Alison Krauss and Union Station “Every Time You Say Goodbye” <i> Rounder</i>

Alison Krauss is 21 now--old enough not to be labeled a prodigy, but prodigious nevertheless. Since she was 15, this supremely gifted bluegrass and traditional country musician from Champagne, Ill., has been enchanting a national audience with her ability to sing angelically while fiddling masterfully. “Every Time You Say Goodbye,” her fourth album for Rounder, finds her applying rare sweetness and grace to mostly contemporary, mostly downcast material, including bluegrass-style remakes of songs by Shawn Colvin and Karla Bonoff. Just as her vocal and instrumental talents developed early, so has Krauss’ understanding of the virtues of understatement; and rather than settling into the background, Krauss’ Union Station band shines alongside her, with a completely revamped lineup contributing strong lead vocals, good original songs and standout playing.