5. The Captain's Daughter

Alison Krauss and Union Station

Alison Krauss was very excited to be a part of the Johnny Cash Forever Words project. she asked if perhaps a friend of hers could take a look at some lyrics and put music and melody to something that would work for her. I was excited to get the lyric to R.L. Castleman and he came back with a song that was specifically perfect for Alison. The words to “The Captain’s Daughter,” I do believe, would’ve been written when my father was in his late teen years to his early 20s.

They read almost as a classic piece of literature. They tell the tale of a seafaring young man who’s very interested in the daughter of the captain and the song is somewhat of a conversation becomes, back and forth between the two points of view. Alison magically connects the pocket (the rhythm of the vocal with melody and music), and is the essential strength of this track, with the music around her no less strong. Of course, she recorded it with her band, Union Station.

Of all the bands that play in Bluegrass, there is a reason why Alison Krauss & Union Station have the reputation that they do.

It is a very rare recording for this Grammy winning band, and is their first recording in quite a while. There was a wonderful energy in the studio that day. And it’s just amazing to hear the voices mingled together, to hear Dan Tyminski singing with Alison, to hear Jerry Douglas. Of all the bands that play in Bluegrass, there is a reason why Alison Krauss & Union Station have the reputation that they do.

To me, there’s magically no need for drums. And I believe that Alison is a big part of the rhythmic center of the band, Union Station. It is in perfect pocket. I love to hear Alison sing, of course, and this is one of my favorite performances of hers.

The song itself is sweet, tender, hopeful and I believe that the words my father wrote all those years ago are perfectly suited for Alison Krauss & Union Station.