Sierra Hull

Sierra Hull is one of the up and comers in the bluegrass youth movement. She's actually been around for quite some time, as a genuine child prodigy she played at a very tender age with the likes of Alison Krauss and Sam Bush. During that same period she released an independent album titled "Angel Mountain". It was a purely instrumental record featuring her prodigious mandolin chops. She's currently threatening to become the first female mandolin player to win the IBMA's award as top mando player. She'll also be the youngest winner if her nomination yields a win. Not yet 20, Sierra recently released the album "Daybreak", her second on Rounder Records. I love this album. It showcases the maturity you would expect from someone much older and is an example of how her vocals have caught up with her instrumental skills, even more so than her first Rounder release, "Secrets". Sierra cut "Daybreak" and continues to tour on a limited basis while attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. She is the first bluegrass musician to be awarded the prestigious Presidential Scholarship by Berklee. I've been amazed at what great acoustic roots music is coming from the Boston area. Boston isn't the first place you think of when talking about bluegrass, but when folks like Sarah Jarosz and Crooked Still are making a huge splash in that arena, you have to take notice. Now you can add Sierra Hull to the mix. Sierra is also coming into her own as a songwriter, with the majority of the tracks  on "Daybreak" being Sierra's own. As I said, I really love this album. There isn't a clinker on the whole record. The track "Best Buy" is her first attempt at swing and is delightful. Alison Krauss was once the traditional bluegrass darling until her music got too experimental for hard core purists. Sierra has filled that vacancy. She hasn't strayed far from traditional bluegrass thus far and should be able to keep the purists happy for as long as she cares to. I can't say enough good about Sierra and this latest record. If you loved early Alison Krauss, you'll love Sierra!

Here's a pretty cool bluegrass version of an Adele tune by Sierra:

http://www.cmt.com/videos/sierra-hull/672275/someone-like-you.jhtml