Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0011661907522
Label: Rounder
Manufacturer: Rounder
MPN: 619075
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Rounder
Release Date: 2007-10-23
Studio: Rounder

The musical collaboration of the decade, Raising Sand is the sound of two iconic figures stepping out of their respective comfort zones and letting their instincts lead them across a brave new sonic landscape. Despite hailing from distinctly different backgrounds, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant share a maverick spirit and willingness to extend the boundaries of their respective genres. This spirit, expertly honed by producer T Bone Burnett, has resulted in an album pitched three steps beyond some cosmic collision of early urban blues, spacious West Texas country, and the untapped potential of the folk-rock revolution.

Supported by the unparalleled musicianship of Marc Ribot, Dennis Crouch, Mike Seeger, Jay Bellerose, Norman Blake, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren, and Riley Baugus, Plant and Krauss -- as both solo and harmony vocalists -- tackle an intriguing selection of songs from such tunesmiths as Tom Waits, Gene Clark, Sam Phillips, Townes Van Zandt, The Everly Broth! ers, and Mel Tillis. Raising Sand finds Robert Plant and Alison Krauss exploring popular music's elemental roots while still sounding effortlessly, breath-takingly contemporary.

The song "Killing the Blues" is featured in the new JC Penney American Living Campaign.
Perhaps only the fantasy duo of King Kong and Bambi could be a more bizarre pairing than Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Yet on Raising Sand, their haunting and brilliant collaboration, the Led Zeppelin screamer and Nashville's most hypnotic song whisperer seem made for each other. This, however, is not the howling Plant of "Whole Lotta Love," but a far more precise and softer singer than even the one who emerged with Dreamland (2002). No matter that Plant seems so subdued as to be on downers, for that's one of the keys to this most improbable meeting of musical galaxies--almost all of it seems slowed down, out of time, otherworldly, and at times downright David Lynch-ian, the product of an altered consciousness. Yet probably the main reason it all works so well is the choice of producer T Bone Burnette, the third star of the album, who culled mostly lesser-known material from some of the great writers of blues, country, folk, gospel, and R&B, including Tom Waits, Townes Van Zandt, Milt Campbell, the Everly Brothers, Sam Phillips, and A.D. and Rosa Lee Watson. At times, Burnette's spare and deliberate soundscape--incisively crafted by guitarists Marc Ribot and Norman Blake, bassist Dennis Crouch, drummer Jay Bellerose, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Seeger, among others--is nearly as dreamy and subterranean as Daniel Lanois's work with Emmylou Harris (Wrecking Ball). Occasionally, Burnette opts for a fairly straightforward production while still reworking the original song (Plant's own "Please Read the Letter," Mel Tillis's "Stick with Me, Baby"). But much of the new flesh on these old bones is oddly unsettling, if not nightmarish. On the opening track of "Rich Woman," the soft-as-clouds vocals strike an optimistic mood, while the instrumental backing--loose snare, ominous bass line, and insinuating electric guitar lines--create a spooky, sinister undertow. Plant and Krauss trade out the solo and harmony vocals, and while they both venture into new waters here (Krauss as a mainstream blues mama, Plant as a gospel singer and honkytonker), she steals the show in Sam Phillips' new "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us," where a dramatic violin and tremulous banjo strike a foreboding gypsy tone. When Krauss begins this strange, seductive song in a voice so ethereal that angels will take note, you may stop breathing. That, among other reasons, makes Raising Sand an album to die for. --Alanna Nash

Customer Rating:
Summary: Really a great record
Comment: This really is a great record. Like another reviewer said, it gets better with every listen. Great albums are usually like that, the more you play them the better they get.

This bluesy, twangy, folksy, swampy.......all in the right places. The production enhances the music too instead of getting in the way of it. The backing band are seriously good musicians as well. T Bone Burnett deserves a lot of credit for shaping this record.

Kudos to Robert Plant for turning down the Zeppelin reunion and touring with Alison Krauss instead. If anyone has heard live recordings of this tour then you'll understand my statement.

I only hope they issue a live album of that tour in time.

This is a truly great album on all levels. Make the purchase if you're on the fence.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: great
Comment: The product arrived on date that was promissed. I will continue to purchase from this supplier
Denise Falko

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Customer Rating:
Summary: raising sand
Comment: what a bunch of off key songs. Maybe one track is worth listening to; the rest is a waste of good money.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Gets better everytime you listen
Comment: Pretty good stuff! I have really enjoyed listening to this CD - the more times, the better it gets.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Krauss + Plant = Something Awesome
Comment: Do NOT expect this to be rock or bluegrass. BUY IT ANYWAY because both Plant and Krauss bring their very best to the table and the combination is haunting.

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