's instrument of choice - Mandolin.

Yes she is only 16 years old and her voice will mature with age and experience but if Alison doesn't come back to Union Station, Sierra could fill that role very well. In fact on the various songs are members of Union Station contributing their talents. To paraphase Randy Jackson, Sierra you are the "BOMB" With Sierra being the next generation of "bluegrass" artists, Bill Monroe can rest easy that his baby - Bluegrass music is in very capable hands. Bluegrass music fans, this should be in your collection!"

A sound from 20 years back

Dave Goldberg | 40 miles north of NYC | 05/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Go back 20 years and you'll hear a very similar album from a 16-year-old Alison Krauss, not surprising since Krauss in one of Sierra's mentors _ the first thank you is to "Alison.'' Hull has the benefit of starting with the best musicians in bluegrass, including all of Krauss' Union Station plus Tony Rice, Stuart Duncan, Rob Ickes and Jim Van Cleve. Sam Bush, who isn't on the album because his mandolin would be redundant, has an elegant tribute.



One funny note: Ron Block, the producer, kept it from being "Sierra Hull and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas'' by making sure that he, Douglas, Dan Tyminski and Barry Bales were never all together on any cut. He also makes a comparison to another young mandolin virtuoso: Chris Thile, although he doesn't mention Thile by name.



What you get here is a remarkable 16-year-old, just as you got with Krauss. One review suggested her voice isn't as good. Whose is? And yet it really does sound like the teenage Alison. Krauss hasn't been pure bluegrass for a while now, so Hull gives purists a new voice to hang with while Alison goes into her current mix of folk, rock, Americana or whatever. I find her newsest stuff great. I find this the start of something that could be similar.





One added note for those who are dismayed Alison has stayed from "pure'' bluegrass. Two of the musicians on this album _ Duncan and Dennis Crouch _ are part of the band touring with Krauss and Plant. Another reason to let music be music without labels.

"