Robert Plant and Alison Krauss to release album this fall

AP ^ | 8/3/7

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - More than a few people in town wondered what was up when Robert Plant was spotted in recent months at the Grand Ole Opry and at the popular bluegrass club The Station Inn.

The former Led Zeppelin frontman's album with bluegrass star Alison Krauss, "Raising Sand," will be released Oct. 23 on Rounder Records, the label has announced.

Recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles and produced by T Bone Burnett, the album finds the two interpreting lesser-known material from blues, R&B, country and folk songwriters including Mel Tillis, Townes Van Zandt, Tom Waits, Gene Clark, Doc Watson, Little Milton Campbell and the Everly Brothers.

There's also "Please Read the Letter," a song written by Plant and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page from their 1998 album, "Walking Into Clarksdale."

"You've got two singers that can handle a wide range of material — storytellers. So you look for the stories," Burnett said in the release.

Krauss and Plant first sang together a few years ago at a tribute concert for blues great Leadbelly at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Supporting musicians on "Raising Sand" include guitarists Marc Ribot and Norman Blake, multi-instrumentalist Mike Seeger, drummer Jay Bellerose and bassist Dennis Crouch.

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That’s just a bizarre pairing, but it might work. I’ve seen Alison Krauss many times over the years, in a variety of settings – the Down from the Mountain shows, with Union Station, with Jerry Douglas only, with Bela Fleck, etc. She could sing directions to the mall, and it would sound beautiful.

Plant’s an odd duck though. His Zepplin stuff rocks, but those showtunes years are a horror to behold. I’ve seen him a few times, he can belt, but I’m less than impressed with the slow stuff.

Some great musicians listed - Ribot’s a genius (was Tom Waits' guitarist for years) and Norman Blake’s a bluegrass great. Some fantastic songwriters listed too.

Should be interesting.

[colorcountry]

I’d go to the concert. It would be awesome!

[dfwgator]

I bet Plant and Alison would do an excellent version of “The Battle of Evermore.”

[peggybac]

Krauss would sound good with anyone. She’s awesome.

[JFC]

Alison Krauss is Awesome. Seen her many times in concert and always a delight.

[wideawake]

Plant's best material is as a blues wailer - not as a crooner. Krauss' strength is that "high, lonesome sound."

Krauss is a brilliant student and reinterpret of white country blues and Plant is a solid student and inventive reinterpreter of black country blues.

Both styles of country blues are very similar and the differences are subtle: if they play to their strengths they can make a very good album.

[Tribune7]

Zepplin’s last album was dang near a country album.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

Hot Dog

[antiRepublicrat]

I can see Plant doing the blues, as Led Zeppelin was influenced by i, and some of the more obscure Zeppelin tracks are even pretty much straight-out blues songs. But country? I’ll have to wait and see.

[Stevenc131]

“There’s also “Please Read the Letter,” a song written by Plant and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page from their 1998 album, “Walking Into Clarksdale.”

Walking Into Clarksdale is a good album, IMO about the best either Plant or Page have done post-Zeppelin. It stayed high up on the sales charts for a good many weeks. Anyone looking for blues-based rock could do a lot worse than this album.

[small voice in the wilderness]

“Goin’ to California”. I’d pay to see them perform that one.

[Kimmers]

I am looking forward to hearing this CD.

I have liked Alison Krauss for a long time, to me her voice is so pure....

[God luvs America]

HUGE Zeppelin fan here...saw them in '77, opening night at Madison Square Garden....also went to all the major reunions including Live Aid and the Atlantic Records Tribute....when my wife and I built our house the first thing I put up in my 5-month old daughters room was a Zeppelin poster....four years later it's still there..

Plant was and has always been my favorite member of the band...his first few albums rocked then his solo stuff slid...

I give him credit though; he's always trying new things and this is another example....he could've sat back and did some gigs with Page and Jones every five year, as the masses want, but he didn't...

Plant has always been into that Memphis Blues, Sun Records type of music...

btw: I have no idea who Allison Kraus is...

 

 

 

 

[antiRepublicrat]

“it”

[angcat]

I never saw them in person but when I was in my 20’s we would go every Saturday night to the midnight showing of “The Song Remains the Same” in Bronxville NY. It was a pissa!

[Retired Chemist]

Alison is my favorite. She has no equal in Bluegrass.

[God luvs America]

I’ve actually seen Plant in concert probably two dozen times...

[colorcountry]

I’ve been infatuated with the “Tall Cool One,” since about 1972 when I was 16. And I love traditional bluegrass even though I prefer Alison’s band to her, she does have a sweet and pure voice.....reminds me a little bit of a young Emmy Lou Harris.

Plant has paired with musicians from India several times, so it will be interesting to say the least.

[angcat]

I wonder how he looks these days.

[small voice in the wilderness]

There has never been, nor will ever be, a band as GREAT as Led Zeppelin. Period. First saw them in Houston in the 70’s. I often wonder if someday I’ll be the only 80 year old in the retirement home who puts the Zeppelin cds on and smiles.