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Elly Roberts reviews
Raising Sand: 
A legend of Rock’n’Roll. An icon of Bluegrass. Odd couple? Yes, no problems though!
On paper, the pairing of former (or is it current?) Led Zeppelin ‘Rock God’Robert Plant, 59 and Bluegrass princess Alison Krauss, 36, has to be one thestrangest in music history. Pushing their individual boundaries, theycollaborated on one of the unlikeliest successes of late 2007. Come February2008, their mesmerising album Raising Sand hit number 2 in the UK and USA,and now Platinum status.
On its release, the music press loved it, andeventually fans latched onto it, pushed by its second single release PleaseRead The Letter earlier this year, originally included on Plant and Page’s1998 album Walking Into Clarksdale. Plant reckons he’s created something hecouldn’t have dreamed of. Krauss says it was a life-changing experience. Intruth it was new territory for both, though both have a passion for rootsmusic, and harmony work, helped them on their way. After a meeting for atribute to Leadbelly, rehearsals proved fruitful, though Krauss had somereservations about the material, not knowing if she could handle it.
Both stepping out of their comfort zones, looking like Norse invaders, theydropped by the Apollo Manchester with full band, including T-Bone Burnett,the album’s producer. For once, Plant was operating as part of a duo, andsometimes as backing singer. Also, his rock-wail approach was dropped for amore considered and intimate slithering tenor style and it worked toperfection throughout the 2 hour 15 minutes.
Gorgeous in a tan dress andstyled hair (there’s plenty of it), Krauss looked a little uncomfortablewith her new ‘working environment’ (lets not forget she’s not used to thiskind of presentation), remaining static for most of the night. In contrast,Plant moved like a panther, still able to hold a sexually charged posture atthe mic, flicking the odd corkscrew lock, just like the old days.
GuitaristT-Bone Burnett overviewed proceedings with a beam, like a child with a newtoy, visibly relishing every moment. House lights down, techs off, T-Boneand band in place, Plant strolled on to cheers and whistles. He greetedKrauss mid -stage with a high-five and they’re straight into Rich Woman -their harmonizing instantly magical. Further in, they touched on LedZeppelin with a low-key country interpretation of rock blast Black Dog,allowing the crowd to do some familiar, “ah ah ah’s”.
Plant finally spoke.“It’s great to back in this town again. Please give a warm welcome to AlisonKrauss,” thrilling his fans as he left the stage. Krauss did a sweet solo andsome fiddle playing. She glowed as the breeze machine swept her dress. Plantreturned as backup for a countrified Through The Morning Through The Nightwhile T-Bone strummed and Buddy Miller’s pedal steel drenched the ballad.
Then Krauss left Plant to rock it up on Fortune Teller, later joining him.Out of the blue came another Zep gem – Black Country Woman to cheers onceagain. Midway, Plant finally reminded us of his awesome vocal power as helet rip to the astonishment of Krauss who was clearly impressed with theold master. 29 Palms, a Plant solo single is beautifully re-worked for thenight with Krauss adding some sumptuous singing.
Following T-Bone’s spot,delicate ballad Trampled Rose saw Krauss giving a vocal masterclass. She’sthen given time for some real Bluegrass from soundtrack O Brother, Where ArtThou?, singing a haunting Down To The River To Pray, with just Plant, StuartDuncan and Buddy Miller doing the backups, making it one of the majorhighlights. Then came Killing The Blues: dreamy and smooth harmoniesaplenty. Yet another Zep classic emerges and it’s almost unrecognisable –When The Levee Breaks – and its mind-blowing. Sandy Denny was the onlyfemale singer to grace a Zep album when she duetted with Plant on Going ToCalifornia
Now it was Krauss’ turn, and she passed with flying colours. Twosingles, Please Read The Letter and rockabilly Gone Gone Gone (Done MovedOn), are superbly upbeat. After a standing ovation, they’re quickly back forthree more, closing with traditional Your Long Journey, leaving us with yetanother classy duet, as you’d expect from two masters of their craft.
On this glorious night, both spread their wings for a flight of fancy. What a flight.
For more of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, check out the following:
- Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on Breakfast: Part 1 (31.10.07)
- Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on Breakfast: Part 1 (31.10.07)
- Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on The Culture Show (03.11.07)
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.