Misstropolis

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Allison Krauss & Robert Plant Mix it Up on “Raising Sand”

by Dana Grossman Leeman

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After six months of hype and elevated expectations, Allison Krauss and Robert Plant’s CD, “Raising Sand” at last hit stores and itunes. We can finally find out what happens when a 36 year old bluegrass icon and a 59 year old hedonistic, alleged Satan-worshipping rock legend collaborate under the guidance of yet another music deity, T Bone Burnett.

What happens is a collection of beautifully conceived songs showcasing Krauss and Plant’s talents not just for singing, but for storytelling. “Raising Sand” includes thirteen songs, mostly duets, about unrequited love, squandered relationships, and loss, performed with longing, regret, and humor. Together Krauss and Plant are surprisingly hip, if a bit worn with time. They have amazing chemistry, which comes through in the music. This is best exemplified in the songs, “Polly Come Home” (my personal favorite) and “Slow takes its time.” The artists are deep in conversation, and we get to eavesdrop.

Krauss and Plant’s harmonies are downright velvety at times, sensual and spare. Krauss’s voice has a haunting quality that caused me to listen carefully.  This is particularly evident on “Trampling Rose” and “Sister Rosetta Goes Before.” In the former, Krauss laments with a banjo masquerading as a balalaika, and the effect is chilling and sad.  In the latter, which possibly draws from Gypsy or Central European influence, she manipulates her voice in a way that is deeply wistful, and transports the listener to another time and place.

Robert Plant delivers a nice surprise, as his expected vocal gymnastics are virtually absent from this CD. There is little bravado or bombast, and no moaning. His voice is gentler, lower, more controlled. This is most evident in “Polly Come Home,” and “Nothin’.” But don’t despair diehard Plant fans! Moments in “Please Read the Letter,” “Nothin’” and “Fortune Teller” have the classic Plant sound, sure to bring back memories of high school – in a good way!

In a recent interview on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5KF4dKq-6I), Krauss and Plant acknowledged that the idea of recording these songs together was “frightening” and a real departure for both of them. T Bone Burnett demanded that each artist “step out of his or her comfort zone.” Plant admitted he was “terrified” of working with Krauss on the material, both because she knew bluegrass and American roots music in ways that he did not, and because the recordings would be stripped of the engineered effects that are omnipresent in his music.  He admitted that he is “all right hiding behind a microphone,” but coming out from behind it was “daunting.”

This honesty further endeared him to me. Now, if only he would get a good haircut. 

“Gone, Gone, Gone,” and “Rich Woman,” are fun and sexy, and “Killing the blues,” is another one of my favorites - despite a whimsical tone, the song delivers a simple, powerful message: while we may put on a brave face to the world when we are in pain, grief ultimately isolates us.  With music like this, who needs psychotherapy?  Enjoy “Raising Sands.” I am.

You Tube Making of Video

Get the album on Artists Direct http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/card/0,,454976,00.html