Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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85 of 88 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Country, Blues And A Lot More, 29 Oct 2007
It seems an unlikely pairing, the Black Country Plant and the Queen of Bluegrass, but hey, Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn and Jack White, so what's new? Throughout his almost 40 year career, Plant has been a restless spirit and this album is a celebration of his diversity.
It is difficult to categorise this album which is an eclectic mix of delta blues, acoustic blues, alternative country and even folk rock, but somehow producer T Bone Burnett makes it work. He has taken the pair through a selection of thirteen well chosen songs and there isn't an ounce of filler on the album. Burnett has given it a warm, appealing sound and the voices of Plant and Krauss blend effortlessly together on such tracks as Killing The Blues and Stick With Me Baby. The latter sounds almost like the Everly Brothers with a chiming guitar propelling the melody.
There are two Gene Clark songs, Polly Come Home and Through The Morning, Through The Night and are given fine, haunting, interpretations that Clark himself would have been proud of. Plant gets to rock a little on his driving take of the Everly's Gone, Gone, Gone, which sounds nothing like the original!
The Plant/Page collaboration Please Read The Letter translates readily into a country styling whilst Nothin', sounds like late Zeppelin with Krauss's fiddle soaring above the electric distortion. But, for me, the finest moment on the album is Sister Rosetta with Krauss's gypsy fiddle and haunting vocal making this song a restrained, but compelling masterpiece.
If you are a fan of Krauss's fiddle, you might be disappointed to find that she only gets to play it on two tracks, but there is much to compensate with her mature and intelligent interpretations. Plant fans too, will not be disappointed in this latest chapter of his voyage of discovery.
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46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stellar Collaboration - A Must Buy!, 27 Oct 2007
First of all, this is a truly great collection of songs. The arrangements are all superb, delivering an irresistible blend of country and rock. I love the musicianship on this album and the combination of these stellar voices works really well. Alison Krauss is a remarkable talent and Robert Plant shows that he still has the quality and dexterity to deliver magical vocal performances. We know we are in for something special from the very first track ('Rich Woman') which is a swampy stomp with a lovely reverb guitar reminiscent of Roy Orbison or Chris Isaak. The next track ('Killing the Blues') is a great country song and the vocal harmony is just to die for - superb! And it just keeps getting better. There is a lot to enjoy here and even if you're not really a fan of either artist, or are unsure about the collaboration, this album is definitely worth taking a chance on - it is unlikely to disappoint. This is quality country rock along the lines of some of the modern country music around today from the likes of Howe Gelb, Calexico or Iron & Wine.
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70 of 76 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb. Is this the way forward?, 21 Nov 2007
I was initially quite hesitant about this album and ended up buying it out of curiosity. My curiosity is satisfied.
This may well be the future for Robert?
As much as I am - and always have been - a great Zep fan, I cannot see any future there. I do believe this may be the way forward for "old Planty".
His voice sits so well here; no screeching or wailing, no gutural roars, no real demands on his able but none-the-less ageing voice. Mostly gentle and/or easy-going with a few skippy numbers picking up the pace here and there.
BUT - this is also Ms Krauss who is surely a BIG influence on our hero. Her voice is silky and melifluous but doesn't lack strength.
This album surprised and pleased me. A meld of blues, bluegrass, country-rock and folk sauced with a bit of rockabilly.
This is Robert Plant - NOT Led Zeppelin and it is Ms Alison Krauss who will now (if there is any justice), get the credit she richly deserves.
Put it on, sit back and enjoy!
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