Photo property of AKUS and Rounder Records
Well I’m still tired after last night (Aug. 11, 2011) , but wanted to sit down and do a review. I saw AKUS at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary, NC. It is a nice venue. I brought my lawn chair and sat on the right side of the stage under the pine trees. I had a very good sight line. The opening band was Dawes. They did a 30 min set kind of a Southern rock style.
(Here is a good review with good photos as well:
http://trianglemusic.blogspot.com/2011/08/alison-krauss-union-station-pack-koka.html )
This was my first time seeing AKUS in concert. I have been listening to them for year. In fact the first time I heard them was on staff at my church camp. So their music reminds of Laurel Ridge. They did not disappoint. The concert was about the music not necessarily about a show. Meaning some groups entertain you with dancing, heavy lights and effects, etc. Each member of the band are gifted musicians, singers and song writers. So the songs are the focus. However, the lighting was cool and they did a very cool thing. They used the amphitheater’s movie screen that was set up behind the band. They showed photos, many of which were in the sepia tone format that is going along with the Paper Airplane feel. Some of the images were animations/video and they even used lighting effects to enhance them (like lighting during a storm).
On to the music. They played a great mix of songs off of their new Paper Airplane album as well as songs from their past. They played all my favorites. They gave Jerry Douglas a 3 song set where he played and wowed the crowd with his musicianship. They also featured one of Ron Block’s solo songs. Dan Tyminski also was featured with several of his songs. One of the things I enjoy about this band is the lack of ego. The name may be Alison Krauss and Union Station but in their lives it is really just Union Station. They all come to the table with songs and skills. They set egos aside make beautiful music.
After the great show, the did an encore set. The encore set was acoustic with the group gathering around one microphone. They did some good songs including one of my favorites “When You Say Nothing At All.” They closed the set with song “There Is A Reason.” This song was written by Ron Bock and is a beautiful song (lyrics posted below). It was a great night and a great time. It is well worth the money and I would love to see them again in the future.
“There Is A Reason”
I’ve seen hard times and I’ve been told
There isn’t any wonder that I fall
Why do we suffer, crossing off the years
There must be a reason for it all
I’ve trusted in You, Jesus, to save me from my sin
Heaven is the place I call my home
But I keep on getting caught up in this world I’m living in
And Your voice it sometimes fades before I know
Hurtin’ brings my heart to You, crying with my need
Depending on Your love to carry me
The love that shed His blood for all the world to see
This must be the reason for it all
Hurtin’ brings my heart to You, a fortress in the storm
When what I wrap my heart around is gone
I give my heart so easily to the ruler of this world
When the one who loves me most will give me all
In all the things that cause me pain You give me eyes to see
I do believe but help mine unbelief
I’ve seen hard times and I’ve been told
There is a reason for it all
copyright Ron Block
(p.s. if you were there feel free to post any photos you have)
