Ron Block Faraway Land CD

Barry Bales (bass); Larry Atamanuik (drums, percussion); Lisa Forbes,

With readings of texts as diverse as The Matrix and Les Miserables, bluegrass musician Ron Block sets out to find the gospel in the modern world. His mournfully sweet voice is filled with assurance as he sings atop an all-star ensemble featuring himself, fiddler/vocalist sensation Alison Krauss, Dobro player Jerry Douglas, fiddler Stuart Duncan, and many others. The sound is a predictably traditional, non-experimental acoustic one, warmly produced and straight-ahead. Though the music is immaculately performed, there is still something missing. While there is passion, there is little energy. While there is happiness, there is little humor. Some of the lyrics will likely be harder for secular listeners to enjoy without feeling preached at. As such, the lilting instrumental "In Memory of Steve" might be the highlight for many. Also of note are Alison Krauss' stunning vocal contributions on "Your Heart Has Found a Home." ~ Jesse Jarnow

E-bow, banjo); Pat Bergeson (electric guitar, harmonica); Dan Tyminski (guitar, mandolin, background vocals); Sean Watkins, Ricky Wasson (guitar); Jerry Douglas (lapsteel guitar, dobro); Chris Thile (bouzouki, mandolin); Adam Steffey (mandolin, mandola); Alison Krauss (fiddle, viola, background vocals); Luke Bulla, Stuart Duncan, Andrea Zonn (fiddle); Viktor Krauss,

Homer Forbes (background vocals).

Recorded at 17 Grand, Omni, Brown Cloud Studios, Nashville, Tennessee; Moonlight Canyon, Franklin, Tennessee; New Wine Studios, Hesperia, California. Includes liner note by Ron Block

Engineers include: Gary Paczosa, Ron Block, Eric Uglum.

Personnel: Ron Block (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, E-bow, banjo); Dan Tyminski (vocals, tenor, baritone, acoustic guitar, mandolin); Homer Forbes (vocals, baritone, background vocals); Jay Forbes (vocals, bass voice); Jerry Douglas (vocals, lap steel guitar, dobro, fiddle); Alison Krauss (tenor, fiddle, viola); Rickey Wasson (guitar, acoustic guitar); Sean Watkins (acoustic guitar); Pat Bergeson (electric guitar, harmonica); Chris Thile (bouzouki, mandolin); Adam Steffey (mandola, mandolin); Luke Bulla, Andrea Zonn, Stuart Duncan, Barry Bales, Sara Watkins (fiddle); Larry Atamanuik (drums, percussion).

Audio Mixer: Gary Paczosa.

Recording information: 17 Grand Studios (2001); Moonlight Canyon Studio, Franklin, TN (2001); New Wine Studio, Hesperia, CA (2001); Omni, Nashville, TN (2001); The Brown Cloud, Nashville, TN (2001).

Photographer: Peter Nash.

Guests:D.Tyminsky,A.Krauss,S. Duncan,J.Douglas

Personnel includes: Ron Block (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars,