Raising Sand

Stumbling around on a John Prine search across the internet, I found some pre-press news on a new collaborative album by Robert Plant (yes, that Robert Plant of the declarative Rock and Roll yodel) and Allison Krauss( of Union Station and Bluegrass). Produced by T. Bone Burnett, the news seemed positive. On a lark I downloaded the album and last night on first listen I was moved to to tears – a joyous new sound from a trio of seasoned veterans.
Raising Sand is a compilation of cover songs, mostly country and folk covers, with some blues and an old Robert Plant tune thrown in. But the magic comes from Burnett’s raw, crafted sound intertwined with subtle Plant lyrics and Krauss’s distinct harmonies.
The album has a very Chris Isaak feel to it on first listen (think of the mood and place where Isaak’s “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing” and expand that world to a full album.). As well as the many layered sound of Willie Nelson’s Teatro – Daniel Lanois’ many drummed and multi layered country masterpiece.
Listen deeply and you hear in the background Krauss’s violin, fiddling away, accompanied by a simple drum. You hear a subtle but powerful yell and scream from Plant – reminding you of your performers past. The beauty is the understated simplicity and the balance of the dubbed vocals, the many layered production and the distinct soundscape that Burnett captures. T. Bone is as much a star of this album as the gut wrenching beauty of the Plant/Krauss harmonies.
I mentioned Prine. John Prine’s super sad and tender ballad – “Killing the Blues” is rendered here. A sad version as Plant takes you to a very sad place amid very beautiful music.
Find the album, buy the album. Get your ears around this. It will be a familiar part of your music rotation.