A match made in heaven (Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss)

Member Name: fizzywizzy

Product:	Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Date:	28/12/07 (148 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Two great artists, memorable vocal peformances, some super songs

Disadvantages: A few less memorable numbers, stalwart Led Zep fans may cringe

When I first read that blue grass star Alison Krauss was going to make an album with the legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, I was apprehensive to say the least. I had no idea what it would be like and couldn't work out how they could combine their quite different talents.

Robert Plant should need no introduction, but if you've been living in a different universe for the last few decades let me briefly describe his style. As the flamboyant Led Zeppelin vocalist Plant was the inspiration for more than one generation of would-be rock idols, noted for his tight trousers, long curly locks and his (at times) screeching, sultry vocals. In recent years he has mellowed a bit and his appearances at the annual Cropredy Festival in Oxfordshire - one for the folkies - have been well received. "The Zep" set the standard by which all who have followed have been measured. In terms of creativity and originality one would have to go a long way to find a superior band.

Alison Krauss, on the other hand, the queen of the bluegrass scene couldn't be more establishment. She is the darling of what is a fairly conservative music genre but she has taken this genre to a new level, bringing to it new fans. Remember those beautifully melodic songs from the soundtrack of the movie "O Brother where art thou?" - that was Alison Krauss, and that was the first time I heard her music. Before that I knew her name and I assumed I didn't like what she did.

At first glance, the partnership shouldn't work; screeching rocker meets delicate flower doesn't really do it for me - unless you're talking Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell - but Plant and Kraus have a trick up their respective sleeves. The album is a collection of thirteen reworkings of songs by other artists and by choosing from a diverse selection of writers, Plant and Kraus have found a way to use their own distinctive talents in a way that makes perfect sense. Furthermore, with the celebrated T-bone Burnett at the helm, they have followed a formula that has produced some notable albums in recent years (Emmylou Harris's "Wrecking Ball" produced by Daniel Lanois, Loretta Lynn's collaboration with Jack White, "Van Lear Rose).

The opening track "Rich Woman" is a laid back slightly jazzy number that could be coming live from a smoky club. Krauss is nothing short of her wonderful self but Plant's vocals are a revelation, sweet and gentle and a far cry from anything you can think of from Led Zeppelin. The second track "Killing the Blues" sees this continue with the two voices almost melting into one. Some fine pedal steel sees this become a laid back country number and one of the highlights of the album for me.

"Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us" sees Krauss take the lead vocals and features her melancholic fiddle too. It is a haunting and atmospheric song with an eastern European gypsy influence and it's nice to hear Alison's talents directed to a slightly different style from usual.

"Gone Gone Gone" is the first really upbeat song of the album, a duet that has a good rock and roll rhythm and some echoes of Led Zeppelin at times though ultimately it doesn't work for me. Halfway through it seems Plant wants to rock out, there are a few of his strained "yeah baby" calls that is so typical of the raunchier Zep material but Krauss's vocals just don't sit comfortably with this. It's an Everly Brothers song, and one I would have left to them. Of the songs I knew the original of, I'd say that this is the only one that the duo don't bring something positive to.

"Through the Morning, Through the Night" was penned by Gene Clark of the Byrds and it's a typical country song, a lament for a loved one who has gone off with someone else. The two voices complement each other perfectly - you'd think Plant had been doing this all his life!

My favourite track is a reworking of Led Zeppelin's "Please Read the Letter" - a song I have always loved and I am pleased to say that Krauss and Plant manage to make it their own.The chorus could benefit from being beefed up just a little, this is a song that can stand to rock but it is suitably rousing and triumphant. I especially liked the way Kraus brough in her trademark fiddle and was able to more than contribute her fair share to what could have been a straight Led Zeppelin cover rather than a true collaboration.

"Trampled Rose", a Tom Waits song is the one track that I could live without; I've never really got along with Tom Waits and this wailing slow number isn't going to turm me on. It has a distinct eighties feel with touches of Ultravox tucked in there. No thanks...

"Fortune Teller" has a very definite Led Zeppelin feel to it with Plant's vocals harking bak to the band's heyday and Krauss supplying some cool backing vocals including what sounds like a reference to "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey". It's an upbeat song and definitely a foot tapper and T-bone's guitar contribution makes this another standout track.

"Nothin'" written by Townes van Zandt is a really atmosphereic builder, starting with a mysterious and heavy sound that has a sense of the orient, of heady incense and Arabian souks, with its rattling tambourines and drawling strings. Its a stopper and starter that is perfectly suits Plant's voice.

The final number "Your Long Journey" starts off sounding like the string part at he beginning of "Maggie May" but fast becomes a typical country music devotional number of the kind I'm usually not keen on but it's a good chance for Krauss to shine through with her vocals that are as sweet as honey.

Overall this album is a pleasant surprise. there are songs I like less but there aren't any fillers and I am sure there are even more songs that Plant and Krauss would have liked to have remodelled. I think that their styles are too different to have penned original material together but under the watchful eye of T-bone they have found songs that highlight the unique and distinctive talents of both of them.

"Raising Sand" is an album that has something new to offer with each listen and one I can't imagine tiring of any time soon. Rather than flit about betwen genres without really shining, the duo have played on their skills to great effect and chosen songs that makes the most of their talents. This is very clever stuff and I hope there'll be more.

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The album is available from £8.98 through amazon, but check retailers for offers.

I cannot comment on the packaging and inlay, mine is an advance copy.

Summary: Two musical legends in almost total harmony