When I just need to relax while sitting or writing, my go-to music is Alison Krauss, a bluegrass and roots fiddle player and singer with one of the purest soprano voices this side of Joan Baez. Her 27 Grammys plus 44 nominations might suggest I’m not the only person who thinks this. I especially love her albums with Union Station, which features world-class musicians Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel, vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals), and Barry Bales (bass, vocals). Every one of these folks, including Alison, is known for their musicianship, songwriting, and music-producing acumen. Hearing them in concert, which I have, was a pleasure that’s hard to describe since I knew pretty much every one of their songs by heart. The level of musical virtuosity was unmistakable.

Here is one of my favorite songs from Alison Krauss and Union Station:

Alison is also known for her collaboration with other vocalists, including an unlikely one: Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin. They have such a sweet, gentle blend that it’s astonishing, given that both have such strong individual voices. Here’s a song I particularly love of theirs.

This type of music and these fine musicians can lift me right up out of the darkest funk. I am grateful they have shared their talents with the world (and me). How lucky we all are that they are among us!