Secrets

Sierra Hull | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B0014VPFIQ
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,278 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #53 in Music > Indie Music > Country > Country Folk
  • #57 in Music > Country > Bluegrass > Contemporary
  • #89 in Music > Indie Music > Folk

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Bluegrass
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 6-MAY-2008

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sierra Hull: Mandolinist Extraordinaire!, May 30, 2008

By 

Glenn M. Schoditsch (Richmond, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secrets (Audio CD)

I had the great fortune to see Sierra Hull back in 2007. There she was on stage with the Mark Newton Band, stage set about 50 feet from the RF&P railroad tracks in Ashland, VA. Her name wasn't listed in the program but leader Mark Newton kept mentioning her name and the long drive to Byrdstown, TN as Sierra had to be in school the next day.

There I sat in my lawn chair, about 20 feet away from the stage watching this beautiful young woman display her mastery of the mandolin along with delightful vocals. To hear her pleasurable voice is most enjoyable but to watch her fingers fly on her mandolin is a sight to behold!

Again I had the fortune to see Sierra in Richmond in 2009. This time she & her band were second billed to "The Grascals". 'Grascals' Jamie Johnson stated that before long everyone will be in line for Sierra Hull's autograph. I now have an autographed copy of "Secrets". She is a sweet, delightful young lady, even saying "nice to see you again" to me after mentioning that 2007 gig.

First year Berklee School of Music student Sierra Hull is well on her way to developing her prodigal abilities to stardom; very much like her mentor Alison Krauss. As for her recording Secrets, all songs are pleasing, if maybe youthful work in progress. I find her efforts on the songs "Pretend" and "The Hard Way" most gratifying. The last song, "Trust and Obey" is a spiritual offering that will truly touch your heart.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hull: A "Secret" No More, May 14, 2008

By 

Timothy Yap "thy4568" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secrets (Audio CD)

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.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch out Alison!!!, May 8, 2008

By 

William a Bourne (Fort Wayne, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secrets (Audio CD)

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!