Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Raising Sand
Musical legends combine to exhilarating effect
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Monday, 29, Oct 2007 03:38
Decca Records, out October 29th.
In a nutshell...
Peaceful, melodic, soulful, country, hazy.
What's it all about?
Following this year's public scramble for tickets to see the reformed Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant teams up with one of bluegrass' most distinctive voices for a 13-track album that includes a host of session musicians and production from T Bone Burnett.
Best accompanied by a glass of whisky at three in the morning in a room filled with cigarette smoke and poor lighting, Raising Sand boasts the kind of predominantly down-tempo country-blues that makes you wish your true love had just left you for your best friend.
Who's it by
Led Zeppelin frontman Plant has been inducted into every hall of fame and list of greats to bear the name of rock 'n' roll. However, from his days as one quarter of the world's most influential band through his extensive back catalogue as a solo artist, Plant has never hidden his love for the lineage of rock.
Here with Alison Krauss, herself a folk legend with a phenomenal 20 Grammy wins, the pair pick through a selection of blues, r 'n' b, country and folk tracks penned by artists such as Tom Waits and the Everly Brothers.
As an example...
"Somebody said they saw me/Swingin the world by the tail/Bouncin' over a white cloud/Killin' the blues." - Killing The Blues
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
With a pedigree as impressive as that of Plant and Krauss as well as writing contributions from Jimmy Page, Little Milton Campbell and Townes Van Zandt, Raising Sand is likely to receive its fair share of plaudits and critical acclaim.
What the others say
"Really, what else could one expect from a collaboration between a bluegrass prodigy and a rock god, other than one of the best records of the year." - Kim Ruehl's Folk Music blog @ About.com
"Key to the magic is the delicious harmony vocals of the unlikely duo, best displayed on the swaying Killing the Blues." - Billboard
So is it any good?
Who really cares? Anyone who has (and many who have not) heard Raising Sand will tell you that this is a great album - because they would appear foolish if they didn't.
This is the type of CD that people buy because they feel they should, or because it has the name of a legend attached to it - as well as some woman they are too afraid to admit they haven't heard of. However, despite this Raising Sand is powerful stuff.
With each track beautifully arranged and delivered with great care and affection, the fact that this album is the result of two musicians given free reign to indulge themselves in a studio becomes largely irrelevant.
Soulful and melodic, with highlights such as the spine-tingling Killing The Blues, Raising Sand is hugely enjoyable.
So pour yourself another bourbon and dim the lights, it's going to be a late night.
8/10
Noel Mellor
"My dad just bought this album four days ago - have it downloaded onto my computer, LOVE IT. What a great pairing!!!! Beautiful music, Alison Krauss must be an angel disguised as a woman, Robert Plant is just a phenomonal talent!!!!!! ( Still want to see a Zeppelin reunion tour however.)" - Martin Nolan
"This CD is only selling because of intensive pre-release publicity. It is a dirge which so many people will never play again. They will certainly feel cheated. It is certainly a lesson before learned. Listen before you buy and don't believe the hype. I like both these artists in their original form." - David Lund
"Lesson Learned is SUCH an awesome song! Had a REALLY hard time finding it in the club I go to, also Best Buy had a hard time finding it,but FINALLY found it on this album! Wow it's the best song Ive heard in a very long time on the radio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Atta girl!" - Charli Ardoin