Viktor Krauss II

Viktor Krauss | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: BACK PORCH
• ASIN: B000MM0L7I
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,288 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Viktor Krauss is a quintessential supporting player. The brother of bluegrass superstar Alison, he's recorded with Lyle Lovett, Jerry Douglas, Chet Atkins, and Emmylou Harris. Yet in 2004 he authored a nearly perfect album of ambient Americana, Far from Enough, that was full of delicately shaded instrumental moods and electrically charged textures. Much of that came from Jerry Douglas and guitarist Bill Frisell, who were both all over the disc. Frisell, with whom Krauss often plays, is only on a couple of tracks here. He's replaced by Dean Parks, a veteran session player who's recorded with everyone from Steely Dan to Andrea Bocelli. A guitar chameleon, Parks seems to exacerbate the fuzzy compositional focus of Viktor Krauss II. The opening track, "Hop," is promising, with a grinding country power-trio groove that's more Explosions in the Sky than Chet Atkins. But many of the instrumentals sound like jam-session vamps, including "Pinky Ring" and "No Time Like the Past." As he did on Far from Enough, Krauss works better at the atmospheric edges, like "Eyes in the Heat," with Dean Parks soloing freely over a moody modal groove while Indian singer Shweta Jhaveri vocalizes wordlessly, literally moving through the background. Jhaveri's three guest appearances are among the best pieces on VKII, especially her multitracked scatting on "Ecotone." The vocal tunes with Lyle Lovett and Ben Taylor sound half-hearted at best, but Shawn Colvin gives a sweet read on a countrified reworking of Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." Far from Enough was an album that dedicated itself to a sound; Viktor Krauss II has its moments, but doesn't want to commit. --John Diliberto

Product Description

Viktor Krauss II by Viktor Krauss

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Falls just short of greatness, February 24, 2007

By 

Jan P. Dennis "Longboard jazzer" (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Viktor Krauss II (Audio CD)

Viktor Krauss, on his second solo venture, II, approaches but just misses genius. Yes, He's got that full-bore, heartlandish, Americana vibe maximally geared up. Yes, he's recruited some of the more evocative vocalists on the recent musical landscape (Shawn Colvin, Ben Taylor, Lyle Lovett, and, especially Shweta Jheveri). But somehow it just doesn't quite come together.

What's the problem? Mainly, I think, the compositions, too simplistic and generic to vault the proceedings into epic territory. A too-precious production slickness also dooms greatness. What needs to happen, in my humble opinion, is that someone ought to come alongside Krauss and give him a creative kick in the butt, forcing him out of his comfort zone into precincts of genuine weirdness and mystery, not the comfortable aesthetic he too often defaults to.

Don't get me wrong; this disc is growing on me, and may, indeed, end up as one of my top recordings of 2007. But I don't think so. My first listen, confirmed by subsequent samplings, triggered a check in my musical aesthetic that I couldn't ignore, a slight feeling of being had.

I'm willing to consider that I'm being overly critical, even anal, and that if I could just loosen up, I'd get totally on board with a way-happening disc of major consequence.

But as much as I'd like to talk myself into such a stance, I just can't do it.

****1/2.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great effort from Mr. Krauss., May 15, 2007

By 

Eclectic "kev" (DHS, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Viktor Krauss II (Audio CD)

Victor Krauss has come into his own. No longer in the shadow of the great Bill Frisell. He has created two masterpieces, showing his true song writing abilites. Victor shows he understands music and has a diverse musical influence. The world is a richer place with the music of II. I will be first in line for III.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Far From "Far From Enough", July 8, 2008

By 

The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: II (2 - Two) (Audio CD)

Viktor Krauss' sophomore release is a good listen. While it took some time, I eventually came to adore "Far from Enough." That first release sounded like a Bill Frisell album. With "II," Frisell plays a smaller role as Krauss develops his own sound. Indeed, while Viktor Krauss is known as a bass player, here he also steps out on guitar and keyboard. If you enjoyed "Far From Enough," this album offers instant gratification. In terms of the instrumental tracks, it is more of the same intelligent, Americana groove. Again, the group seldom goes for the jugular, rather the band plays around the periphery, avoiding power solos and catchy hooks. It's the sort of music that works well for active listening but easily blends into the background. Aside from less Frisell, the other change in this album is the inclusion of vocals. This album's predecessor featured a vocal track, while "II" features three. It's about two too many. Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is enjoyable. While all the vocal performances are okay, "II" would have been stronger without them. Some things are better off played and left unsaid. Aside from the vocals, the musical quality isn't as interesting as Krauss' freshman effort. While I cherish "Far from Enough," it sounded a bit like a watered down version of Bill Frisell album. "II" sounds a bit like a watered down version of "Far From Enough." Given that the compositions, arrangements and improvisation don't have the same power, it probably qualifies as a sophomore slump. While there aren't too many highs or lows, 'Eyes in the Heat' and 'Dudeman' may be the highlights. While "II" is worth the ride, newbies should acquire "Far From Enough" first.